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Saint Louis Shape Note Singers

The St. Louis Shape Note Singers are a loose affiliation of singers in the old colonial and southern tradition of Sacred Harp singing. We usually sing from The Sacred Harp, 1991 Denson edition, as well as from The Missouri Harmony, 2005 edition (more information in Resources), tunebooks whose origins date from the early 1800s. The St. Louis Shape Note Singers are one of several dozen active shape note singing groups across the country and around the world, some continuously active for over 100 years and some only recently organized.

Following this tradition, we do not have auditions, rehearsals or performances as such. We simply gather to sing the music we love. Musical talent or training is not required.

Every year, shape note singing groups host their annual "convention", an all-day or two-day singing at which all singers are welcome. The St. Louis Shape Note Singers host the annual two-day Missouri Convention each year on the 2nd Sunday in March and the Saturday before. (March 10 and 11 2012, 9:30 to 3, at St. John UCC, Pinckney Township MO flyer, pictures, more pictures) Singers come from all over the United States and Canada, and some from overseas. A complete schedule of singing conventions (and many other resources) is available at www.fasola.org.

We normally meet to sing on the first, third, and fifth Monday evenings each month, from 7 PM (or as soon as enough singers arrive) until 9:30 PM. Singings on first Mondays are in University City. Singings on third Mondays are at the Thompson Music Building on the campus of Webster University in Webster Groves. When the Webster University location is not available, we frequently meet at the Recital Hall in the Music Building at UM-St. Louis. Fifth Mondays can vary not only by location but also by time. We are nomadic enough to make it very wise to check our current schedule and/or contact Dave or Paul before attending.

If you are not on our e-mail list, please check the current schedule page or call Dave at 314-776-7477 for updates on times and locations. You may also e-mail Paul at stlfasola@stlfasola.org

For more information about shape note and Sacred Harp singing, visit www.fasola.org.