---------------------------------------------------------------------- 18th Annual All-California Sacred Harp Singing Convention Two Full Days of Singing! Saturday and Sunday January 14-15, 2006 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- A traditional gathering of shape note singers from across the country. Everyone is invited to sing early American 4-part hymns and enjoy a traditional noontime potluck. No Admission Charge. Casa de Flores 737 Walnut Street San Carlos, California Schedule (both days): 9:00 Registration 9:30 Singing 12:00 Lunch 1:00 More singing 3:30 Cleanup Potluck lunch at noon each day ------------------------------ Bay Area singers: please bring a dish to share. Saturday Evening Social ------------------------------ 6:00 - 10:00 PM. Socializing, and light snacks. Location TBA. Further Information ------------------------------ For details and updates, and a printable and downloadable Convention flyer, please visit the Convention web site at: http://fasola.org/sf/convention/ For more information on Sacred Harp, visit the national web site at: http://fasola.org/ Housing & Other Inquiries: The Eighteenth Annual All-California Sacred Harp Singing Convention c/o Carolyn Deacy 1024 Chenery Street San Francisco, CA 94131 Carolyn Deacy (415) 585-4773, Chris Thorman (650) 631-2977, sf@fasola.org Driving Directions ------------------------------ (See flyer at Web address above for maps to go with these directions.) Casa de Flores, 737 Walnut Street, San Carlos From San Francisco: Allow 30 min. Hwy 101 South. Go about 20 miles to Holly Street exit... From Berkeley/Oakland: Allow 45 min. Take I-880 to San Mateo bridge (Route 92), to Hwy 101 South. 3 miles to Holly Street... From South Bay: Allow 20 min. Hwy 101 North to Holly St. exit... ...from Holly Street exit: Exit West on Holly Street, toward the hills. Go about 1 mile, crossing under overhead railroad tracks and into downtown area. Turn left on Walnut, 2.5 blocks to #737. Park in lots on either side, or on the street. About Sacred Harp Singing ------------------------------ The origins of this uniquely American music predate our nation. The base material in the form of hymns and folk tunes floated over the Atlantic with the early settlers. Here they were transformed into 3 and 4 part songs, to be sung a cappella, with each part miraculously melodious. This new music was spread to a musically illiterate population via singing schools and itinerant singing masters who were often the composers of the songs. The harmonies achieved by these untrained early American composers were so rich and delightful as to border on the sinful. In fact, that was exactly the opinion of the trained choirmasters who followed and essentially exterminated this native music in the Northeast and Midwest where it had become established. In the deep South, however, it found a more enduring home. Either because of its "illegitimate harmonies" or because of its "folk theology," shape note music has seldom found its way into church services. It is sung in homes and gatherings and conventions, but rarely "performed." Everyone who comes to this music eventually becomes part of it. Speaking of musical experience, none is necessary to join us at the convention in January. All parts will be strongly supported and you will be carried by the wave of music surrounding you. The curious are welcome to listen, but be warned that this music is contagious. Press mentions ------------------------------ Strange, haunting notes -- the rough, wild sounds of the frontier. -- Nashville Tennessean Sacred Harp is distinctly American music a sound all its own once it grabs hold, it doesn't let go. -- Wall Street Journal One of the oldest, purest, musical traditions in the country. -- Los Angeles Times Heady, stirring, potent stuff indeed. -- Boston Globe The joy in the voices was so strong I could feel it in my chest as I walked in. -- Bergen County (NJ) Record