A event on Tuesday 6th January. The event starts at 19:00.
Want to make as much noise as you want, meet new friends and experience a fun, challenging musical tradition? Then try Sacred Harp!
These friendly, welcoming workshops in Bristol are for everyone who's interested in shapenote music. You don't need any experience at all - just turn up. You'll get used to opening up your voice, learn the basics of harmony singing using traditional shape note symbols, and get introduced to the haunting folk hymns of the American South.
We will explore the music of the Sacred Harp, a tunebook first published in the 1840s and revised and reprinted again only last year in 2025. It's a singing tradition with a rich culture and deep roots, evocative of little wooden churches in the woods, wild harmonies and powerful emotions. There will be plenty of opportunities to chat and ask questions, and we'll take a break with tea and snacks.
If you have any questions you can contact us on Facebook or via [email protected]
How much does it cost?
Sacred Harp singing is always free, but we suggest a PWYC contribution between £3-10 if you can afford it - this helps cover the cost of room hire.
LOCATION:
St Matthew's Church
Clare Road
Kingsdown
Bristol
BS6 5TB
TRANSPORT:
- Buses: Routes 13 & 72 [Stop: Cotham Side] ~ 2 minute walk or Routes 17, 25, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77 [Stop: Stokes Croft N1 / N2], ~11 minute walk
- Trains: Redland, ~13 minute walk
- Parking: There is a small amount of parking outside the front if required. Very local parking is a mix of spaces that are residents-only until 7pm, and others that are pay at machine until 7pm - with the 30 minute free ticket facility from 6:30, so read signs carefully.
If you arrive earlier, there is free parking from 5pm on streets a bit further away (~5 minute walk) - try parts of Nugent Hill, Sydenham Hill, Sydenham Road.
ACCESS:
- Ramp access to building, wide accessible toilet
- We sing sitting down.
- If you use reading glasses, bring them - text on some songs can be small, and lighting a little dim.
- Do not attend if you suspect you have, or are developing a communicable, respiratory infection such as Covid-19, a cold or the flu.
- We sing in a large room that doesn't have openable windows. There is a door we open for ventilation as long as it's not too cold.
- Some singers take a lateral flow test before singing - it's encouraged, but we know this personal preference.
Entry requirements: no age restrictions
These friendly, welcoming workshops in Bristol are for everyone who's interested in shapenote music. You don't need any experience at all - just turn up. You'll get used to opening up your voice, learn the basics of harmony singing using traditional shape note symbols, and get introduced to the haunting folk hymns of the American South.
We will explore the music of the Sacred Harp, a tunebook first published in the 1840s and revised and reprinted again only last year in 2025. It's a singing tradition with a rich culture and deep roots, evocative of little wooden churches in the woods, wild harmonies and powerful emotions. There will be plenty of opportunities to chat and ask questions, and we'll take a break with tea and snacks.
If you have any questions you can contact us on Facebook or via [email protected]
How much does it cost?
Sacred Harp singing is always free, but we suggest a PWYC contribution between £3-10 if you can afford it - this helps cover the cost of room hire.
LOCATION:
St Matthew's Church
Clare Road
Kingsdown
Bristol
BS6 5TB
TRANSPORT:
- Buses: Routes 13 & 72 [Stop: Cotham Side] ~ 2 minute walk or Routes 17, 25, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77 [Stop: Stokes Croft N1 / N2], ~11 minute walk
- Trains: Redland, ~13 minute walk
- Parking: There is a small amount of parking outside the front if required. Very local parking is a mix of spaces that are residents-only until 7pm, and others that are pay at machine until 7pm - with the 30 minute free ticket facility from 6:30, so read signs carefully.
If you arrive earlier, there is free parking from 5pm on streets a bit further away (~5 minute walk) - try parts of Nugent Hill, Sydenham Hill, Sydenham Road.
ACCESS:
- Ramp access to building, wide accessible toilet
- We sing sitting down.
- If you use reading glasses, bring them - text on some songs can be small, and lighting a little dim.
- Do not attend if you suspect you have, or are developing a communicable, respiratory infection such as Covid-19, a cold or the flu.
- We sing in a large room that doesn't have openable windows. There is a door we open for ventilation as long as it's not too cold.
- Some singers take a lateral flow test before singing - it's encouraged, but we know this personal preference.
Entry requirements: no age restrictions
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