“Compositions Shaped by Community”

A paper on composing music in the Sacred Harp tradition is the feature article in the new March/April 2025 issue of Choral Journal (Vol. 65, No. 7).

Three singers, who are also three scholars, have teamed up for the paper. Lily M. Hammond, Abigail C. Cannon, and Esther M. Morgan-Ellis have written the paper “Compositions Shaped by Community: Writing Music in the Sacred Harp Tradition.”

The featured article explores the distinct approach to music composition within the shape-note singing tradition. Shape-note singing is a participatory activity where singers of varying experience levels create music for one another without rehearsals or audiences. This communal aspect shapes the composers’ philosophies and impacts how new musical works are created and engaged with by the community. Unlike other choral traditions, Sacred Harp composers often lack formal training and instead rely on community-based learning and personal experiences as singers. This unique approach results in compositions that prioritize the joy and engagement of the community over technical perfection.

We are lucky that the Journal has put the entire issue online for free. You can view just the article here:

Compositions Shaped by Community: Writing Music in the Sacred Harp Tradition by Lily M. Hammond, Abigail C. Cannon, and Esther M. Morgan-Ellis

Or you van view the entire issue at this link.

The photo at the head of this post, taken from the article, is by Adrienne Robertson. It was taken at the Northern Shenandoah Valley Double All-Day Singing, June 1, 2024. Grace Episcopal Church, Berryville, Virginia.