The BBC World Service recently featured Tim Eriksen in a new episode of In the Studio, exploring the continued vitality of Sacred Harp singing in the U.S. and abroad. The broadcast, released April 25, 2025, arrives just as the Sacred Harp Publishing Company prepares to release its long-anticipated new edition—one that will include more contributions from contemporary singers than any previous revision.
Listen in: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct6vnp
For those who know Eriksen’s long-standing commitment to Sacred Harp—as a singer, song leader, researcher, and educator—this is a welcome and well-crafted portrait. The program follows him through recording sessions and reflections, weaving in commentary from Laura Clawson and others about how the tradition has maintained a sense of openness and shared purpose even in an era of increasing cultural and political polarization.
The segment touches briefly on the usual landmarks—1844, the hollow square, four-part harmony—but its real value lies in how it presents the lived reality of singing today. The questions it raises about inclusivity, community, and continuity are ones many singers will recognize, even if our answers differ.
Produced by Sarah Cuddon with additional work by Ben James, the broadcast is now available to stream on the BBC Sounds website and will remain online for over a year.
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