I have often remarked “for a style of music noted for its loudness, it sure is funny how often people whisper and mumble out their song number!” Just recently I quipped it again, and someone said “I have written on just that very topic.” They have graciously sent me their thoughts, and I concur.
Calling Your Number
Several years ago, Sacred Harp singers on the Fasola Discussions listserv conducted a brief but intense discussion about announcing and repeating song numbers at singing conventions. That sounds simple and likely attracted no impassioned supporters or detractors, right? Wrong!
At Sacred Harp singings, anyone who wishes is given an opportunity to call a number, stand in the “hollow square,” and then lead it (or “teach the class a lesson,” as it is called in singing school vernacular). Some people come to the square and announce their numbers clearly and distinctly. Others may speak in a way that is less audible. When this happens, someone in the class may ask for the number, and someone else may repeat the number loudly.
Knowing the page number of the song being sung is a necessary part of the democratic process of joining in sacred song. If you do not know the number of the song, then you’re left out of singing it—at least initially (you may eventually find it). After a song starts, experienced singers will often know where to go, but beginners will still be left out. I believe it is a given that numbers MUST be repeated in such circumstances. Herein lies the rub: who will repeat it, how often, and how loudly?
It has been suggested that there are some problems with repeating the number. Here are the stated problems (as discussed on the listserv), followed by my replies.
Assertion 1.
Loud calling or re-calling of the number disturbs the spiritual moment of preparation to singing.
Answer 1. Even if this were true (though I don’t believe it to be), not knowing the number certainly disturbs both the spiritual moment and the singing moment. Therefore, perhaps we either have two competing “spiritual moments” that cancel each other out, or we must decide the lesser of two evils. Most probably, loudly calling the number does not actually disturb the spiritual moment of preparation; people easily annoyed might more likely be in the flesh rather than the spirit. For comparison, might it be more or less spiritual for a minister to mutter his text so few could understand from where he is reading, or to state it clearly so all who wish may read along? I think the answer is obvious.
Assertion 2.
Loud calling or re-calling of the number negatively affects sound recordings that are being made.
Answer 2. Perhaps this can be true. Nevertheless, singings are for SINGING. Listening, recording, and such like are merely by-products of the singing. The recording of a singing should not trump the singing itself. Hopefully a happy medium can be achieved, but singing comes first. If there is no singing, there is nothing to listen to and nothing to record. If the singers do not know the song number, what will they be singing? How might the recording sound if some singers are singing from different numbers! [i]
Assertion 3.
Loud calling or re-calling of the number should be undertaken by the officers of the singing or someone approved/appointed to that task (front row tenors, for example).
Answer 3. There is not a universal tradition of how this should be done, but apparently this is held as appropriate in different areas. I do not think that many people would object to the convention taking the lead in this area. If this is the practice of a certain region or convention we should abide by it, and the convention officers should see that the service is actually being provided. Under this tradition, the convention officers should be notified if it is not, and they should make certain – to the best of their ability – that singers have the opportunity to know the page numbers of the songs being sung. [ii] (I say to the best of their ability because there are situations like folks not hearing because they or folks next to them are talking, people who have significant enough hearing loss that they will not understand the number regardless, etc.).
Assertion 4.
Loud calling or re-calling of the number can be more hindrance than help if the person re-calling the numbers is getting the numbers wrong.
Answer 4. This is true when the numbers are called wrong. But how can we call it more of a hindrance? Not knowing the number is not knowing the number, whether it is because it cannot be heard to begin with or because it is miscalled. The second situation is basically the same situation as the first – not knowing the number of the song. The solution to both of these problems is to call the number clearly and distinctly.
It is incumbent on leaders at Sacred Harp singings to learn to announce their numbers for all to hear (again to the best of their ability). Some folks are capable of being more distinct and articulate than others. For some perhaps the quiet muffled announcement is ignorance, misunderstanding, or just the thought that the front row WILL repeat their numbers. Some may have been taught this. If so, their teachers performed a disservice to the Sacred Harp community. Do not assume someone will or should repeat your song number. I was taught to announce the number loudly and clearly. I hope I accomplish that. To you leaders I say, “Do you just want only those seated right in front of you to sing?” Or, “Do you expect help from the entire singing class?” Announce your number to whomever you expect to sing with you! Stand up, announce your number clearly before you come forward, and again when you are in the square. Speak the numbers distinctly by saying each digit separately—four, six, eight (468). Even turn around and say it once to the altos behind you. Someone pointed out that three-digit song numbers can be repeated four times in less than ten seconds. Everyone in the class is entitled to locate the number before the singing starts. [iii] Proactive leaders announcing numbers distinctly will go a long way toward reducing the need for loud repeating. [iv]
So, the three questions. Who will repeat the number? Whoever the convention designates, or, whoever, if no one is designated. How often? As needed. How loudly? Loud enough for the class to hear. (All within reason, as discussed above, and in the endnotes.)
Lastly, let us all be considerate of one another and seek to have the best singing each time we come together.
Endnotes
[i] At least one Convention alleviated the situation by enabling the arranging committee projecting the song number on a screen. This works very well – as long as the leader calls the song where the arranging committee can hear the number!
[ii] Audio recordings can also be edited, taking out extraneous material. One should think long and hard about doing anything that would reduce the actual singing experience for the benefit of a recording. –[editor]
[iii] Perhaps the situation has also been exacerbated in recent times because of the rush to try to see how many leaders can be put up at a convention. Sometimes that is done to the frustration of the overall enjoyment of the entire class.
[iv] Since writing most of these comments years ago, I am now a member of the hard-of-hearing class. Now more than ever I appreciate the clear enunciation of the song number. Also, I can appreciate that, due to no one’s fault, sometimes the hard of hearing among us will just have to find another way to know the number, such as looking at our neighbor’s book to see what page he or she is on.
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