Portland Sacred Harp

Shape note singing is one of America’s oldest musical and social gathering activities. All are welcome to sing, regardless of experience or ability. Portland Sacred Harp events do not have any membership requirements or religious or political affiliations. Come as you are and sing for yourself! Learn more

CALENDAR

Regular Singing

We've resumed almost-weekly singing. Vaccination is required, but masks are optional except in the public areas of the building(s)

  • First and Third Sundays: First Sunday Christian Harmony, Third Sunday Blue Book Waverly UCC 3300 SE Woodward St, Portland
  • Second and Fourth Sundays: From the Denson book, 4-6 PM at McMenamins Kennedy School, 5736 NE 33rd Ave, Portland, OR. Singing is in the Community Room at the SE corner of the main building.

Upcoming Special Events

  • March 5, 2022: 10 AM – 2:30 PM Olympia All-Day Singing and Dinner-on-the-Grounds at the Evergreen State College Library
  • May 7-8, 2022: Portland Double All-Day Singing at the Laurelhurst Club

LISTEN

 China
 Eternal Day

More videos and audio recordings.

LEARN ABOUT THE TRADITION

Watch the OPB feature, practice singing online, and visit fasola.org.

PRESS

“It was a strange sound, raw and wild and hoary, yet at the same time, familiar somehow – a great, aching lamentation that stopped people walking by in the hallway outside cold.It was as if voices from a previous century had started speaking again.”The Oregonian

“…six times better than a night at Chopsticks,” “way more raw and rustic than gospel,” and a “mind-bogglingly beautiful music style.”The Portland Mercury

“‘…penetrating sound that gets under your skin…that primal scream of music that is Sacred Harp singing at its best.”The Willamette Week

CONTACT US

Find Portland Sacred Harp on Facebook or write to Ana Tighe.

OH, AND DID WE MENTION THE FOOD?

Our potlucks were praised in The Oregonian’s “Food Day”: Read the short and sweet article.

RESOURCES

Here’s a list of local resources

  • The PoSH email discussion list on Google Groups.
  • What’s Going On Here? A two-page introduction to sacred harp singing.
  • PoSH Facebook page: If you’re on Facebook, it’s a good way to keep in touch with other singers and the PoSH group.
  • Monthly announcement of local singings and events via Mailchimp. Email portlandsacredharp@gmail.com to be added.
  • Most important resource? Other singers. Ask them questions. At singings, sit up front next to someone who knows what they’re doing – they were beginners not too long ago and will be happy to help.

Longer list about everything sacred harp
A four-page selection of links from around the world — includes sections on: Tradition and culture, singing fundamentals and good habits, how to find songs you’ve sung, how to find and learn new songs, leading, conventions and all-day singings, dinner on the grounds, connecting to the international community, Camp Fasola, teaching, arranging, keying, composing, and recording singings.