34th Annual Pacific Northwest Sacred Harp Singing Convention - Oregon Session

Please join us in Portland on Saturday and Sunday October 17-18, 2026, for the 34th annual Portland Sacred Harp Singing Convention.

We will sing from the Sacred Harp 2025 edition (ivy book).

The singing will be at the Laurelhurst Club in SE Portland (3721 SE Ankeny St, Portland OR).

No previous singing experience is required, and newcomers are encouraged to attend. The singing is free and loaner books will be available.

Registration opens at 9 am. We will sing from 9:30-3:00 both days, with dinner on the grounds at noon.

Please contact poshchair@gmail.com with any questions.

Schedule

Thursday, October 15

7-9pm Third Thursday Shenandoah Singing at the common room for 2515-2525 SE Ankeny, Portland.
Directions: Look for Little Free Library box. Take the alley to your right (east side) as you’re facing the building. The common room is the first door on the left.

Friday, October 16

7-9pm Singing School, at the Musician's Union Hall (325 NE 20th Ave)

Dan Thoma will lead us in a lesson on "Sounds of the Sacred Harp: A composer’s ears."

How does our music sound from a composer’s perspective? How does writing shape note music change how one hears it? What makes a shape note tune a Sacred Harp tune? This singing school explores the contours of our tradition through the ears of one contributor to the 2025 Edition.

Food and drink can be brought to the Union Hall

9pm Social, at the Rose City Book Pub (1329 NE Fremont St), which has food, drink, and a back patio.

Saturday, October 17

9am-3pm Convention! Registration at 9am, singing at 9:30am, dinner on the grounds at noon, at the Laurelhurst Club (3721 SE Ankeny St)

Evening Social, at the home of a local singer in NE Portland (address will be given at the singing)

Sunday, October 18

9am-3pm Convention! Registration at 9am, singing at 9:30am, dinner on the grounds at noon, at the Laurelhurst Club (3721 SE Ankeny St)

Accessibility

The Laurelhurst Club, the main venue for singing, is fully accessible via a ramp from the sidewalk, and there is plenty of nearby on-street parking.

The Musician's Union Hall, the venue for our Friday Singing School, is fully accessible with a small parking lot.

COVID Protocols

COVID tests are not required this year.

Please stay home if you are ill or have any respiratory symptoms, out of care for each other and especially our elder and immunocompromised singers.

Childcare

Childcare will be available both Saturday and Sunday of the Convention, from 9am-3:15pm each day.

Housing

Please direct inquiries about staying with local singers to poshhousingcommittee@gmail.com.