Regular Sings
A Regular sing, sometimes called a "Practice" sing, is a regularly or semi-regularly scheduled sings that usually happen on a weekly or monthly basis. These sings are typically less formal than Annual Conventions, or other "Big" sings. These are great places to learn the tradition, new songs, practice leading, and meet other singers!
Below is a list of groups that meet regularly in North Carolina to sing. If you have questions about any particular Regular sing, please use the contact information listed for each group. Most groups will have loaner books available.
Chapel Hill
When: Monthly, every 3rd Sunday. 1:30 - 4:00pm
Where: The Episcopal Church of the Advocate (8410 Merin Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27516)
Contact: Kyle (kylejohnston89@gmail.com)
Singing from the Sacred Harp (and sometimes others)
Charlotte
When/Where: Irregular, check the group's Facebook Page
Singing from the Sacred Harp
Durham
When: Monthly, every 2nd Sunday. 2:00pm - 4:00pm (starting again in September, 2022)
Where: Five Oaks Seventh Day Adventist Church (4124 Farrington Rd, Durham, 27707)
Contact: Kyle (kylejohnston89@gmail.com)
Singing from the Sacred Harp
Raleigh
When: Monthly, every 4th Sunday. 1:00 - 3:30pm
Where: Mordecai Historic Park (unless stated otherwise)
Contact: Kyle (kylejohnston89@gmail.com)
Singing from the Sacred Harp (and sometimes others)
Swannanoa
When: Monthly, every 3rd Sunday during the school year. 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Where: Kittredge Recital Hall, Warren Wilson College
Contact: Sarah (smkehrberg@gmail.com)
Winston-Salem
When: Monthly, every 2rd Sunday. 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Where: St. Anne's Episcopal Church (2690 Fairlawn Dr., Winston-Salem, NC 27106)
Contact: Tom (TDillon27127@earthlink.net)
Singing from the Sacred Harp
Annual/All-Day Sings, Conventions, Camps, & Singing Schools
An Annual Sing, often called an All-Day Sing, are usually much larger singing events that attract people from all over. These events often feature a potluck-style Dinner-On-The-Grounds, a Memorial Lesson, and multiple hours of singing. These events are usually organized by a local group and have more structure to them than a regular sing might. There are usually officers who preside over the proceedings, and an arranging committee to organize song leaders. These events can be great first-time experiences for many singers who wish to be immersed fully in the tradition.
Camps and Singing Schools are great places to go to learn new skills and history associated with the shape note singing tradition, meet singers from all over, and of course, sing!
Annual NC Shape Note Convention
When: Usually the first weekend in March, Cancelled 2022
Where: TBD
Contact: Kyle Johnston (kylejohnston89@gmail.com)
The Quay Smathers Memorial Singing School
When: TBD, usually a Saturday in April, Cancelled 2022
Where: The Shook-Smathers House in Clyde, NC
Singing from The Christian Harmony (2015 Folk Heritage)
Website
Etowah Spring Singing
When: Saturday before the First Sunday in May, Cancelled 2022
Where: Etowah Lions Club - Hendersonville, NC
Singing from The Christian Harmony (2015 Folk Heritage)
Contact: Diane Eskenasy (dogsongs@gmail.com)
Calvary-Fletcher Singing
When: June 11, 2022 (Saturday before the Second Sunday in June)
Where: Calvary Episcopal Church - Fletcher, NC
Singing from The Christian Harmony (2015 Folk Heritage)
Contact: Dan Huger (dehuger@gmail.com)
John C. Campbell Folk School Singing School
When: July 8 - July 10, 2022
Where: John C. Campbell Folk School - Brasstown, NC
Singing from the Christian Harmony (2010)
Website
The Swannanoa Gathering Shape Note Singing
When: Saturday, July 23, 2022 10am - 3pm
Where: Warren Wilson College - Swannanoa, NC
Singing from the Sacred Harp, Christian Harmony (2010), & Southern Harmony
Contact: Sarah Kehrberg (smkehrberg@gmail.com)
Camp DoReMi
When: August 11 - 14, 2022
Where: Wild Acres Retreat, Little Switzerland, NC
Singing from The Christian Harmony (2010) and The New Harp of Columbia
Website
Etowah Fall Singing
When: September 3, 2022 (Saturday before the First Sunday in September)
Where: Etowah Lions Club - Hendersonville, NC
Singing from The Christian Harmony (2015 Folk Heritage)
Contact: Diane Eskenasy (dogsongs@gmail.com)
Old Folks Day Singing
When: September 11, 2022 (Second Sunday in September)
Where: Morning Star United Methodist Church - Canton, NC
Singing from The Christian Harmony (2015 Folk Heritage)
Contact: June Smathers Jolley (jjolley09@gmail.com)
Mountain Heritage Day
When: Last Saturday in September
Where: Western Carolina University - Cullowhee, NC
Singing from The Sacred Harp & The Christian Harmony (2010)
Contact: Will Peebles (wpeebles@email.wcu.edu)
Swannanoa Valley Singing
When: November 12, 2022 (Saturday before the Second Sunday in November)
Where: St. James Episcopal Church - Black Mountain, NC
Singing from The Christian Harmony (2015 Folk Heritage) & The Christian Harmony (2010)
Contact: Joe Holbert (treeblow@bellsouth.net)
Singing on the River
When: First Saturday in December
Where: Madison County Arts Building - Marshall, NC
Singing from The Christian Harmony (2015 Folk Heritage)
Contact: Laura Boosinger (lauraboosinger@gmail.com)
Zack Allen (folkheritagebooks@gmail.com)
