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.
If it's your first time or you're traveling some distance, it's a good idea to check with the listed contact to confirm that a sing on a particular date is happening. Some groups also maintain mailing lists you can join for updates; please check with the organizer.
Asheville (Swannanoa)
When: Monthly, every 3rd Sunday during the school year. 3:00 - 5:00pm
This group does not meet in June, July, or August.
Where: Steve Williams Recital Hall, Warren Wilson College
Contact: Sarah ([email protected])
Singing from The Sacred Harp (1991)
Asheville Christian Harmony
When: Every 2nd & 4th Thursdays. 6:30 - 8:30pm
Where: First Presbyterian Church, Asheville, NC 28801
Contact: Clarke ([email protected])
Singing from The Christian Harmony (2010)
Boone
When: Monthly, every 4th Tuesday of the month, 6:30-8:30pm
(Please check the calendar on the homepage for changes in November and December 2024)
Where: Great Room at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 170 Councill Street, Boone, NC 28607
Contact: Eli and Lynda ([email protected])
Singing from The Christian Harmony (2010)
Charlotte
When/Where: Irregular, check the group's Facebook Page
Singing from The Sacred Harp (1991)
Durham
2nd Sunday sing
When: Monthly, every 2nd Sunday. 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Where: Five Oaks Seventh Day Adventist Church (4124 Farrington Rd, Durham, NC)
Contact: Kaleb ([email protected])
Singing from The Sacred Harp (1991) and The Shenandoah Harmony
More details: Triangle Shape Note on Facebook
3rd Tuesday sing
When: Monthly, every 3rd Tuesday. 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Where: Durham Friends Meeting (404 Alexander Ave, Durham, NC 27705, USA)
Contact: [email protected]
Singing from The Sacred Harp (1991)
More details: Triangle Shape Note on Facebook
Raleigh
When: Monthly, every 4th Sunday. 2:00 - 4:00pm
Where: Mordecai Historic Park (unless stated otherwise), St Mark's Chapel, (1 Mimosa St, Raleigh, NC 27604)
Contact: Mary ([email protected])
Singing from The Sacred Harp and The Shenandoah Harmony
More details: Triangle Shape Note on Facebook
Winston-Salem
When: Monthly, every 2nd Sunday. 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Where: St. Anne's Episcopal Church (2690 Fairlawn Dr., Winston-Salem, NC 27106)
Contact: Tom ([email protected])
Singing from The Sacred Harp (1991) and Shenandoah Harmony
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!
35th Annual NC Shape Note All-Day Singing
When: March 8, 2025, 9:30am-3:30pm (registration opens at 9:30am, singing starts at 10am)
Where: Pullen Memorial Church (Chapel), 1801 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC 27605
Singing from The Sacred Harp and The Shenandoah Harmony
Dinner on the Grounds, social to follow.
Contact: [email protected]
See the Facebook event for more details and info about parking, a social, and more singing on Sunday.
6th Annual Quay Smathers Memorial Singing School
When: TBD (usually in April)
Where: The Shook-Smathers House in Clyde, NC (178 Morgan St.)
Singing from The Christian Harmony (2015 Folk Heritage)
Website
118th Etowah Spring Singing
When: May 3, 2025 (Saturday before the First Sunday in May)
Where: Etowah Lions Club - Hendersonville, NC
Singing from The Christian Harmony (2015 Folk Heritage)
Contact: Diane Eskenasy ([email protected])
22nd Calvary-Fletcher Singing
When: June 7, 2025 10:00am - 3:00pm (Saturday before the Second Sunday in June)
Where: Calvary Episcopal Church - Fletcher, NC
Singing from The Christian Harmony (2015 Folk Heritage)
Contact: Dan Huger ([email protected])
32nd John Campbell Folk School Singing
When: Saturday, July 12, 2025 10:00am - 3:00pm
Where: TBD, John C. Campbell Folk School
Singing from The Christian Harmony (2010) and The Sacred Harp (1991)
Website
17th Swannanoa Gathering Shape Note Singing
When: Saturday, July 26, 2025 10am - 3pm
Where: Warren Wilson College - Swannanoa, NC
Singing from The Sacred Harp, Christian Harmony (2010), & Southern Harmony
Contact: Sarah Kehrberg ([email protected])
Camp DoReMi
When: TBD
Where: Wild Acres Retreat, Little Switzerland, NC
Singing from The Christian Harmony (2010) and The New Harp of Columbia
Website
118th Etowah Fall Singing
When: September 6, 2025 (Saturday before the First Sunday in September)
Where: Etowah Lions Club - Hendersonville, NC
Singing from The Christian Harmony (2015 Folk Heritage)
Contact: Diane Eskenasy ([email protected])
135th Old Folks Day Singing
When: September 14, 2025
Where: Morning Star United Methodist Church - Canton, NC
Singing from The Christian Harmony (2015 Folk Heritage)
Contact: June Smathers Jolley ([email protected])
51st Mountain Heritage Day Singing
When: September 27, 2025 (Last Saturday in September)
Where: Western Carolina University - Cullowhee, NC
Singing from The Sacred Harp (1991) & The Christian Harmony (2010)
Contact: Will Peebles ([email protected])
2nd Annual Winston-Salem Convention
When: October 11-12, 2025
Where: Moravian Music Foundation & Archives - Winston-Salem, NC
Singing from The Sacred Harp, The Shenandoah Harmony & special packets!
Contact: Corinne Serfass ([email protected])
Swannanoa Valley Singing
When: November 8, 2025 10:00am - 3:00pm (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)
Please note: There will be no dinner on the ground, please bring a bag lunch.
Contact: Joe Holbert ([email protected])
Singing on the River
When: November 16, 2025 10:00am - 3:00pm (Saturday before Thanksgiving)
Where: Madison County Arts Building - Marshall, NC
Singing from The Christian Harmony (2015 Folk Heritage)
Contact: Laura Boosinger ([email protected])
Zack Allen ([email protected])
The Shook-Smathers House Christmas Singing
When: December 6, 2025 (First Saturday in December)
Where: The Shook-Smathers House - Clyde, NC
Singing from The Christian Harmony (2015 Folk Heritage)
Contact: June Smathers-Jolley ([email protected])
Calvary Christmas Night Singing
When: December 25, 2025, 5:30 - 8:30pm
Where: Calvary Episcopal Church - Fletcher, NC
Singing from The Christian Harmony (2015 Folk Heritage)
Contact: Dan Huger ([email protected])
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.
If it's your first time or you're traveling some distance, it's a good idea to check with the listed contact to confirm that a sing on a particular date is happening. Some groups also maintain mailing lists you can join for updates; please check with the organizer.
Asheville (Swannanoa)
When: Monthly, every 3rd Sunday during the school year. 3:00 - 5:00pm
This group does not meet in June, July, or August.
Where: Steve Williams Recital Hall, Warren Wilson College
Contact: Sarah ([email protected])
Singing from The Sacred Harp (1991)
Asheville Christian Harmony
When: Every 2nd & 4th Thursdays. 6:30 - 8:30pm
Where: First Presbyterian Church, Asheville, NC 28801
Contact: Clarke ([email protected])
Singing from The Christian Harmony (2010)
Boone
When: Monthly, every 4th Tuesday of the month, 6:30-8:30pm
(Please check the calendar on the homepage for changes in November and December 2024)
Where: Great Room at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 170 Councill Street, Boone, NC 28607
Contact: Eli and Lynda ([email protected])
Singing from The Christian Harmony (2010)
Charlotte
When/Where: Irregular, check the group's Facebook Page
Singing from The Sacred Harp (1991)
Durham
2nd Sunday sing
When: Monthly, every 2nd Sunday. 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Where: Five Oaks Seventh Day Adventist Church (4124 Farrington Rd, Durham, NC)
Contact: Kaleb ([email protected])
Singing from The Sacred Harp (1991) and The Shenandoah Harmony
More details: Triangle Shape Note on Facebook
3rd Tuesday sing
When: Monthly, every 3rd Tuesday. 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Where: Durham Friends Meeting (404 Alexander Ave, Durham, NC 27705, USA)
Contact: [email protected]
Singing from The Sacred Harp (1991)
More details: Triangle Shape Note on Facebook
Raleigh
When: Monthly, every 4th Sunday. 2:00 - 4:00pm
Where: Mordecai Historic Park (unless stated otherwise), St Mark's Chapel, (1 Mimosa St, Raleigh, NC 27604)
Contact: Mary ([email protected])
Singing from The Sacred Harp and The Shenandoah Harmony
More details: Triangle Shape Note on Facebook
Winston-Salem
When: Monthly, every 2nd Sunday. 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Where: St. Anne's Episcopal Church (2690 Fairlawn Dr., Winston-Salem, NC 27106)
Contact: Tom ([email protected])
Singing from The Sacred Harp (1991) and Shenandoah Harmony
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!
35th Annual NC Shape Note All-Day Singing
When: March 8, 2025, 9:30am-3:30pm (registration opens at 9:30am, singing starts at 10am)
Where: Pullen Memorial Church (Chapel), 1801 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC 27605
Singing from The Sacred Harp and The Shenandoah Harmony
Dinner on the Grounds, social to follow.
Contact: [email protected]
See the Facebook event for more details and info about parking, a social, and more singing on Sunday.
6th Annual Quay Smathers Memorial Singing School
When: TBD (usually in April)
Where: The Shook-Smathers House in Clyde, NC (178 Morgan St.)
Singing from The Christian Harmony (2015 Folk Heritage)
Website
118th Etowah Spring Singing
When: May 3, 2025 (Saturday before the First Sunday in May)
Where: Etowah Lions Club - Hendersonville, NC
Singing from The Christian Harmony (2015 Folk Heritage)
Contact: Diane Eskenasy ([email protected])
22nd Calvary-Fletcher Singing
When: June 7, 2025 10:00am - 3:00pm (Saturday before the Second Sunday in June)
Where: Calvary Episcopal Church - Fletcher, NC
Singing from The Christian Harmony (2015 Folk Heritage)
Contact: Dan Huger ([email protected])
32nd John Campbell Folk School Singing
When: Saturday, July 12, 2025 10:00am - 3:00pm
Where: TBD, John C. Campbell Folk School
Singing from The Christian Harmony (2010) and The Sacred Harp (1991)
Website
17th Swannanoa Gathering Shape Note Singing
When: Saturday, July 26, 2025 10am - 3pm
Where: Warren Wilson College - Swannanoa, NC
Singing from The Sacred Harp, Christian Harmony (2010), & Southern Harmony
Contact: Sarah Kehrberg ([email protected])
Camp DoReMi
When: TBD
Where: Wild Acres Retreat, Little Switzerland, NC
Singing from The Christian Harmony (2010) and The New Harp of Columbia
Website
118th Etowah Fall Singing
When: September 6, 2025 (Saturday before the First Sunday in September)
Where: Etowah Lions Club - Hendersonville, NC
Singing from The Christian Harmony (2015 Folk Heritage)
Contact: Diane Eskenasy ([email protected])
135th Old Folks Day Singing
When: September 14, 2025
Where: Morning Star United Methodist Church - Canton, NC
Singing from The Christian Harmony (2015 Folk Heritage)
Contact: June Smathers Jolley ([email protected])
51st Mountain Heritage Day Singing
When: September 27, 2025 (Last Saturday in September)
Where: Western Carolina University - Cullowhee, NC
Singing from The Sacred Harp (1991) & The Christian Harmony (2010)
Contact: Will Peebles ([email protected])
2nd Annual Winston-Salem Convention
When: October 11-12, 2025
Where: Moravian Music Foundation & Archives - Winston-Salem, NC
Singing from The Sacred Harp, The Shenandoah Harmony & special packets!
Contact: Corinne Serfass ([email protected])
Swannanoa Valley Singing
When: November 8, 2025 10:00am - 3:00pm (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)
Please note: There will be no dinner on the ground, please bring a bag lunch.
Contact: Joe Holbert ([email protected])
Singing on the River
When: November 16, 2025 10:00am - 3:00pm (Saturday before Thanksgiving)
Where: Madison County Arts Building - Marshall, NC
Singing from The Christian Harmony (2015 Folk Heritage)
Contact: Laura Boosinger ([email protected])
Zack Allen ([email protected])
The Shook-Smathers House Christmas Singing
When: December 6, 2025 (First Saturday in December)
Where: The Shook-Smathers House - Clyde, NC
Singing from The Christian Harmony (2015 Folk Heritage)
Contact: June Smathers-Jolley ([email protected])
Calvary Christmas Night Singing
When: December 25, 2025, 5:30 - 8:30pm
Where: Calvary Episcopal Church - Fletcher, NC
Singing from The Christian Harmony (2015 Folk Heritage)
Contact: Dan Huger ([email protected])