"This is a participatory singing with songs from The Sacred Harp, a song book first published in 1844. We sit facing each other around a “hollow square” with a side for tenors, trebles, altos, and basses. Each song starts singing the shape notes with four symbols sounding as Fa, Sol, La and Mi. Then we sing the poetry (lyrics) written between 1700 to 2025. Themes are spirituality, our lives, our deaths, our struggles, and the world around us.
There’s no audience. We sing for each other. Each singer, new or old, can choose a song from the book to lead, or have help leading. It’s loud. It’s not perfect. We welcome all people who want to sing, no matter what faith, sexuality or politics, and strive to be there for each other as we form harmonies together.
A quick introduction to shape notes starts things off. Then we continue with the main singing until 4 pm, with a recess in the middle. There are loaner songbooks available. Copies of the new 2025 edition are available for purchase. There is no charge to participate, but donations are welcome to help cover rent.
The Toronto Shape Note Group also sings from The Sacred Harp songbook on third Wednesdays at Friends House, 60 Lowther Avenue at 7:30 p.m. We sing from similar books at house singings. In August we hold a 2-day “Convention” with attendees from other provinces, states and countries. Check out torontoshapenote.org or facebook.com/groups/torontoshapenote for more information or email singing@torontoshapenote.org. "