"This is a participatory singing with songs from the 2025 edition of The Sacred Harp, a song book first published in 1844. Everyone sits in a square facing each other forming 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 to connect with the tune. Following that is the poetry (lyrics) written between the 1700s and the 2020s. Themes are spirituality, our lives, our deaths, our struggles, and the world around us.
There’s no audience. Singing is 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. All people are welcome who want to sing, no matter what faith, sexuality or politics, in a supportive environment that strives to be there for each other to form harmonies together.
A quick introduction to shape note singing for about 15 minutes starts it off, followed by the main singing until 4 pm, with a recess in the middle. There are loaner songbooks to borrow for the singing. Copies of the new 2025 edition are also available for purchase. There is no charge to participate, but donations are welcome to help cover rent.
The Toronto Shape Note Group also regularly sings from The Sacred Harp songbook on the third Wednesday of every month in the Meeting Room at Friends House, 60 Lowther Avenue at 7:30 p.m. In addition the group sings from other shape note books at house singings at various times. Each year a “Convention”— two full days of singing—is held 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."