National event to focus on Sacred Harp hymns

First Christian Church will host the 34th Annual National Sacred Harp Singing Convention June 13-15. The event will feature three days of Southern hospitality, fellowship and shape note singing from the Sacred Harp Hymnal originally published in 1844. All events are open to the public.

Sacred Harp sings are participatory events. There are no rehearsals and no performances. People who love the unique style and traditions of Sacred Harp gather to enjoy singing hymns, odes and anthems from the Sacred Harp Hymnal in four parts, a cappella.

The singers sit in a hollow square with the voice parts facing one another. The melody is in the tenor line, and both men and women sing tenor and treble.

The National Sacred Harp singing Convention began in Birmingham in 1980 and has been held here each June since. Last year, it welcomed 700 singers from 29 U.S. states, Ireland, Canada and the UK.

Festivities will run 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. daily and include a covered dish lunch.

 First Christian Church is located at 4954 Valleydale Road. For more visit mcsr.olemiss.edu/~mudws/national.html or contact P. Gaston White at 879-1909 or pgwhite1909@gmail.com.