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COMPOSITIONS SHAPED
BY COMMUNITY
WRITING MUSIC
IN THE SACRED HARP TRADITION
Lily M. Hammond
Abigail C. Cannon
Esther M. Morgan-Ellis
n many choral traditions, compositions are perfected performance, is to facilitate a fulfilling
crafted with the expectation that an experi- and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
1
Ienced group of musicians will give a rehearsed In this article, we will outline how the commu-
and polished performance for an audience. In the nity-based nature of shape-note singing affects
shape-note tradition, however, there are no re- the contents of contemporary compositions, de-
hearsals or audiences; rather, the singers, all of termines composers’ philosophies, and influenc-
whom have varying levels of experience, make es singers’ engagement with new musical works.
music for each other. Sitting in a square and fac- This research draws from interviews with three
ing one another, they sing song after song, some- shape-note composers, a review of historical and
times for hours, without ever revisiting a selection. recent writings about shape-note singing, and the
The goal of the singers, rather than to render a authors’ experiences as shape-note singers.
CHORAL JOURNAL March/April 2025 Volume 65 Number 7 7
