Cork Sacred Harp singings have resumed. If you are planning on attending a singing, please note the following:
All singers should have a negative antigen test result on the day of the singing. Antigen tests will be available at the singing; each singer may take one to replace the one used for earlier testing, or in the event that you have forgotten to take one, you may take a test in an adjoining room and join once a negative test is obtained.
Masks are not required for singing, but singers are welcome to wear masks if they so wish.
We will be singing in a hollow square; however singers are welcome to sit outside the square.
If you feel in any way unwell, exhibit any COVID related symptoms, or have had a positive test in the last 5 days, please stay home.
If you have a positive test within 5 days after a singing, please notify us at corksacredharp@gmail.com.
We now sing monthly in the Quaker Meeting House on Summer Hill South, usually on the 2nd Sunday of each month. If you are interested in joining us, please send an email to corksacaredharp@gmail.com to confirm date and times.
We will be running a series of beginner-friendly singings in January and February 2025. If interested, please get in touch for further details.
Sacred Harp is an American four part harmony folk singing tradition from with songs dating from the 16th through the 20th centuries, characterised by haunting harmonies, traditional modes, raucous songs, serene hymns, fast fugues, and high-energy anthems. The term Sacred Harp refers to the human voice and is also name of the tune book from which we sing, first published in 1844 and most recently revised in 1991. The shape-note system uses squares, triangles, circles and diamonds corresponding to notes in the scale, making the music easy to sing for beginners and experienced alike.
The Sacred Harp Singers of Cork have been singing since 2009. We do not have rehearsals; we simply sing for pure enjoyment. There is no conductor or director - anyone who wishes to choose and lead a song from the book can do so.
We sing in full natural voice, so it's pretty loud, making it a great environment for beginners to build confidence in their voices. New singers of all levels of experience are always welcome - no prior sight reading ability necessary.