Click here for Calendar of
Shape Note Singing Schools and
Conventions in or near the North Georgia Mountains
June 12, 2010
Mountain Shape Note Singing Convention
and
Pioneers of Union County Religious Music Awards
sponsored by the
Union County Historical Society, Blairsville, Georgia
We now have an elevator!
Singing School Class,
Union County, Georgia, 1909
Singing Convention
Union County, Georgia, 2009
2010
FEBRUARY 4 thru MARCH 25, Thursday nights
Shape Note Singing School
7:00 p.m. Old Court House
Come on by even if you missed the first classes.
CLASSES FREE!
Download Informational Flyer
Singing schools and conventions have always been popular in churches of Union County, and a national singing convention was once held in The Old Courthouse. The Union County Historical Society wishes to focus attention on this historical part of Union County life and hopes to re-establish an annual tradition of singing conventions. Hopefully, enough interest will be generated for shaped note singing schools to once again be held in the old building.
What is a gospel convention? The key phrase is audience participation. Different singing masters, or leaders, will choose a song from one of the shaped-note songbooks and lead the congregation in the singing. The music is like any music except each note has a particular shape, and the music is performed by reading and singing the notes. Those in attendance who cannot read the shaped notes simply listen and enjoy the music.
Held in conjunction with the singing convention in 2009 was a presentation of awards honoring the pioneers of religious music in Union County. There will not be time at the first presentation to honor all of the deserving Union Countians who have contributed to religious music, but awards will be awarded annually and the honorees will have a special place in the music room of the Old Courthouse museum. Anyone who has Union County ancestors, or knows about people, who have made contributions to the religious music culture of the county should send nominations to P.O. Box 35, Blairsville, GA 30514 or call 706-745-5493.Free Admission! Donations welcome to support the mission of the Historical Society.
More free music shows in downtown Blairsville!
“Friday Night Concerts,”
“Mountain Marketplace & Heritage Festival,”
and the “Bluegrass Festival”
all produced by the Union County Historical Society
click here for more information!
Historic Union County Court House in Blairsville
history1@windstream.net
706.745.5493
www.visitblairsvillega.com
