Local Singings in Georgia

Decatur · Alpharetta · Athens (Ila) · Bremen · Hoboken · Savannah · Valdosta

There are several local shape-note singing groups in Georgia that meet four or more times a year for about 2 hours at a time. These singings are less formal than all-day singings. Since they meet frequently and tend to attract the same group of people each time, they offer an especially comfortable environment for practicing singing and leading skills. Newcomers are always welcome.

Decatur Monthly Shape Note Singing

Our informal First Thursday singing is a good place for beginners in the Atlanta area to learn this style of music. We begin at 7:30 with a brief explanation and a walk-through of Old Hundred, a tune familiar to many as the Doxology. Participants then take turns choosing songs from the Sacred Harp (1991 ed.) until 8:30. During a short break for refreshments, we pass out copies of An Eclectic Harmony, a shape note sampler book that includes several beloved late 19th century hymns. Singing continues from both books until 9:30. Songbooks are available to borrow, buy, or share. See Laura Akerman's photo page from the August 2004 singing.

2008 Dates

*Note that July singing will be on SECOND Thursday because of Independence Day weekend.
**December potluck singing party, date and location to be announced

We meet from 7:30 to 9:30 pm in the Emory Presbyterian Church fellowship building, 1886 North Decatur Road, Atlanta, GA 30307.

Directions: The church is 1/2 mile west of the intersection of Clairmont and North Decatur Road, on your right coming from Clairmont. Mapquest map

• From I-85: take exit 91, Clairmont Road, and turn south, toward Emory University. Go 3.9 miles to North Decatur Road, turn right onto North Decatur, and go 1/2 mile. The church is at the corner of Westminster Way and North Decatur. Turn right on Westminster and left into the parking lot behind the church. We sing in the education building to the right of the church.
• From the east side of I-285: take US-78 west (exit 39), which ends by merging with Lawrenceville Highway. Lawrenceville Highway bears right and turns into Scott Boulevard. The next intersection is star-shaped. Turn right onto the major cross street, which is North Decatur. Go 1.4 miles, turn right on Westminster Way, and left into the church parking lot.

For more information: 404-892-6836 or mail@atlantasacredharp.org

Alpharetta S.O.F.A. Singing

These evening singings are held on the Friday before the third Sunday of September, October, February, and April, 7:30-9:30 pm, at Big Creek Primitive Baptist Church, Alpharetta, GA. (1991 Sacred Harp)

2007 dates: February 16, April 13, September 14, October 19

Book: 1991 Sacred Harp

Directions: Take Georgia Highway 400 to Exit 10, Old Milton Parkway. Go east on Old Milton for 2.6 miles. Turn left at the light onto Kimball Bridge Road. Go 0.2 miles. The church is on the left.

Map from fasola.org

For more information: Faye Holbrook, (706) 636-1707

Athens (Ila) Monthly Singing

Days and times vary. Check the upcoming singings page for this month's details. Held at the home of John and Elsie Hollinsgworth near Ila, (706) 789-3916. Singing is from Christian Harmony (Alabama revision, loaners provided) and 1991 Sacred Harp.

Directions to the Hollingsworths':

• From Athens: Take Hwy. 29 N and bear left onto 106 N at the light near the Ingles store; at the next light (about a mile), turn right to stay on 106 N. After you pass the 9-mile marker, turn left onto Adams Clark Road at the "Hill's Automotive" sign. Follow Adams Clark Road 1.5 miles to mailbox on right, # 1574. When driveway forks, bear left.
• From I-85 North: Take Exit 149 to Hwy 441 at Banks Crossing outlet malls (near Commerce). Turn right onto 441 south. Go about 5 miles to Hwy 98 and turn left. In about 8 miles you'll reach a 4-way stop in Ila. Turn right and go 0.8 mile, then turn right on Adams-Clark Road and proceed as above.
• From the east: From 4-way stop in Ila, go south on Hwy 106 for 0.8 mile, turn right on Adams-Clark Road and proceed as above.

For more information: John Hollingswoth, john -at- billnet.org, (706) 789-3916 (replace "-at-" with "@" in the email address)

Bremen Monthly Singings

There are Sacred Harp learning opportunities each month at Holly Springs Primitive Baptist Church in Bremen. From December through May, Hugh McGraw teaches a monthly Saturday morning singing school. In the summer and fall, Cecil Roberts and Stanly Edwards have started a monthly evening singing. This is a practice singing where you can ask questions or work on songs you want to learn. If you bring a new singer they will have lots of help learning. This singing will be held every 3rd Thursday night at 6:30 pm from July through November. Contact Cecil for more information, 770-574-7832. (1991 Sacred Harp)

Directions: The church is very easy to find, right off I-20. Take I-20 to Exit 11 (Highway 27). Turn south at the exit. Go to the top of the hill at the BP station. Turn left, go to the dead end, and turn left.

Hoboken Monthly Singing

Hoboken is a small town in South Georgia near Waycross and the Okefenokee Swamp. This monthly singing is over 50 years old. Saturday before the third Sunday in each month, at Hoboken Elementary School, 7:00 pm. (Cooper book)

The Hoboken sing was featured as the cover story on the TBS Storyline program on 9/17/05. The TBS Storyline website has a video clip which introduces the 9/17 program, but it leaves you frustrated that you can't see the whole show.

Directions: Take 82 East to Hoboken to the second caution light. Turn left on Kelly. Cross R.R. tracks. Take second paved street to the left. Go to the end of the block. The school and parking are on the right.

For more information: David/Kathy Lee (912) 458-2493 or Clarke/Julie Lee (912) 458-2268 or Johnny/Delorese Lee (912) 458-2595.

Savannah Monthly Singing

The Savannah singing is held the Saturday before the second Sunday of each month, 2:00 - 4:00 pm, Faith Primitive Baptist Church, 3212 Bee Road, Savannah. click for map. Singing is from the 1991 Sacred Harp (loaners provided).

Hear an audio interview from Savannah about Sacred Harp dated 2/28/07 on this blog and read an article about it in the Savannah Morning News, 9/11/05 (registration required)

Directions: (corrected 9/07) Take Victory Drive to Bee Road, near Daffin Park. Go south on Bee Road. Church is 1/3 mile on the left.

For more information: call Gene Pinion at (912) 655-0994, or email Janet Burnette at ljb2012 -at- att.net (replace "-at-" with "@" in the email address).

Valdosta Sacred Harp Singing Community

The Valdosta group meets the first Friday in each month. 7-9 pm, in the fellowship hall of Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3501 Bemiss Road, Valdosta. (Cooper Book). See photos from the first Valdosta singing, which was held on September 2, 2005.

For more information: contact Lee Bradley, brad8688 -at- bellsouth.net

Note: E-mail addresses on this page not already known to be on the web are shown with " -at- " in place of the "@" sign. In order to use these addresses, you must insert the "@" sign in place of " -at- ", with no spaces or dashes. This is to prevent abuse by spammers who scan the web for e-mail addresses.

Last updated October 29, 2007. Additions, corrections, comments, or questions? Send us an email