Everyone, The "Virginia Roots Music" exhibition at the Library of Virginia includes examples of shape-note song books, among them "Virginia Harmony" (Winchester, 1835), by David Clayton and James P. Carrell, and various song books, in German and in English, compiled by Joseph Funk, who, along with his sons, was an important music publisher out of Winchester through the 19th century. On 6 February 2003, at noon at the Library, the Richmond Sacred Harp Singers will perform shape-note songs and discuss this musical form. There will be announcements closer to the time. Until then, and in additional to the suggestions below, a book listed in the exhibition brochure's bibliography looks useful: John Bealle, Public Worship, Private Faith: Sacred Harp and American Folksong (Univ. of Georgia Press, 1997). John -----Original Message----- From: Eric Johnson [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Tuesday, July 30, 2002 3:52 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Tin-Pan Valley Hi, Randy-- The answer can be gotten at the wonderful site of fasola.org: http://fasola.org/introduction/note_shapes.html It looks like there were a number of practices that finally got more or less standardized. There are a number of good sacred harp and shape-note resources out there that might be of interest to you. Take a look at: http://fasola.org/ http://www.mcsr.olemiss.edu/~mudws/resource/ http://www.mcsr.olemiss.edu/~mudws/harp.html http://www.flash.net/~gaylon http://libweb.uoregon.edu/music/shapenote.html One day I'll get my site up about early American sacred music. (*sigh*) --Eric ----- Original Message ----- From: "Randy Cabell" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Tuesday, July 30, 2002 3:33 PM Subject: Tin-Pan Valley Though not generally known, the Valley of Virginia was a major center of music publishing in the first half of the 19th century, primarily 'Shape Note' AKA 'Sacred Heart' books. This was considerably before Nashville, and probably even a bit ahead of Broadway's (NY) Tin Pan Alley. The publishing industry was centered around Dayton which may say something about why Shenandoah Conservatory of Music spent its formative years in Dayton. This week, I dug out some of my original books to set texts of a few of the gripping post-9/11 hymns to. (Some suggested early American hymtunes like BANGOR and DETROIT) And wonder-of-wonders, I found that my new installation of FINALE music printing will actually let me print shape note music!!!! So with some spilled coffee and an hour or 2 in the sun for the paper to 'cure', I can produce genuine imitation simulated 19th century Sacred Harp music. Just kidding. My question is about the shape of the shape notes. While I am sure they evolved before 'focus groups' and even psychological evaluation, I am interested in how the shapes were chosen for each note of the scale...... itty bitt triangles for the TONIC, BIG SQUARE note for the minor third below, other triangles, diamonds, etc. Is there any shape-note capital of Virginia out there who might have some insight into this? Randy Cabell To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html