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A Historic Anniversary
Published September 11, 2009
Corinth Baptist Church in Fyffe will host the 50th anniversary of the United States Sacred Harp Musical Association convention on Saturday and Sunday Sept. 12-13. The first convention was held at the church in 1959.
It was at that event that folklorist Alan Lomax captured the first stereo recordings of Sacred Harp singing.
Sacred Harp is four-part a cappella singing with participants sitting in a hollow square formation. One voice part is on each side with all singers facing inward. Each singer takes turns standing in the square to lead songs, singing the actual notes first and then the lyrics.
Lomax, who recorded traditional music from around the world, called Sacred Harp “the haunting beauty of southern congregational singing.” He released recordings of the convention not only preserving the music but also helping it to flourish around the country and the world.
“Everyone is so excited that the United convention is coming back to Fyffe,” Dennis George, a Sand Mountain native and Sacred Harp singer, said. “We have heard from people in 20 or more states, and even England, who are planning to come be a part of this historic event.”
The event itself will live on. Town Creek Productions, a local video company, will capture the singing and will include interviews for a planned documentary. A California company is planning the release of a CD with highlights from the singing.
Seating is limited at Corinth Baptist Church. Overflow crowds can view live audio and video feeds at Fyffe Church of God located nearby.
The 2003 release of “Cold Mountain,” a Civil War epic featuring Sacred Harp singers from Sand Mountain, attracted worldwide attention. It was partially filmed on Sand Mountain in 2002 with local singers providing the music.
“Sept. 12 and 13 will be more than an annual Sacred Harp convention,” said Stephen V. Smith, owner of Town Creek Productions and president of the Sand Mountain Folklife Association. “It will be a celebration of a musical tradition that defines our local culture and a celebration of the day a legendary folklorist captured that tradition to share with the world.”
The convention will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days, with a break for lunch. A social will be held at Fyffe City Park following Saturday’s singing, complete with a musical event. Barbecue plates will be available for purchase at the park.
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