Milton Center Theater, 86 School Drive, Alpharetta, GA, 30004
Sunday, June 8, 2008 10:00 AM
The City of Alpharetta has the honor of inviting you to attend one of its oldest and most beloved traditions. This year is the City of Alpharetta’s 150th birthday, and it’s the Alpharetta June Singing’s
140th anniversary!
The All Day Sacred Harp Singing and Dinner on the Ground in Alpharetta, Georgia, otherwise known
as the "June Singing," started in 1869. It was held, and has been annually, at the Milton County Courthouse which eventually evolved into Alpharetta’s City Hall in downtown.
The singers sing four-part harmony a cappella from a "shaped note" known as The Sacred Harp. The Sacred Harp was one of the last "four shaped note" using the old English system, ( which dates back to Shakespeare’s England ), of fa sol la fa sol la mi fa to complete the octave, which is different from the more familiar Italian system of do re mi fa sol la ti do.
The singers literally "sing the notes" before they sing the poetry. Most of the poetry dates to the 18th century. The Sacred Harp book that will be used at this year’s June Singing contains compositions from who is generally considered the first American composer, William Billings of Boston.
For more information see www.fasola.org
Call 770-475-9995
Labels: alpharetta june singing, city of alpharetta, milton center theater, sacred harp singing
# posted by
Brian Vanderhoff @ 8:58 AM
