The Harpeth Valley Sacred Harp Singers

Vocal Group

The Harpeth Valley Sacred Harp Singers of Greater Nashville, Tennessee, are not a performing group (though well sing for anyone who wants to listen!), but a loose band of people who enjoy getting together to sing and explore the rich tradition of music variously known as shape-note (though not gospel shape-note), fasola, and Sacred. We generally sing from the 1991 Edition of The Sacred Harp—a tune book first published in 1844, and in print continuously ever since. However, we also maintain ties with those who sing from William Walkers Southern Harmony and with our friends in East Tennessee who sing Old Harp music from the 1867 New Harp of Columbia.

Fasola music is unlike virtually any other heard today; dating back to the eighteenth century, it is one of Americas oldest continuing musical styles. Sung a capella in four-part harmony, it is distinctive for its massive, hard-edged sound, its combination of driving rhythms and folk lyricism, and its spiritual intensity. This music is close to the bone. We are amateurs who sing out of our love for the music and our desire to acquaint others with a tradition we cherish.