In Memory of John Bayer, Jr.

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John Bayer, Jr. passed away on December 8, 2016 just over a year after the death of his wife, Loraine. They are survived by their children, Regina, Hans, and Jubal, and four grandchildren. I first met John Bayer in September 1990 at the United Convention in Chicago (held for the first time out of the South!)

Isaac Watts talk by Thomas Ward

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Our friend, Thomas Ward, gives a lively and intense presentation on Isaac Watts in the English Dissenting tradition in the early 18th century. Incorporating songs sung by the class at the NSV Double All Day 2018 social, Thomas discusses what…

Inclusivity

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The Shenandoah Harmony Publishing Company and the co-authors of The Shenandoah Harmony are committed to building a welcoming and affirming shape note singing community. Currently, there is a much needed discussion about racial and gender inclusion in singing and we feel compelled to address this. Read more

The Pros and Cons of Imitating the South

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We recently came across this article in a copy of Shape Notes, a newsletter edited by Bob Hall and Ella Wilcox for several years in the Washington, D. C. area. Our good friend, Kat Kinkade wrote this in 1995. It still seems relevant today!

The Electronic Edition

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The entire Shenandoah Harmony is available as a hyperlinked PDF for $12 or the equivalent in your currency. The eBook has a fuller bibliography and 35 additional pages of indices: Index of Composers and Arrangers (with songs titles) Source…

Did Lucius Chapin write the Amazing Grace tune?

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The melody sung to John Newton's 1779 hymn "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound" is, without a doubt, America's best-loved hymn tune. An 1828 manuscript by Lucius Chapin (1760-1842), who was famous in his day as a hymn tune writer, raises the possibility that Lucius was its composer.