Local Singings in Georgia

Alpharetta · Athens · Atlanta · Decatur · Hoboken · Ila · Savannah · Valdosta


[Georgia map]There are several local shape-note singing groups in Georgia that meet four or more times a year for about 2 hours at a time. These singings are less formal than all-day singings. Since they meet frequently and tend to attract the same group of people each time, they offer an especially comfortable environment for practicing singing and leading skills. Newcomers are always welcome.


Alpharetta S.O.F.A. Singing

These evening singings are held on the Friday before the third Sunday of September, October, February, and April, 7:30-9:30 pm, at Big Creek Primitive Baptist Church, Alpharetta, GA. (1991 Sacred Harp)

2010 dates: February 19, April 16, September 17, October 16

Book: 1991 Sacred Harp

Directions from Atlanta: Take Georgia Highway 400 to Exit 10, Old Milton Parkway. Go east on Old Milton for 2.6 miles. Turn left at the light onto Kimball Bridge Road. Go 0.2 miles. The church is on the left.

Map to Big Creek PBC from fasola.org

For more information: Faye Holbrook, (706) 636-1707


Athens Monthly Singing

[Athens singing] The Athens monthly singing is one of two in the Athens area. (The other is in Ila.) Singers meet at Athens First United Methodist Church to sing from the 1991 Sacred Harp the Friday before the second Sunday of each month from 7-9 pm. The church is at 372 N. Lumpkin Street. Please enter through the doors off Hancock Avenue (three wooden doors) and follow the signs.

For more information: Please contact either Ariella Perry: ariella -at- uga.edu, see the "Athens, Georgia Sacred Harp Sing" facebook group, or Shannon Primm at sprimm -at- yahoo.com.


St. Paul's Biweekly Sacred Harp Singing (Atlanta)

The St. Paul's singing is a newly formed group that meets the first, third, and fifth Wednesday of the month from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm in St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, 163 Ponce De Leon Ave, Atlanta, the former location of The Abbey restaurant. It is especially geared toward newer Sacred Harp singers (though we always have some experienced singers to help) and is a great setting to learn and practice unfamiliar songs. Childcare is available for a nominal fee but RSVP if you'll be bringing kids - it will help us plan.

For more information: contact Matt Hinton at info -at- awakemysoul.com or see the "St. Paul's Biweekly Sacred Harp Singing (Atlanta)" Facebook event.


Decatur Monthly Shape Note Singing

[Decatur basses]Our informal First Thursday singing is a good place for beginners in the Atlanta area to learn this style of music. We begin at 7:30 with a brief explanation and a walk-through of Old Hundred, a tune familiar to many as the Doxology. Participants then take turns choosing songs from the Sacred Harp (1991 ed.) until 8:30. During a short break for refreshments, we pass out copies of An Eclectic Harmony, a shape note sampler book that includes several beloved late 19th century hymns. Singing continues from both books until 9:30. Songbooks are available to borrow, buy, or share.

2010 Dates

January 7 April 1 July 1 October 7
February 4 May 6 August 5 November 4
March 4 June 3 September 2 December ?*
*No Thursday singing in December. The date and location of the Christmas singing and potluck will be posted in mid-November.

We meet from 7:30 to 9:30 pm in the Emory Presbyterian Church fellowship building, 1886 North Decatur Road, Atlanta, GA 30307.

Directions: The church is 1/2 mile west of the intersection of Clairmont and North Decatur Road, on your right coming from Clairmont. Mapquest map

  • From I-85: take exit 91, Clairmont Road, and turn south, toward Emory University. Go 3.9 miles to North Decatur Road, turn right onto North Decatur, and go 1/2 mile. The church is at the corner of Westminster Way and North Decatur. Turn right on Westminster and left into the parking lot behind the church. We sing in the education building to the right of the church.
  • From the east side of I-285: take US-78 west (exit 39), which ends by merging with Lawrenceville Highway. Lawrenceville Highway bears right and turns into Scott Boulevard. The next intersection is star-shaped. Turn right onto the major cross street, which is North Decatur. Go 1.4 miles, turn right on Westminster Way, and left into the church parking lot.

For more information: 404-892-6836 or mail@atlantasacredharp.org


Hoboken Monthly Singing

Hoboken is a small town in South Georgia near Waycross and the Okefenokee Swamp. This monthly singing is over 50 years old. Saturday before the third Sunday in each month, at Hoboken Elementary School, 7:00 pm. (Cooper book)

The Hoboken sing was featured as the cover story on the TBS Storyline program on 9/17/05. The TBS Storyline website has a video clip which introduces the 9/17 program, but it leaves you frustrated that you can't see the whole show.

Directions: Take 82 East to Hoboken to the second caution light. Turn left on Kelly. Cross R.R. tracks. Take second paved street to the left. Go to the end of the block. The school and parking are on the right.

For more information: David/Kathy Lee (912) 458-2493 or Clarke/Julie Lee (912) 458-2268 or Johnny/Delorese Lee (912) 458-2595.


Ila Monthly Singing

The Ila singing is one of two in the Athens area. Days and times vary. Check the upcoming singings page for this month's details. Held at the home of John and Elsie Hollinsgworth near Ila, (706) 789-3916. Singing is from Christian Harmony (Alabama revision, loaners provided) and 1991 Sacred Harp.

Directions to the Hollingsworths':

  • From Athens: Take Hwy. 29 N and bear left onto 106 N at the light near the Ingles store; at the next light (about a mile), turn right to stay on 106 N. After you pass the 9-mile marker, turn left onto Adams Clark Road at the "Hill's Automotive" sign. Follow Adams Clark Road 1.5 miles to mailbox on right, # 1574. When driveway forks, bear left.
  • From I-85 North: Take Exit 149 to Hwy 441 at Banks Crossing outlet malls (near Commerce). Turn right onto 441 south. Go about 5 miles to Hwy 98 and turn left. In about 8 miles you'll reach a 4-way stop in Ila. Turn right and go 0.8 mile, then turn right on Adams-Clark Road and proceed as above.
  • From the east: From 4-way stop in Ila, go south on Hwy 106 for 0.8 mile, turn right on Adams-Clark Road and proceed as above.

For more information: John Hollingsworth, john -at- billnet.org, (706) 789-3916


Savannah Monthly Singing

[Savannah, 10/15/05] The Savannah singing is held the Saturday before the second Sunday of each month, 2:00 - 4:00 pm, Faith Primitive Baptist Church, 3212 Bee Road, Savannah. click for map. Singing is from the 1991 Sacred Harp and the B. F. White Sacred Harp (loaners provided).

Visit www.savannahsacredharp.com for more information.

Directions: Take Victory Drive to Bee Road, near Daffin Park. Go south on Bee Road. Church is 1/3 mile on the left.

For more information: call Gene Pinion at (912) 655-0994, or email gene -at- savannahmusicfestival.org.


Valdosta Sacred Harp Singing Community

The Valdosta group meets the first Friday in each month. 7-9 pm, in the fellowship hall of Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3501 Bemiss Road, Valdosta. (Cooper Book). See photos from the first Valdosta singing, which was held on September 2, 2005.

Directions: From downtown Valdosta, take Ashley Street going north. Just after Ashley crosses Park Avenue, Bemiss Road (GA 125) peels off to the right. Continue on Bemiss Road until you see Trinity Presbyterian Church on the left front. Turn left on to North Oak Street Extension and then immediately into the church lot.

For more information: contact Lee Bradley, brad8688 -at- bellsouth.net


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Last updated February 6, 2010. Additions, corrections, comments, or questions? Send us an email