Critical Review #9

Questions for Kiri:

When you “first sang the notes”, how would you describe your personal experience trying to incorporate this unique style of musical text while at the same time attuning yourself to the subtleties of the tradition? For me, it was a little intimidating at first when I first sat down, cracked open the book, and tried to sing the shapes at the rehearsal a few nights ago, but it was actually quite liberating once everyone started singing. The sheer power behind everyone’s voices was surprisingly comforting to me because it made me realize that I did not have to worry so much about singing the wrong syllable or pitch.

Is someone who was not born into a Southern singing family, and came to become a part of the tradition later on permanently disadvantaged when it comes to integrating oneself within the tradition? That is to say, if Sacred Harp singing is not in your blood, can you still achieve tradition to a point where you can adopt it as if it had been a part of you all your life?

Discussion Question:

How is the “veneration” of the Lee family to Sacred Harp sining similar to music schools’ veneration of Mozart and Beethoven?