Events for the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Kenmore, Washington
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Shape Note singing
Sun, March 29 at 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm PDT
Shape Note, or Sacred Harp, is a singing tradition with roots from England. In North America, it traveled through New England to Appalachia and the Ozarks. Today people take part around the world in this tradition of shape note signing. We regularly sing hymns today that started from this tradition. Through the Pacific Northwest Sacred Harp Singers (PNWSHS), this music will come to the parish hall at Church of the Redeemer on two Sunday afternoons. Come, take part from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm on March 29, and April 26.
There is no admission or membership dues. A collection will be taken to cover expenses. The PNWSHS invites anyone and everyone. This singing will use the 2025 Denson Edition of The Sacred Harp. Loaner books will be available.
Church of the Redeemer is at 6220 Northeast 181st Street in Kenmore, Washington.
What is a shape note singing?
A shape note “singing” is not a church service. On the contrary, it is a group of people coming together to sing. It is democracy in action. “We are not Baptist, Jews, Episcopalians and atheists. We are altos, tenors, trebles and basses. And we know we need each other to do this” (NPR).
There is no professional shape note singers or concerts. This music is participatory by people, with or without music education.
There are unique harmonies in this music. Jeannette Sorrell describes it this way, “It’s just a texture that, in a way sounds somewhat medieval — many open fifths and open fourths; things like that” (WFMT).
While there is no professional shape note singers, professional groups have used music from this tradition. For example, the Tudor Choir has a Christmas album of music collected by Karen Willard’s An American Christmas Harp. Chanticleer has recorded some shape note music, including “Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken” on their Our American Journey album.
All sorts and conditions of people take part in shape note singing. For example, a punk rocker by the name José Camacho-Cerna contributed the tune Lowndes to the 2025 edition of The Sacred Harp.
Nicholas Thompson was asked to leave his church in rural Alabama after he came out. The shape note community embraced him. “Sacred Harp let me be who I was, and I didn’t have to pretend to be anybody when I was at singings or with singers. And the fact that it’s being kept alive by the queer community, the, you know, minorities, I love that. I love that it’s become a melting pot of everybody” (NPR).
Introduction on March 22
In addition to the singings at Redeemer on March 29 and April 26, Karen Willard will be at Church of the Redeemer on March 22, 2026. Following the 10:30 service, she will introduce shape note singing for anyone interested. You can see what it is all about. Ask questions!
Come, join the fun. Invite anyone. This is not a Redeemer event. You do not discuss politics, religion, or college football at singings. And, while there are no membership dues or fees, there will be a collection to pay expenses for the singing.
Pacific Northwest Sacred Harp Singers (PNWSHS)
The PNWSHS mission is to organize, improve, expand, and encourage community shapenote singing in the Pacific Northwest through singing school classes, singings, and conventions. It serves as the umbrella organization for all shapenote singings in Washington state, and provides help as needed to shapenote singings in Oregon, Idaho, Montana, British Columbia, and Alaska.
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Church of the Redeemer
Church of the Redeemer: Worshiping God, living in community, and reaching out to the world around us. We are an Episcopal Church serving north King County and south Snohomish County, Washington. As you travel your road, go with friends walking the way of Jesus at Redeemer.
Church of the Redeemer is at 6220 Northeast 181st Street in Kenmore, Washington. The campus is a short distance north of Bothell Way, near the Burke-Gilman Trail. The entrance looks like a gravel driveway. The campus is larger on the inside than it is on the outside. And we managed to hide a large building on the side of a hill that is not easily seen from the street.
The Episcopal Church welcomes you.