Sacred Harp in Northern Calif-Jan 18-19, 2003

Subject: Sacred Harp in Northern Calif-Jan 18-19
From: Joe Offer
Date: 07 Jan 03 - 03:51 AM

Somebody asked me to post this announcement. sounds like a nice gathering.
-Joe Offer-

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15th Annual All-California Sacred Harp Singing Convention
                   Two Full Days of Singing!

                      Saturday and Sunday
                      January 18-19, 2003

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A traditional gathering of shape note singers from across the country.

Everyone is invited to sing early American 4-part hymns and enjoy a
traditional noontime potluck.

No Admission Charge.


Saturday Singing
------------------------------
Saturday, January 18
9:30 am to 3:30 pm
Casa de Flores
737 Walnut Street
San Carlos, California


Sunday Singing
------------------------------
Sunday, January 19
9:30 am to 3:30 pm
Joaquin Miller Community Center
3594 Sanborn Road
Oakland, California


Potluck lunch at noon each day
------------------------------

Bay Area singers: please bring a dish to share.


Saturday Evening Social
------------------------------
7:00 - 10:00 PM.
Socializing, and light snacks.
Location TBA.


Further Information
------------------------------

For details and updates, and a printable and downloadable Convention
flyer, please visit the Convention web site at:

    http://fasola.org/sf/convention/

For more information on Sacred Harp, visit the national web site at:

    http://fasola.org/


Housing & Other Inquiries:

The Fifteenth Annual
All-California Sacred Harp Singing Convention
c/o Carolyn Deacy
1024 Chenery Street
San Francisco, CA 94131

Carolyn Deacy [phone],
Chris Thorman [phone],

      [e-mail]


Driving Directions
------------------------------

(See flyer at Web address above for maps to go with these directions.)

SATURDAY: Casa de Flores, 737 Walnut Street, San Carlos

From San Francisco: Allow 30 min. Hwy 101 South. Go about 20 miles to
Holly Street exit...

From Berkeley/Oakland: Allow 45 min. Take I-880 to San Mateo bridge
(Route 92), to Hwy 101 South. 3 miles to Holly Street...

From South Bay: Allow 20 min. Hwy 101 North to Holly St. exit...

...from Holly Street exit: Exit West on Holly Street, toward the
hills. Go about 1 mile, crossing under overhead railroad tracks and
into downtown area. Turn left on Walnut, 2.5 blocks to #737. Park in
lots on either side, or on the street.


SUNDAY: Joaquin Miller Comm Ctr, 3594 Sanborn Rd, Oakland

From San Francisco / East Bay: Allow 30 min. I-80 (Bay bridge)
East. Split onto I-580 East (toward Hayward) after the bridge. Go
about 2 miles to 24 East. Stay on 24 East for about 3 miles to the
Route 13 South exit. Take Route 13 for about 3 miles to the Joaquin
Miller/Lincoln exit. Turn left at the next two stop signs then go
straight on Joaquin Miller...

From the Peninsula / South Bay: Allow 50 min. Route 84 (Dumbarton
bridge) or Route 92 (San Mateo bridge) East to I-880 North. From the
92/880 interchange, continue 3 miles on I-880 North to I-238 South
(actually East). Go 2 miles to I-580 West (actually North) toward
Oakland. Go 8 miles and when the freeway forks, be sure to take the
right-hand fork onto Warren Freeway (Highway 13). Go about 2.5 miles
to the Lincoln / Joaquin Miller exit. Turn right onto Joaquin
Miller...

...once on Joaquin Miller Road: The left side of the road as you go up
the hill will become parkland. Pass the lower Sanborn Road gate
(usually locked). Continue well past the Amphitheater to the upper
Sanborn Road entrance. Turn left on Sanborn and shortly turn left
again into the Community Center parking lot (look for signs).



About Sacred Harp Singing
------------------------------

The origins of this uniquely American music predate our nation. The
base material in the form of hymns and folk tunes floated over the
Atlantic with the early settlers. Here they were transformed into 3
and 4 part songs, to be sung a cappella, with each part miraculously
melodious. This new music was spread to a musically illiterate
population via singing schools and itinerant singing masters who were
often the composers of the songs.

The harmonies achieved by these untrained early American composers
were so rich and delightful as to border on the sinful. In fact, that
was exactly the opinion of the trained choirmasters who followed and
essentially exterminated this native music in the Northeast and
Midwest where it had become established. In the deep South, however,
it found a more enduring home.

Either because of its "illegitimate harmonies" or because of its "folk
theology," shape note music has seldom found its way into church
services. It is sung in homes and gatherings and conventions, but
rarely "performed." Everyone who comes to this music eventually
becomes part of it. Speaking of musical experience, none is necessary
to join us at the convention in January. All parts will be strongly
supported and you will be carried by the wave of music surrounding
you. The curious are welcome to listen, but be warned that this music
is contagious.


Press mentions
------------------------------

Strange, haunting notes -- the rough, wild sounds of the frontier.

    -- Nashville Tennessean

Sacred Harp is distinctly American music a sound all its own once it
grabs hold, it doesn't let go.

    -- Wall Street Journal

One of the oldest, purest, musical traditions in the country.

    -- Los Angeles Times

Heady, stirring, potent stuff indeed.

    -- Boston Globe

The joy in the voices was so strong I could feel it in my chest as I
walked in.

    -- Bergen County (NJ) Record

Subject: RE: Sacred Harp in Northern Calif-Jan 18-19
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 14 Jan 03 - 04:43 AM

Subject: RE: Sacred Harp in Northern Calif-Jan 18-19
From: Burke
Date: 14 Jan 03 - 09:48 AM

If you're on the East Coast instead of California please try to attend the Keystone Convention near Philadelphia, also Jan. 18-19.

KEYSTONE SACRED HARP CONVENTION

JANUARY 18    10-3:30
JANUARY 19    9:30-3

PENNSBURY TOWNSHIP MUNICIPAL BUILDING
702 BALTIMORE PIKE (RT. 1)
CHADDS FORD, PENNSYLVANIA 19317
        between the Brandywine Battlefield and Longwood Gardens


Be a part of the Southern most Northern
sing in the East, a mere mile or two north
of the Mason-Dixon Line.This year's location
is in Chester County,thirty miles
west of Philadelphia.

We will be singing both days from
The Sacred Harp (1991 Denson Book.)
The hall is bright with wonderful
acoustics.


Dinner on the grounds both days. Please bring microwavable or crockpot hot dishes, very limited stove facilities.

Child care available. Please notify Ina Henkin in advance if bringing children at [e-mail]

Social Saturday evening at local singer's home.
Get together Friday night for early arrivals.

For housing information/hospitality, or general questions:
Laura Densmore [e-mail]

DIRECTIONS


FROM PHILADELPHIA:
        95 south to 322 west (exit 3) 7 miles to Rt 1 south. Continue 4.5 miles to Independence Way. Turn left at the light, go up the hill to the township building.
                        or
Take route 3 West to West Chester. Turn left onto the West Chester Bypass (202S/322E)and go 6.6 miles. 202 will eventually become a commercial road. Turn right onto route 1 south. Continue 4.5 miles to Independence Way. Turn left at the light, go up the hill to the township building.
                        or
Take route 1 South. Cross route 202 (stay on route 1.) Continue on to Independence Way. Turn left at the light, go up the hill to the township building.
                        or
I-476 to Rt. 1 South. Cross route 202 (stay on route 1.) Continue on to Independence Way. Turn left at the light, go up the hill to the township building.

FROM ROUTE 276 from the WEST (Pennsylvania Turnpike)
        Exit 23 (West Chester/Pottstown.) Get onto route 100 South, continue past Exton Mall area, under route 30, under the SEPTA tracks. Go up the hill and take route 202 South for a total of 10.8 miles. This road will eventually turn into a commercial road. At route 1 turn right (south) and continue on for 4.5 miles to Independence Way. Turn left at the light, go up the hill to the township building.
FROM ROUTE 276 from the EAST (Pennsylvania Turnpike)
        Exit 25 or 25A (Chester/Norristown/Plymouth Meeting/Mid County Expressway.) Pay toll and take I-476 South to I-95 South. Exit at 322 West (exit 3) drive 7 miles to Rt 1 south. Continue 4.5 miles to Independence Way. Turn left at the light, go up the hill to the township building.

FROM THE SOUTH:
        Exit route 95 in the Wilmington, Delaware area onto route 202 north which is Concord Pike. Proceed 8.5 miles to Route 1 South,(Baltimore Pike) and turn left. Continue 4.5 miles to Independence Way, turn left at the light, go up the hill to the township building.

FROM METROPOLITAN NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY:
        Get to I-95 in the most efficient way. Take I-95 south to 322 west (exit 3) 7 miles to Rt 1 south. Continue 4.5 miles to Independence Way. Turn left at the light, go up the hill to the township building

Hotel/Motel Information

Park Inn [phone]   $99 for a room with two double beds for two people.
This is like a Ramada or a Quality Inn. It is easy to find, right where two main roads intersect. A busy corner. Clean but lacking personality. It is two to three miles from the sing. Ask for the singers rate.


Brandywine River Hotel [phone]   $85 for a room with two double beds.
This is about a mile from the sing. It is a small new inn which bills itself for weekend getaway vacations. They have breakfast there which looks nice. The rate is a good deal considering you will be in the heart of tourist land (Winterthur, Longwood Gardens, Brandywine Battlefield, Brandywine Museum.) Andrew Wyeth lives down the road. New construction which is trying to sell charm. Ask for the singing convention rate.

Pennsbury Inn [phone] (Rates vary as per room)
www.pennsburyinn.com
This is a house dating back to 1714. It exudes charm. The floors are uneven, the grounds lovely. There are only 7 rooms but it is homey and I'll bet the breakfasts are wonderful (included in fee.) It is just across the road from the sing. The rates vary with the room but run from $96 to $135. If you are interested in this one, call immediately. There is only one room with twin beds. She will hold the rooms until the week before the sing for you at the low rate unless someone else calls who will take it at the higher rate. One week in advance of the sing she will confirm at the low rate. It sounds complicated, but it is really charming and she is running a small business competing against the corporate hotels. It's the kind of place which is perfect for a small wedding. A breakfast table of Sacred Harper singing grace would fit perfectly here.


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