This is the cyberhome of Louisiana Northshore Shape Note, a new community of singers gathering on the Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain, across from New Orleans in southern Louisiana.  If you'd like to be kept informed of Singings and events, please sign up for our newsletter (in the lower left corner of every page), or email us directly.

Shape Notes - Fa So La Mi

What is Shape Note singing?
Shape Note Singing is one of the oldest, uniquely American musical traditions that brings everyday people together to sing four part harmonies in hymns and anthems a cappela (without instruments) by using shape notes, which allows people who have never read or sung music, to participate.

Seating in the "Hollow Square"

Shape Note Singing can also be known as Sacred Harp, often considered a metaphor for the human vocal chords and also the title of the best-known shape note tunebook. These haunting 4 part harmonies are sung in a raw, powerful, exuberant style, with singers seated in what is called a hollow square.

The tradition is a living, breathing, ongoing practice passed directly from generation to generation by teachers and singers, many gone on before and many still living.

In many parts of the country, particuliarly in the south, Sacred Harp Singings have been practiced for over 100 years, and continue today. Although Shape Note singing is firmly rooted in the historical culture of Louisiana, until now, there has never been an organized effort to create a Sacred Harp Singing in the Northshore Area.