Manchester Sacred Harp

About Us

A leader stands, holding a large book open on her arm. Her right hand is raised, beating time and she is singing with passion. There are seated singers around her, all in shadow. She is lit by bright sun from the right, making the photo sharply contrasted in black and white.

Manchester Sacred Harp

We’re an informal singing community who get together for the love of singing old American hymns in four part harmony. Very loudly. 

We’re not a choir. Everyone gets a chance to lead, if they want to. There’s room for all voices and all abilities. There’s no fixed number of participants. And true to the tradition of Sacred Harp, we don’t practice, and we don’t perform. We just turn up and sing.

Manchester Sacred Harp is an inclusive group – whoever you are, if you want to sing with us, we welcome you.

Access and attitudes
FAQs

“Manchester Sacred Harp… They’re fantastic.
It’s really simple singing; it’s shape note singing
so anyone can sing this kind of music…
It’s so heartfelt. I just love this stuff.”

Laurie Anderson, on working with Sacred Harp singers in her performance project ARK: United States V, at Aviva Studios, Manchester, speaking to Clive Anderson on BBC Radio 4’s ‘Loose Ends’, 16 November 2024.