Manchester Sacred Harp

Sing with us

Regular Singings

The entrance to the Kings Arms pub, a red brick building with its name set in the stone arch above the door.
Image credit: Jo Kay

Singing at The Kings Arms

First Thursdays and Third Tuesdays of the month
7-9.30pm
The Kings Arms, Bloom St, Salford

We sing on the first Thursday and the third Tuesday of each month in the King’s Arms pub, Salford. Grab yourself a drink at the bar and come and find us. We’re usually in the snug – downstairs, first left. It’s an informal singing, from the 1991 Denson edition of the Sacred Harp. We have loaner books available. Everyone is welcome, whether visiting singer or total newcomer.

Venue info
Dates
The impressive front entrance to The Whitworth art gallery. A red brick and terracotta building, lit up by the sun so it's firey orange. It is two-storeys high with rows of windows and a raised semi-circular entrance with grey pillars which looks very grand.
Image credit: The Whitworth

Singing in the Gallery

Monthly Sundays (dates vary)
2-4.30pm
The Whitworth art gallery, Oxford Rd, Manchester

Join us in the stunning setting of The Whitworth art gallery for an afternoon of uplifting four-part harmony social singing. All voices are welcome and attendance is free. It’s open to everyone – people of all faiths and none, people of all abilities, including experienced and brand new singers. If this is your first time, we recommend you let us know you’re coming, and arrive 15 mins early so we can welcome you. Our door is open – feel free to sit and sing with us if you want to give it a try, or just drop by to listen.

Venue info
Dates

One-off singings

An image of Stretford Public Hall - a large, impressive Victorian gothic building. It is mostly red brick with a grey slate roof and central clock tower over the grand arched entrance with a steeply pointed roof
Image credit: Stretford Public Hall

29th UK Sacred Harp Convention

Saturday 19 – Sunday 20 September 2026
10.00am – 4.00pm (3.30pm close on Sunday)
Stretford Public Hall, M32 0LG [map]

We are excited to welcome singers to Manchester for the 29th UK Sacred Harp Convention.

Saturday and Sunday singing will be at the beautiful Grade II listed Stretford Public Hall. Socials for the Friday and Saturday evenings are being arranged – details to follow.

There will be a bring-and-share lunch on the grounds both days. Please bring a cold dish to contribute to the feast.

We will sing from the 2025 edition of The Sacred Harp. Loaner books available.

We rely on donations to cover costs, but there’s no fixed cost to attend. All voices welcome – experience not essential!

More info coming soon
The large Sacred Harp song book is held open in the hands of a singer. Out of focus, the leader is standing in the centre of the gathered singers. Around the image is a border of bright colours and the words Manchester Folk Festival 19-21 March 2026
Image credit: Leo Green

Workshop at Manchester Folk Festival

Saturday 21 March 2026
10am -12.30pm
Hallé St. Peter’s, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6BF
(Followed by Sunday singing at The Whitworth next day)

Manchester Folk Festival is an urban multi-venue festival based in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. The festival brings together a diverse range of artists who represent the broad definition of contemporary folk music.

There’s always a selection of workshops, sessions and singarounds for people to get involved.

And as part of this year’s offer, we’re running a Sacred Harp singing workshop for beginners.

We’ll also need experienced Sacred Harp singers to support learners, so if you’re interested, get in touch.

More Info
Book
A group of singers sitting in a square with a leader in the centre, his hand raised and a book resting on his other arm. The image is taken from a distance, so the foreground is a long expanse of wooden floor. The image is taken in the Grand Hall at The Whitworth. It is beautiful - soft light, soft green walls and darker green arched wooden supports fitted into the high ceiling.
Image credit: Jo Kay

Manchester 2025 All-Day – Day 1

Saturday 11 October 2025
10.00am – 4.00pm (3.30pm close on Sunday)
Stretford Public Hall, M32 0LG [map]

Join us for our 6th annual All-Day singing in Manchester.
The event will be chaired by Sophie Lockhart. We plan to sing from the newly launched 2025 edition of The Sacred Harp. Loaners will be available.

There will be a communal feast for lunch, so please bring something to share.

All voices welcome.

More info
A group of singers sitting in a square with a leader in the centre, his hand raised and a book resting on his other arm. The image is taken from a distance, so the foreground is a long expanse of wooden floor. The image is taken in the Grand Hall at The Whitworth. It is beautiful - soft light, soft green walls and darker green arched wooden supports fitted into the high ceiling.
Image credit: Jo Kay

Manchester All-Day 2025 – Day 2

Sunday 12 October 2025
11.00 – 2.30pm
The Whitworth Art Gallery, M15 6ER [map] 

A relaxed half-day singing in our home venue of The Whitworth Art Gallery. We’ll have a short lunch break, but we won’t provide any refreshments so please make sure to bring your own drinks and food to eat in a designated picnic room.

Experienced and new singers are invited to join us. We’ll sing from The Christian Harmony songbook. Loaner books will be available.

More Info
A sunlit wooden shed painted green with full length French windows in white. A hand painted sign reads 'The Frog House'
Image credit: MUD

Frivolous Fields Folk Festival

14 June 2025
1-2.30pm
The Frog House, Platt Fields Market Garden

As part of a mid-summer mini folk festival, we’ll be singing in the beautiful setting of a community market garden which revolves around food, community and wellbeing. 

Dress warmly for a day of fresh air, surrounded by deep green and great folk.

Note to singers: advance booking is essential for this one!

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A large bright room with high ceiling, wooden floor and large window. The focal point is a willow coffin decorated with flowers. Rows of chairs face towards it as if set up for a funeral service. The image gives a feeling of serenity and peace.
Image credit: Natural Endings

Todmorden Sacred Harp afternoon

28 June 2025
1.30 – 4.30pm
Natural Endings, Todmorden Hall, Rise Lane OL14 7AA

A relaxed afternoon singing in a pretty market town in the Upper Calder Valley. The host venue was once the post office depot, and now it’s a lovely, light-filled place of peace and community, used to host funeral services and cultural events.

Experienced and new singers are invited to join us. We’ll sing from the 1991 Denson book – loaner books will be available.

More Info
Book