We had a great time learning, singing, and sharing food and our Central Ontario Singing School. Experienced singers from Toronto, Kingston, and the Guelph-Cambridge area came together with lots of new singers from all over Ontario to share what we love about Sacred Harp singing:
162 Bloor Street West, at the corner of Bloor and Avenue Road
Join us for Eucharist in the hollow square, featuring at least seven hymns from the shape note singing tradition of The Sacred Harp hymnbook. Our congregational voices will be supported by experienced singers of this unique music tradition. Come worship and sing!
Thanks to everyone who came to sing. Both days were special, and it was great to get back to Detweiler Meetinghouse.
Saturday: 70 singers from 3 provinces and 6 states; 37 leaders led 77. Sunday: 53 singers from 3 provinces and 6 states; 41 leaders led 61 songs. Friday: We didn’t count how many Shenandoah songs were lead on Friday evening. It was a bunch!
This year on August 24 and 25 we will host our third two-day convention. After holding a couple of all-day singings post-COVID, we are ready to hold a convention once again.
The first day of this year’s singing is Saturday, August 24 at the Friends House, 60 Lowther Avenue in a mid-town area of Toronto known as the Annex. Following that on Sunday, August 25 we return to the Detweiler Meetinghouse at 3445 Roseville Road, North Dumfries, Ontario. We’ll sing each day from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with midday dinner on the ground.
But there is more! On Friday evening, August 23, there will be a Shenandoah Singing at the Friends House, 60 Lowther Avenue, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30p.m.
And we’ll hold an Evening Social on Saturday, August 24. Details will be available at the singing.
We are offering limited house accommodations for out-of-town singers, and arranging carpools for travel to Detweiler on Sunday. Please Contact Em Ekelund (emilyekelund@gmail.com)for more information.
It’s been 5 years, but the Central Ontario Convention returns this year on the fourth Sunday, and the Friday and Saturday before: August 23-25, 2024. Full details will be available soon.
162 Bloor Street West, at the corner of Bloor and Avenue Road
Join us for Eucharist in the hollow square, featuring hymns from the shape note singing tradition of The Sacred Harp hymnbook. Our congregational voices will be supported by experienced singers of this unique music tradition. Come worship and sing!
The 2023 Central Ontario All-Day Singing was our 16th annual, held on Saturday, August 26 at Friends House in Toronto. The Friday night before we held an informal Shenandoah Harmony singing.
You are invited to the 2023 Central Ontario All-Day Singing on the Saturday before the fourth Sunday in August. Plus, come sing from Shenandoah Harmony book on the Friday night before in an informal singing.
When:
Registration on Saturday, August 26, begins at 9:00 am
Singing will be from 10:00 am to approximately 3:30 pm (EDT), with midday dinner on the grounds.
Directions:Located in central Toronto, the Friends House is about a block north from the Bedford Street exit of the St. George TTC subway station. There is paid parking available on-street or in nearby parking lots.
COVID precautions:
We ask that singers bring proof of a negative test each day of singing and be mindful of their state of health and that of fellow singers.
Further precautions: Doors will be open and air purifiers will be running.
Check out the Facebook Event for more information. This is Ontario shape-note singers’ biggest event of the year, and one you absolutely shouldn’t miss! For questions, more info and/or to volunteer to help, contact singing@torontoshapenote.org.
Friday Evening Shenandoah Singing Also at Friends House, we are holding a warm-up Friday evening singing, August 25th, 7:30-9:30 p.m. — an informal singing, primarily from The Shenandoah Harmony (with limited loaners available). More details in the Facebook event.