Music
njackson@parishofcornwallis.ca
The Elastic Millennium Choir, based in Halifax, specializes in shape-note singing, a system developed around 1812. Its inventors described it as an improved way of instructing those with "even
the weakest capacity for music." Triangle, oval, square and diamond symbols represent musical notes, allowing singers, including those who were illiterate, to rely on written music rather than memory.
This shape-note singing was the popular music of the day, said by its publishers to be "suited to the tastes of plain folk." Sam Slick, the fictional Yankee clock pedlar created by Thomas Chandler Haliburton, remarked on the beauty of these meeting-house tunes.
The repertoire of the Elastic Millennium Choir includes
shape-note songs composed in Nova Scotia. Many are hymns about death, damnation and the Abillowing fires of hell delivered in a lively, beautiful blend of soprano, alto, tenor and bass. The choir, a non-profit organization, funds its own research into this music.
While shape-note music, also known as American Sacred Harp music, is enjoying a revival south of the border, a performance group such as the Elastic Millennium Choir is completely unheard of
there. In the United States people do not go to "singings" of this music to listen, but to sing themselves.
"We tend to adhere to the democratic feel of this tradition, but have a more choir-like way of going about things to interest a larger audience," said Marcus Merrin, chief researcher and bass singer in the choir.
In addition to giving concerts, the choir holds singing schools following the traditional approach of having everyone sit in a hollow square and sing with as much gusto as they can muster.
njackson@parishofcornwallis.ca
The Elastic Millennium Choir, based in Halifax, specializes in shape-note singing, a system developed around 1812. Its inventors described it as an improved way of instructing those with "even
the weakest capacity for music." Triangle, oval, square and diamond symbols represent musical notes, allowing singers, including those who were illiterate, to rely on written music rather than memory.
This shape-note singing was the popular music of the day, said by its publishers to be "suited to the tastes of plain folk." Sam Slick, the fictional Yankee clock pedlar created by Thomas Chandler Haliburton, remarked on the beauty of these meeting-house tunes.
The repertoire of the Elastic Millennium Choir includes
shape-note songs composed in Nova Scotia. Many are hymns about death, damnation and the Abillowing fires of hell delivered in a lively, beautiful blend of soprano, alto, tenor and bass. The choir, a non-profit organization, funds its own research into this music.
While shape-note music, also known as American Sacred Harp music, is enjoying a revival south of the border, a performance group such as the Elastic Millennium Choir is completely unheard of
there. In the United States people do not go to "singings" of this music to listen, but to sing themselves.
"We tend to adhere to the democratic feel of this tradition, but have a more choir-like way of going about things to interest a larger audience," said Marcus Merrin, chief researcher and bass singer in the choir.
In addition to giving concerts, the choir holds singing schools following the traditional approach of having everyone sit in a hollow square and sing with as much gusto as they can muster.
Pricing & Tickets
Pricing: Free will offering
St. John's Anglican Church
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