KNOXVILLE, TN (November 22, 2006) Begin the holiday festivities at the East Tennessee Historical Society with a potluck dinner and an afternoon of Old Harp Singing on Saturday, December 2. Old Harp, or shape note, once filled a need in a time and place where musical instruments were costly and hard to come by. It is a method whereby each note on the scale is given a shape, allowing singers to learn the music without musical instruments. Pure and meant for congregational singing, this nineteenth century music enjoyed widespread popularity, especially in churches in the rural Appalachian South.
This event is known as the “Larry O. Memorial Singing” in honor of Larry Olszewski, an ardent promoter of the music. It is presented by the East Tennessee Old Harp Shape Note Singers and the East Tennessee Historical Society. The program is open to the public and offered at no charge due to a generous sponsorship by the Utilities Management Federation made up of Northeast Knox, Luttrell-Blaine-Corryton, Knox Chapman, First Utility District, and West Knox. Visitors are invited to bring a covered dish and join the group for lunch at noon, followed by singing from 1-4 p.m. For information, call 865-215-8824.
The East Tennessee Historical Society, whose mission is to preserve, interpret and promote the region’s history, is located at 601 S. Gay Street (across from the Tennessee Theatre) in downtown Knoxville.
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