Tuesday, December 22, 2015


MONTHLY SINGINGS FOR JANUARY 2016:


Sunday, Jan. 10th, 6:30 pm, Epworth Monthly Singing at the Laurel Theater, 1538 Laurel Ave., Knoxville, TN. Claudia Dean for more info, 865 673 5822.

Tuesday, Jan. 19th, 6 PM  Old College Monthly Harp Singing, McMinn County Living Heritage Museum, 522 West Madison Ave.,  Athens, TN  Cora Sweatt at 423 745-0248.

Tuesday, Jan. 19th, 7 PM Sevier County Monthly Old Harp Singing, Middle Creek United Methodist Church, 1828 Middle Creek Rd., Pigeon Forge, TN.  David Sarten at 865 428-0874.

No Wilderness Wildlife Week in Pigeon Forge in January.  It has been moved to May, I think.  Will send updates.

Above are some area singing opportunities for January 2016. Please send me your changes in email and/or regular mail addresses. We'll want to have correct addresses when we send out the annual newsletter in January that Ann Strange is preparing again.


Thanks for posting this,
Tina Becker, alto

Friday, November 20, 2015

In December, our monthly county singings are on hiatus; Epworth in Knoxville, Franklin Singers in Greeneville, Old College in Athens, and Sevier County.

We WILL sing at the Sugarlands Visitor Center in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Saturday, December 12th at 9:30 am. For more info, contact Paul Clabo at 865-453-5847.

See you at the Heritage Singing at 2:00 in Townsend Saturday, and the Thanksgiving Eve Potluck and Singing, Wednesday at 6:30 pm at the Laurel Theater!

Tina Becker, alto

Saturday, November 14, 2015


Jeremy Shipp delivered a pechakucha presentation  in August 2015.

You can view it at

http://www.pechakucha.org/cities/knoxville/presentations/old-harp


Jeremy had this to say about the presentation.

Dear old harp singers,

I've not properly thanked you for your generous time and your beautiful voices with which you so kindly supported my project. Thanks to your boldness and hard work, a different slice of Knoxville now has an awareness of our dear tradition. But for me, doing this together with you has made me feel more deeply the bond of our old harp community.

My sincerest thanks to you all: Tina, Sarah, and Chaz on alto; Ruth and Ann on Treble; Claudia, Christine, Sara, and Rick on Tenor; and Bill and Joe on bass!

Yours ever,

Jeremy Shipp, bass

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Here are your East TN Old Harp Shape Note Singings for November 2015. All are invited, tunebooks provided, and it's free. Website is www.oldharp.org.

Sunday, Nov. 8th, 6:30 pm, Epworth Monthly Singing at the Laurel Theater, 1538 Laurel Ave., Knoxville, TN. We will plan the potluck for the Thanksgiving Eve singing.  Tina Becker 865-982-7777.

Tuesday, Nov. 17th, 6 PM Old College Monthly Harp Singing, McMinn County Living Heritage Museum, 522 West Madison Ave., Athens, TN. For info: Museum, 423-745-0329, Cora Sweatt at 423-745-0248.

Tuesday, Nov. 17th, 7 PM Sevier County Monthly Old Harp Singing, Middle Creek United Methodist Church, 1828 Middle Creek Rd., Pigeon Forge, TN. David Sarten at 865-428-0874.

Holiday Open House; Great Smoky Mts. Heritage Museum, Saturday, November
21, 2:00-3:00PM.  We will sing in the auditorium and refreshments will be
furnished.  Free  admission to the Museum is also included.
Directions:  Follow Hyw. 321 to Townsend.  Go through the traffic light in
Townsend and follow signs towards Cades Cove.  The Museum is on the RIGHT on
top of the hill and very well marked before you enter the Park. Robin Goddard for info: 865-982-6148.

Wed. Nov. 25th, 6:30 PM Annual Thanksgiving Supper and Harp Singing. Jubilee Community Arts and the Epworth Old Harp Singers host the annual Thanksgiving get together. Laurel Theater, 1538 Laurel Ave., Knoxville, TN. A potluck supper will be followed by a community singing from the New Harp of Columbia. Shape note singing has a long history in East Tennessee and the Epworth Old Harp Singers are actively carrying on that tradition. The New Harp of Columbia was first published in 1863 in Knoxville, based on the 1848 Harp of Columbia, also published in East Tennessee; a comprehensive edition restoring all omitted songs was published in 2001 thanks to the tireless efforts of singer Larry Olszewski. This year's singing will serve as the ninth annual memorial singing in honor of Larry.
Free • Bring a dish & sing for your supper. For more info,Tina Becker, 865-982-7777.

Sunday, Nov. 29th, 3 PM, Franklin Monthly Old Harp Singing, Greeneville Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 210 N. Main St., Greeneville, TN. Jeff Farr at 423 639-8211.


Tina Becker - Alto

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Here are your East TN Old Harp Shape Note Singings for October 2015. All are invited, tunebooks provided. Website is www.oldharp.org

Sun. Oct. 4th, 2 PM, Annual (Since 1921) Valley View Baptist Church Singing, Wears Valley, Sevier Co., TN. From Townsend, TN, turn left or east on Rt. #321 over into Wears Valley. When you pass Headrick Chapel on the right, you will go another 4.4 miles to Valley View Rd. (on right after "s" turn.) Church is .7 mile off 321, on Valley View Rd. Bruce Wheeler for more info, 865-428-2239.

Sunday, Oct. 11th, 6:30 pm, Epworth Monthly Singing at the Laurel Theater, 1538 Laurel Ave., Knoxville, TN. Chaz Barber 865-640-5226.

Tuesday, Oct. 20th, 6 PM Old College Monthly Harp Singing, McMinn County Living Heritage Museum, 522 West Madison Ave., Athens, TN. For info: Museum, 423-745-0329, or Cora Sweatt at 423 745-0248.

Tuesday, Oct. 20th, 7 PM Sevier County Monthly Old Harp Singing, Middle Creek United Methodist Church, 1828 Middle Creek Rd., Pigeon Forge, TN. David Sarten at 865 428-0874.

Sunday, Oct. 18th, 2 PM, Annual Dollywood Singing, in Pigeon Forge, TN. David needs confirmation of who will be attending  so he can let Dollywood  know how many tickets to issue.  If you will be arriving  prior to 12:30  he will need to know that so he can  leave tickets for you at the customer service entrance  at  the  gate.   If arriving after that either Joe or David will be  at the main entrance with the tickets.  All receiving  a ticket must come  and participate in the singing, for free entry. For more info, David Sarten, 865-428-0874.

Sun. Oct.25th, 2 PM, Annual Maryville College Singing, Center for Campus Ministry, Maryville, TN. Park at Fayerweather Hall. Tom Taylor for more info, 865-984-8585.

Sunday, Oct. 25th, 3 PM, Franklin Monthly Old Harp Singing, Greeneville Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 210 N. Main St., Greeneville, TN. Jeff Farr at 423 639-8211.

Tina Becker, alto

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Here are your Old Harp Shape Note Singings for September 2015.  All are invited, tunebooks provided.  
Website is www.oldharp.org


Saturday, September 5 is the Fall Singing in Etowah, NC.  We will be at the 
Lion’s Club building
447 Etowah School Road
Hendersonville, NC 28739 (in Etowah)
Begin at 10:00, dinner at noon and sing on in the afternoon. Please bring a dish (with food in it) to share. Being an historic singing, the primary book is the 1873 Walker book (loaners will be available). You may use the 2010 book which has all the original songs in it. If there are enough books, we will also use the New Harp of Columbia. 
For more info: www.christianharmony.org

Sunday, September 6th, 2 PM, Annual Wears Valley United Methodist Church Singing, Wears Valley, Sevier Co., TN.  From Townsend, TN, turn left or east on Rt. #321 over into Wears Valley.  The Methodist Church is about 10 miles on the left.  Bruce Wheeler for more info, 865-428-2239.

Sunday, September 13, 5:30PM, UT's Music of Appalachia Class taught by Sean McCollough will be our guests for a potluck at 5:30PM followed by singing 6:30-8:00PM.  It's held at the Laurel Theater, 1538 Laurel Ave., Knoxville, TN.  Please plan on attending!  We need salads, simple casseroles, vegetables, ice tea, ice, etc.  We also need singers!  For more info, Claudia Dean at 865-673-5822.

Thursday, September 17th, 6:30PM, I would like to announce a new Old Harp Singing for Thursday, Sept. 17th at 6:30 PM, 209 Indiana Ave. Maryville, TN, at my home.   I can accommodate 15+ singers in my living room. Some of us live in the neighborhood, which is a block and a half from Maryville College. 
Please park on the side streets and walk, or in front of my house. Just don't park in front of the brick house next door, or I'll get a text asking to move your car!
We will start with tunes that are familiar, since we could be rusty since it's been a while. All styles of leading are welcome.  Tina Becker 865-982-7777 for more info.

Tuesday, September 15th, 5 PM  Old College Monthly Harp Singing, McMinn County Living Heritage Museum, 522 West Madison Ave., , Athens, TN  Cora Sweatt at 423 745-0248.

Tuesday, Sept. 15th, 7 PM Sevier County Monthly Old Harp Singing, Middle Creek United Methodist Church, 1828 Middle Creek Rd., Pigeon Forge, TN.  David Sarten at 865 428-0874.

Sunday September 27th, 10 AM to 3 PM, Annual Headrick Chapel Singing and Dinner on the Grounds at Noon.  Wears Valley in Sevier County, TN.  From Townsend, TN, take the turn onto Rt. #321, east to the Sevier Co. line.  One hundred yards past is the Chapel, on the right.  David Sarten 865-428-0874 or Bruce Wheeler 865-428-2239.

 Tina Becker, alto

Friday, July 31, 2015

Camp DOREMI in Europe 2015

Video from Camp DoReMi in Europe, 2015. They are singing, "Saint's Adieu" from the New Harp of Columbia in the 1300 year old Chapel of St Peter-on-the-Wall, Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex, England.

http://tinyurl.com/o2wtktp

Tina Becker

Monday, July 20, 2015

Here are your East TN Old Harp Shape Note Singings for August 2015.  All are invited, tunebooks provided.  Website is www.oldharp.org.

August 6-9, Camp Do Re Mi, Little Switzerland, NC. Singing School Camp.  Twelve Singers from TN will be in attendance, every year the biggest number from one state.  We are: Sara, Tina, Leslie, Claudia, Gail, Jeff, Robin, Eddie, Kathleen, Dan, Bob, and Ann.

Sunday, Aug. 9th, 6:30PM Monthly Epworth Old Harp Singing,  Laurel Theater, 1538 Laurel Ave., Knoxville, TN. Claudia at 865-673-5822.

Sunday, August. 16th, 2:00 - 4 PM, Yes, 2:00, Cades Cove Primitive Baptist Church, Great Smoky Mtn. Nat'l Park, TN.  From Knoxville, TN, take Alcoa Hwy. past the McGhee Tyson Airport and take the left fork into Alcoa.  Stay on this road as you enter Maryville and continue on #321S to Townsend.  Continue straight through Townsend into the National Park.  At the fork of the river (the "Y"), turn right to Cades Cove.  The Cades Cove Ranger Station has the last non-primitive facilities before you return from the singing.  Take the Cades Cove Loop, and the Primitive Baptist Church is the first church on the left, you travel down a short road to get to it, last year there was a sign for the singing.  Add one hour to the travel time due to tourist traffic jams.  For more info, Robin Goddard at 865-982-6148 or Tom Taylor at 865-984-8585.

Christian Harmony Singing, Sunday, August 16th, 2:00 PM, regular third Sunday singing at St John’s Episcopal 500 North Roan Street, Johnson City, TN 37601. (Enter off Myrtle Ave.) We begin at 2:00.

Tuesday, Aug. 18th, 5 PM  Old College Monthly Harp Singing, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 123 S. Jackson St., Athens, TN  Cora Sweatt at 423 745-0248.

Tuesday, Aug. 18th, 7 PM Sevier County Monthly Old Harp Singing, Middle Creek United Methodist Church, 1828 Middle Creek Rd., Pigeon Forge, TN.  David Sarten at 865 428-0874.

Sunday, Aug. 30th, 3 PM, Franklin Monthly Old Harp Singing, Greeneville Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 210 N. Main St., Greeneville, TN.  Jeff Farr at 423 639-8211.

Last month singing of note: Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse Singing, Great Smoky Mtns. Nat'l Park, July 12th. One singer in attendance had an ancestor supply the wood (Poplar Tree?) for the schoolhouse.  This was the last singing Odis Abbott attended before he died last year. There were Sacred Harp singers, and Jonathon and Nathan were there.

Thanks for posting this,

Tina Becker, alto

Monday, June 22, 2015

Hi Singers,

A reminder of the Beech Grove Singing next Sunday with a meeting of the Board you're welcome to attend, plus singing opportunities in July.

Sunday, June 28th, 12 PM Annual Beech Grove Primitive Baptist Church Dinner and Singing. Sevier County, TN.  From Pigeon Forge heading toward Gatlinburg on Rt.#441, take the first right onto Caney Creek Rd.  Look for a sign for the church.  It is two miles or so on the left.  Bring a dish to share, for more info, Sharee Green, 865-654-3557. Followed by annual Friends of NHC meeting.

Here are your Old Harp shape note singings for July 2015.  All invited, tune books provided, and it's free!  Website www.oldharp.org

Sunday, July 12th, 2:00 PM Little Greenbrier School Singing, Great Smoky Mtns. Nat'l Park. Two hour long singing. Thanks to Robin Goddard for coordinating this event. No Epworth Singing at the Laurel Theater in Knoxville this month since we are singing here.

Directions to Little Greenbrier School:  From Knoxville/Maryville:  Go Hwy. 321 through Townsend.  Turn left at the only traffic light in Townsend and continue on 321 to Wears' Valley.  As you get in the straight a way past Headrick's Chapel, turn right on Lyon's Springs Rd.  ( Real-estate Co/ Ice Cream Shop on corners) Continue on Lyon Springs up the hill going into the Park. This is the back entrance to Metcalf Bottoms.  Turn left on the first gravel road. This goes to the schoolhouse.  There is only room for approx. 20 cars, so it would be helpful if you would go on to Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area and carpool to the schoolhouse.  This is a very narrow road and you must back down if you meet someone! It will be hot so bring water and fans!

From Gatlinburg:  Follow Little River Road from Sugarlands Visitors'Center.  Go 9 miles to Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area.  Turn right into the Picnic Area , Cross the Bridge, bear left and the gravel road to schoolhouse is around the second curve. There will probably be many visitors as this is Sunday afternoon and the program is printed in the Smokies Guide and will be on the TV monitor at the Visitors' Center.

Saturday, July 18th 10:30 to 3:00 Old College Annual Harp SingingMcMinn County Living Heritage Museum, 522 West Madison Ave.,  Athens, TN  Cora Sweatt at 423 745-0248Cora Sweatt at 423-745-0248. Dinner on the Grounds at noon.

Tuesday, July 21st, 6 PM  McMinn County Living Heritage Museum, 522 West Madison Ave.,  Athens, TN  Cora Sweatt at 423 745-0248

Tuesday, July 21st, 7 PM Sevier County Monthly Old Harp Singing, Middle Creek United Methodist Church, 1828 Middle Creek Rd., Pigeon Forge, TN.  David Sarten at 865 428-0874.

Sunday, July 26th, 3 PM, Franklin Monthly Old Harp Singing, Greeneville Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 210 N. Main St., Greeneville, TN.  Call Jeff Farr at 423 639-8211 to confirm.


Tina Becker, alto

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Here are your JUNE 2015 Old Harp Shape Note Singings for East Tennessee.  All are invited, tunebooks are provided, and it's free!  Website is www.oldharp.org.

Saturday, June 6th, 10 AM- 3 PM  Greeneville/Franklin Annual Old Harp Singing, New Bethel Cumberland Presbysterian Church, Greeneville, TN  37743.  Potluck at noon.  Bring a dish to share. Directions from Knoxville: Take I-40E towards Asheville, at exit 421, take I-81 north toward Bristol.  Take exit 30, turning right onto TN-70, go 7.5 miles.  Turn right onto Cox Rd., church is on the right.  For info, contact Jeff Farr at 423-620-8267.

The second Sunday Epworth Old Harp Singing at Laurel Theater, June 14, is cancelled.

Tuesday, June 16th, 5 PM Old College Monthly Harp Singing, McMinn County Living Heritage Museum, 522 West Madison Ave., Athens, TN. For info: Museum, 423-745-0329, Cora Sweatt at 423 745-0248.

Tuesday, June 16th, 7 PM Sevier County Monthly Old Harp Singing, Middle Creek United Methodist Church, 1828 Middle Creek Rd., Pigeon Forge, TN.  David Sarten at 865 428-0874.

No Blount County Singing this month - the newsletter and website says June 4.

Saturday, June 27th11:00-2:00 PM McMinn County Living Heritage Museum is celebrating a "Living History Day" in Athens, TN, 422 Madison Ave. 423-745-0329. Sandwiches furnished. All Old Harp singers are invited to sing in the Religion section of the Museum. May dress in old fashioned attire if desired.

Sunday, June 28th, 12 PM Annual Beech Grove Primitive Baptist Church Dinner and Singing. Sevier County, TN.  From Pigeon Forge heading toward Gatlinburg on Rt.#441, take the first right onto Caney Creek Rd.  Look for a sign for the church.  It is two miles or so on the left.  Bring a dish to share, for more info, Sharee Green, 865-654-3557. Tentative: followed by annual Friends of NHC meeting.

Sunday, June 28th, 3 PM, Franklin Monthly Old Harp Singing, Greeneville Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 210 N. Main St., Greeneville, TN.  Jeff Farr at 423 639-8211.
Coming up: 2:00PMSunday, July 12, Little Greenbriar Schoolhouse Singing in the Great Smoky Mtns. Nat'l Park.


Thanks for posting this,

Tina Becker, alto