Sacred harp singing — a musical resurrection

The Warren man is one of a handful of East Bay residents devoted to the practice of sacred harp singing, once America’s most popular form of religious choral music before it was nearly rendered obsolete by newer styles. It’s been kept alive by a small yet faithful following that meets regularly for “singings” and classes, passing the tradition down to the next generation.

You don’t have to have any formal training to sing sacred harp; in fact, you don’t even have to be religious. Although lyrics are mainly from Old and New Testament texts, it’s not a sectarian music and not usually sung in church.

“We get Jews, Unitarians, music-loving atheists,” said Mr. Padwa, who attends regular singings in Providence along with his wife, Joanne DeVoe. “It’s about the music; it’s not about us and our beautiful voices. It’s about the song and the enjoyment of singing it.”