By Shani Aviram
SAN FRANCISCO — Sacred harp singing is considered to be one of the oldest forms of American folk music. It dates back to the 1700s, to a choral style that developed in the churches of colonial New England, but eventually took root in the rural south. It’s a participatory tradition, which means that singers perform for themselves, not for an audience. Today, Sacred harp is experiencing something of a renaissance, some even characterize it as the punk rock of choral music.
An increasing number of music lovers have been rediscovering this singing style across the country and abroad. In Berkeley, a sacred harp group formed eight years ago and is slowly attracting more and more members.
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