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The village of Taylor, known for its combination of the traditional life with modern and original arts, hosted its thirty-sixth annual all-day Sacred Harp singing on Saturday, October 12 at the Methodist Church. Singing commenced at 10:00, followed by potluck dinner and more singing until 2:30 PM. Warren Steel of Oxford was in charge. The Reverend Eddie Willis and the congregation invited the public to attend and participate. Taylor Methodist Church, with its resonant wooden floor and beaded wood walls, is an ideal location to hear this thrilling harmony, which is not accompanied by harps or any other instruments.
A Sacred Harp singing is a non-denominational community musical event. Named for The Sacred Harp, a songbook first printed in 1844, Sacred Harp singings are often associated with church homecomings and memorials. In Lafayette County, Sacred Harp singing dates to the 1870s, when several area churches instituted annual singings that were among the best-attended events in their communities. In many places, traditional singings have been replaced by gospel concerts, but Sacred Harp singings still preserve the music, style and customs of the days before the War Between the States, in which everyone sings and everyone is invited to lead his or her favorite selections. The songbook includes pieces by the first American composers along with many southern folk hymns and camp-meeting songs. Sacred Harp singing is featured in the documentary film Awake, My Soul, as well as in the Miramax film Cold Mountain.
Today Sacred Harp singing is experiencing a massive revival: singings and conventions have sprung up all across the United States, as well as in Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland. Larger singings attract hundreds of singers and listeners, who learn about the music from the Internet or by word of mouth: Warren Steel maintains a Sacred Harp web site at Ole Miss.
This singing was formerly held at Pilgrim's Rest Primitive Baptist Church. Members of that congregation, and residents of Taylor, Sand Hill, Springdale and Pine Flat, are particularly invited to attend, as are visitors from the Oxford-University community. Local residents are asked to bring a dish to share for dinner. For more information, call Warren Steel at 662 801-3707.
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From Oxford, take Old Taylor Road (Old Taylor Road exit from hwy 6/US278) to the south 7.5 miles to the village of Taylor; church is on your right. From points north or south, take hwy 7 south of Oxford. Turn west on hwy 328 to Taylor, then bear right on the Cutoff Road (CR 335) into Taylor.
The annual Sacred Harp singing at Taylor Methodist Church (formerly held at Pilgrim's Rest Primitive Baptist Church) was called to order by Warren Steel leading songs on page 75, 74b and 47t. Matt Bell led the morning prayer, songs on 30b, 165 and 166, and called the following leaders: Anne Steel 200, 390, 354b; Mark Tew 108t, 318, 268; Elsie Dalton 142, 178, 230; Suzy Bishop 87, 312t, 30t.
Recess
Jeff Corbett reassembled the class leading 326 and 107. Other leaders: Arlon Gardner 183, 168; Chuck Howell 127, 373; Sophia Gardner 282, 278t; Dave Stewart 49t, 140; Susan Wood 313t; Curtis Gregory 341, 40; Priscilla Bell 70b, 88t; Dalton Green 328, 133. A brief memorial lesson was held, in honor of deceased: Earl Ballinger, Ester Mann, Bobby Neyman, Judy Martinez and Dan Brittain. Warren Steel led "Hurricane Creek" for the deceased.
Lunch.
Warren Steel called the class together leading song on page 36b. Leaders: Regina Derstine 71, 300; Logan Green 99, 547; Caroline Green 217, 216; Jeff Corbett 276; Priscilla Bell 157; Dalton Green 203; Dave Stewart 513; Regina Derstine 327; Logan Green 111b; Caroline Green 277; Matt Bell 434; Anne Steel 428; Mark Tew 335; Elsie Dalton 150, 86; Jeff Corbett and Warren Steel 236; Logan Green 528; Matt Bell 269. Following announcements, Warren Steel led the closing song on 278b, and Dalton Green dismissed the class with prayer.
Chairman--Warren Steel; Secretary--Anne Steel[ Sacred Harp Singing | Warren Steel | Music Dept. | UM Home ]
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