Customer Reviews

Harmonia Sacra: A Compilation of Genuine Church Music, Comprising a Great Variety of Metres Harmonized for Four Voices Together with a Copious E

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The complete title is:

The Harmonia Sacra, A Compilation of Genuine Church Music: Comprising a Great Variety of Metres, Harmonized for Four Voices: Together with a Copious Explication of the Principles of Vocal Music. Exemplified and Illustrated with Tables, in a Plain and Comprehensive Manner. By Joseph Funk and Sons.

In her introduction, Mary K. Oyer writes:

"We hope this new edition will help perpetuate community music-making among Mennonites by reinvigorating traditional Harmonia Sacra singing."

Amen, sister...and among singers everywhere!

You may email me for current information on where and when you may join those singing from this hymn book.

A very beautiful and informative book. It is a text as well as book of shape-note church music. Over 400 pages of educational and musical information. But please be aware that this is not the standard blue shape-note book used by shape-note singing groups. (I can't remember the name of that book right now). If you tote this book to a shape-note sing you will not get much use out of it, I don't think. It sits on our coffee table between some classical guitar magazines and every now and then someone will open it up to take a look inside. My husband wanted it for Christmas but I accidentally bought this thinking it was the book used at shape-note sings. We kept it because it is such a beautiful, informative book. It's preface, note to teachers, rudiments and elucidations of vocal music look and read old-fashioned style. I thought that was especially poignant.

As a church organist/choir director, I'm always interested in finding new sources for choral music, and have long appreciated the creativity of early and middle 19th century American hymn writers. The Harmonia Sacra is an excellent source for such music, made more important to me because my parents lived form many years in Singers Glen, VA, where the hymnal was originally published by Joseph Funk.