Shenandoah Harmony

The Shenandoah Harmony (Boyce, Virginia, 2012).  This 21st-century shape-note collection follows the format of 19th-century shape-note collections, being of oblong shape and including an introductory section on the basics of singing.  For example, ‘This music is sung vigorously, in full voice, with no vibrato…  Over the generations, singing communities have developed various unwritten vocal ornaments, rhythmic alterations, and even reharmonizations.  As a result, a singer may well be heard singing something other than what is on the page and not be in error.’  Seven pages of prefatory material are followed by 457 pages of tunes.  The eight-member Music Committee composed of authors and...