All-Day

8th Annual
Baltimore-Washington
Shenandoah Harmony
All-Day Singing

Oct. 4, 2025, 10am–4pm
Annapolis Friends Meetinghouse
351 Dubois Rd., Annapolis, MD 21401

You are invited to the 8th Annual Baltimore-Annapolis Shenandoah Harmony All-Day Singing with dinner on the grounds!

Join us on Saturday, October 4th, 2025 for a day of shape-note singing—a uniquely American form of spiritual folk music that has been sung in community for generations. Registration opens at 9:30 and singing begins at 10am. We will have potluck dinner on the grounds, please bring a dish to share. We will hold our singing at the Annapolis Friends Meetinghouse, located at 351 Dubois Rd., Annapolis, MD 21401.

Friday Night Valley Pocket Harmonist Sing! Come warm up with singing by the fire (or from the pool)! Join us on the night before the All-Day in Baltimore—stretch your vocal cords with song, then wind down around the bonfire. We’ll gather at 2506 Erdman Ave, Baltimore, MD 21213 with street parking available on Richmond & Crossland Aves. Doors open at 6:00 with snacks, singing runs 7:00–8:30, and the evening continues with visiting and hanging out until 11:30. Snacks and drinks will be provided, but feel free to bring something to share; a grill, kitchen, and coolers will be on hand. End the night your way—by the fire, or even in the hot tub (BYO swimsuit; towels provided).

No rehearsals. No audience. No cost—just voices raised together in harmony. Come as you are and sing!

If you are on Facebook, let us know you’re coming: https://www.facebook.com/events/9649459868469311/

We hope to see you there!

Accessibility Information

Our Saturday all-day singing will be held at the Annapolis Friends Meeting, a single-story, step-free building that is listed as handicapped-accessible.

The Friday pre-singing in Baltimore and the Saturday evening social in Annapolis will both be in private homes with steps at the entrances. These spaces are not fully ADA-accessible, though hosts have made accommodations in the past. Parking at the pre-singing location may be limited.

If you have specific needs, please let us know at fasolannapolis@gmail.com in advance so we can do our best to assist.

Welcome to the Baltimore-Washington All-Day Singing!

We’re so glad you’re planning to join us for a full day of shape-note singing – a uniquely American form of powerful, spiritual folk music sung in community for generations. This All-Day Singing is our region’s annual gathering of singers from Maryland, D.C., and beyond. No rehearsals, no audience, no tickets – just voices raised together in harmony. Newcomers are warmly welcome to drop in, listen, and sing – no experience needed.

What Is an All-Day Singing?

If you’ve only been to casual local singings, an all-day singing is a special, day-long event with its own cherished traditions. Singers travel from near and far to take part, filling the hollow square with a rich sound and sense of fellowship. Officers keep things organized, and all attendees are invited to sign the registration book. It really does last all day – with singing in the morning and afternoon, and a long break for potluck lunch in between. Some people attend the whole day, while others drop in for part of it. However much you’re able to join, you’ll be part of the community.

What to Bring

  • Water bottle (optional): Singing is thirsty work! We’ll also have water available.
  • Comfortable clothes: Some singers like to dress up a little for an all-day, but it’s not required. Wear what makes you comfortable for a day of singing.
  • Potluck dish (optional): We’ll have “dinner on the grounds” – a big potluck lunch. Bring something to share if you can, but don’t worry if you can’t – there will be plenty of food for everyone.
  • Songbook (optional): If you own The Shenandoah Harmony, bring it along. If not, we’ll have plenty of loaner books for newcomers.

When You Arrive

You’ll be welcomed at the registration table, where volunteers will be ready to answer questions, hand out loaner books, and help you get settled. Please sign the registration book – it’s part of the tradition, and also how the arranging committee knows who might want to lead.

Sacred Harp singers sit in a hollow square with one side for each part (treble, alto, tenor, and bass). If you’re not sure where to sit, tenor (the melody) is a great place to start. Don’t hesitate to mention that you’re new – singers love helping newcomers.

The Flow of the Day

  • Morning: Singing begins with an opening song and prayer, then moves into lessons led by singers. Leaders are called one at a time to the center to lead a song. We will have a short recess. You don’t have to lead unless you want to – just singing with the group is perfectly fine.
  • Lunch: Around midday we’ll break for a potluck meal. This is a highlight of the day, with tables full of food and a chance to relax and chat with friends old and new. Don’t be shy to introduce yourself.
  • Afternoon: More singing, often even livelier after lunch, until we close with a farewell song and prayer.

Tips and Etiquette

  • Stand during prayers or memorials if you’re able.
  • There’s no applause after songs – the music is its own reward. The one exception is small children.
  • Follow the leader’s tempo and verse choices.
  • Ask questions anytime – at the welcome table, during breaks, or of the singers around you.
  • Sing loud! This music works best when everyone sings with full voice.

Community and Welcome

Sacred Harp is about more than the music – it’s about community. You’ll find singers of all backgrounds, ages, and levels of experience. Hospitality is a core value: visitors and newcomers are always honored guests. Most importantly, there will be a welcoming table staffed with volunteers to answer any questions you have, or hear any concerns. Don’t be shy about stopping by.

We Can’t Wait to Sing With You!

Whether you come for a few hours or stay all day, you’ll experience the joy of raising your voice in harmony and being part of something timeless. We look forward to welcoming you into the square.

Singers from the Baltimore and Washington DC (and surrounding area) teamed up to begin to present All-Day singings beginning in 2013 on the first weekend of October. The singings were also two-book singings, using the Denson 1991 revision of The Sacred Harp and the Shenandoah Harmony books.

Unfortunately the pandemic that occurred beginning in 2019 did a great deal of damage in many ways, and shape-note singings suffered because of it.

A timeline of the Baltimore-Washington All Day Singings

7th Annual Baltimore-Washington Shenandoah Harmony All Day Singing – 2019
Sat., Oct. 5, 2019 from 10am-3:30pm
Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church 201 4th St SE Washington, DC 20003

6th Annual Baltimore-Washington Shenandoah Harmony All Day Singing – 2018
Sat., Oct. 6th, 2018 from 10am-3:30pm
Cathedral of the Incarnation, 4 E University Pkwy, Baltimore, MD

5th Annual Baltimore-Washington Shenandoah Harmony All Day Singing – 2017
Sat., Oct. 7, 2017 from 10am-3:30pm
Woman’s Club of Arlington, 700 S Buchanan St, Arlington, VA 22204

4th Annual Baltimore-Washington Shenandoah Harmony All Day Singing – 2016
Sat., Oct. 1, 2016 from 10am-3:30pm
Cathedral of the Incarnation, 4 E University Pkwy, Baltimore, MD

3rd Annual Baltimore-Washington Shenandoah Harmony All Day Singing – 2015
Sat., Oct. 3, 2015 from 10am-3:30pm
Faith Community Church, 5315 Harford Rd. Baltimore, MD 21214

2nd Annual Baltimore-Washington Shenandoah Harmony All Day Singing – 2014
Sat., Oct. 4, 2014 from 10am-3:30pm
Church of St. Monica/St. James, 222 8th St NE Washington DC

1st Annual Baltimore-Washington Shenandoah Harmony All Day Singing – 2013
Sat., Oct. 12, 2013 from 10am-3:30pm
Church of the Ascension, 633 Sligo Ave,  Silver Spring MD 20910

There is a video playlist of 12 songs from 2013 available on YouTube.