As we move into 2026, I have a few updates regarding how we share information across our regional Shape Note community. After a year of experimenting with different formats, I’m making some changes to ensure our communications remain accurate and manageable.
- Website & Calendar Refinement
We are streamlining MarylandShapeNote.org and BaltimoreShapeNote.org. The Events Calendar remains the most important tool for our community, and those visiting it, to stay connected. You can find the full schedule here: marylandshapenote.org/events For Organizers: If you need to cancel a specific singing, move a date, or update your group’s information, please email baltimoreshapenote@gmail.com. We will reflect those changes on the master calendar as soon as possible. Dedicated Pages: While every active singing will have a listing on the front page, any group wishing to maintain a dedicated sub-page on the site will now be responsible for updating their own WordPress content. If that is something you are interested and able to do, contact Kevin.
- Fifth Sunday Singings
With some local singings currently on hiatus, Fifth Sunday singings are a good way for us to come together as a larger community. You can find more information and history on these events here: marylandshapenote.org/5th-sunday-singings. Upcoming Prospective Dates: March 29, 2026 – Margaret, Frederick (Facebook Event) May 31, 2026 – Open August 30, 2026 – Kevin, Singing School/Outreach Singing/TBA November 29, 2026 – Open If you are interested in hosting one of the Open dates listed above, please look over the dedicated page and reach out!
- Print Newsletter Update
The print newsletter was a wonderful experiment, and I want to thank everyone who provided feedback over the past year. I have printed a small final run of copies for the January–June 2026 period. I will be sunsetting the print edition to focus our efforts on digital updates, which allow us to stay current with schedule changes across Maryland, PA, and DC.