Jesse Pearlman Karlsberg

I just added two new sections to the site. The first is an index of scores of shape note music I have been writing to showcase my compositional endeavors in this style [since enhanced and moved to a new URI]. I have also added links to various examples of my layout, graphic, and web design.

I recoded parts the site today in PHP, a change which will hopefully make updating some parts of the more efficient.

I went to Middletown, Connecticut today where a group of 25-30 shape note singers brought together by Neely Bruce sang a selection of shape note songs, largely from the Sacred Harp songbook. A reporter and photographer from the Hartford Courant attended and reported on the event. The selection of songs was meant to illustrate the history of the tradition, from “Old Hundred,” the oldest song in the book, to recent works.

The group sang four pieces from the shape note sketches found on this site, including “Hampshire” and “Monday,” as examples of recent compositions in the tradition. Thanks to Neely Bruce for the opportunity, and to Anne Rhodes and Mark and Linda Pearlman Karlsberg for advice and support preparing for the sing.