A singing school is an effective method of teaching the shaped note style of reading music.  The shaped notes represent the different syllables in the solfege or sol-fa system of  reading and performing music (do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti, do).  Shaped note singing was found in many parts of  early America but seems to hold a special place in traditional Appalachian culture.

 

A singing school is usually a two or three day event but Virgil has done one day “shaped note workshops” at performance venues across the country including the Sally Gap Bluegrass Festival.  Virgil learned how to read shaped notes as a child from his mother, Margaret Bowlin.  He also received solfege training in the music department at Cumberland College (now University of the Cumberlands).

 

Schedule a singing school and rediscover an art form that has nearly been lost in many places. Your singing group will enjoy learning how four vocal parts can fit together to create wonderful music.