November 20, 2025

Shape Note Singing with San Diego Fasola Singers | March 2025

The March 2025 Shape Note Event

Shape Note Singing Filled The Library!


On Wednesday, March 26, 2025, the Borrego Springs Library hosted the San Diego Fasola Singers for a public Shape Note singing session. The event was led by Jeanne Plekon, with support from the San Diego Fasola crew and local participants including Beth Hart, Naomi Madsen and more. Attendance exceeded planned seating, and additional chairs were brought out to accommodate the audience.


What Is Shape Note Singing?


Shape Note singing, also known as Sacred Harp, is a four-part, a capella musical tradition that uses note shapes—triangle (Fa), circle (Sol), square (La), and diamond (Mi)—to help singers read and pitch notes. It was developed in New England during the 18th century and spread south through the Appalachian Mountains. Today, Shape Note singing continues in the U.S. and abroad, including in Ireland, France, Germany, Poland, Norway, and Sweden.


Format and Participation


As Jeanne Plekon explained during the session, “This form of singing is centered around a hollow square, with each side representing a different vocal part—treble, alto, tenor, and bass. The leader stands in the middle, and that role rotates after each song.”


Leaders choose the song, set the tempo, and can defer to the front row to find the right starting pitch. Jeanne noted that although songs are written in a specific key, the group can adjust it so that all voices are in a comfortable range: “That’s negotiable,” she said. “You slide it up or down until it works.”


Tempo is typically kept simple using either a two-beat (down-up) or three-beat (out-down-up) conducting motion. There is no formal training required, and everyone is encouraged to participate.


Notation and Practice


According to Jeanne, learning to follow the music requires a unique visual skill: “One eye stays on your line of music, and the other eye looks down at the words. You develop what I call ‘chameleon eyes.’”


Repeats and multiple endings are marked in the music, but the group decides how to handle them during the session. For example, Jeanne mentioned that while a song may call for a repeat after the first verse, singers might decide to repeat the last verse instead. Flexibility and group decision-making are part of the tradition.


The process usually begins with singing the shaped notes (Fa, Sol, La, Mi) before moving to the lyrics. “It’s okay to make mistakes,” Jeanne added. “If you get lost, just go ‘la, la, la’ and jump back in.”


Interested in Learning More?


Participants who want to explore Shape Note singing further can purchase The Sacred Harp songbook from originalsacredharp.com. The book is widely considered the foundational resource for this musical tradition.



Shape Note Singing Returns to Borrego | November 2025

April 6, 2026
The annual Easter Sunrise Service in Borrego Springs took place on Easter morning behind the United Methodist Church on Church Lane. Hosted by the Borrego Ministers Association, the outdoor service brought together local congregations, residents, and visitors for a shared Easter celebration at sunrise. Members of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church participated in the service as part of the Borrego Ministers Association. Annual Easter Sunrise Service in Borrego Springs The Easter Sunrise Service is a long-standing Borrego Springs tradition held each Easter morning behind the United Methodist Church and hosted by the Borrego Ministers Association. St. Barnabas Took Part in the Service Members of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church participated in the service alongside others from the Borrego Ministers Association and the community. A Community Gathering at Sunrise Residents and visitors gathered early, bringing chairs and dressing for the cool desert morning. The annual service continues to reflect community participation and cooperation among local churches in Borrego Springs. Easter Message from St. Barnabas  “Christ is risen. Indeed he is risen. Happy Easter from the priests and people of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church. May you experience the new life and joy of the Risen Lord.” Fathers David Madsen and Michael Plekon
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A low-cost spay and neuter clinic will take place on Monday, May 4, 2026, at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church.  Animal Action League will provide low-cost spay and neuter services for cats and dogs. Available services also include vaccinations and microchipping. These services help reduce unwanted litters while supporting the long-term health, safety, and identification of pets in the Borrego Springs area. To make an appointment, call the Animal Action League office at (760) 366-1100 for English or (760) 366-1105 for Spanish. Location: St. Barnabas Episcopal Church.
April 2, 2026
A community Fasola (shape-note) sing was held March 29 at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Borrego Springs. Singers gathered in the church, where the acoustics supported unaccompanied group singing. Shape-note singing, also known as Sacred Harp, is a participatory a cappella tradition. Singers sit or stand in a hollow square by vocal part, and songs are led one at a time by participants from the group. Music is sung first on the syllables fa, sol, la, mi, then with lyrics. The March 29 sing followed standard practice. Attendees brought tunebooks and called songs by page number. Leaders stood in the center to set tempo and conduct. No instruments were used. The group included both experienced singers and newcomers. The format allowed anyone present to join, regardless of musical background. Reach out if you are interested in attending the next event!
Show More
April 6, 2026
The annual Easter Sunrise Service in Borrego Springs took place on Easter morning behind the United Methodist Church on Church Lane. Hosted by the Borrego Ministers Association, the outdoor service brought together local congregations, residents, and visitors for a shared Easter celebration at sunrise. Members of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church participated in the service as part of the Borrego Ministers Association. Annual Easter Sunrise Service in Borrego Springs The Easter Sunrise Service is a long-standing Borrego Springs tradition held each Easter morning behind the United Methodist Church and hosted by the Borrego Ministers Association. St. Barnabas Took Part in the Service Members of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church participated in the service alongside others from the Borrego Ministers Association and the community. A Community Gathering at Sunrise Residents and visitors gathered early, bringing chairs and dressing for the cool desert morning. The annual service continues to reflect community participation and cooperation among local churches in Borrego Springs. Easter Message from St. Barnabas  “Christ is risen. Indeed he is risen. Happy Easter from the priests and people of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church. May you experience the new life and joy of the Risen Lord.” Fathers David Madsen and Michael Plekon
April 4, 2026
A low-cost spay and neuter clinic will take place on Monday, May 4, 2026, at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church.  Animal Action League will provide low-cost spay and neuter services for cats and dogs. Available services also include vaccinations and microchipping. These services help reduce unwanted litters while supporting the long-term health, safety, and identification of pets in the Borrego Springs area. To make an appointment, call the Animal Action League office at (760) 366-1100 for English or (760) 366-1105 for Spanish. Location: St. Barnabas Episcopal Church.
April 2, 2026
A community Fasola (shape-note) sing was held March 29 at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Borrego Springs. Singers gathered in the church, where the acoustics supported unaccompanied group singing. Shape-note singing, also known as Sacred Harp, is a participatory a cappella tradition. Singers sit or stand in a hollow square by vocal part, and songs are led one at a time by participants from the group. Music is sung first on the syllables fa, sol, la, mi, then with lyrics. The March 29 sing followed standard practice. Attendees brought tunebooks and called songs by page number. Leaders stood in the center to set tempo and conduct. No instruments were used. The group included both experienced singers and newcomers. The format allowed anyone present to join, regardless of musical background. Reach out if you are interested in attending the next event!
Show More

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