Bryson City – “A History of Shaped-Note Singing and the Shaping of Church Music In Appalachia” is the title of the presentation by Curtis Blanton for the Nov. 7 meeting of the Swain County Genealogical and Historical Society.
Shaped-note singing took on its American form in the 1790’s. By 1861, there were more than 200 different shape-note tune-books printed in the United States. This presentation will show how shaped notes were conceptualized in New England, how it came to Appalachia and the dynamic impact that it played in worship services of yesteryear.
Had it not been for shape notations, our most-cherished hymns would surely have been lost forever and sacred music may never have been composed to be sung by common people. Even to this day, singing those old hymns continues this legacy and draws us nearer to our Creator, leaving one with a sense of renewed pride in our unique mountain heritage and a deeper sense of faith.
While serving in the U.S. Air Force, Curtis was very involved with music, leading and organizing choirs. After retiring from the U.S. Department of Energy in Oak Ridge, Tenn., he returned to his childhood home of Jackson County. As so many natives do, he has that unique and special knowledge and historical understanding of our mountain cultural and heritage that comes from having lived here.
Now, he has blended that knowledge and understanding with this native Appalachian musical tradition to bring us this unique presentation. In his retirement, Curtis has produced several books that commemorate our mountain people and their stories among which are Tales from the Porch and Fireside Tales and a novel, My Mountains, My Home. Curtis lives with his wife, Janice Monteith Blanton in Webster. Curtis’s grandmother and Janice’s parents and great-grandparents were natives of Swain County.
Please join us for this unique presentation on Nov. 7 at 6:30 p.m. at the Swain County Regional Business Education and Training Center, 45 East Ridge Drive, Bryson City, N.C., 28713. Conversation and refreshments will follow the presentation.
This is free and open to the public.