Rise, Rise My Soul

blare coughlin of Montréal has designed a striking poster to promote the Sacred Harp All-Day Singing there in July.

A bird of music under the heavenly vault rises above the city of Montréal to bring peace in the form of olive branches. A warm glow spreads across multiple panels. with the sun and the moon, the city bordering the St Lawrence, and an open book. Hymn texts complete the scene and add context.

New Orleans All-Day

Publicity poster by Holly Taylor for all-day singing in New Orleans, 31 Jan & 1 Feb, 2026.

A “peaceable kingdom” menagerie appears to have gathered to sing from a tune book in a local building. The somber border looks more like a graveyard, an appropriate New Orleans setting.

This particular weekend event will morph from a traditional all-day format on Saturday to a “Queer Gathering” on Sunday, welcoming all the varied participants to join in mutual support and celebration.

Are they trying to wake the dragon?

Some Shape Note Singing Signage

Signage from the Young People’s Singing, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, July 30, 2023. Photo by Shawn Taylor
Signage from the Rocky Mountain Convention—Colorado Session, Westminster, Colorado, July 24, 2024. Photo by Shawn Taylor
Signage from the Fasola Omaha Nebraska Singing, Omaha, Nebraska, October 2024. Photo by Shawn Taylor
Signage from the Western Massachusetts Sacred Harp Convention, Northampton, Massachusetts, March 11, 2024. Photo by Shawn Taylor
Signage from a house singing, Atlanta, Georgia, December 17, 2022. Photo by Shawn Taylor
Signage from a singing school, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, July 28, 2023. Photo by Shawn Taylor