What is "filk"?Filk is a sub-genre of folk music which is indigenous to science fiction conventions. The name was, according to legend, originally a misspelling of "folk"; thus "folk music" became "filk music". If this brings to mind geeks wearing Spock ears who need to get a life, singing badly written Star Trek parodies of pop songs in tone-deaf voices accompanied by out-of-tune guitars played badly, then you're only partly correct. Filk is also typified not only by excellently written parodies to rival those of Wierd Al Yankovic, but by serious songs with beautifully crafted melodies and lyrics, not to mention a surprising number of truly fine performers, some of them professional or semi-professional folk musicians. For more information about filk, see:
Filk music? What's that? | |
What is The Sacred Harp?The Sacred Harp is the most famous of a number of hymn books typified by a particular style of four-part harmony, intended for group participation rather than concert performance. The singers sit in a hollow square, arranged by sections, facing inward. They are singing for themselves and each other, not for an audience. The music is written using "shape notes", a variation on normal music notation which was designed to be easier for beginners to learn, while immediately readable by experienced music readers. This Christian music is some of the most emotionally powerful music in the world. For more information about The Sacred Harp, see:
Sacred Harp Singing: History & Tradition |
| FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) | How to hold a Scarèd Harp sing. | Contributing Songs | History of The Scarèd Harp |
TheScaredHarp.pdf (2.4 Mb)
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