Behind the Scenes with Tim Eriksen

Artist Information

Tim Eriksen is acclaimed for transforming American tradition with his startling interpretations of old ballads, love songs, shape-note gospel and dance tunes from New England and Southern Appalachia.

The Sacred Harp tunebook, first published in 1844 in Georgia, is at the heart of one of America’s most vital homegrown musical practices. Within its pages, “Amazing Grace” meets the toe-tapping “fuging tunes” of early New England, all harmonized for four-part social singing and written in a unique and practical notation system. Tim Eriksen has been teaching this music around the world for over thirty years, his students ranging from kindergarteners to the cast of the film Cold Mountain. This workshop, addressed to absolute beginners and more experienced singers alike, begins with the basics of the human voice and group singing and includes an introduction to reading shape-note music, notes on important aspects of history, traditional practice and lots of full-on singing. No prior experience required.