East Texas Musical Convention
Encyclopedia
The East Texas Musical Convention, now usually called the East Texas Sacred Harp Convention, is an annual gathering of shape note singers. Songs are sung a cappella
from the Sacred Harp
tunebook. The Convention was organized in 1855, and is the oldest Sacred Harp convention in Texas
, and the second oldest in the United States
. The East Texas Convention was modeled after the older (now defunct) Southern Musical Convention
established in 1845 by Benjamin Franklin White
, the compiler of The Sacred Harp.
The East Texas Convention has a continuous history from 1868, the earliest year notated in its minutes. William Russell Adams, President of the Convention in 1874, 1884, and 1885, wrote to Aldine S. Kieffer
, explaining that the convention missed a few years of meeting because of the American Civil War
. Re-established after the war, a large influx of Georgia and Alabama settlers added to its strength. In its early years it was generally considered a forum of Christian worship. Today many are attracted to its folk music
aspect.
Throughout its history, the East Texas Musical Convention has convened annually in six East Texas
counties: Gregg
, Harrison
, Panola
, Rusk
, Smith
and Upshur
. The Convention presently meets for two days in Henderson, Texas
on the weekend of the second Sunday in August. The current "textbook" of the Convention is The B. F. White Sacred Harp (2006 Edition), first revised by W. M. Cooper
and others in 1902.
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
from the Sacred Harp
Sacred Harp
Sacred Harp singing is a tradition of sacred choral music that took root in the Southern region of the United States. It is part of the larger tradition of shape note music.- The music and its notation :...
tunebook. The Convention was organized in 1855, and is the oldest Sacred Harp convention in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, and the second oldest in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The East Texas Convention was modeled after the older (now defunct) Southern Musical Convention
Southern Musical Convention
The Southern Musical Convention was the first Sacred Harp musical convention, organized by B. F. White and others in 1845. It was formed at Huntersville in Upson County, Georgia....
established in 1845 by Benjamin Franklin White
Benjamin Franklin White
Benjamin Franklin White was a shape note "singing master", and compiler of the shape note tunebook known as The Sacred Harp. He was born near Cross Keys in Union County, South Carolina, the twelfth child of Robert and Mildred White.-Musical career:White and Elisha J...
, the compiler of The Sacred Harp.
The East Texas Convention has a continuous history from 1868, the earliest year notated in its minutes. William Russell Adams, President of the Convention in 1874, 1884, and 1885, wrote to Aldine S. Kieffer
Aldine Silliman Kieffer
Aldine Silliman Kieffer was a leading 19th century proponent of shape note musical notation, music teacher and publisher....
, explaining that the convention missed a few years of meeting because of the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. Re-established after the war, a large influx of Georgia and Alabama settlers added to its strength. In its early years it was generally considered a forum of Christian worship. Today many are attracted to its folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
aspect.
Throughout its history, the East Texas Musical Convention has convened annually in six East Texas
East Texas
East Texas is a distinct geographic and ecological area in the U.S. state of Texas.According to the Handbook of Texas, the East Texas area "may be separated from the rest of Texas roughly by a line extending from the Red River in north central Lamar County southwestward to east central Limestone...
counties: Gregg
Gregg County, Texas
There were 42,687 households out of which 33.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.00% were married couples living together, 13.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.50% were non-families. 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.50% had...
, Harrison
Harrison County, Texas
Harrison County is a county of the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 62,110. It is named for Jonas Harrison, a lawyer and Texas revolutionary. It is located in the Ark-La-Tex region...
, Panola
Panola County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 22,756 people, 8,821 households, and 6,395 families residing in the county. The population density was 28 people per square mile . There were 10,524 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile...
, Rusk
Rusk County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 47,372 people, 17,364 households, and 12,727 families residing in the county. The population density was 51 people per square mile . There were 19,867 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile...
, Smith
Smith County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 174,706 people, 65,692 households, and 46,904 families residing in the county. The population density was 188 people per square mile . There were 71,701 housing units at an average density of 77 per square mile...
and Upshur
Upshur County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 35,291 people, 13,290 households, and 10,033 families residing in the county. The population density was 60 people per square mile . There were 14,930 housing units at an average density of 25 per square mile...
. The Convention presently meets for two days in Henderson, Texas
Henderson, Texas
Henderson is a city in Rusk County, Texas, United States. The population was 11,273 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Rusk County...
on the weekend of the second Sunday in August. The current "textbook" of the Convention is The B. F. White Sacred Harp (2006 Edition), first revised by W. M. Cooper
Wilson Marion Cooper
Wilson Marion Cooper of Dothan, Alabama, was a notable musician and music teacher within the Sacred Harp tradition. Marion Cooper was born in Henry County, Alabama, the son of W. S. and Elizabeth Ann Cooper. He was a cousin of Alabama governor William C. Oates.- Overview :W. M. Cooper prepared a...
and others in 1902.
Early officers
- John T. Holloway
- James Pendleton Holloway
- Mathew Mark Wynn
- Thomas Jefferson Allison
- Charles Absalem Mangham
- John Franklin McLendon
External links
- East Texas Convention - 2004 online minutes
- East Texas Convention Constitution
- Texas Sacred Harp Historical page