SHMHA sadly announces the cancellation of the US (July 4-8) and Europe (September 19-23) sessions of Camp Fasola 2022 because of the continuing uncertainty around the Covid-19 pandemic.
The health and safety of our campers has always been our paramount concern. At this time we are not certain that we can ensure a safe environment for such a large group gathering. We felt that this should be done now because of the time needed to make travel arrangements and for other planning for Camp.
Tentative dates for Camp Fasola 2023 are: July 3–7 at The Vision in Huntsville, Alabama, and September 18–22 at Wichrowe Wzgórze in Chmielno, Poland, subject to availability of facilities.
Thank you for your support!
Virtual Camp Fasola 2021
Did you attend or watch a Virtual Camp Fasola 2021 class? If so, please fill out this feedback form to let us know what you thought!
Virtual Camp Fasola 2021 will be held Monday, August 23, through Sunday, August 29!
Throughout the week we will hold live classes via Zoom and post historical camp footage on YouTube, with bonus videos to be released on Saturday and Sunday.
- YouTube playlist (live and historical classes): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBdTLESoxGjWDfGd1_KcYjcNFL0Xq-7yc
Following is the planned schedule of events as categorized by fun themes. Please join us for learning and fun!
Music Monday • August 23, 8:00 p.m. ET
- Rudiments with Lauren Bock
- Footage from rudiments classes through the years featuring Tim Eriksen, Judy Hauff, Stuart Ivey, Nathan Rees, Judy Caudle, Tom Malone, and more
Two-fer Tuesday (Keying and Arranging) • August 24, 8:00 p.m. ET
- Keying Class featuring an intro and stats with David Ivey and The Keying Game with Gillian Inksetter
- Linton Ballinger’s 2009 class on The Arranging Committee (audio plus transparency slides)
“Watch the Leader” Wednesday • August 25, 3:00 p.m. ET
- Leading with Helen Brown
- Footage from classes on leading and etiquette, featuring Bridge Hill Kennedy, Judy Caudle, Buell Cobb, and Jeff and Shelbie Sheppard
Throwback Thursday • August 26
- Rees(e)’s Pieces as taught by Jesse P. Karlsberg in 2018
- A Sacred Harp Perspective from the 1960s and ’70s as taught by Buell Cobb in 2011 (audio plus photographs)
- In memory of Rebecca Over, her 2017 The Alabama McGraws and Their Sacred Harp Legacy
Food & Fun Friday • August 27, 7:00 p.m. ET
- Craft and Catch-up Time with Idy Kiser (7p ET)
- Dinner on the Grounds Cooking Show with Nicholas Thompson (8p ET)
- Recreation highlight reel including rock slide, zipline, jam sessions, lemonade-making with Bud and Sammie Oliver, and more!
Storytelling Saturday • August 28
- Creel Family Stories with Lucy Heidorn
- Ruth Brown’s Bus Trips with Daphene Causey and Sharon DuPriest, B.M. and Margie Smith, Reba Dell Windom, and Rod Ivey
- Our Sheppards Guide, class honoroing Jeff and Shelbie Sheppard, with Tom Malone
- Panel discussion with Hugh McGraw, Charlene Wallace, Jeff and Shelbie Sheppard, and Joyce Walton
Singing Sunday • August 29
- “Special Presentations” by campers through the years
- Night singing, June 27, 2008
- Night singing, July 8, 2008
- Night singing, June 30, 2009
- Night singing, July 1, 2009
- Night singing, June 12, 2018
Camp Fasola 2023:
Two Camps in the Same Week at a New Venue!
Monday, July 3 – Friday, July 7, 2022 (Tentative based on venue availability)
The Vision Retreat and Conference Center
Huntsville, Alabama
$500-Adults (age 30+) • $250-Young Adults (age 19-29) • $250-Youth (age 18 and under)
Camp Fasola is being reimagined for 2023 as we move to a new venue and hold both Adult Camp and Youth Camp in the same week at the same place.
What does this mean for campers?
- Lots of lessons and electives led by experienced and innovative singing school teachers
- Fellowship and fun with singers from 20+ states plus foreign countries
- New recreation options and time to hang out with singing friends
- Class singing sessions because this is what Sacred Harp singing is all about
- Bunkhouses and open cabins for youth and young adults
- Comfortable double occupancy hotel style lodging (offsite 7 miles at The Vision at Bailey Cove) for adults with option for single occupancy
- New opportunities for intermingling of generations in singing sessions and electives
- Lemonade making and watermelon social on last full day of Camp
- Community singing the last evening with opportunity to sing with folks from the surrounding area
- Time for relaxation and rejuvenation in a beautiful setting
Plan to come early to Huntsville, a premier progressive city, for activities before and after Camp. Attend traditional southern Sacred Harp singings both the weekend before and the weekend after Camp Fasola.
Camp Fasola Europe 2023
Monday, September 18 – Friday, September 22 (Tentative based on venue availability)
Wichrowe Wzgórze
Chmielno, Poland
$500-Age 30+ • $250-Age 29 and under
Camp Fasola Europe returns to beautiful Chmielno in northern Poland in 2020 once again. Join us!
About Camp Fasola
Camp Fasola is a summer camp that provides an immersive experience for learning Sacred Harp shaped note singing, history, and traditions. Multiple daily sessions are devoted to teaching Sacred Harp singing as well as times for singing, fellowship, and recreation. This experience provides a casual environment for learning and singing this unique American a cappella music form, which has its roots in early America. Campers are involved in practical experiences to support camp operation just like at all day singings.
Camp Fasola is open to youth and adults with instruction provided for both beginning and experienced singers. Multiple tracks of classes suited to different experience levels are taught each of the three full days of camp. Traditional summer camp activities focused on building and extending friendships of singers are provided. The final camp night features a community singing event in which non-campers from the broader Sacred Harp community gather to sing with the campers.
The five day/four night camp has been held annually since 2003 with more than 3,000 campers participating. Two sessions per summer have been held since 2008. Camp Fasola Europe has been held in Poland in even numbered years since 2012. Camp Fasola has received national recognition as a highly effective traditional singing school project for the purpose of preserving and extending Sacred Harp singing for future generations of singers. It is also great fun!
The Sacred Harp Musical Heritage Association (SHMHA), a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose purpose is the preservation and perpetuation of Sacred Harp singing, sponsors and conducts Camp Fasola.
