Christian Harmony Class This Summer!

[John Allen Bankson]

Hi everyone! I’m teaching a shape-note-singing class, using The Christian Harmony (2010), this summer at the Synod of Lakes and Prairies’ annual Synod School. My class is five days, an hour each day. I plan on doing no more than 20 minutes on rudiments each day and spending the most of our time in the Hollow Square singing, because I believe learning by doing is the best way!

I’d love to have some seasoned CH singers there if you can make it! Synod School is July 26-31, on the campus of Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, IA. The best way to describe Synod School is that it’s a combination of a spiritual retreat and summer camp! There is a plenary speaker in the morning and a worship service in the evening, and in between there are classes of every type imaginable: literature, music (in addition to my class, there will be a handbell class this year and a class about hymns), ballroom dancing, crafts (including crocheting, flower arranging, and others), cooking, and classes on various spiritual subjects too. There are activities every night such as game night, movie night, a dance, and more. It’s a lot of fun.

They’ve set my class up in such a way that it includes a fee which gets everyone who registers a copy of the CH 2010 book, but those who already have the book can just email Synod School and let them know, and that fee will be refunded to you. (That’s the best way we could figure out how to work it out with the automated registration system they have.)

This will be my third year in a row teaching at Synod School and the first time that I’ll be teaching shape-note singing. I’ll be doing one class on four-shape the last day (Friday) but the rest of the week will be The Christian Harmony. Come join me!

Here’s the link where you can read all about Synod School and view a PDF copy of the 2026 Catalogue. Registration opens April 1. First-time attendees can get a scholarship of $60 off their registration. I think there are 75 such scholarships available, so be sure to get your registration in early once registration opens!

Any questions, just email me at rev...@gmail.com. Thanks!

John Allen Bankson