The Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh has announced the return of its Global Choral Traditions series for a second season.

Audiences are invited to explore the genre through both listening and participation, with the sessions being free of charge and no singing experience required.

The first session, “African American Sacred Music,” will be led by Dr. Herbert V.R.P. Jones, the Founder and Director of The Heritage Gospel Chorale of Pittsburgh. One of the nation’s foremost experts on choral conducting and education, as well as the intersection between theology and music, Dr. Jones will explore the impact and influences of African American sacred music, which encompasses genres ranging from 19^th century spirituals to blues and hip-hop.

Session Date: January 25, 2022. 7:00 pm.

“Shape-Note Singing” will explore the musical practice of shape-note singing, a variant system of musical notation where each note has a distinct shape to indicate scale degree. Since 1801, the practice has been associated with American sacred music and musical conventions. This session will be led by Penny Anderson, a life-long practitioner of choral music and traditional folksong, leader of the women’s chorus Sorora, and organizer of the Pittsburgh montly shape-note sing.

Session Date: April 26, 2022. 7:00 pm.

“This series gives us an opportunity to explore the rich diversity of choral music and learn about choral traditions that are very different from what MCP and other symphonic choruses typically perform,” says Robert Page Music Director Matthew Mehaffey. “We’re excited to continue this series with new offerings and the chance to sing together both virtually and in-person.”

Participants can attend either virtually or in-person at City of Asylum. Proof of vaccination is required for live participants, those with a medical or religious exemption are required to provide a negative Covid test within the last 72 hours. Masks are currently required in adherence to the current protocols of the CDC and Allegheny County.