By Jesse P. Karlsberg

I have been composing music in the styles of The Sacred Harp since 2003. I have learned about writing music from Raymond C. Hamrick, P. Dan Brittain, and Neely Bruce as well as from my fellow tune writers from the Northeastern United States, especially Aldo Ceresa, Allison Blake Steel, and Lauren Bock. My tunes “Hamrick,” “Newton,” and “Clinton” are included in the Northern Harmony (Fifth Edition, 2012). Another tune of mine, “A Glimpse of Thee,” is included in The Sacred Harp (Revised Cooper Edition, 2012) with an alternate text under the name “National Blessings.” Two more songs, “Douglasville” and “Wilscot,” are included in The Shenandoah Harmony (2013). Seven songs of mine are included in issues of The Trumpet (2011–2014).

Much of my inspiration has come from studying the music of composers whose songs are in The Sacred Harp. I am particularly fond of the songs in our book by Daniel Read, William Walker, E. J. King, Sarah Lancaster, J. P. and H. S. Rees, and O. A. Parris.

I sing tenor and bass at Sacred Harp singings in Georgia, Alabama, and beyond. I serve as vice president of the Sacred Harp Publishing Company, the non-profit organization that publishes The Sacred Harp, 1991 Edition, and as a member of the committee revising the tunebook. I also edit The Sacred Harp Publishing Company Newsletter and serve as director of research for the Publishing Company’s Sacred Harp Museum. I teach regularly at Camp Fasola, an annual summer camp for learning Sacred Harp singing and traditions. I research and write on the history and social context of Sacred Harp singing and wrote a doctoral dissertation on the subject titled “Folklore’s Filter: Race, Place, and Sacred Harp Singing.”

I would appreciate any feedback about these tunes. Please feel free to e-mail me at jesse@jpkarlsberg.com.