The Shakers were a religious movement dedicated to simplicity, community, and gender and racial equality who reached their peak in the mid-19th century. The Shakers did not divide time and space into the categories of “secular” and “sacred.” Every moment of their lives they sought to transfigure into a prayer. Music was one of their greatest tools for doing this. As they worked, they sang songs to keep their minds oriented on the Divine. This way of being produced a vast catalogue of music -- over ten thousand songs -- that has only begun to be discovered by American Christianity. In this moment of great isolation and thirst for spiritual connection, we will tap into the deep well of Shaker music.

This project will explore how Shaker music might enliven worship in the Christian church today, particularly online worship spaces and small groups. Currently, most Shaker songs are difficult to access -- hidden away in archives and scholarly journals. Many of the songs that are readily available are arranged for choirs and instrumental ensembles. We will adapt the lyrics and melodies of a selection of Shaker spirituals to make them inviting for contemporary Christians. Working closely with The Hymn Society, our work will culminate in the creation of a congregational songbook and audio recordings.