“Welcome to the celebration weekend for the debut of the ‘The Sacred Harp: 2025 Edition,’” he said, prompting a long, enthusiastic cheer from the crowd. And it’s thanks, in part, to the web that the shape note community has changed and grown quite a bit in recent years. He’s part of that younger crowd that’s found shape note singing in recent years. It’s the largest gathering of shape note singers that anyone living can remember. “The book — that’s what brings us together.”Ivey said 50 years ago, people thought shape note singing was on its way out.