2025 Western Massachusetts Sacred Harp Convention

BOMBYX Center for Arts & Equity, 130 Pine Street, Florence, MA 01062

March 8 and 9, 2025
10:00am to 3:30pm

Registration opens at 9:30am

Reminder: Daylight Savings Time begins on March 9. 

 

Please join us for the 2025 Western Massachusetts Sacred Harp Convention! For two full days, we will gather in fellowship to sing from The Sacred Harp (1991 ed), with potluck lunches both days. No experience is needed, there is no cost to attend, and newcomers are warmly welcome to drop in, listen, and sing.

Convention Officers

Public Health Precautions

Please stay home if you are feeling sick with any flu or cold-like symptoms. Proof of a same-day negative COVID test will be required at check in. A time-stamped photograph of your negative test is fine. A limited number of free test kits will be available. Masks are welcome but will not be required or provided.

Host Housing

If you are interested in connecting with a local singer to host you during your visit, please complete this inquiry form. If you are a local singer and can offer host housing, please complete this host volunteer form. We cannot guarantee host housing, but we're happy to try! 

Lodging

The Ellery (1.9 miles from venue)
259 Elm St, Northampton, MA
866-539-8430

Hotel Northampton (2.8 miles from venue)
36 King St, Northampton, MA
800-547-3529

Fairfield Inn and Suites (3.3 miles miles from venue)
115A Conz St, Northampton, MA
413-587-9800

Quality Inn and Suites (3.3 miles from venue)
117 Conz St, Northampton, MA
413-586-1500

Hampton Inn Hadley-Amherst Area (4.2 miles from venue)
24 Bay Road, Hadley, MA
413-586-4851

Transportation

Driving: Get directions to BOMBYX. Please see The BOMBYX website for parking information. 

Local Public Transit: PVTA busses serve the cities and towns surrounding Northampton, including Easthampton (no service on Sunday), Hadley, Amherst, and Holyoke. The Pine Street stop on the R44 route will bring you very close to the venue. If the return schedules don't match up with your needs, please ask for help with rides at the convention welcoming table. 

Long-Distance Transit: Florence is a village of the City of Northampton. Northampton is accessible via Peter Pan intercity bus and Amtrak train service. The nearest airport is Bradley International Airport (about 40 miles away) — there are several options for transport from Bradley to Northampton.

Friday night singing

Friday, March 7, 2024, 7-9 p.m.: We invite folks to join us at Helen Hills Hills Chapel for a welcome singing from The Sacred Harp (Cooper ed.) Free street parking is available on both sides of Elm Street. We have some loaners but if you have a Cooper book, please bring it.

COVID Policy: Proof of a same-day negative COVID test will be required at check in. (Friday’s night’s test can count for your Saturday morning test.) If possible, please bring a time-stamped photo of your negative test, not the actual test. A limited number of free test kits will be available. Masks are welcome but will not be required or provided. 

Please stay home if you are feeling sick with any flu or cold-like symptoms.

The building is wheelchair accessible from the left entrance, located near reserved parking. The singing area is on the floor of the chapel on the main level. There is an elevator to the restrooms on the lower level, including an accessible single-stall room. Doorways are as narrow as 36 inches.

Saturday evening social

There will be a social on Saturday evening. The time and location will be shared at the convention.