abylon Lane is a group of shapenote singers which was founded in 1997 by Steve Fletcher and Sheila Girling Macadam.

The 2008 personnel are:

Steve Fletcher (treble)
Sheila Girling Macadam (alto)
Tony Singleton (tenor)
Ken Baddley (bass, and treble at tenor pitch)
Edwin Macadam (bass)

They led the shapenote workshops at the Sidmouth Folk Week in August 2007, and appeared in the Saturday morning showcase concert in the Parish Church. They will be returning to Sidmouth in August 2008 as part of the FolkWeek in the Church.

Members of the group have been singing shapenote music for more than 20 years, both in the UK and in the USA. Steve and Sheila have both taught singing schools in the UK, and Edwin, Tony and Ken also lead West Gallery quires in Warwickshire (Immanuel's Ground), Kent (The Marsh Warblers) and Bedfordshire (Bedford Gallery Quire) respectively. All belong to the West Gallery Music Association.

Babylon Lane offer workshops in shapenote music, using material from;

the 1991 edition of The Sacred Harp,
the 1998 edition of Northern Harmony, and
Norumbega Harmony, 2005,
as well as contemporary compositions in the genre by English writers.  

There is no charge for these workshops to community groups, although a contribution to travel expenses, and overnight accommodation when necessary, would be welcome.

For further information on shapenote singing in the UK please visit the UK Shapenote website.

For Babylon Lane workshop enquiries please contact either Sheila Girling Macadam or Steve Fletcher.

( NB. Please substitute @  for -at- in the email addresses.)