I sincerely hope that the number of people in our group who will be traveling in May is evidence that the economy is starting to improve. I suppose the discussions about travel plans started at the NWA Sacred Harp Singing Convention in Harrison and Syd counted up all those who plan to be traveling or who have other commitments on May 27th, the 4th Sunday. So far, it looks like our group will be about eight "regulars" shy of a quorum in May. Accordingly, Syd suggested I publish the May newsletter early and let all the Shiloh Singers know so people won't drive a great distance only to find a sign on the door of the country store building that the singing had been canceled. So please help spread the word to any of the Singers or friends who might talk with during the next week or two in case they missed getting the email and plan to attend the May 27th singing.
Syd also contacted Susan Young at the museum who will post a note about the cancellation on the door prior to the scheduled singing. I know everybody hates to cancel a singing, and none of us want this to become a habit, but it looks like the right thing to do in this particular case.
Saint Johns Episcopal Church in Harrison hosted the NW Arkansas Sacred Harp Singing Convention on May 5th. Twenty singers and guests enjoyed a good singing and a well-supplied pot luck lunch in the Parish Hall. Thanks to Dan Brittain for coordinating the event and getting the word out to all the regional singers each year. And a special thanks to the cooks, who as usual, brought out their best recipes for the mid-day meal.
Gail Cowart reports that the Discovery Box Project continues to make excellent progress. Gail had two HD video cameras at Harrison to help record some of the singing for possible use with the instructional video planned for the Discovery Box.
But Gail was most enthusiastic about the recent video taping session with the Youth Choir at First UMC in Fort Smith, "The Youth Choir is the best." Dan did a good job training the young singers in a special shaped note singing workshop that was recorded. Before the workshop was over, several young singers were standing in the center of the hollow square leading the group. "Holy Manna" (thanks Mary Ellen ) is their favorite song and Gail hopes the young singers will sing it at one of the church's regular services next Fall.
After the Youth Choir's special Mother’s Day program, the Youth Choir is on summer vacation.
Hope you enjoy the rest of May and we'll look forward to singing on June 24th at 1:30 P.M. in the country store at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History. See you then...
