October is a busy month for the Shiloh Singers...

Finally, the cool mornings and mild afternoons have arrived in the Arkansas mountains. Fall colors will soon follow. October is also an active month for Sacred Harp singing in Northwest Arkansas. The Shiloh Sacred Harp Singer's monthly 2nd Sunday singing is scheduled for October 13th from 1:30 until 4:00 P.M. in the General Store on the grounds of the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History located at Springdale, AR.

Rene Greene

Then on Friday evening, October 25th, from 6:30 P.M. until 8:30 P.M. the Shiloh Singers will sponsor a singing school for new singers, or those who want to learn more about shape note singing. We are very fortunate to have a guest instructor, Rene Greene, a veteran singer from Alabama, who will be with us on Friday evening and for the all-day singing that follows on Saturday, October 26th, from 9:30 until 3:00.

Both the school and the NWA Fall Singing Convention will be conducted in the Springdale First United Methodist Church Annex located on the north side of the church complex. The church is also conveniently located just across the street from the Shiloh Museum and is very easy to find. There will also be a pot luck lunch for the singers on Saturday at noon and the usual water and soft drinks will be available during breaks and lunch.

Photo: The front entrance of the First United Methodist Church of Springdale faces south on Johnson Ave. The Friday school and Saturday singing convention will use the north entrance and parking lot along W. Price Ave.

During the 10/13 Sunday singing we'll also take a few minutes of planning time before the break to discuss any remaining loose ends for the Fall singing convention and school. Please keep in mind that everyone - new or old - is also invited to attend the singing school to help the new singers and then hopefully help reinforce what the new singers have learned during the regular Fall Singing Convention the next day. We'll also need to at least start a list of "who can bring what" for the pot luck lunch on Saturday. If you cannot attend the 2nd Sunday singing but plan to attend the Saturday all day singing on 10/26, please call 479-369-0003 or send an email to br.black@cox.net so we can add your name and the dish you plan to bring. We need to make sure all the major food groups - like desserts - are covered.

Recent updates and reminders: The singing school closing time has been adjusted to 8:30 to comply with a request that we start packing up at that time so that everyone exit the building and the church staff can make sure everything is secure by 9:00 P.M. Also keep in mind that the kitchen was not available when the room was booked and cool storage is limited. We'll have the usual ice chests used for drinks, but please plan to insulate or cool your own pot luck items planned for lunch. We'll also plan to send another short reminder after the regular October 13th singing with any further updates.

You can click on the blue text as links to PDF copies of the event flyer and event map that you can print for a friend or a church bulletin board. We hope you will. to share the school and convention information with others. You can also share the links via email.

And one more thing... Don't forget everyone is also invited to the optional before Sunday gatherings at AQ's Chicken House "around noon" (just ask for the singers) and Denny's at I-540 after the singing for those who wish to get a cup of coffee before the drive home. Hope to see you on Sunday.