December is really a wonderful time with busy schedules, shopping for the kids and grand kids, good food, enjoying the company of good friends and miracles past and present. I stand in awe of what so many Shiloh Singers and their many friends and helpers have accomplished this year. Singings from Washington, Missouri to Washington, Arkansas, two NWA Annual Sacred Harp Singing Conventions in Harrison and Springdale and one Singing School in connection with the fall convention lead by Rene Greene from Alabama. Members singing in Little Rock at a UALR art show reception and opening honoring Johnny Cash, who sang shape note songs as a boy. That's not the whole list, but you get the idea. Many of you sang at the eleven monthly singings since last December.
Hopefully the whole group is just as proud of all of your accomplishments during 2014 and can join the Shiloh Singers in Springdale in the General Store this Sunday, December 14, 2014 to celebrate at the things you've done and ring out the year with celebration and singing. Singing should start at 1:30 and continue until 4:00 P.M. We'll have coffee, and cold drinks. Singers are invited to bring Christmas cookies, fruit cake, or any of the usual "goodies" you would like to share. There's also the option of joining the usual crew of singers who will hold down a table at the Springdale AQ's Chicken House around noon on singing Sunday to be sure all present at lunch are fortified for a full afternoon of singing.
I know all of you are busy. I still haven't figured out how Dan scheduled four Christmas season concerts in one day but I admire Dan Brittain's stamina and the leadership he adds to any singing throughout the year. He and his baritone horn bring a new definition to wind power. Syd Caldwell has indicated we may expect some visitors. As always, visitors are welcome and invited to watch, pat their feet, and sing along and by singing learn a little bit about how people learned to sing 200 years ago. But I do hope all who can will join our early celebration of Christmas - the true meaning of Christmas - and share our Sacred Harp singing with each other on Sunday afternoon.
And for those younger singers, as the jolly old man in the red suit exclaimed as his sleigh and the reindeer rose out of sight...
