July Shape-Note Gathering in Mountain View and Shiloh Singers Monthly Singing in Springdale

It's time for the 2017 Shape-Note Gathering! Starting with an orientation on Thursday evening, July 6, then continued on Friday, July 7, with singing seminars conducted by nationally respected instructors, and concluding with a traditional all-day singing on Saturday, July 8, in the former Mountain View High School Auditorium. 

For those who want a short version from the Ozark Folk Center website:

Venues Ozark Folk Center- Music Auditorium and White Oak Theater, Stone Co. Historical Society

Admission/Registration No admission fees or preregistration required. Participants will enter thru the front doors at the Large Auditorium Friday morning and will be given badges there to allow movement thru the park on Friday ONLY. All participants should check in and enter via the front doors at the Large Auditorium. 

Introduction to Shape-Note Singing concert/discussion Thursday Eve- 6 PM - 6:45 PM - White Oak Auditorium (Administration Building), Ozark Folk Center, this is an open event, no admission charge. 

Friday Singing and Teaching Seminar Dan Brittain and Gaylon Powell will lead singing and teaching sessions on the stage of the main auditorium at the Ozark Folk Center.  The morning session will run from 9 AM to 11:30 and the afternoon session from 1:30 PM until 4.  Those attending the shape-note sessions only can enter free of charge at the front entrance of the auditorium.  Crafts ground visitors may come and go to the shape-note session via the rear entrance of the auditorium. Participants in the singing will be featured as part of the performance at the Ozark Folk Center’s nightly concert. 

Saturday Singing A traditional singing, using both four-shape and seven-shape books will be held in the old Mountain View High School auditorium on School Avenue, one block south of East Main (the turn is between Best Drug Store and Conoco) in Mountain View.  The morning session will run from 9 AM until noon and the afternoon session from 1:30 AM until 4 PM.

The Saturday all-day singing is a chance for the seminar students to put what they've learned into practice and is open to anyone - young, old, new or experienced singers. Whoever wants to sit in and enjoy shape-note singing from a variety of song books is welcome. Loaner books will be available. 

Thanks to the Ozark Folk Center and the Stone County Historical Society for the use of their facilities. There are no admission or registration fees for the instruction. No pot luck lunch is planned for Friday or Saturday. A variety of restaurants are available in Mountain View. Several are listed on the map linked below or use your favorite search engine for more selections. If you still need motel reservations, don't wait too long.

PDF Map to Ozark Folk Center and Old Mountain View High School

Finally, I should repeat the reminder that the Shiloh Singers of NWA will be back at the General Store on Sunday, July 9th at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History General Store with singing from 1:30 until 4:00 PM. If you arrive early, singers and visitors are welcome to join us at AQ Chicken House on Bus. 71, just a couple of blocks north of the museum about noon for lunch and fellowship.

With all the singing going on next weekend, I certainly hope you can get to a singing somewhere. I'll hope to see you there!