UPDATE: 10/10/17 FRIDAY NIGHT SINGING SCHOOL ON OCT 20TH CANCELED "Oops!" Due to circumstances beyond our control, the Sacred Harp Singing School scheduled for Friday evening in the General Store, October 20, 2017 from 6:30 until 8:30 P.M. has been canceled. Dan Brittain will conduct an mini-school during the first hour of the NWA Fall Singing Convention on Saturday morning. New singers are still invited. Hint for any beginning singers: Sit next to an experienced singer and follow their lead. I was amazed how much and how fast I could learn that way.
While I'm online with a good connection, I would like to convey the Shiloh Singers thanks to the Murrell Home staff for hosting the outdoor singing on Oct. 8th. Everything, including the hay bales were in place, we had an excellent outdoor sermon to begin the event. And a special thanks to all the singers and visitors, I counted 24 at one point, to sing or just listen. I hope everyone enjoyed the event and we'll sing together again.
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The Shiloh Singers will be conducting an old fashioned outdoor singing on Sunday, October 8, 2017, at the 2nd Annual Agriculture Festival at the Murrell Home Historic Site in Park Hill, OK. The three day festival starts on Friday October 6 with demonstrations, exhibits, entertainment, food, shopping and more. I guess the outdoor singing is more. Last year there was a pioneer church service at 11 A.M. as it might have been under the trees near the Murrell Home. After a short break for lunch and forming a square with benches, hay bales or bring your own camping chairs, the singers will conducted their regular October 8th Sunday Singing at the Murrell Home from about 12:30 until 3:30 P.M. We've just changed the location.
Singers from Oklahoma are certainly invited to bring guests or children and join the fun. Last year, we enjoyed the participation of singers from the Tulsa area and the Oklahoma City group that meets in Edmond on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month. We enjoyed meeting singers and families from Oklahoma, Missouri and Arkansas last year and hope to meet even more new friends and singers in the historic setting that the Murrell Home provides. Singers are also invited to explore the home and other exhibits during their visit. For a virtual tour of the Murrell Home site visit: http://www.okhistory.org/sites/mhtour
As to directions to the park, the Oklahoma Historical Society has a well-tested directions on their Visitor Information page at: http://www.okhistory.org/sites/mhvisitor Roads, turns distances and even stop lights in some cases are provided for people traveling from Tulsa, Fayetteville and from I-40 the South. Of course, the Murrell Home is shown on GPS systems and all the major computer or smart phone maps. Just type in George M. Murrell Home, 19479 East Murrell Home Road, Park Hill, OK 74451 and look for a big white house on the south side of the road. If you really feel more comfortable with a map, click on the following link: Map-Tahlequah&MurrellHome Singers are invited to park in the parking lot on the east side of the site and use that entrance. No admission is being charged singers.
As for lunch, there are several picnic tables if you wish to bring a picnic basket for lunch. Last year's a food vendor was within a 50 yards or less, or stop at a local Subway if that works on your way through Tahlequah. Suggestion: Some of us stopped for dessert after the singing in Tahlequah last year and will likely do so again after the event.
What to wear? Last year we had good weather, moderate temperatures and plenty of shade. Some of the staff and exhibits were in period dress. Just be comfortable. My blue jeans and "Lil' Abner" boots should be right at home for anything agricultural.
We'll try to put up our usual welcome sign on a tree or available wagon and we shouldn't be hard to find as you stroll from the parking lot into the park toward the house. If you decide to attend early church or Sunday school, don't worry. We'll still be glad to see you when you can get there. We'll start singing after the outdoor church service and forming the square from benches and hay bales at about 12:30.
The NW Arkansas Fall Singing Convention is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, 9:30 A.M. 3:00 P.M. Thanks and a tip of my old campaign hat to Alexis Walker who made the arrangements with the Northwest Technical Institute, 709 South Old Missouri Road, across the street from the Springdale Airport. There will also be a pot-luck lunch during the noon hour and the 3:00 P.M. ending time should let most travelers get back home in the early evening.
Click the link for a REVISED map, schedule and directions.
October is always seems to be a busy month for the Shiloh Singers, but it's always a lot of fun and fellowship and good singing. If you have any specific questions, send me an email at brt.black@gmail.com. Hope to sing with you soon.
Items shown on the calendar are closer than they appear.
