October is a good month for traditional singing opportunities...

Shiloh Meeting Hall, Shiloh Museum of Ozark History

We hope you enjoy singing in historic buildings that now meet modern standards and are wonderful places to sing. We're really looking forward to hosting the 2019 Northwest Arkansas Fall Singing, on October 26th.  There will be three events:

Sunday, October 13th from 1:30 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. - The regular October Singing in the Shiloh Meeting Hall for singers, guests and visitors who are invited to sing along with us on any 2nd Sunday of the month except March when the group declares a recess for singers to sing with the Missouri Singing Convention in an 1870's church north of Washington, Missouri. There will likely be a short planning session for any last minute details for the 2019 Northwest Arkansas Fall Singing and Friday night Singing School.

Friday evening, October 25th from 6:30 P. M. until 8:00 P.M. - The Northwest Arkansas Fall Singing School starts off the schedule at the Shiloh Meeting Hall with an open-to-all singing class for those who are interested in learning more about Sacred Harp music as it was traditionally sung in the 1800's. We are honored to have a very accomplished Sacred Harp singer and musician, Mr. Cory Winter as our class instructor.  Regular singers will also be present to help new singers learn the basics.

Shiloh Singers, Alexis Walker, Cory Winter and Margaux
Burleson lead Missouri State Singing Convention

Saturday, October 26th from 9:30 A.M. until 3:30 P.M. - The Big Event is the Northwest Arkansas Fall Singing, all-day singing and dinner on the grounds at the Shiloh Meeting Hall. The singers will break around noon and enjoy a pot-luck lunch. Singers who attend are invited to bring their best dish and a small cooler if the dish needs refrigeration. The original kitchen was removed to make more room in the hall, but a supporting pillar was preserved on which one of the church cooks made a note that plates were borrowed for another event. That was long before "sticky notes" were invented.

We're hoping to introduce the historic building to visiting singers all around the area who will be using the Shiloh Meeting Hall for the first time. The Shiloh Museum of Ozark History has every reason to be proud of their efforts to preserve this historic building and allow its use for other events in the Springdale area such as weddings, board meetings, programs, etc.

There is one trade-off involved. After singing on Friday night and all day on Saturday, several of the West Fork singing group, which also sings in a refurbished church building, suggested we recess the West Fork monthly event in October to allow our vocal cords to rest and recover a little before the following work week. The group approved in September and the next West Fork Singing will be on November 24th. Be sure to check the "Important Dates" section of the web page each month for new announcements.

The Shiloh Singers of NWA really enjoy singing in the refurbished Shiloh Meeting Hall which continues to see improvements to the building and grounds. The original building served the congregations of several Springdale churches, and as meeting hall for two fraternal organizations. The historic building continues that tradition of over a century.

Singing on September 8th in the Shiloh Meeting Hall...

Hello friends and neighbors,

Our September singing will be Sunday, September 8^th from 1:30 P.M. to 4 P.M. at the Shiloh Meeting Hall in Springdale, AR; visitors warmly welcome.  As usual, anyone interested is invited to convene at AQ Chicken in Springdale at noon for lunch.  

Our fall singing school and all day singing scheduled for the end of October at the Shiloh Meeting Hall. The Fall Singing School will be October 25^thfrom 6:30 P.M. to 8 P.M followed by an All Day Singing from 9:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. on October 26^th, with a pot-luck lunch around noon. We will have more details on this web-site in the weeks to come and full details on next month's newsletter.

Also a reminder about our regular 4th Sunday singing in West Fork, Arkansas.  Located about 40 minutes south of Springdale, West Fork sports a growing library with a (likely historic) community building which we have been able to rent once a month for a 4th Sunday singing.  They ask that we bring a couple of dollars each to help keep the doors open, so please bring a small donation if you can.  It's a nice little town and the building has a good ring to it, so if you haven't had a chance to join us there, here's an opportunity. As always, visitors and newbies warmly welcome!

On a personal note, I do need to extend an apology to those on the 4^th Sunday email list. I had a death in the family and that 4^th week came and went before I realized.

Hope everyone Had a good holiday and hope to see you Sunday!

Darryl

B.R. Note: Thanks to Darryl for doing the newsletter and web update this month. 

October Singings in Springdale

Hello Sacred Harp Friends!

It’s officially fall, and our October singing will soon be upon us.  The next meeting will be Sunday, October 14^th from 1:30 P.M. to 4 P.M. at the Shiloh Meeting Hall in Springdale, AR; visitors warmly welcome.  As usual, anyone interested is invited to convene at AQ Chicken in Springdale at noon for lunch.  

We also have fall singing school and all day singing scheduled for the end of this month at the Shiloh Meeting Hall. The Fall Singing School will be October 26^thfrom 6:30 P.M. to 8 P.M followed by an All Day Singing from 9:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. on October 27^th, with a pot-luck lunch around noon. Our teacher for the singing school this year will be Matt Bell from Memphis, TN. We’re grateful to have him!

September Newsletter

Our next regular second Sunday singing will be September 9th from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the newly refurbished Shiloh Meeting Hall.  As per usual, a group will meet for lunch at AQ Chicken in Springdale, AR at noon. All are welcome!

For those who might be interested, I hear that there will be an all-day singing on Saturday October 13th (the Saturday before our regular 2nd Sunday Singing in October) in Columbia MO.  More information can be found in the minutes book, and on the Columbia, MO FaSoLa website: http://columbiafasola.missouri.org/october-sing.html

Some of our group are interested in starting a 5th Sunday Singing in Harrison, AR, but they need a few more singers to get it started.  If you're interested, please contact Andrew Albers or Syd Caldwell, both are in the minutes book.

We have heard from the Murrell Home in Oklahoma (now re-named Hunter's Home), and they will be having their Antique Agricultural Festival, and have invited us to sing on Sunday, October 7th.  They've been working on improvements and renovations throughout the year, and it has delayed some of the prior planing that usually accompanies the Festival. They'd love to have us if we're able to get a group together, and perhaps we can resume the tradition next year, if both schedules allow.  If you are willing and able to go, please e-mail B.R. at br.black@cox.net, and we'll talk more about this at our September 9th singing. Reports are that the improvements and renovations are quite exciting; more information at http://www.okhistory.org/sites/huntershome.

Both the Fall Singing School and All Day Singing are right around the corner. The Fall Singing School will be on October 26th from 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. followed by our All Day Singing on October 27th from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. with a potluck at noon. Both will be held at the Shiloh Meeting Hall.

The Shiloh Singers of NW Arkansas at the August 12th singing in the refurbished Shiloh Meeting Hall sponsored by the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History with the help of many area donations. The high ceiling and the wooden floors made the building a good place for preaching and singing when it was built as a church in 1871.

Visitors and children are potential singers and are always welcome. Loaner books are available so you can just listen, tap your feet, follow along and even sing along.

November is a time for giving thanks...

Andrew Albers leads at Murrell Home.

This edition of the newsletter was supposed to be short, but I did want to send a reminder about singing this Sunday, 11/12/17, at the General Store on the grounds of the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History from 1:30 until 4:00 P.M. As usual, bring a friend. If you arrive early, look for a few singers that gather "around noon" at AQ Chicken House in Springdale for lunch. It's a good time to relax with friends and catch up on all the news.

Taking things in order, thanks to all the singers who turned out for the singing at the historic Murrell Home on October 8th in Park Hill, OK. There was a good old-fashioned outdoor church service before noon and we sang after a short break for lunch. There's something different about singing under trees and a blue sky. Thanks to the Murrell Home for the invitation. I hope everyone - both young and old enjoyed the experience.

Smaller singers liked the big horses.

However, after Katy and I got home from a late season trip to Yellowstone's early snow, as far west as the Sawtooth range and following the big mountains south to New Mexico, we found out that Bill Caldwell had been involved in a multiple car accident on the way back to Joplin from the Murrell Home singing. The best news is that Bill's on the mend and singing Sacred Harp tunes along with YouTube videos to help his recovery. We'll have a get well card at Sunday's singing for everyone there to sign. Please keep Bill in our prayers for his quick recovery and thankfulness for his eventual return to sing with us again.

Thanks also to all the singers who joined together on October 21st for the Annual NWA Fall Singing at the Northwest Technical Institute in Springdale. Special thinks to Alexis Walker, who made the arrangements with NTI for singing and Darryl Criss who helped wrangle the books and other logistics, and all the cooks who brought their special contributions for the pot luck lunch. I'm sure your efforts were appreciated.

One more thing: Tomorrow, November 11th is shown on my calendar as "Veteran's Day." Originally called Armistice Day, it celebrated the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 when a cessation of hostilities was declared between the Allied Nations and Germany that effectively ended hostilities in "the Great War," or what people solemnly called "the war to end all wars." The name was changed to Veterans Day in 1954 after WWII and the Korean War. The holiday now honors all American veterans - living or dead - who did their duty to protect and defend their country during war or peacetime, a reminder of a duty that we all share at home or abroad.

Hope to see you on Sunday...

October is a good time for singing...

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.

---------------

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.

Singing on Sunday and planning for more singing in October...

This is a busy weekend at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History. If you're a quilter, on Saturday, Sept. 9th, there's the 40th Annual Quilt Fair on the lawn between the museum and general store. The quilt fair includes a variety of quilts, and there's live entertainment by Greenland Station band. The quilt fair will be open between 10 A.M. and 2 P.M.

Second, the Shiloh Singers of NW Arkansas will be singing in the country store on Sunday afternoon, Sept 10th, starting at 1:30 and continuing until 4:00 P.M. As usual, visitors and visitors with children are invited to sit in on the session. They can just listen or they can use a "loaner" song book to follow along and hopefully even sing along. The country store is the white building east of the museum building and barn at 118 W. Johnson Avenue in Springdale.

If you prefer to have lunch before singing, there's usually a table or two of singers at AQ Chicken House at 1207 N Thompson St in Springdale. Visitors are also welcome to really sit down and visit and ask questions. We try to gather around noon.

Click on photo for larger view

Photo: Andrew Albers leads the outdoor singing under the trees at the Murrell Home in October, 2016. 

The Shiloh Singers have been invited again to have an old fashioned outdoor singing 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 delivered 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.

Click on poster for larger version

As was the case last year, singers from Oklahoma are invited to bring guests and join the fun. We enjoyed meeting 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 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 exhibits during their visit.

For more info about the Murrell Home Historic Site see: http://www.okhistory.org/sites/georgemurrell

There's a second October event we need to discuss at this Sunday's lunch and plan at the Sunday singing. The NW Arkansas Fall Singing is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, 9:30 A.M. 3:00 P.M. Syd Caldwell has been planning on a Singing School on Friday evening, October 20th, before the all day Saturday singing which last year ran from 6:30 until 8:30 P.M. Both new singers and more experienced singers can benefit for the instruction in an informal environment paced to mix instruction and a warm up for the Saturday singing to follow. More details will be provided after the planning session in next month's newsletter and on the website.

I know everyone has been busy. Some of our singers have many friends, fellow singers and relatives in Texas as well as Florida, Georgia and Alabama. Katy and I share your concerns. We found out about the Shiloh Singers by attending the quilt show in 2004 after we moved to Arkansas. It's a busy time but Sunday afternoon is a good time to gather, sing, enjoy the company of like-minded singers. Join us and spend an afternoon singing the old shape note songs with harmony and enthusiasm. It will do you a world of good! Hope to see you Sunday!

August 13th Shiloh Singing Canceled... Outdoor Singing added in October!

Goodness knows the Shiloh Singers are reluctant to cancel a scheduled singing, but the information gained from an informal survey of singers in the NWA area suggested the Shiloh Singers cancel the Shiloh Singers' August 13th monthly singing in Springdale. After we counted the survey results, it became apparent that a number of our strongest singers and regular song leaders planned to attend the 150th Annual East Texas Convention on August 12th and 13th in Henderson, TX, or other travel plans. Imagine conducting a series of singings for over a century and a half! That has to be special and not many groups can celebrate such a historic occasion.  You can certainly understand why dedicated singers wanted to be there. So we will send along our best wishes to all the singers in Henderson this weekend and hope they enjoy the best singing in their 162 year history.

So, the Shiloh Singers will have their next regularly scheduled singing on September 10, 2017, in the General Store of the Shiloh Museum from 1:30 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. and hope you will mark your calendar for the singing. The usual noon pre-singing lunch at AQ Chicken House in Springdale will return to the schedule as well.

Now, what I hope will be good news for all the Shape Note singers in the Oklahoma, SE Kansas or SW Missouri, and Arkansas area. One of the highlights of our singing calendar last year, was moving the regular October singing location from the General Store to conduct an outdoor singing at the George M. Murrell Home on the final day of their Antique Agriculture Festival which is scheduled for Friday thru Sunday, October 6-8, 2017. The singing is scheduled on Sunday, October 8th and will follow a pioneer church service before lunch. After the service the benches and hay bales will be moved to form a square and an old-fashioned outdoor singing will commence from shortly after noon until about 3:00. Singers of all faiths and vocal ranges, guests and festival visitors are welcome to sit down and sing or just listen. Visitors may arrive and join at any time. Anyone is welcomed to borrow a songbook and sing along with the group. They may even recognize a tune they sang many years before. The festival booths and hands-on events made all the singers feel at home and the Murrell Home staff were especially gracious hosts. For more information about the Murrell Home historic site visit:  http://www.okhistory.org/sites/georgemurrell

One of my favorite old pictures from a history book about Sacred Harp singing (which I cannot find at this moment) shows the leaders of an outdoor singing or singing school being conducted outdoors in the shade of a brush arbor. The trees at the Murrell Home grounds kept us in the shade, but the hay bales scattered around the wagon being used as a stage provided the "soft seats." I was reintroduced to just how comfortable a couple of hay bales could be from my days as a youngster when I would slip out to the horse shed make sure our old mare that was gentle enough for me to ride had plenty of water and feed. I was also known to find a couple of hay bales in the shed and take an afternoon nap.

No naps, just good singing at the Antique Agriculture Festival

For long range planning, the Shiloh Singers will host the Annual Northwest Fall Singing in Springdale on Saturday October 21, 2017 from 9:30 until 3:00 P.M. Syd Caldwell is also working on a Friday evening Singing School for those who want to learn more about the basics of Sacred Harp. Details will follow in the September newsletter or on the Shiloh Singers webpage when available. 

One more random thought. The Arkansas Razorbacks are playing the Auburn Tigers in Fayetteville on Saturday, October 21st. You might want to make hotel/motel reservations in the Springdale and northward areas a little earlier than would be normal. 

I hope all of the travelers stay safe and hope we'll get to see you all next month. 

November 13th Singing and Other Updates...

Just a short note to accomplish four things:

First, the Shiloh Sacred Harp Singes of NW Arkansas will be singing in the General Store on the grounds of the Shiloh Museum in Springdale on Sunday, November 13, 2016, from 1:30 until 4:00 P.M. Visitors and children are welcomed. As usual, a few of us will be at a table enjoying the fine menu at AQ  Chicken House around noon before for the singing.

Annual Fall Singing in Springdale

Second, our sincere thanks to all the singers, guests and visitors that attended the October Singing School and Annual Fall Singing in Springdale on October 21 and 22. Special thanks to Rene Greene, the school's instructor; Alexis Walker, who coordinated the arrangements, to the Northwest Technical Institute, who hosted the event; and thanks to all the cooks who brought their best dishes [and desserts] for the Saturday pot luck lunch. Thanks to all of you, we had a successful singing school and all-day-singing.

Third, our thanks to the Shiloh Museum and their staff members who help with arrangements all through the year and publicity in the local papers.

Fourth, speaking of support, if you're in Springdale on Tuesday evening, November 15th between 5 and 8 P.M., the Shiloh Museum is having a "Tap Takeover" at Black Apple Crossing, 321 E. Emma Ave. in Springdale. Food will be available with museum board members and staff acting as waiters for the evening. "Tips" and donations will go toward the goal of raising $1 million to the preservation and renovation of the former Odd Fellows Hall.

At one time or another, the building has been used by three churches, a Masonic Lodge, the Women's Civic Club, and the Odd Fellows. When renovations are completed, the building can once again be used for museum programs as well as other events and meetings in the community.

I hope to see you at the November singing and that you'll drop by the Black Apple Tap on Tuesday after work if you're in the area and support a community effort to help make the Shiloh Museum even better.

Unsurpassed Opportunities to Sing and Learn in October!

Shiloh Museum General Store

UPDATED: 10/19/16

BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE The Annual Fall Sacred Harp Singing School is scheduled for Friday evening, October 21, 2016 from 6:30 until 8:30 pm in the General Store at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History, at 118 W. Johnson Avenue, Springdale, AR. This provides a good follow-up opportunity for brand new singers as well as advanced training for other singers who want to learn even more with a refresher course. I always learn something new from the experienced instructors. Hopefully, some of the new singers we met at the Murrell House singing will attend the singing school and learn more about Sacred Harp singing. As always, visitors and children welcomed. 

NEW INFO: Syd has also made arrangements for our usual tables at AQ Chicken House for those who would like to have supper and greet Rene Greene, who will be the instructor at the Friday evening singing school. The restaurant is located at 1207 N Thompson St (just a few blocks north of the W Huntsville Ave/Hwy 71 intersection) and it's only a few blocks away from the museum. While we'll start "about 5 o'clock, we know some will be traveling after work so don't worry if you arrive a little later. AQ has plenty of chicken.

On Saturday, October 22, 2016, the Annual Fall Sacred Harp Singing Convention will conduct an all day singing with a pot-luck lunch. Starting at 9:30 am we'll have a traditional singing but with time to reinforce the lessons learned in an enjoyable setting among friends who share a common interest in shape note singing. In addition, the lunch is a chance for everyone to share their best dishes and desserts. The 3:00 pm ending time hopefully allows singers to get an early start on the trip home.

This year, thanks to Northwest Technical Institute, the singing will be held in the NWTI Student Center, on the SW corner of the campus at 709 S Old Missouri Rd, Springdale, AR. Plenty of parking is available and it should provide easy access for everyone.

Map: Singing School & Convention

For those who may not be familiar with Springdale, we have prepared a PDF map and schedule. Click on either underlined link, download and print with directions from I-49 to the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History for the singing school on Friday evening and directions that extend to the NWTI campus on the east side of town across the street from the Springdale Airport for the Saturday Singing. Those traveling from points east of Springdale. turn north on Hwy 265 and look for Ford Ave. across from the airport.

If you're wondering what to bring for the pot luck lunch, this is a chance to show off your favorite dish, casserole, baking, or dessert or if pressed for time, make a quick trip to the local deli. Somehow, it all seems to work out and and everyone finds more than enough to eat. We do have some good cooks among our singing group.

Best of all, we have the opportunity for outreach to the community, a singing school and a regional singing convention for singers from all over the territory. We have an opportunity for growth. That's a tremendous opportunity for singers that's too good to miss. On behalf of all the singers, we hope to see you there.

* * *

UPDATED: 10/10/16

Singing in a hollow square at Murrell Home, 10/9/16. Photo: F. Christel

"Was a great day - thanks for all! ...It was an enjoyable day." Dan Brittain, Director of Music.

"Very pleased with the number of singers who came today!" Secretary Katy Black, who sends the minutes from events to the national organization for printing each year.

As best I could count, we had at least 35 people at the Murrell Home Festival who used a book. actually sat down around the square and either sang or followed along with us. We even had a couple of exchange students who visited yesterday with their sponsor.

My thoughts while drinking my first cup of coffee on Monday morning were about how far so many singers came, with their families, with boxes of loaner books, and how so many casual visitors walked up just to listen and then sat down and picked up a book.

I believe part of the success was that the event was not scheduled as a brief "performance." It was a real, sit-in-a-hollow-square with individuals leading in the middle, Sacred Harp singing. The singing followed an 1800's era pioneer chuch service under the trees and we sang in the open air under a canopy of green trees and blue sky. With all the picnic tables available, maybe we should think about dinner on the grounds someday if that can be included.

Our thanks to our gracious hosts at the Murrell Home Historic Site, and the Oklahoma Historical Society for an unexpected honorarium that will help the Shiloh Singers purchase more loaner books. Our sincere thanks to the singers and visitors from Oklahoma, Missouri and Arkansas who joined together in song to share our historic singing tradition with others. With everyone's help, it was indeed "a great day."  - B.R. 

 

*  *  *  

Original Post: 10/02/16 
Fall and cooler temperatures are in the air. The Murrell Home staff have been hard at work on the arrangements for the Antique Agriculture Festival on October 7-9, 2016. We have a wonderful opportunity on Sunday, September 9th to share traditional Sacred Harp Singing with festival visitors from Oklahoma as well as Western Arkansas. Our thanks to the Murrell Home Historic Site Director, David Fowler and Amanda Pritchett, Historic Interpreter, for the invitation and opportunity for interested Sacred Harp singers to work together and learn together.

LATE DEVELOPMENTS:
First, please let your friends and other singers know via Facebook, bulletin board, conversation or email that the Sacred Harp singers who participate in the singing on Sunday, October 9th will be admitted free. Children are also a part of the Sacred Harp's tradition and one of our favorite singing instructors in Alabama was carried to her first singing in a large bread basket. We've all seen many children still in elementary school or middle school who are usually found next to parents singing, learning to sing or in some cases, even learning to lead. 

While singers will get in free - please tell the ticket takers that you're with the Sacred Harp singers - if you have other family members or friends who just plan to come to visit the festival and exhibits, they will need to pay. The regular admission charge for the festival: $5.00 for adults, children and teens 6-18 $3.00, 5 and under free. Parking is also free.

Second, please pass along to your friends and singers that we've been requested to bring a lawn chair or folding chair of some description suitable for grass or leaves rather than a hard surface so that we can form the square where we will sit during the singing. The staff moved the location of the stage and benches for the public to "higher ground" on the upper side of the sidewalk in the park.  They also trimmed low-hanging tree limbs from the area to form an area that will be in the shade much of the day, so we should be more comfortable than in the sunny area farther down the slope.

Singing in the trees between the Murrell Home and parking

While we're on the topic of bringing things, the Shiloh Singers will bring their "loaner books." Visitors are always welcomed at our singings and any of the visitors in the audience who wish to sit with us are welcome to tap their feet and even sing along. We'll also bring a folding card table so that neighboring Oklahoma City and Tulsa groups can display any literature or handouts with info about when they sing and where. I'll also maintain a clipboard for a sign-in sheet if anyone wishes to have more information or receive a newsletter and we'll make the sign-in sheets available to each group. We would also like to take a "group picture" during a break that would also be shared with Oklahoma City and Tulsa groups for newsletters or web sites.

There is an area within festival grounds for food vendors and picnic tables are available should anyone wish to eat between the church service and the time we start singing. We'll also have a cooler with bottled water for the singers.  You may want to pack a few snacks in your book bags in case the food vendors need to start packing after lunch.

A FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
The Murrell House staff have planned a full schedule of events and things to see and do to make your visit as enjoyable as possible -- both as visitors and participants.

History and demonstrations

The three-day event will include ongoing living history demonstrations, as well as entertainment, shopping and food vendors. The Murrell Home, built in 1845, is the last remaining 19th-century plantation in Oklahoma.

“The Antique Agriculture Festival is a showplace for an agricultural heritage that needs to be saved,” said Site Director David Fowler. “The festival will focus on the end of the growing season. We’ll show harvesting and food preparation activities needed to sustain a plantation.”

Visitors are invited to watch demonstrations and participate in hands-on activities over a variety of topics including food preparation, domestic skills, trades, animal husbandry and farming. “All of the activities will be performed in the 19th-century manner,” said Fowler.

Festival hours are 10:00 am-5:00 pm Friday and Saturday, and 10:00 am-3:00 pm on Sunday. We will have vendor/entertainer/volunteer parking in the lot of our park/picnic area, on the east side of the property.  If you have anything to unload, please do that by 9:00am each morning. Thank you all for agreeing to participate!

ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE FOR FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, PROGRAMS FOR SUNDAY

Friday, October 7th

How was this wagon used?

11:00-11:45 - Wayne Cantwell
12:00-12:45 - Holmes Brigade
   2:00-2:45 - Wayne Cantwell
   3:00-3:45 - Holmes Brigade

Saturday, October 8th
11:00-11:45 - Holmes Brigade
12:00-12:45 - Wayne Cantwell
   2:00-2:45 - Tommy Wildcat
   3:00-3:45 - Wayne Cantwell
   4:00-4:45 - Holmes Brigade

Sunday, October 9th
  10:30 am - 19th Century Church Service
12:00-3:00 - Traditional Sacred Harp Singing

The George M. Murrell Home is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society. For more information on the festival, visit http://www.antiqueag.org or contact the Murrell Home at 918-456-2751. 
The historic site is located at 19479 E. Murrell Home Road in Park Hill, OK. For more detailed directions and links to more information about the park:http://www.okhistory.org/sites/mhvisitor?full