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.

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.

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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.

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

Mini Singing School at 1 PM and Regular January Singing at 1:30 on Sunday...

Update: 1/21/16 - Just a couple of quick updates. We had 31 singers at the January 10th Mini-Singing School and Monthly Singing in the Country Store. Thanks to Nancy Price from the Oklahoma City Sacred Harp Singers for helping us with "singing the notes" and warming everyone up for the regular singing that followed. 

Nancy also asked that I remind everyone that Texas has a singing on January 30, 2016. The William J. Reynolds Sacred Harp Singing will be held in Cowden Hall, at the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1809 West Broadus, Fort Worth, Texas, starting at 9:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M. Singing will be from The Sacred Harp, 1991 edition. Lunch will be dutch treat. For more info: (817) 923-1921, ext. 3100. I've also added a link to the full Texas singing calendar in the Online Resources section of the sidebar.

--&--

Hope all of you are having a Happy New Year and are ready to sing on Sunday, January 10th, in the Country Store on the grounds of the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History in Springdale. The starting time will be a little different on Sunday. Nancy Price has offered to teach a mini singing school to help any new (or older) singers with the notes, something that's been on the group's wish list for a while. Thus we'll start the short singing school at 1:00 P.M. and then conduct the regular January singing from 1:30 P.M. until 4:00 P.M., our usual time. Thanks to Nancy for volunteering to help our group with singing the notes.

Photo: Singing in the country store on December 13, 2015.

In other business, Dan Brittain received a note from Amanda Pritchett, who works with the Oklahoma Historical Society and the George M. Murrell Home in Park Hill, Oklahoma (just outside Tahlequah). They will be holding their first annual Antique Agriculture Festival on October 7-9, 2016. I'll bring some copies of her note to the Sunday meeting for discussion but to strike a match to warm up your thinking:
  +  First of all, there might be a way this event could help promote the singers and Sacred Harp groups in Tulsa and Oklahoma City.
  +  With sufficient notice, we could possibly move our regular October 9th singing or sing on October 8th if that works better for everyone and supports the Oklahoma organizations and singing groups.
  +  We could also mention our NWA Fall Sacred Harp Singing Convention on Saturday, October 22nd.

Katy and I attended the open house and festivities at the historic Peter Conser House near Heavener, OK, each year.  Katy enjoyed looking at the quilts and I always enjoyed the blacksmith displays and looking at the old tractors and antique automobiles in the field behind the house. In any case, there is an invitation on the table and an opportunity that might benefit our Oklahoma neighbors. If you have any ideas, thoughts or suggestions and cannot make the Shiloh Singing on Jan. 10th, please send me a note so we can include your ideas in the discussion.

The Shiloh Museum is conducting an Early Spring Cleaning in the Country Store. There's more "stuff" in the store's closet than will fit on the shelves or in the bathroom closet. We plan to request space for our 3 boxes of song books and the large banner and hanger Gail Cowart built for the front porch that we use on days we sing in the store. The museum will continue to maintain a 12 cup coffee maker but each group will need to bring their own coffee, cups and other supplies. My thought is to put the singer's coffee break supplies in plastic bags (for freshness) together with our name tags, pens, handouts, and sign-in sheets all together in one easy to store and move plastic box. With all the groups helping that should free up more space and reduce clutter for the museum and all the groups using the store. Please let us know if you have something you want to keep that we haven't mentioned so we can preserve it for you on Sunday.

And two more things... In view of the early 1 P.M. start of the mini singing school, we'll plan to arrive for lunch between 11:30 and 11:45 at the world famous AQ Chicken House in Springdale. All are invited to join us, just ask at the reception desk and they'll point you in the right direction.

Sunday's weather may be a little brisk for Arkansas natives or downright chilly for transplanted Floridians like me. The National Weather Service forecast is for "mostly sunny" but cold. I'll just wear my "Little Abner" boots and Maine socks and we will all look forward to singing with you on Sunday in the country store. 

Singing on 9/13 and Other Events in September and October

September 13th Singing at the Shiloh Museum: It's time for the monthly reminder that the Shiloh Sacred Harp Singers of NW Arkansas will be singing in the General Store of the Shiloh Museum on Sunday afternoon, September 13, 2015 from 1:30 until 4:00 P.M. Visitors are always welcome, so come watch, tap your feet, look at the music in a loaner book while we're singing and join in the the singing.

Photo: Bill Caldwell leads the Shiloh Singers at the August 9th singing in the Shiloh Museum General Store.

Children, or "next generation singers," are also welcome to join in too. The fact is that our singing sessions are somewhat informal and you'll be surrounded by others who just enjoy singing the old songs as they were sung by our ancestors before small rural congregations could afford pianos and organs. Your participation is encouraged. 

Updated: 9/14/15 After the Singing Report - Had 25 adults and children at the singing plus the local cat who helped entertain the children. Just as the singing ended, a kitten of a similar color showed up at the open door but was afraid to come in. The children instinctively made a bee-line for the kitten who instinctively ran for the barn at full speed and was not seen again.  It is wonderful to have children to attend and sing. 

We also had about several college students who were taking a music class and Andrew Albers and Bill Caldwell gave them some history and info on sacred harp and our type of singing. Hope they all make an A+ on their assignment. We were also joined by several singers from the Tulsa group planning their singing school and singing in Oct. 26th. 

Syd Caldwell forwarded an email Monday morning from Stanley Smith, one of the Sacred Harp composers who plans to be with us at the October NWA Singing Convention. Syd used a cell phone yesterday to share a couple of Sacred Harp songs with Stanley. One of the better uses of cellular technology: 

Thanks for calling and letting me hear “Not Made with Hands” and “Haw Ridge”. Ya’ll did a great job on both. Relay to all that I appreciate it very much. I sure did my heart good hear your singing and that you did my song. Ya’ll did so good, you can do it again sometime. Looking forward to being out there soon. - Stanley

September 26th Singing School and Sacred Harp Singing in Tulsa: But the monthly second Sunday singings are only just the start for the next two months. We're even more excited by the news that Sacred Harp singers in the Tulsa area have organized as Tulsa Friends of Sacred Harp Singing and they have planned a one-day Tulsa Shape Note School and Singing on Saturday, September 26, 2015 from 9:30 A.M. until 3:30 P.M. at the First Lutheran Church, 1244 S. Utica Ave. Dan Brittain will be leading the singing school. Thanks to Frank Christel for sharing the Facebook page link for more information about the Tulsa event at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1022825927749050/ and to Elaine King who is hosting the Tulsa group's new Facebook pages.

Updated: 9/11/15 - We just got a note from Frank that the Tulsa group has posted their web page at: http://shapenoteoklahoma.org/ with info, slides and a YouTube video. Check it out.

October 23rd and 24th NWA Fall Sacred Harp Singing School and Convention: We've already talked about the NW Arkansas Fall Sacred Harp Singing School on Friday evening, Oct. 23rd and the All-Day Singing Convention and Dinner on the Grounds on October 24th in Springdale. The singing school will be in the General Store, where we usually sing each month, from 6:30 to 8:30 P.M. The Saturday convention will be across the street from the Shiloh Museum entrance in the 1st Security Bank Community Room, just south of the drive in bank. The singing will start at 9:30 A.M. and conclude at 3:30 P.M. with a pot luck noon meal. Rather than repeat all of the details again in the newsletter, you can catch up with the details on last month's newsletter posting. Thanks again to Elaine King's creative efforts on her computer, click on this link: NWA Singing School and Convention flyer for a PDF copy that you can easily view or download to print and share with others.

Other Official and Unofficial activities: Updated: 9/11/15 - Thanks to Syd Caldwell for his note that Susan Young, Outreach Coordinator at the Shiloh Museum, will present a program on Sacred Harp at the Harrison Public Library on September 22, 2015 at 5:30 P.M.

As usual, any singers or visitors who wish to join the singer's table at AQ's Chicken House in Springdale for AQ's usual assortment of chicken dishes are welcome to arrive around noon this Sunday. Just ask the reception desk for directions to the singers and they'll point you in the right direction. It's a good time to visit and ask questions about Sacred Harp singing.

...And one more thing: We're still having headaches (program updates? regressions? driver error?) with our email and mailing list software. The September email newsletter was delayed while the mailing list was pieced back together yet again. While I hope the lists (two of them now) will stay fixed this time, we had to eliminate several damaged entries. IF you DID NOT get a copy of the September newsletter this month, and would like to get back on the list, please send an email to: brt.black@gmail.com so that we can make sure you are on the list. Of course if you got a copy and wish to just follow the news on this web site, directions for getting off the list are at the bottom of each newsletter.

As always we'll look forward to singing with you on Sunday afternoon.