Our second "2nd Sunday" Singing yields increase...

It hardly seems like it's been a whole month, but the Shiloh Singers' December singing had a good group of 13 singers on Sunday afternoon, December 9th.  As usual, we were in the Country Store on the grounds of the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History in Springdale. This was the second month on our new schedule of singing on the 2nd Sunday of each month. 

We were also honored to have a visiting singer from Tallahassee, FL at our Sunday's singing. Angela Mele, a biological illustrator, is working with a professor at the Univ. of Arkansas for several days. Angela also attended the recent Florida State Singing Convention in Panama City, FL and she helped our group in several different sections during the afternoon.

Credit: Robert Chambless  via Google+

Photo: Shannon Seyler,  a former Shiloh Singer, sang at the Florida State Singing Convention, adding her fine voice to the Alto Section at the two-day event in early December. First, Syd Caldwell found a picture of Shannon for the newsletter, then Shannon wrote that while singing, she thought about all the Arkansas singers and even met someone who knew Syd from his trips to sing in Alabama and Georgia. I'll let Shannon take over in her own words:

"The convention was held at a Holiday Inn. I booked a room, and it was fantastic to just get up and go downstairs to the singing. It was really convenient. A brand new version of the Cooper Book has just been released, and I got a copy while I was at the convention.

"I sang Sacred Harp recently at a little Baptist college in Graceville. It was a public demo. A lot of people came and listened. After that, a dulcimer group played. I've contacted them about having a look at a dulcimer that my father made for me. I don't really know much about dulcimers, so maybe they can help me out."

Shannon added that she's also singing with a church choir that's performing Handel's Messiah for Christmas Eve, which involves singing and playing the hand bells at the same time. Those of us in Arkansas appreciated Shannon's musical talents for some time. Florida has gained a very fine singer this past year.

At our November 12th singing, Syd Caldwell brought several DVD's from the United Convention in Henagar in September and the Memorial Singing Convention in Oneonta in October. Several singers requested copies which were distributed at the December singing this past Sunday. Additional copies will be sent to those who were not able to attend on Sunday due to illness or schedule conflicts.

Special thanks to the cooks who baked cookies to go with the coffee and soft drinks during the break. Dan Brittain, pitched a "double-header" on Sunday, first performing in a Christmas band concert and then arriving at the Shiloh singing shortly after the break to sing in the second half of our event.

On November 27th, Katy and I had a chance to visit with Anita and Don Buswell in Mountain Home. While Don requires oxygen now, he was moving around the house with a walker when we arrived. Don said he was feeling stronger and Anita added that Don does better and seems to get stronger at home. She also said that she and Don miss our monthly singings and we certainly miss them both as well.

The next regular singing of the Shiloh Sacred Harp Singers will be on January 13, 2013 at 1:30 P.M. in the Shiloh Museum's Country Store in Springdale. Syd is still working to arrange a possible "get-together and singing" with Cheri Hardy from Massachusetts who will be visiting our area over the Christmas holidays - Dec. 22 to Jan. 2. Several singers said they would try to attend if their schedules permitted. We'll use the email list to get the word out as soon as details can be worked out.

And as a final word, thanks to all who have contributed to the Shiloh Singers in so many different ways during the past year. It would take all afternoon to list everything and even then, I'm afraid that with my fading memory I'd leave someone out. Still, thanks are due for adding your voice to our group and for your support to continue the tradition of Sacred Harp singing in the Ozarks. Please add my personal thanks for the emails and pictures which during the year found their way into portions of the newsletter and website. With that, it's time to say...

Monthly singing moved to 2nd Sunday of the month at NWA Fall Singing Convention

I have always marveled how Sacred Harp Singings, the annual inch-thick book that contains the minutes of our various singing events covers so much in such compact form. When you see next year's minute book, with the record of Saturday's singing, you'll find only a single mention of the discussions regarding changing the Sunday of the month when we sing.

"[W]e completed a discussion by agreeing to change our regular monthly singing to the 2nd Sunday of the month, effective in November."  

As one of those who followed some of those discussions during the previous two months, I can add that we tried to consider everyone's input and schedules in the decision process. Mentions on the website and online discussions moved to conversations during Saturday's breaks, then at lunch and finally during the business portion of the meeting. In a surprise twist, it seemed that the best monthly singing date, the one that most people thought they could attend on a regular basis, was the 2nd Sunday of each month.

Thus the Shiloh Singers will be singing on November 11th and December 9th. Please mark your calendars accordingly. You'll also find the date changes noted in the calendar section . The change to the 2nd Sunday certainly solves our yearly conflicts with Thanksgiving and Christmas plus several local events on the 3rd and 4th Sundays. 

The only potential conflict noted was the Missouri State Singing Convention on March 9th & 10th and Mother's Day on May 12th. Well, we have a few months to work on something creative for the Missouri State Convention in March. The Missouri State Convention is one of the best regional conventions in our area each year. We usually have a good representation from the Shiloh Singers at the Missouri event. 

The NW Arkansas Fall Sacred Harp Singing Convention

If you missed the singing at Mt. Comfort Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville on October 27th, the weather was a little chilly but Rev. Randi Henderson and members of the congregation provided a warm welcome and extended their hospitality to singers from Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri and of course, Arkansas. The Shiloh Singers once again proved they have plenty of good cooks and while the weather suggested we eat inside, there were more choices of main dishes and desserts than would fit comfortably on a single plate.

Singers at the NW Arkansas Singing Convention on 10/27/12.

Dan Brittain, having just returned from singing in the United Kingdom and Poland, noted the European custom of not only remembering departed singers and those sick or unable to attend in the memorial service. The singers in the UK and Poland also offer a thanksgiving for recent blessings. It seemed like a tradition worthy of sharing. We all have so many reasons to be thankful.

Sharing Sacred Harp Singings

Syd Caldwell mentioned that he had several non-commercial CDs and DVDs  to share from singings around the country. He wanted to know if anyone might like a copy to play or just sing along with while traveling or working. I'll make a note to bring my laptop and speakers to the November 11th singing so that we can preview a few of the songs during our break and people can sign-up for a copy which can be distributed at the December singing. 

Oh, one more thing...

Our special thanks to the members of Mt. Comfort Presbyterian Church for all their hospitality for the past two years. The church had their Fall Festival and Chili Supper later the same afternoon. Rev. Randi and family arrived in Iowa safe and sound at the church she will now serve, and we wish her all the best at her new church. Thanks to all the singers who attended, the cooks and all who worked to make the annual Fall singing a special event.

Anticipation building for Oct. 27th NWA Fall Singing Convention

Fall colors in Buffalo River National Park.

Thanks to all who have been planning for the Annual Fall Singing at Mount Comfort Presbyterian Church in Springdale on October 27th from 9:30 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. We certainly hope singers from the entire region will consider attending this annual Fall event. The leaves in NWA have started turning into brilliant red and gold. Thus the drive to Fayetteville may be both appetizer and dessert in addition to a fine day of singing.

Speaking of desserts, one of my favorite topics, there will be a "pot-luck" noon meal. The cooks in our group provided a wonderful spread last year and Mt. Comfort's Fellowship Hall has a kitchen with facilities for warming or keeping items cool in addition to the usual coolers members bring for soft drinks and water. If you already know what you plan to bring or need any suggestions, you can send me an email and I'll try to help match needs and responses.

My favorite long range weather forecast site anticipates sunny weather and temperatures in the mid-70's, so sitting outside in the shade under the trees in the Fall air may allow us to continue the "dinner on the grounds" tradition that has been enjoyed by Sacred Harp singers for so many generations. 

If you arrive early, Syd Caldwell plans to be there about 8:30 to make the coffee and could always use help setting up the chairs. 
 
But wait! There's more! Rev. Randi Henderson reminded me that Mt. Comfort Presbyterian Church also plans to have their annual Fall Festival after the singing is concluded at 2:30. All the singers are invited to stay and enjoy games for the children, an old fashioned cake walk, entertainment by a local folk group called Sugar on the Floor and a chili supper. Supper is $5 a person, max $15 a family, all you care to eat.

Some of the singers who have traveled the longer distances will use the 2:30 ending time to still get home Saturday evening. Those that only live an hour or two away may want to enjoy the rest of the afternoon and then head home having been fortified by a chili supper.

Calendar Changes - There was general agreement in discussions about changing the October and November Sunday singing dates. (Please check the calendar at the top of the sidebar for the latest info.) On the other hand, both the 3rd and 4th Sunday drew their share of pros and cons. More than one suggestion included asking if moving our regular singing date to the 3rd Sunday each month would resolve both the November and December holiday issues as well as issues for some people who have schedule conflicts on the 4th Sunday. 

New family circumstances and schedule changes are a fact of life. Maybe we need to ask if there is a better Sunday to sing than the one we've been using. Adjusting singing dates to accommodate the most singers certainly makes sense. There's nothing "sacred" about the 4th Sunday if that's not the best date for our singers. We might need to change some webpages and a few calendars, but this looks like something we need to talk about on a wider scale than just November and December. Look at your own calendars and bring your best ideas to the Fall Singing on October 27th. If you cannot attend the Fall singing, then at the very least send an email so we can include your input. Then, let's spend a few minutes before a break or lunch to see what we can decide to help the most people.

Singing in Warsaw Poland

We have the videos! - You may recall Dan Brittain's September trip to sing in the United Kingdom, teach at Poland's first FaSoLa Camp and sing at the first Poland Sacred Harp Convention. It certainly looks like everyone was enjoying a good day of singing in the UK at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qebeiqIZArs&feature=relmfu
There's also a video of the Camp Fasola Europe teachers leading 419 at the Polish Sacred Harp Convention in Warsaw September 22nd and 23rd. See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoR2lArI_aU

Syd was also on the road during early October. We have a video of Syd leading at Hopewell, near Oneonta, AL, Oct 7, 2012. See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9M75W8361E0

All in all, October 27th is shaping up to be a good day to sing and enjoy the day. If you need directions to Mount Comfort Presbyterian...

Click on map for larger view.

If you're in the Fayetteville/Springdale area on Friday night, the Shiloh Museum's annual Beans & Cornbread Supper is scheduled for Friday, October 26, from 4:30-6:45 p.m. in the Springdale High School rotunda. While you’re there, enjoy a photo exhibit on Springdale’s school athletic history. Then you can walk over to nearby Bulldog Stadium, for the Springdale Bulldogs vs. the Bentonville Tigers football game at 7:30 p.m.

Advance tickets are available for $6 at the museum or $8 at the door. Feed your whole family for $24, The proceeds go to support the Shiloh Museum and the Springdale Athletic Foundation.