David Ivey, Editor
The sixteenth annual Young People’s Singing will be held this year at Burritt Museum on Saturday, September 28. Don’t be misled by the name of this singing! This singing is for everyone of all ages. The singing, however, is an opportunity for the Sacred Harp young people” (age 30s and under) to be the officers, organizers, and committee members. Plan now to support this singing with your attendance, your covered dishes, your singing, and your encouragement and support.
Modern technology brought enlightenment to Sacred Harp singers attending the 1996 annual Labor Day singing at the old Shoal Creek Baptist Church near Heflin. The old log church in the middle of the Talladega National Forest was built a hundred years ago. It hasn'’t been used for regularly scheduled worship services, other than the yearly Labor Day singing, since 1914. For two decades it has been on the National Register of Historic Places as one of the nation’s few remaining pioneer log churches. Of course, the building was never electrified. Worshippers and singers used only the natural light admitted by the opening of three doors and three shuttered windows.
Labor Day 1996 was a rainy, dark day -- the first in recent memory for this singing day. This would mean poor seeing conditions indeed. Singers and listeners (mostly singers) attended in unusually great number. By midmorning the house was overflowing. As participants arrived they were surprised to find the old house brightly lighted by bare, impromptu light bulbs powered by a portable gasoline driven electric generator placed well outside the building. According to Chairman Jeff Sheppard, the lighting system was provided by singer Felton Denney of Carrollton, Georgia.
It was a memorable singing, made more so by the unplanned and unsolicited help of a thoughtful brother.
The next Huntsville Friday Night Singing will be on November 1 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Burritt Museum. Please come and join the singing.
February 7 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
April 4 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
May 13th (Saturday) 9:30 am - 2:30 pm
August 1 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
November 7 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
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