CLICK HERE FOR CALENDAR Palmer Singing Reminder: Sunday afternoon Dec. 14, Jan. 11 Waxahachie Singing Reminder: Tuesday evening Jan. 6, Feb. 3 elliscountysingers.org info@elliscountysingers.org (469) 245-7113 Click here for full information on Waxahachie singings First Tuesday evening  The Sacred Harp, 1991 Edition Click here for full information on Palmer singings Second Sunday afternoon Multiple-source singing material including The Sacred Harp, 1991 Edition Folks who want to sing good old hymns and anthems in four-part harmony have that opportunity now in Ellis County. This is for ordinary people with ordinary voices -- congregational-style singing. No training or experience needed. These and other shape-note singings are not a performance. And they are not a rehearsal or "practice" for some performance. We sing for each other and to the glory of God, and every singing is considered unique and worthy in its own way. You can hear, or read, many first-time impressions of shape-note singings. Ask most any singer and they will tell you of their experience. Below is a link to one newspaper reporter's account of her discovery of this singing tradition. A powerful and dramatic account, in an urban Pacific Northwest setting. But the effect of the singings is profound, short-term and/or long-term, whether you are in a big city, semi-rural Texas or a remote township in Alabama or Vermont. "Shapes of the Heart" All these gatherings welcome listeners and newcomers, and help them learn the simple details of our tradition.  Our roots are in the old New England "singing school" tradition from the 1700s. Sometimes you will hear the songs called "lessons" and the singers referred to as "the class." This is congregational-style singing for everyone! Shape-note groups have no connection with the places where they sing, except that they sing there. We are grateful when space is provided for us at churches, public buildings and other venues. Ours is a democratic tradition where all are welcomed: religion and politics are left at the front door, so that widely diverse groups of people can sing together in harmony. SOME EXAMPLES OF SHAPE-NOTE SINGING QUESTIONS & ANSWERS -- ADD YOURS TOO   Learn and practice songs at home! oldtimesinging.com -- A video index; grab your songbook and sing along Midi files from various songbooks let you practice at home Singers are urged to subscribe to the texasfasola mailing list, so they can receive regular notices of singings, special events and other news of interest to the Texas singing community. Including news about the Ellis County singings. To subscribe, just send a blank mail to: texasfasola-subscribe@yahoogroups.com - - - - - - - The embedded music is the song SACRED THRONE. Here are the words -- sing along! REFRESH OR RELOAD BROWSER TO RESTART MUSIC Beneath the sacred throne of God I saw a river rise; The streams where peace and pard’ning blood Descended from the skies. I stood amazed and wondered when Or why this ocean rose; That wafts salvation down to man, His traitors and His foes. That sacred flood from Jesus’ veins Was free to make away; And Mary’s or Manasseh’s stains, Or sins more vile than they.