Listen to this year's Down Home Shenandoah!

 

The first Mennonite settlers arrived in the Shenandoah Valley in the immediate aftermath of the Revolutionary War. Little did they know the unique contribution they would make to the culture of their new home, to American history, and to the world of devotional music.

By tradition, the Virginia Mennonite Relief Sale features a kick-kick country dinner prepared and served by volunteers in the Barn Annex at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds.  For the third year in a row, dinner guests were treated to two hours of story telling and beautiful music in the Main Show Barn, right beside the Annex.  Bleacher seating and picnic tables were arranged in front of a stage.

A recording of this special presentation was be broadcast on WSIG Radio on Saturday, Oct. 3rd, and Sunday, Oct. 4th.

How the Village of Singer’s Glen Got Its Name

The set for this year’s show was borrowed from Singer’s Glen production of The Singer’s Glen Opera*, a copyrighted musical play by Alice Parker.  It depicts the home of Joseph Funk of Singer’s Glen who, in the first half of the 19th century, helped pioneer the development of shaped note musical scores, and authored the world renowned Harmonia Sacra, a compilation of traditional hymns in a unique, four part harmony that continues to inspire Christians of many denominations throughout the world.

Sincere thanks to the village of Singer’s Glen, Virginia, for the use of this set, which was designed and painted by Shepard Wright, and built by Cletus Smith.

Thanks also to the EMU Theater Department for the loan of the stage lights for this year’s program…

Once again this year, the Grand Finale was a community sing in which the entire audience joined in a full, four part harmony rendition of Hymn 606 from the Harmonia Sacra.


Photos from the show (courtesy of Jim Bishop)

 

Daphna Creek	The Sunshine Band	Cantore	"Harmonia Sacra Singers from the Shenandoah Valley, under the direction of Dr. Sam Showalter
Phil Helmuth Interviews Arlie Klassen, director, Mennonite Central Committee	Phil Helmuth and Relief Sale Auctioneer Col. Jack Boman	Host Hal DuBois and Musical Director Dr. Sam Showalter	Daphna Creek