he Fall Session of the Southwest Texas Convention will be held this year in San Marcos. For the first time in the Convention's 102-year history, the Convention will be held on the campus of Southwest Texas State University, founded in 1903. The Convention will be held at the University Performing Arts and Conference Center (UPACC), which is on the western edge of the campus, just right off Ranch Road 12, which goes to Wimberley. The date for the singing is September 28-29 (the fifth Sunday and Saturday before). The singing will begin at 9:30 on both days and will end at 3:00 on Saturday and 2:30 on Sunday.

A block of rooms is reserved at the La Quinta Inn, 1619 IH 35 N in San Marcos. The rate is $69.99 for two double beds (full or queen, two to four people). Call 1-800-531-5900 to make your reservations. The rooms will be held at this rate until September 13.

San Marcos is located on Interstate 35 between Austin and San Antonio. The city is 30 miles south of Austin and about 50 miles north of San Antonio – both of those cities have major airports which could give those who may want to fly in to find a better deal.

I should also point out that San Marcos is mainly a college town and SWT does have a football team; they are playing Southern Utah that Saturday evening at 7pm in Bobcat Stadium – it is parents weekend.

Unfortunately, we will have to go Dutch Treat this year for lunch. We are planning to have a social that evening for those who are not planning to go to the football game, and we will have more details on that at the Convention.

For a map for directions (and flyer for the Convention), you can find in on the web at http://www.flash.net/~gaylon/swt_fall.htm.

August 10-11: 134th Annual East Texas Convention

Location: Henderson Community Center, Henderson, TX (9:30-3:00, Cooper book).
Dinner on the grounds is provided.

Lodging: In Henderson, Holiday Inn Express, (903) 657-8789 or Best Western Inn, (903) 657‑1195. In Kilgore, Holiday Inn Express (903) 986-3533 or Best Western Inn of Kilgore (903) 986-1195.

Information: John and Emmie Morris, (903) 898-2510.

Directions: From E. Main Street in downtown Henderson, drive south on S. High St. The community center is at the corner of S. High and Fair Park.

September 28-29: Southwest Texas Convention

Location: University Performing Arts & Conference Center (UPACC) at Southwest Texas State University, San Marcos, TX (9:30-3:00, Cooper book). Lunch is Dutch treat.

Lodging: La Quinta Inn, 1619 IH 35 N in San Marcos (1-800-531-5900). The rate is $69.99 for two double beds (full or queen, 2-4 people) until September 13.

Information: Gaylon Powell, (512) 258-7080 or Morris Nelms, (512) 395-8397

Directions: From Austin: Follow I-35 South to San Marcos, take exit #207 (#206 southbound is closed for construction). Stay on the access road. Merge right onto Aquarena Springs Drive/Loop 82. You will pass two traffic lights and cross over a railroad track.
From San Antonio: Follow I-35 North to San Marcos, take Exit #206 (Aquarena Springs Drive/Loop 82). Turn left on Aquarena Springs Drive/Loop 82 going under I-35 towards the University. You will pass three traffic lights and cross over a railroad track.
Continuing from Austin and San Antonio:
Bobcat Stadium will be on your left. You will pass another traffic light and then over the San Marcos River. At the next light turn right onto Sessom Drive. You will pass three lights and at the top of the hill a 3-way stop at the intersection of Comanche and Sessom Drive. Continue on Sessom Drive; the Home Economics Building will be on the left. Sessom Drive will curve to the right. Turn left at Moore Street, the second street after the curve. You will pass Harris Dining Hall on the left and Blanco Hall on the right. The University Performing Arts & Conference Center will be on the right. It is a beige brick building with a brown roof. A bell tower stands to the left of UPACC. Parking is located in front of the Center.

October 5: Smyrna Baptist Church Singing

Location: Smyrna Baptist Church, Mt. Enterprise, TX (10:00-3:00, Cooper book).
Dinner on the grounds is provided.

Lodging: In Henderson, Holiday Inn Express, (903) 657-8789 or Best Western Inn, (903) 657-1195. In Kilgore, Holiday Inn Express (903) 986-3533 or Best Western Inn of Kilgore (903) 986-1195.

Information: Robert Vaughn, (903) 863-5379.

Directions: On US Highway 259 drive south out of Henderson. Just before entering Mount Enterprise, turn right, west, on Farm-to-Market Rd #2496. The church is on the right, about 5 miles from Mount Enterprise.

November 2: Little Hope Singing

Location: Little Hope Primitive Baptist Church, Huntington, TX (10:00-3:00, Cooper book). Dinner on the grounds is provided.

Lodging: In Lufkin, Holiday Inn at 4306 Highway 59 South or La Quinta Inn at 2119 South First.

Information: Burl Russell, (409) 624-2173

Directions: Drive east of Lufkin on US Highway 69. Exit US 69 onto Farm-to-Market Rd #1669 at Huntington, and go north. In Huntington this road is also called Main St. The church is 4 miles from this junction, on Rd #1669, on the right.

November 9: Dallas County Singing

Location: First Primitive Baptist Church, Dallas, TX (9:30-3:00, Denson book).
Dinner on the grounds is provided.

Information: Bruce and Beverly Coates, (972) 476-9937 or Gary and Vivian Rogan, (817) 220‑5147.

Directions: From Interstate 30 (going east or west) on the east side of Dallas, take Loop 12 exit, also called Buckner Blvd, and drive north. Stay in the right lane and at the 2^nd traffic light exit right onto Peavy Rd. At the 1^st traffic light turn right onto Gross Rd. The church is almost immediately on the right: 1920 Gross Road.

Local Singings in Texas

Dallas-Fort Worth — A monthly singing is held the third Saturday of each month at the First Primitive Baptist Church at 1920 Gross Road in Dallas, Texas (east Dallas). Directions: From I‑30 on the east side of Dallas, take Loop 12/Buckner Blvd. Exit and go north. Continue north to the second light, and turn right onto Peavy Rd. Go to the first light, then turn right onto Gross Road. The church is on the right. For more information, please contact Bruce and Beverly Coates at 972‑476-9937 or Cheryl Foreman at 972-540-1970, e-mail cf91@yahoo.com.

Austin — Practice singings are held on Friday nights before the second and fourth Sundays (except when there is a singing 3-8 hour drive away that Saturday or on a holiday weekend) at the Littlevine Primitive Baptist Church, 915 E. 52nd St. (between IH-35 and Airport Blvd.), Austin, Texas from 7-9 p.m. (or a little later). For more information, please contact Gaylon Powell at (512) 258-7080, or Al Rogers at (512) 458‑9667.

Questions?

Like to subscribe? Have information to share or a suggestion for the newsletter? Contact Cheryl Foreman at (972) 540‑1970 or (214) 922-5905, e‑mail cf91@yahoo.com.

Web Resources

http://www.flash.net/~gaylon

Information about Sacred Harp singing in Texas, including schedules and maps to the singings.

http://www.fasola.org
Information about Sacred Harp singing nationwide, including schedules, maps and directions, and links to other shape-note sites.

New Home for the Fall Session of the Southwest Texas Convention

An Up-and-Coming Treble Singer?