2026 All-Day Singing

Friday, August 21: Share & Sing on "The Space Between"

Springhouse School (144 Silver Maple Ln NE, Pilot, VA)

6:30-8:30pm

At this sing and share, participants are invited to consider the theme of "The Space Between," choose two songs to lead from any of the books, and share some brief remarks in the space between. 

What comes up for your with the space between? What songs come to mind? Each time we gather in the square, in some ways we find ourselves in time outside of time, in the space between. There is the interval between two notes that might evoke a certain feel; a well placed rest in the music; the collective inhale before the sound; the breaks between sessions where singers caffeinate and reconnect; the thinning of that veil between during the memorial lesson as we call to mind those who have died; the time between singings where the rest of life happens outside the square; the space between our bodies where the harmonies resonate... what does this theme evoke for you?

Saturday, August 22: All-Day Singing

Springhouse School (144 Silver Maple Ln NE, Pilot, VA)

10:00am - 3:30pm

Registration begins at 9:30am.

We'll be singing out of three books: The Sacred Harp (2025 edition), The Shenandoah Harmony, and The Valley Pocket Harmonist. Singers who wish to lead will likely get to do so twice. At registration you can indicate which book(s) you wish to call from.

Accessibility: Please see our Accessibility Page for information on this location, including for parking. Food will be set up in the main hall for lunch.

Accommodations: We can offer accommodations for singers coming from out of town to Floyd. If you're taking the train in (the Northeast Regional Amtrak line ends in Roanoke), there is also the possibility of staying with singers in Roanoke.

Food: There'll be a potluck dinner on the grounds -- bring food if you can! There is a full-kitchen on site (fridge, stove, and oven).

Parking: The parking lot is unpaved, and you may need to park on the grass knoll. There is also a steep, unpaved incline to get to the parking lot. Carpooling is encouraged!

Social: Will be at Chris & Roxanne's house afterwards. Address will be shared at the event.

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For questions or requests for accommodations, contact Chris Wolf at 276-229-2395 or email at floydshapenote at gmail dot com.

First time in Floyd?

Floyd County is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, not far off of interstate 81, and is known for its natural beauty and rich musical heritage. 

There are places to camp and lodge surrounding the town of Floyd -- visitors can also choose to stay in the nearby towns of Christiansburg and Blacksburg (20-40 minutes away), or the nearby city of Roanoke (about 1 hour away), which is also the line end for Amtrak's Northeast Regional.

What is an All-Day Singing?

An All-Day (or Convention, if it's two days) is an opportunity for singers to travel and come together to sing in a large group for an extended period rather than the typical 2 or 3 hours at a local singing. 

During registration people can sign up to lead a song of their choice from the middle of the square. No experience is required, and there is plenty of help available if you want it. A person's first All-Day can be overwhelming, with many more people, a much bigger sound, faster tempos, and traditions that may differ from a local singing -- but it's also a great opportunity to ask questions of your neighbors and make friends! Most recordings you see online of shape note singing are done at All-Days/Conventions