Originally sent out July 13, 2024
2025 Texas Normal Singing School Students, Faculty, and Staff:
Our on-line preregistration process closed on July 6 and since then we’ve been following up with all registrants. At this point, we’re able and very excited to welcome each of our 135 participants to the 2025 program (plus those who are just coming for the Saturday Worship Leader Conference). We continue to pray for you – for broken spirits and contrite hearts; for clear voices and understanding minds; for safe travels and health – as Singing School is just around the corner.
Please read this entire email as most of your pre-Singing School questions should be answered here and very important information for all participants is shared. Returning students, by reading you will be reminded about changes in our Sunday afternoon check-in that were in place as of last year! If you have additional questions – and for all general inquiries – please contact Levi Sisemore at (806) 777-8417. Before you call, see if your questions are answered on our website’s “Frequently Asked Questions” page.
Required Forms
As you registered on-line, you were directed to this page to download required forms. Please do not email, mail, or text these to us. Print them out, fill them out, and bring them to on-site registration Sunday, July 20. You may find copies of these forms here: “Required Forms“.
Travel Itinerary (Key Contact: Darla Lowry, 580.819-0103)
If you are flying into/out of Abilene, we would be happy to shuttle you between Abilene Regional Airport and the Abilene Christian University Campus. In order to do this, we must have your flight information (date and time of arrival and flight number) – if you have not confirmed with us this last week, let us know ASAP. Please let us know if you have an adjustment to your itinerary.
Lodging and Accommodations (Key Contact: Tony Kite, 806.781-6381)
If you registered to stay in the Dillard Hall dormitory, your reservations have been made. You do not need to bring pillows, sheets, or towels, as those are provided by Campus Housing. Personal toiletries will not be provided; bring your own toothbrush! Should you find any of the supplied items unworkable – that is to say, I like traveling with my own pillow – Wal-Mart is very close to campus and you can buy items better suited to you there.
COVID-19 and Singing School (Key Contact: Dr. Tim Lowry, 580.772-4752)
The Singing School was blessed to find windows of opportunity to meet in 2020 and 2021 and because of the cooperation of our students and faculty, we managed to completely avoid any cases and/or transmission of COVID-19 both years. While we understand COVID-19 to be less and less of a threat each year, we still want to encourage you to wash your hands and practice good hygiene that will keep our potential for infection as low as possible
Masking has not been, nor will it be, required by the Singing School. We leave decisions about vaccinations, masking, and social distancing up to each student and we request a mutual respect and deference for one another. “…be at peace with one another” (Mark 9:50).
It would be an excellent idea for all participants to take a COVID-19 test 24 hours before joining the Singing School group. Last year, one student spread it to his fellow travelers on the drive to Abilene and then it spread to some in the school. The CDC suggests using a home test kit immediately before entering an event like ours, or as close to the time of the event as possible. Especially if you have been recently infected, have been exposed to someone who has tested positive, or are feeling symptomatic, please use a self-test, disclose your situation to our Board of Directors, and keep testing until negative before joining our program. We also strongly recommend that everyone bring a test kit of your own and to use it if you begin to feel symptomatic during the week, isolating as needed.
Worship Leader Conference
If you are arriving in time to join our faculty on Saturday for any of that day’s Worship Leader Conference, you are welcome to join us in Room 114 of the Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building (register for that separate event at this link). This event is free to attend (your donations are accepted to help offset the costs). Use the Hall of Servants entrance; do not enter at the base of the Rotunda (see attachments for a visual).
When You Arrive
If you’re arriving Friday (or earlier)…
Please notify Levi Sisemore (806.777-8417) upon your arrival by text message (include your name). Also, if you are staying on campus at Dillard Hall, text Tony Kite (806.781-6381), housing coordinator. Tony will give you instructions.
All Singing School participants who are in town by 6:00 PM on Saturday are invited to meet at Rosa’s Café & Tortilla Factory (1026 N Judge Ely Blvd) to enjoy a meal together and for the in-person fellowship to “officially” begin.
If you’re arriving on Saturday…
Please notify Levi Sisemore (806.777-8417) upon your arrival by text message (include your name). Also, if you’re staying on campus at Dillard Hall text Tony Kite (806.781-6381), make your way to the ACU Campus, and Tony will give you more specific instructions. If you are planning on attending any of the Worship Leader Conference with Zane Perkins, make your way to Room 114 of the Bible Building and you will find us. Use the Hall of Servants entrance; do not enter at the base of the Rotunda (see attachments for a visual).
All Singing School participants who are in town by 6:00 PM on Saturday are invited to meet at Rosa’s Café & Tortilla Factory (1026 N Judge Ely Blvd) to enjoy a meal together and for the in-person fellowship to “officially” begin.
If you’re arriving on Sunday…
The Singing School has been invited to assemble with the Remington Ridge Church of Christ (138 Remington Rd) where some of our faculty will be leading worship. If you are available to join us, they have classes at 9:30 and a congregational assembly at 10:30. There are many other congregations to visit in Abilene as well. If you need a ride to/from Remington Ridge, please communicate that early enough for us to make arrangements; correspondingly, if you can give rides, please volunteer that as well.
Sunday On-Site Check-In
On-site check-in for the Singing School will begin at 1:00 PM in the Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building. You must come to us and register on-site. As of 2024, we changed our check-in location from previous years. We will not be at the bottom of the Rotunda for registration; we will be off the Hall of Servants. Please do not enter through the base of the Rotunda. For registration, use the Hall of Servants entrance into the Bible Building (see attachment for a visual). On the attached map, you’ll find our first check-in station located just to the left of the building entrance, between Room 114 and Room 115. Registration will go down that side hallway and you will exit out into the floor of the Rotunda (the doors marked “Chapel”).
At registration you will pay your remaining balances, take placement exams (optional), receive class assignments and materials, get your housing assignments and keys, and begin to meet your instructors and fellow students. On-site check-in closes at 5:00 PM. Please do not wait until 5:00 to come to registration (we need to transition away from registration by 5:00). If you are going to be arriving near or at 5:00 PM, please keep Levi Sisemore updated by text message (806.777-8417).
Placement for Song Leading Students (Key Contact: Cooper Atkeson, 417.461-4834)
New Students, as part of your on-site check-in, we will make class assignments for all your courses, including Song Leading. If you are a novice song leader, you are invited to the First Year (Adult or Teen) Song Leading course (SL101A or SL101T) without any evaluations. If you are new and aspiring to enroll in the more advanced song leading classes, you are required to demonstrate your abilities and skills before a panel of instructors in a low-pressure environment (we’re trying to place our students in the optimal class for their development. We want to ensure that you are placed in a class where you will be challenged and grow, but that will also not overwhelm any participant).
Returning students, this same process will be applied to you if you want to enter the upper level (SL301 or SL401) year courses, regardless of prior years in attendance. This will ensure our students have the necessary skill set as they progress through the curriculum towards certification.
1. We will ask you to lead several songs that you know. Your placement will depend on your ability to do the following:
· Pitch songs in ANY key using this process:
· Identify the song’s key (you will not have any aids or references indicating the key for you). You will be expected to gain the information you need from the key signature.
· Use a pitch device (pitch pipe, cell phone app, tuning fork, etc.) to sound the keynote and match the pitch with your voice.
· Arpeggio (vocalize Do-Mi-Sol) to the appropriate starting note.
· Begin singing the song on the correct pitch.
2. Beat time in ANY AND ALL time signatures required (don’t forget about 6/8, 9/8, and 12/8).
3. Begin your directing pattern correctly.
4. Manage the tempo.
5. Direct a fermata.
6. Sing with proper volume.
The entire experience will last about five minutes – just a fraction of your check-in experience. We wanted you to be aware of our process so that we didn’t catch you by surprise. We are confident that your cooperation in this process will help us meet your needs by placing you in the appropriate song leading class. We look forward to helping you build your skillset as a song leader.
First Class / Orientation
Mandatory orientation for the 2025 Singing School will be held in the Chapel on the Hill at 6:00 PM, Sunday, July 20. After introductory sessions of our classes, we will join together for a short chapel service and share in the Lord’s Supper before being dismissed for the evening (group trips to Dairy Queen will begin on Sunday night).
Are You Graduating?
If it is your intention to graduate from the four-year Worship Leader Certification or Women in Church Music Programs this year, please let Levi know ASAP so that we can make sure we’re all on the same page and that all requirements will be met by the conclusion of this year. Naturally, this will be contingent upon completing all course requirements honorably; certificates are not awarded for years in attendance.
Meals
Our contract with Campus Food Services begins Sunday, July 20, at supper. They will serve from 4:30 to 5:45. Meals are your responsibility until that time. If you need to eat supper after on-site registration, be sure to allow enough time to be in place for mandatory orientation and classes at 6:00 PM Sunday night. We have passed on all allergy notes that you submitted to the cafeteria staff.
Payment of Balance Due
Now that online registration is closed, your balances are being calculated and finalized. Some of the invoices have already been emailed out and the rest of them will be coming within the next 36 hours. Included in that email is a link to pay balances by credit card or PayPal. The alternative is to pay your balances Sunday afternoon (by check – preferably – or card). If you have not received an invoice by Wednesday night and need one before you get to Abilene, please let us Thursday morning.
Additional Questions
If you have any other questions – about logistics, class schedules, etc. – feel free to telephone Levi Sisemore at (806) 777-8417.
Scholarship Fund
Many of our students come to TNSS with the assistance of donated scholarship funds. If you would like to make a contribution to this fund – or to learn about other donation options to TNSS, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization – please visit with Levi Sisemore, TNSS treasurer. All donations are tax-deductible.
ACU Campus Map (locations of Dillard Hall and Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building marked): link
Telephone Numbers and Addresses you should have
Tony Kite, housing coordinator; board member
(806) 781-6381
Darla Lowry, transportation
(580) 819-0103
Tim Lowry, health/COVID coordinator; board member
(580) 772-4752
Levi Sisemore, registrar; board member
(806) 777-8417
24-Hour Pharmacy: Market Street Grocery Store
4450 Buffalo Gap Rd 
(325) 695-5300
Nearest Pharmacy: Wal-Greens (8am – 10pm)
1005 N Judge Ely Blvd (325) 695-5300
Abilene Regional Airport
2933 Airport Blvd
Dairy Queen
1626 Texas Hwy 351
Dillard Hall
633 E North 19th St
Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building
1850 Teague Blvd
Remington Ridge Church of Christ
138 Remington Rd
Rosa’s Café & Tortilla Factory
1026 N Judge Ely Blvd
Wal-Mart
1650 Texas Hwy 351