Once a year, the Pioneer Museum of Alabama comes alive with Shape Note singing.

Many of those who hear the shape notes being sung for the first time, will shake their heads.

“Not for me!” Not for me!”

But, if the nay-sayers stay around to listen with open hearts, they will soon be singing a note or two.

Barbary Tatom, director, of the Pioneer Museum of Alabama, said the day of the Shape Note Singing is one of the biggest of the year.

“We have a large number of singers who come from all around,” Tatom said. “And the rows for those who just want to come and listen have fewer empty seats. Even if you don’t like Shape Note singing, if you stay and listen, it would be hard not to appreciate it.”

The Shape Note Singing at the museum on Saturday will begin at 9:30 a.m. and end around 2:30.

There will be an hour lunchbreak at noon and the singing will begin again and close around mid-afternoon.

Tatom said everyone who would like to know more about Shape Note Singing or wants to sing along, is welcome to be a part of a very enjoyable day at the museum.

Shape note singing was once thought to be for older folks, but Tatom said younger people are showing an interest.

“And that’s good because Shape Note singing is a part of our musical history and our cultural history, too.”

Everyone is invited and welcome to the Shape Note singing on Saturday at the Pioneer Museum of Alabama.