Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The all-day singing in celebration of the eighteenth anniversary of the Chicago Sacred Harp Singers was convened at 10:00 a.m. at the Irish American Heritage Center in Chicago, Illinois. Chairman Dean Slayton called the class to order leading song on page 46. Herb Schroeder led the class in the morning prayer. Leaders: Randy Neufield and Susan Geil 171; Jim Swanson 370; Rachel Adelstein 112; Megan Jennings 196; Samuel Sommers 386; Jim Helke 546; Kathy Kaiser 29t; Jeff Gauthier 460; Eloise Clark 313b; Steve Warner 86.

A business meeting was held with the following officers elected or appointed to serve: Co-Chairs—Randy Neufield and Susan Geil; Secretary—Cathryn Baker; Arranging Committee—Doug Stapleton and Ted Mercer; Chaplain—Herb Schroeder; Memorial Committee—John Bayer, Lisa Grayson, and Julie Vea; Finance Committee—Ann Heider, Sue Kessel, and Steve Warner; Resolutions Committee—Jerry Enright and Karen Freund.

The class resumed singing with Gary Gronau leading song on page 192. Leaders: Suzanne Flandreau 105; John Bealle 522; Ariel Weinberger 142; John Bayer 379; Karen Freund 224 (for Reba Dell Windom); Aaron Girard 385 (t? b?); Anne Heider 532; Greg Howard 569 (t? b?).

RECESS

The class resumed singing with Randy Neufield and Susan Geil leading song on page 32t. Leaders: Brad Oglesby 565; Natalia Cecire 538; Walter Matherty 268; Jan Ketelle 368; Herb Schroeder 28b; Marjorie Benwitz 273; Bruce Holmes 146; Rebecca Brown 362 (for Charlie Derleth); Ted Johnson 89; Julie Vea 280; Ted Mercer 174; Lorraine Bayer, Hans Bayer, and Jubal Bayer 117; Jerry Enright 383; Dick Dunagan 159; Connie Karduck 528.

The memorial lesson was held. Lisa Grayson gave a eulogy for Jerilyn Schumacher, reminding us of Jerilyn’s great love for all around her and how her character shone in all she did, most of it without being asked and without announcing what she had done.

Julie Vea spoke of the continuation of other’s presence through our fellowship here, and read the list of the deceased. Julie Vea then led song on page 564 for those deceased. Those remembered were: Jerilyn Schumacher, Miriam Pasqual, Susan Kimmelman, Hollis Sigler, and Dick Rosewell—Illinois; Fleta Jonassen Cowherd—Indiana; John Flandreau—New York; Nancy Keith—Kansas; Allan Fox, Matthew Ettinger, Lane Albritton, and Aaron Miller—Florida: Edwin Karn, Tracey Niederhuber, and Mary Evelyn Sybeldon—Wisconsin; Lawrence Underwood and Freeman Wootten—Alabama; Sally Owen Murphy and Avery Schreiber—California; John Morris—Maryland.

John Bayer reminded us that while those who are now dead are beyond our direct contact, there are many more who will benefit from the care we show them in the form of telephone calls, notes, and visits. He also said that part of the power of the square comes from the care we give each other when apart, and then read the list of the sick and shut-ins and led song on page 354t. Those remembered were: Frances Beasley Lee, Randy Wells, John Helpner, and Blossom Miller—Florida; Phyllis Flandreau, Beatrice Rich, and David Herrman—New York; Stephanie Rubin and Barbara Slaton—Illinois; Bill Starke—Ohio; Kelly Beard—Texas; I.V. McWhorter—Georgia; Jeff Sheppard, Shelbie Sheppard, Lula Underwood, and Cassie Franklin—Alabama; Bob Scorgie—Wisconsin; Philip Page, Jr.—New Jersey; Marjorie Ketelle—Tennessee; Linda McDonald and Tara Barber—Michigan; Charlie Derleth—Missouri; Madeleine Steel—Mississippi; Dan Brittain’s son and Helen Hall (relative of Gary Smith and Sarah Beasley Smith). Herb Schroeder offered a prayer, and the class was dismissed for lunch.

LUNCH

Doug Stapleton and Cathryn Baker brought the class back to order leading song on page 63. Leaders: Lorie Grolier 536; Melanie Hauff 218; Hugh Thomas 99; Richard DeLong 411; Lisa Grayson 419; Lela Crowder 215; James Page 216; Mike Castleberry 401; Marcia Johnson 547; Kelly Brest Van Kempen 85 (for Dick Rosewald); Wendy Wahn 269; Bill Beverly 515; Kiri Miller 181; Judy Holst 72b; Regina Bayer 377; Sue Kessell 501.

RECESS

Co-Chair Susan Geil called the class back to order leading song on page 81t. Leaders: Judy Hauff 434; Martha Beverly 473; Jim Crawford 523; Val Dunagan 344; Jim Laurie 250; Carol Crawford 510; David Stech 45t; Al Frank 163b; Shaffiq Welji 455; Mary Bachmann 400; Doug Stapleton 294 (for Charlene Collins in memory of Hervin).

A business meeting was held for the purpose of hearing reports.

The Finance Committee reported that the goal had been met for the expense of the singing.

The Resolutions Committee presented their resolutions.

A Founder’s Lesson was held in which founding members of the Chicago Sacred Harp Singers recounted their awkward beginnings and their great growth through the years, and then led song on page 189. Standing members were Ted Mercer, Marcia Johnson, Ted Johnson, Judy Hauff, Herb Schroeder, and Wendy Wahn.

RECESS

The class resumed singing with Kelly Brest Van Kempen leading song on page 480. Leaders: Nick Pasqual 116; Bob Dworken 95; Rebecca Brown 299; Orwin Younquist 36b; John Greven 178; Aaron Girard and Kiri Miller 542; Lela Crowder 385b; Cathryn Baker 384; Richard DeLong 448t; Ted Mercer 278b.

Announcements were made. Susan Geil and Randy Neufield led song on page 62 as the closing song, and the parting hand was exchanged. Herb Schroeder led the class in prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Co-Chairs—Susan Geil and Randy Neufield; Vice Chair—Kelly Brest Van Kempen; Secretary: Cathryn Baker.