Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, April 27

The first session of the East Midlands Sacred Harp Convention was held at the Village Hall in Kegworth, Leicestershire, United Kingdom on the fourth Sunday and Saturday before in April.

Saturday’s session was called to order by Ian West leading song on page 448b. Ken Baddley led the morning prayer.

Leaders: Helen Brown 228; Dave Richardson 32t; Ruth Cooper 171; Richard Schmeidler 474; Siri Tuttle 74b; Mick Verrier 146 (for his daughter, Emily); Judy Whiting 63; Tony Singleton 200; Steve Fletcher 38b; Ken Baddley 515; Mandy Townsend 33b; Steve Wade 162; Claire Singleton 294; Paul Gailiunas 148; Jill Thompson 49b; Dave Townsend 198; Phil Tyler 340 (in memory of John Bailey of Illinois); Bernard Collard 362; Helen Brown 448t; Ian West 270.

RECESS

Dave Richardson called the class was to order leading song on page 31b (for Brian Noon). Leaders: Karen Lusardi 122 (for her grandfather); Richard Schmeidler 66; Siri Tuttle 410t; Mick Verrier 201; Judy Whiting 212.

A business session was held with the following officers duly elected or appointed: Chairman—Ian West; Vice Chairman—Dave Richardson; Secretary—Margaret Gillanders; Arranging Committee—Dave Richardson; Chaplains—Ken Baddley, Helen Brown, Ruth Cooper, Gillian White, and Bernard Collard; Finance Committee—Ted Brown and Rob Watts; Memorial Committee—Helen Brown and Ken Baddley.

Leaders: Tony Singleton 504; Steve Fletcher 380; Ken Baddley 127; Mandy Townsend 229; Steve Wade 178; Claire Singleton 209; Paul Gailiunas 163t; Jill Thompson 497; Dave Townsend 277; Phil Tyler 339; Bernard Collard 217.

RECESS

Ian West called the class together leading song on page 182.

Leaders: Ruth Cooper 200; Dave Richardson 87; Karen Lusardi 106; Richard Schmeidler 155; Siri Tuttle 390; Mick Verrier 272; Judy Whiting 477; Helen Brown 50b. Ruth Cooper led the prayer before lunch.

LUNCH

The class was called to order by Tony Singleton leading song on page 276. Leaders: Mandy Townsend 203; Steve Wade 65; Steve Fletcher 36b; Ken Baddley 425b; Claire Singleton 268; Paul Gailiunas 195; Jill Thompson 473; Dave Townsend 147t; Bernard Collard 36t; Ian West 480; Phil Tyler 82t; Dave Richardson 278t; Ruth Cooper 47b; Karen Lusardi 535; Richard Schmeidler 120; Siri Tuttle 84; Mick Verrier 383.

RECESS

Judy Whiting called the class back leading song on page 373. Leaders: Tony Singleton 236; Mandy Townsend 318; Ken Baddley 501; Steve Fletcher 440; Paul Gailiunas 324; Claire Singleton 40; Bernard Collard 347; Ruth Cooper 159; Dave Townsend 112; Jill Thompson 299.

RECESS

Phil Tyler brought the class together leading song on page 142.

Leaders: Karen Lusardi 76b; Richard Schmeidler 254; Siri Tuttle 59; Ian West 348b; Helen Brown 274t.

Ian West and Dave Richardson led song on page 323t to close the day’s session. Bernard Collard led the closing prayer.

Sunday, April 28

Sunday’s session was called to order by Vice Chairman Dave Richardson leading song on page 129. Helen Brown led the morning prayer.

Leaders: Ian West 479; Ruth Cooper 47t; Helen Brown 75; Bernard Collard 63; Claire Singleton 143; Ken Baddley 34b; Mandy Townsend 84; Phil Tyler 89; Karen Lusardi 163b; Tony Singleton 312b; Siri Tuttle 39t; Mick Verrier 107; Linda Davies-Holmes 268; Dave Townsend 85; Steve Fletcher 269; Richard Schmeidler 475; Judy Whiting 523; Steve Wade 82t.

RECESS

The class was called together by Ian West leading song on page 135. A short session was held for the singing of new compositions: Mick Verrier “New Invention” (his own composition); Helen Brown “Parwich” (her own composition); Ken Baddley “Chainbridge” (composition by Mick Verrier).

Leaders: Jill Thompson 99; Edwin Macadam 564; Claire Singleton 335; Bernard Collard 503; Sheila Girling-Smith 142; Ken Baddley 350; Karen Lusardi 235b; Phil Tyler 442.

RECESS

Ruth Cooper called the class to order by leading song on page 86.

The memorial lesson followed. Helen Brown made the following opening remarks. “This is a special time in the convention when we pause to remember those who have died in the last year. Though we may not personally know even one person named on the memorial list, it is important that we remember that each and every one of these people has been, and is still, loved by someone in this room. This is our time to join with them in their grief, as a community, in love and support and to hold them close as we sing in remembrance.” The names of the deceased were read: Father Fred Green, Christopher Turner, Ray Stride, Jon Doncaster, Maggie Stevens, Louis Stones, Barbara Griggs, Ralph Linn, Winston Renford Smith, Joan Gillanders, Della Cockerum, John McConnell, Leslie Greaves, Michael Bircher, Marilyn Wood, Trevor Vale, Bob Wigglesworth, Mario Lusardi, Fred Hanson, and A. Henis; John Bailey and Jerilyn Schumacher—Illinois; Freeman Wootten—Alabama. Helen Brown led song on page 285t for the deceased.

Ken Baddley made these comments to introduce the lesson for the sick and shut-ins. “This list does not tell us how the people named therein are ill, whether they are sick in body or mind. However, what we do know is that they are all in need of our prayers and support, and we offer this in singing for them.” Those remembered were: Rose Singleton, Tracy Hurst, Win Tyler, Helen Bray, Sue Gould, Jennie Bishop, Don Harber, Katie Griffiths, Tom Mattock, Dorothy Williams, Brian Noon, Vera Richardson, Paula, Roy Bryan, and Grandma Evans. Ken Baddley led song on page 569 (t? b?) for the sick and shut-ins, and the memorial lesson was closed.

Leaders: Tony Singleton 77t; Mandy Townsend 532; Dave Richardson 176t; Ian West 29t. Gillian White offered prayer and blessing for lunch.

LUNCH

The singing reconvened with Steve Fletcher leading song on page 128. Leaders: Siri Tuttle 370; Richard Schmeidler 334; Linda Davies-Holmes 178; Dave Townsend 378b; Jill Thompson 454; Mick Verrier 106; Judy Whiting 546; Steve Wade 267; Sheila Girling-Smith 186; Bernard Collard 297; Claire Singleton 344; Edwin Macadam 254; Karen Lusardi 496; Ken Baddley 504.

RECESS

Siri Tuttle brought the class back together leading song on page 276. Leaders: Phil Tyler 29b; Helen Brown 131b (for Eireann Flannery); Tony Singleton 31t; Steve Fletcher 168; Richard Schmeidler 490; Judy Whiting 460; Dave Townsend 315; Karen Lusardi 294; Mick Verrier 209; Sheila Girling-Smith 37b; Mandy Townsend 542; Edwin Macadam 236.

Ted Brown, for the Finance Committee, reported that contributions were such that all expenses of the convention were covered. Thanks were conveyed to:

• Everyone attending the convention;
• Helen Brown, who had been the pitcher for the weekend;
• Dave Richardson for arranging;
• Ruth Cooper for organizing the food.

Special thanks were offered to Gill West for her help, which was invaluable to the organizers in ensuring that refreshments and food were available when required.

A total of 60 people were registered over the weekend; 23 leaders led 138 songs (150 in total—12 duplications).

Announcements of future singings were made. Ian West, Dave Richardson, Helen Brown, and Ruth Cooper led song on page 62 as the closing song as those who wished took the parting hand to close the convention. Ken Baddley led the closing prayer.

Chairman—Ian West; Vice Chairman—Dave Richardson; Secretary—Margaret Gillanders.