Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Made possible through the continuing generosity of the Wesley Foundation Methodist Student Center, the fifth annual session of the Alabama Collegiate Singing was again held in their splendid hall on the campus of the University of Alabama. Bill Stewart called the class to order at 9:30 a.m. leading 480. Elder Donald Smith offered the morning prayer.

The class was organized with the following officers elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Tim Cook; Vice Chairman—Bill Stewart; Secretary—Latisha Crocker.

Tim Cook gave a brief explanation of shape-note notation and concluded by leading 479 and 410t.

Leaders: Bill Stewart 145b; Latisha Crocker 490; Leon Ballinger 222; Bud Oliver 47t; Larry Ballinger 215; Marlin Beasley 336; Edward Howton 32t; Toney Smith 144; Jack Pate 348b; Ashley Keeton and Ashley Campbell 542, 442; Lisa Geist 528; Elder Donald Smith 319; Talley Kitchens 318.

RECESS

Tim Cook brought the class to order leading song 74b (EH). Leaders: Johnny Humber 460; Travis Keeton 499; Gravis Ballinger 300; Wilton Donaldson 565; Luke Smith 274t; Ruth Wyers 138b; Margaret Keeton 276; Earl Ballinger 80b; Glenn Keeton 163b; Sarah Smith 129; Gary Smith 31t; Marlec Ray 432; Billy Thompson 335; Denice Burleson 196; Melanie Cornett 143; Courtney Cockrill and Leon Ballinger 49t; Amanda Denson 159; Mako Cook and Tim Cook 55t (EH); Peggy Bergman and Edward Howton 434 (in memory of their father, G.E. Howton, who organized the Tuscaloosa fifth Sunday singings, the predecessor of this singing). Earl Ballinger offered the blessing for the noon meal.

LUNCH

The afternoon session was called together with Tim Cook leading 66. Leaders: Dan McCurry and John Merritt 254; Lizzie Pullom and Tim Cook 45t.

A memorial lesson was held. Tim Cook led 87 for the following sick and shut-ins: Elsie Beasley, Maxine Lacy, Elman Howton, Elvin Norris, Clara Smith, Ola Meadows, Martha Howell, Lavaughn Ballinger, and Sue Kitchens. We sang the lesson to Ola Meadows through the telephone.

Elder Donald Smith led 68b in memory of the following loved ones who passed away from us since our last singing: Dr. James Howell, Martha Frederick, and Ruth Daffron—Alabama; B.E. Matthews—Texas; Frances Beasley—Florida. Marlin Beasley concluded the memorial lesson by having the class remember Frances Beasley, his sister, with song on page 192.

Leaders: Steven Lambert 134; Ann Ballard 204; Ron Johnson and Tim Cook 59; Shannon Byrd and Tim Cook 63; Ashley Keeton and Ashley Campbell 430, 504; Bud Oliver 73t; Lisa Geist 304; Travis Keeton 496; Gravis Ballinger and Larry Ballinger 34b; Johnny Humber 47t; Talley Kitchens 378b, 327; Amanda Denson 74b, 74t; Latisha Crocker 47b, 379 (for Luke Smith); John Merritt “Nothing But the Blood”; Bill Stewart 569b; Trey Stewart and Tim Cook 378t.

Announcements were made. Elder Donald Smith recalled Dr. Howell’s fondness for “Let Us Sing” on page 46 as a closing song and Tim Cook closed the day of singing by leading this song. Marlin Beasley dismissed the class with prayer.

Chairman—Tim Cook; Vice Chairman—Bill Stewart; Secretary—Latisha Crocker.