Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The twenty-third session of the Kentucky State Sacred Harp Singing was held at Pisgah Presbyterian Church in Versailles, Kentucky. The class was called to order at 9:12 a.m. by Charles Coulston who welcomed everyone, explained to new-comers the technical aspect of shape note singing, the procedure of the day, and then led 45t.

Officers for the singing were: Chairman—Charles Coulston; Organizing Committee—Rafi Finkel, Keith MacAdam, and Ron Pen; Secretary—Mary Brinkman.

Leaders: Don Waggener 182; Rafi Finkel 535; Adam Beekin and Rafi Finkel 457; Deborah Thompson 155; Melissa Bowman 358; Joyce Markle 463; Joy Dunn and Liz Meitzler 47b; Pat Motley-Waggener and Don Waggener 159; Hilary Fiskeaux and Charles Coulston 178.

RECESS

The class resumed singing with Charles Coulston leading 209. Leaders: Mary Brinkman 313b; Tina Wagoner 479; Norma Yost and Nikos Pappas 126; Laura Lee Cundiff 383; Charles Coulston 344; Bob Sears and Don Waggener 87; Liz Meitzler 282; Nikos Pappas 171; Jim Thobaben and Rafi Finkel 312b; Kevin Kehrberg and Charles Coulston 277; Rob Coulston 299; Charlie Fiskeaux and Nikos Pappas 142.

The memorial lesson was held. Mary Brinkman, Norma Yost, and Pat Waggener remembered Lee Shine, M.D., husband of Faith Shine, who died December 19, 2003; and spoke about his dedication to his patients and great-heartedness as a human being. Don Waggener led 58.

Tina Wagoner spoke about her father-in-law, Elva Carl Wagoner, who died April 29, 2004; and about a student of hers, Bethany Anderson, who died in February, 2004. Rob Coulston led 524.

Pat Waggener remembered Bertha Jane (BJ) Marshal, a good friend and long-time missionary, who died in June of 2003. Liz Meitzler led 117.

Bob French remembered his uncle Joseph Henry Brant, who died in December of 2003, and Bonnie (“Blue”) Caldwell who had grown up at the Ramey Children’s Home in Kentucky. Bob French led 245 for his uncle and 147b for Bonnie Caldwell.

Rob Coulston spoke about his good friend Rachel Sutherland, 18 years old, who died March 6, 2004 as the result of an automobile accident; and for Will Sommer, who died unexpectedly on May 6, 2004 at the age of 23. Rob Coulston led 236.

Bob Meek led 87 for Dave Franklin, a long-time shape note singer from Louisville who died in March of 2004. The memorial lesson was closed.

For the first time at this singing, a session for local/living composers was held. Leaders/composers were: Rafi Finkel “Lansdowne”; Nikos Pappas “Peace,” “Rapture.” Hilary Fiskeaux led 146. Bob Meek offered the blessing for the noon meal.

LUNCH

The class was re-convened by Nikos Pappas leading “The Hand of Justice” (his own composition). Leaders: Don Waggener 268; Phil Cullum 523; Rafi Finkel 269; Rob Coulston 188; Liz Meitzler 282; Deborah Thompson 254; Melissa Bowman and Rob Coulston 65; Joy Dunn and Nikos Pappas 532; Pat Waggener and Rafi Finkel 45 (t? b?); Laura Lee Cundiff 383; Anna Creech 497; Steve Wolfgang 354b; Charles Coulston 99; Michelle Cull 300; Laurel Cornell 84; Liz Meitzler 270; Nikos Pappas 79; Rob Coulston 66; Don Waggner 149; Dr. James Curnow and Don Waggener 85; Anna Creech 334; Michelle Cull 384 (for Coy White).

Nikos Pappas led 267 as the closing song, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Charles Coulston; Secretary—Mary Brinkman.