Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, March 5

The seventeenth annual North Carolina Sacred Harp Convention was held at the Page Walker Art and History Center, Cary, North Carolina, on the first Sunday in March and the Saturday before. Chairman Rich Hammer opened the convention by leading 63 then extended a welcome to the class. Sally Owens offered the morning prayer. Vice Chairman Nancy Newell led 159; Secretary Pat Ward 71; Treasurer Don Ward 300.

A business session was held with the class voting to retain the same officers: Chairman—Rich Hammer; Vice Chairman—Nancy Newell; Secretary—Pat Ward; Treasurer—Don Ward; Arranging Committee—Lynda Hambourger.

Leaders: Matt Cartmill 327, 201; Suzanne Newton 270, 47t; Tom Ivey 49b, 504; Matt Meacham 455, 182; John Feddersen 98, 254; Nancy Newell 155, 163b; Gail Doss 540, 400; Lynda Hambourger 380, 384.

RECESS

Rich Hammer called the class to order by leading 49t. Leaders: Brad Hunnicutt 107, 32t; Mary Wright 106, 274t; Blake Morris 496, 228; Pat Temple 33t, 288; Cathy Tucker 203, 385b; Tom Tucker 260, 192; Erin Newton 180, 207; David Carlton 567, 134; Tom Dillon 446; Matt Cartmill 332, 489; Suzanne Newton 472, 532; Tom Ivey 195. Sally Owens offered a prayer for the noon meal.

LUNCH

The singing resumed with Rich Hammer leading 452. Leaders: Jane Spencer 358, 569b; Nancy Newell 276; Gail Doss 59; Lynda Hambourger 436, 48t; John Feddersen 189; Brad Hunnicutt 35; Mary Wright 480; Blake Morris 30b; Pat Temple 373; Cathy Tucker 236; Tom Tucker 129.

Don Ward gave the Treasurer’s Report. Monies collected were enough to meet expenses.

Leaders: Don Ward 200; Erin Newton 573; David Carlton 144; Tom Dillon 535; Matt Cartmill 91; Suzanne Newton 299; Matt Meachem 196; Tom Ivey 268; Jane Spencer 47b; Nancy Newell 156.

RECESS

Rich Hammer reconvened the class by leading 354t. Leaders: Gail Doss 222; Lynda Hambourger 99; John Feddersen 340; Brad Hunnicutt 383; Mary Wright 290; Blake Morris 291; Pat Temple 168; Cathy Tucker 61; Tom Tucker 430; Erin Newton 460; David Carlton 278b; Tom Dillon 100; Matt Cartmill 31t; Suzanne Newton 143; Matt Meachem 350; Tom Ivey 146; Brad Hunnicutt 34t.

RECESS

Announcements were made. A brief New Traditions session was held with Matt Cartmill leading “Condescension” and “Lichfield”; Tom Ivey led “Nicolas”.

Rich Hammer led 277 as the closing song. Nancy Newell offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Sunday, March 6

The Sunday session was called to order by Rich Hammer leading 49t. Leaders: John Feddersen 209; Matt Cartmill 280; Tom Ivey 284; Suzanne Newton 318; Lynda Hambourger 317; Pat Temple 34b; Mary Wright 35; Jane Spencer 128; Don Ward 448t, 198; John Feddersen 65, 72b; Nancy Newell 40, 344; Matt Cartmill 192, 547; Tom Ivey 86, 66; Suzanne Newton 77b, 556.

RECESS

Rich Hammer brought the class to order leading 63. Leaders: Lynda Hambourger 172, 536; Peggy Loddengaard 378t, 378b; Pat Temple 139, 473.

Sally Owens conducted the memorial lesson. John Feddersen led “Sweet Beulah Land” for the deceased. Those remembered were John Hocutt, Oran Dean, Art Broadus, Polly MacLeod, Sadie MacLeod, John MacLeod, Trey Cheek, David Morrison, Nancy Mullenex, Alan Fannin, and Rodney W. Roach. Also remembered were Samuel F. Cary, the Page family, Jacob Welker, and Helen Welker, who made our singing site possible.

Lynda Hambourger led 472 for the sick and shut-ins. Those remembered were Heloise Morse, Bob Teabecut, Susan Kelley, Jeff Sheppard, Shelbie Sheppard, Amanda Denson, Trudi Niedrich, and Mrs. Billie Latham. The memorial lesson was closed.

Leaders: Mary Wright 68b, 148; Margaret Morse 29b, 442; Don Ward 224, 448b; Matt Cartmill 352, 217. Henry Bizzell offered the blessing for lunch.

LUNCH

The afternoon session was brought to order by Rich Hammer leading 210. Leaders: Sharon Strong 178; Tom Ivey 479, 84; Suzanne Newton 334, 229, 254; Lynda Hambourger 157, 540; Peggy Loddengaard 133, 270; Pat Temple 464, 510; Mary Wright 114, 314; Margaret Morse 313b, 135; Nancy Newell 38t, 410t; Don Ward 107, 203.

RECESS

The singing resumed with Rich Hammer leading 503. Leaders: Pat Ward 440, 475; Matt Cartmill 54, 501b; Sharon Strong 89; Tom Ivey 39t, 306; Suzanne Newton 186, 504; Lynda Hambourger 272; Peggy Loddengaard 82t, 154; Pat Temple 27, 566; Deborah Brogden 155.

Announcements were made. Rich Hammer thanked all who participated in the planning of the singing, and who brought food for the noon meals. He then led 62 as the closing song, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Rich Hammer; Vice Chairman—Nancy Newell; Secretary—Pat Boyd Ward.