Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The twelfth annual Northern Shenandoah Valley Shape Note All Day Singing was called to order at 10:00 a.m. at Grace Church by Leyland delRe who extended a welcome to everyone and led 32t. Steve McMaster offered the morning prayer.

Leaders: Kelly Macklin 216; Jim Strube 66; Don Polaski 300; Lois Bader 448b; Miriam Kilmer 117; Jim Wantland 479; Michael Parker 378 (t? b?); Liz Cusick 324; Marilyn Estep 127; Blake Morris 298; Rebekah Scheiman 481; Guy Bankes 297; Linda Thomas 47t; Jim Glaser 162; Kim Moreno 107; Tim Slattery 171; Mary Langley 395; Evan Duncan 254; Rosalee Duncan 374; Lamar Matthew 35; Rosemary Greenaway 217.

A business session was held with the following officers elected or appointed to serve: Chair—Kelly Macklin; Honorary Chairman—Ted Mercer; Vice Chair—Steven McMaster; Treasurer—Ben Harrison; Secretaries—Mary Langley and Jim Glaser; Arranging—Carly Goss and Elene Stovall; Memorial—Kevin Moreno and Tom Tucker; Resolutions—Ina Henkin and Leyland delRe; Chaplain—Doron Henkin.

RECESS

John delRe called the class back to order with 30b. Leaders: Cathy Tucker 350; Stephen McMaster 362; Kathy Manning 200; Bernard Collard 454; Elene Stovall 436; Ted Mercer 302; Carol Meyer 282; Laura Densmore 473; Jim Page 538; Judy Caudle 94; Max Berueffy 532; Eileen Metzger 504; Kevin Moreno 29b, Rebecca Parker 105; Tom Metzger 547; Carly Goss 77t.

The memorial lesson was given by Kevin Moreno who presented his thoughts on when there are no words to say in times of grief, sickness, and sorrow. He stated that this tradition gives hope, healing, and binds us together when we sing.

“My hope, my prayer for the people on this list is that they might be able to feel some measure of the grace and comfort when we sing for them. That they may be opened up to let in hope and healing like shafts of light. So it is in that spirit that I ask us all to keep in our thoughts these people:” Joseph Greenaway—New York; Julie Vea, Bob Scorgie, and Bob Anderson—Wisconsin; Jap Walton, Jeff Sheppard, and Shelbie Sheppard—Alabama; Marilyn Dareh—California; Catherine Murphy—Pennsylvania; Walter Manning—Maryland. Kevin Moreno led 70t in their honor.

Tom Tucker spoke for the deceased. He stressed the importance of getting to know fellow singers and sing with other groups around the country so that we can all get to know each other as a family and maintain community with one another. Tom then read the names of the deceased: Sarah Baradino and Katherine Elder—Pennsylvania; Art Broadus—North Carolina; Alan Fannin, Marie Hanss, and Roxanne Mennella—New York; Tom Gibney—New Jersey; Sherry Guthery, Ivalene Donaldson, John Hocutt, and Hershell King—Alabama; Renata Maes—Georgia; Nancy Mullenex—D.C.; Bob Slattery—California; Alan McInnis; Donald Strube, Billy Flowers, and Diane Knippers—Virginia. Tom Tucker then led 176t in their memory. The memorial lesson was concluded with a prayer offered by Chaplain Doron Henkin.

Leaders: Ted Stokes 72b; Sandra Polaski 384; Will Reilly 515; Mary Ann Daly 564; Adrian Mariano 419; Frank Evans 284. A blessing for lunch was asked by Doron Henkin.

LUNCH

The class was called back to order at 1:40 p.m. by Steve McMaster leading 87. Leaders: Craig Baughan 178; Cindy Sadler 448t; Bernard Collard 63; John delRe 326; Matthew Drumheller 45t; Doron Henkin 501; Tom Tucker 430; Joni Seidenstein 144; Ted Mercer 202; Jennifer Gross 268; Elene Stovall 215; Jim Page 411; Judy Caudle 140; Max Berueffy 426b; Eileen Metzger 39t; Tom Metzger 274t.

John delRe introduced Ted Mercer, Honorary Chairman, stating that Ted has always been a quiet presence, often behind the scenes, an organizer of the Midwest Convention, but who has been involved with The Sacred Harp Publishing Company, and has several songs published in The Sacred Harp, 1991 Edition. He has been pivotal in encouraging travel between singings north and south, east, and west.

Mr. Mercer stated that he had been “astonished” to be asked to be the Honorary Chairman of today’s singing. He recalled that, growing up near Chattanooga, Tennessee, he had not been exposed to Sacred Harp singing, and it was not until he moved to Chicago and attended what he thought was going to be a “concert” that he realized this tradition had been going on very near to his Tennessee home. He said that he attended his first southern singing at Holly Springs, and that over the years he had come to know so many wonderful people. He encouraged everyone to travel and get out to other singings whenever possible. He also stated that it had been nice to have the Sacred Harp receive some media attention, but that it is important to remember that the tradition of what we do is the real expression of praise. Ted concluded his remarks by leading 353.

RECESS

The class was reconvened by Stephen McMaster leading 77b. Leaders: Mary Chris Harrison 106; Ben Harrison 410t; Buckley Hopper 40; Linda Thomas 556; John Brode 505; Rebekah Scheiman 38b; Guy Bankes 365; Laura Densmore 369; Ted Stokes 426t; Don Polaski and Richard Stinson 480; Doron Henkin 432; Bev Oneida 142; Leyland delRe 468; Blake Morris 141; Kevin Moreno 315; Kelly Macklin 464; Jim Wantland 198; Tim Slattery 344; Rosemary Greenaway 36b.

Singers from all areas were recognized. The most distant singer was from England, and the following states were represented: Alabama, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Committee reports were then given and officers and “kitchen elves” thanked.

Kelly Macklin led 70t and 62 as the closing songs. A closing prayer was offered by Chaplain Doron Henkin, and the class was dismissed.

Chair—Kelly Macklin; Vice Chair—Stephen McMaster; Secretary—Mary Langley.