Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

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National Shape Note Gathering

Ozark Folk Center, Mt. View, Arkansas

July 5-7, 2007

Thursday, July 5

The 4th annual Shape Note Gathering began on Thursday evening with leaders from the Sacred Harp, 1991 Revision, Cooper Book (CB), Alabama-Christian Harmony (AL-CH), North Carolina-Christian Harmony (NC-CH), Black-Mississippi Shape Note (B-M), Cayce-The Good Old Songs (GOS), and Missouri Harmony (MH).

Gaylon Powell called the class together leading 484 (CB). Harrison Creel offered the opening prayer. Charley Sandage appointed Gaylon Powell to moderate the Shape Note Gathering. Tammy Powell was appointed as Secretary.

Leaders: Cassie Allen 31t (AL-CH); Dan Brittain 113 (MH); Laura Boosinger 214 (NC-CH); Hugh McGraw 37t; Holly Gale 476 (GOS); Charley Sandage 463 (GOS); Cindy Tanner 85 (AL-CH); Sonny Erwin 563 (CB); Elsie Moon 110 (AL-CH); Connie Stanton 569b; Mark Tew 59; David Johnson 85; Tammy Powell 138t (CB); Gaylon Powell 171 (CB); Cassie Allen 235 (AL-CH); Dan Brittain 34 (MH); Laura Boosinger 58b (NC-CH); Charley Sandage 352 (GOS); Hugh McGraw 87.

RECESS

The class was brought back to order by Sonny Erwin leading 463 (CB). Leaders: Catherine Hamilton and Lawson Hamilton 53 (CB); Connie Stanton 276 (CB); Holly Gale 488b (CB); Mark Tew 47b; David Johnson 303 (B-M); Tammy Powell 559 (CB); Gaylon Powell 546 (CB); Hugh McGraw 31b; Elsie Moon 155; Sonny Erwin 505 (CB); Holly Gale 289b (NC-CH); Connie Stanton 73b; Mark Tew 109 (AL-CH); David Johnson 585 (B-M); Tammy Powell 507b (CB).

Gaylon Powell led 105b (AL-CH) as the closing song. David Johnson offered the closing prayer.

Friday, July 6

The class was called together with Gaylon Powell leading 500 (CB). The opening prayer was offered by Dan Brittain.

Gaylon Powell went over the traditions of the Cooper book, the 4 shapes used, and seating around the hollow square.

Cassie Allen went over the traditions and the 7 shapes used in Alabama Christian Harmony.

Dan Brittain talked about the history of the Missouri Harmony.

Laura Boosinger went over the 7 shape system used in the North Carolina Christian Harmony. Gary Hamilton closed with prayer.

Hugh McGraw talked about the traditions of the Denson Book.

Mark Tew talked about traditions in Mississippi of singing the 7 shapes to the 4 shapes.

Charley Sandage talked about the traditions of the Cayce book—“The Good Old Songs”. Gaylon Powell offered the closing prayer.

Saturday, July 7

The final day of the gathering was filled with class singing from the Sacred Harp, 1991 Revision, Cooper Book (CB), Alabama-Christian Harmony (AL-CH), North Carolina-Christian Harmony (NC-CH), Black-Mississippi Shape Note (B-M), Cayce-The Good Old Songs (GOS), and Missouri Harmony (MH).

Leaders were called and selections made from the book of choice.

Gaylon Powell, Cassie Allen, Dan Brittain, Laura Boosinger, and Hugh McGraw led 46 as the closing song, and those who wished took the parting hand. Mark Tew offered the closing prayer.

Gaylon Powell—Moderator; Tammy Powell—Secretary