Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, October 25

The singing school, held at North Scituate Grange in Scituate, Rhode Island, taught by Mr. David Ivey, was called to order by Justin Levi who led 59. The morning prayer was offered by Liz Cantrell.

David Ivey began the singing school with a background history of Sacred Harp and singing schools. David referred to p. 13 of the 1859 Sacred Harp rudiments and quoted that singing is “to learn and practice solemn business.” David taught the class that the people who kept the music for us and sent it down to us did so as part of their worship. David then spent the remainder of the day teaching the class details on the rudiments and method of leading in each mode of time.

Leaders: Lynne deBenedette 82t; David Ivey 313b, 70t, 213b, 81t, 144, 48t; Jesse Pearlman Karlsberg 87; David Ivey 84, 135, 378t, 394, 29b, 86, 348t, 462, 29t, 378b; Jesse Pearlman Karlsberg 89; David Ivey 75, 403, 378t, 64; Paula Picton 106.

Justin Levi and Lynne deBenedette led 46 as the closing song. The closing prayer was offered by Liz Cantrell, and the class was dismissed.

Sunday, October 26

The Sunday morning session of the Rhode Island singing was brought to order by Justin Levi leading 81t. The opening prayer was offered by Liz Cantrell.

Leaders: Joanna Lampert 32t; Lynne deBenedette 36b; Liz Cantrell 101t; Elizabeth Stoddard 77b; Terry Ryan 148; Joanne Bowman 313t; James Baumgartner 171; Jack Sullivan 56b; Tom Padwa 569b; Jennie Brown 389; Jim Bean 474; Dana Borrelli 146; Chris Holley 229; Lauren Bock 134; John Holbrook 49b; Natalie Jablonski 442; Peter Golden 37b; Laura Borrelli 196.

RECESS

Kelsey Sunderland brought the class back together leading 35. Leaders: Daniel Hunter 298; Celia Devine 362; Linda Shea 371; Fiona Nugent 178; Allison Schofield 74t; Karen Ivey 475; Robert Stoddard 349; Sheila Nugent 145b; Briana Bean Hirsch 448b; Jesse Pearlman Karlsberg 316; Bobbie Goodell 151; Rosie Wojcik 272; Anne Kazlauskas 61; Ina Shea 227; David Ivey 428; James Nugent 346; Sarah Whites-Koditschek 348b; Cindy Bean 163b; Peter Golden 384; Daniel Hunter 328; Jack Sullivan 504; Terry Ryan 344; Dana Borrelli 270. The blessing for the noon meal was offered by Liz Cantrell.

LUNCH

The afternoon session was called to order by Natalie Jablonski leading 29t. Leaders: Linda Shea 168; Justin Levi 447; Paula Picton 286; Allison Schofield 411 (for Richard DeLong); Matt Wojcik 189; Karen Ivey 192; Laura Borrelli 142; Jesse Pearlman Karlsberg 110; David Ivey 90; Jim Picton 299; Jennie Brown 550; Kelsey Sunderland 419; Rosie Wojcik 332; Lauren Bock 434; Joanne Bowman 542; Chris Holley 480; Joanna Lampert 564; Liz Cantrell 501; Robert Stoddard 383; John Holbrook 549; Lynne deBenedette 300; Briana Bean Hirsch 448t; Sarah Whites-Koditschek 436; Elizabeth Stoddard 444; Bobbie Goodell 451.

RECESS

Jennie Brown called the class together by leading 72b. Leaders: Anne Kazlauskas 211; Fiona Nugent 209; James Baumgartner 112; Cindy Bean and Jim Bean 191; Tom Padwa 312b; James Nugent 388; Paula Picton and Jim Picton 269; Jack Sullivan and Natalie Jablonski 455; Jesse Pearlman Karlsberg and Lauren Bock 396; Chris Holley and Kathe Pilibosian 97; Terry Ryan 198; Robert Stoddard and Elizabeth Stoddard 277; Jennie Brown and Kelsey Sunderland 522; Rosie Wojcik and Matt Wojcik 217; Bobbie Goodell and Peter Goodell 472; Joanne Bowman 330b; Sheila Nugent and Fiona Nugent 117; Justin Levi and Allison Schofield 418. A business meeting was held. Announcements were made.

Justin Levi, Lynne deBenedette, Liz Cantrell, and Joanna Lampert led 62 as the closing song. Liz Cantrell offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Justin Levi; Vice Chairlady—Lynne deBenedette; Secretary—Joanna Lampert