Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, September 12

The 106th session of the United Sacred Harp Musical Association met at Corinth Baptist Church in Fyffe, Alabama, on the second Sunday and Saturday before in September. The class was called to order by Elene Stovall and Joan Aldridge leading 36b. The morning prayer was offered by Ed Thacker.

Leaders: Dennis George 82t; Nora Parker 317; Ed Thacker 432; Richard DeLong 410t; Judy Caudle 411; Darrell Swarens 186; Michael Thompson 111b; Henry Johnson 111t; Cassie Allen 460; David Ivey 419; Cindy Tanner 498; Erica Hinton 391; James Aaron 29t; Roberta Strauss 276; David Killingsworth 277; Ricky Harcrow 110; Karen Rollins 136; Roy Turrentine 146; Rene Greene 273; Ken Tate 114; Linda Sides 328; Hubert Nall 176b.

RECESS

The class was called together by Dennis George leading 108b. A business session was held with the following officers elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Shane Wootten; Vice Chairman—Jeannette DePoy; Secretary—Nora Parker; Arranging Committee—Cindy Tanner and Darrell Swarens; Chaplain—Louis Hughes; Memorial Committee—Richard DeLong, Michael Thompson, and Bridgett Hill; Resolutions Committee—Lauren Bock, Eddie Mash, and Matt Hinton; Locating Committee—Ricky Harcrow, Jesse Pearlman Karlsberg, David Ivey, and Sarah Jenkins. Shane Wootten and Jeannette DePoy led 171. Shane Wootten introduced Senator Lowell Barron, who spoke and welcomed everyone to Fyffe. Shane Wootten and Senator Barron led 358.

Leaders: Syble Adams 448t; Harrison Creel 342; Julietta Haynes 216; Judy Mincey 474; Danny Creel 472; Caleb Dillehay 298; Blake Sisemore 436; Sandra Wilkinson 203; Chris Holley 123b; Reba Windom 182; Eddie Mash 530; Buell Cobb 295. Ricky Harcrow, DeKalb County Commission Chairman, presented a certificate of recognition commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Alan Lomax recording made at Corinth Church and recognizing the town and community of Fyffe, Alabama, for their work in hosting the United Convention.

RECESS

The class resumed singing with Shane Wootten and Jeannette DePoy leading 176t. Leaders: Daphene Causey 140; S.T. Reed 109; Louis Hughes 314; Virginia Douglas 86; Phil Summerlin and Allen Broaks 112; Bridgett Hill 454; Jim Carnes 440; Oliver Kindig-Stokes 396; Doug Conn 392; Scott Kennedy 344; Kristie Harju and Sue Harju 39t; David Carlton 377; Diane Menella 505; Robert Walker 99; Sarah Jenkins 209; Joanna Lampert 431; Carolyn Thompson 481; Steve Kick 373; Jennie Brown 527; Robert Chambless 452; Julian Damashek 212.

LUNCH

The afternoon session was brought to order by Shane Wootten leading 40. Leaders: Boyd Scott 58; Danny Arms 304; Sharon DuPriest 318; B.M. Smith 72b; Laura Krueger 538; Jackie Tanner 222; Rachel Rudi 122; Jeff Sheppard 486; Susan Harcrow 218; Richard Mauldin 446; Judy Chambless 335; Greg Mulkern 404; Stephanie Fida 272; Avalea Maxwell, Isaac Maxwell, Gavin Maxwell, Rian Maxwell, Alex Craig, and Zach Craig 421; Xaris Martínez 283; Pam Nunn 236; Joyce Walton 192; Lauren Bock 208; Warren Steel 195; Aldo Ceresa 383; Jesse Pearlman Karlsberg 349.

RECESS

The class was called back to order by Cindy Tanner leading 76b. Leaders: Donna Bell 504; Tom George 29b; Linda Thomas and Elene Stovall 556; Ross Brand 70b; Bud Oliver 73t; Nate Green and Norma Green 418; Deidra Montgomery 353; Janet Rees 30b; Bea Carnathan 145t; Tim Reynolds 260; Barbara Swetman 542; Eloise Wootten 384; Jessica Hahl 59; Karen Ivey 368; Betty Wright 569b; Jack Stiefel 348b.

Shane Wootten led 45b as the closing song. Ricky Harcrow dismissed the class with prayer.

Sunday, September 13

The Sunday session of the United Sacred Harp Musical Association was called to order by Shane Wootten leading 32t. The assistant pastor of Corinth Baptist Church welcomed everyone and offered the morning prayer.

Leaders: Jeannette DePoy 213t; Nora Parker 36b; Louis Hughes 138b; Darrell Swarens 217; Richard DeLong 411; Michael Thompson 550; Bridgett Hill 168; Lauren Bock 142; Eddie Mash 536; Matt Hinton 335; Judy Caudle 286; Jackie Tanner 172; David Ivey 371; Jesse Pearlman Karlsberg 432; Sarah Jenkins 313t; Steve Kick 475; Cindy Tanner 546; Joyce Whittington and Joanna Lampert 99; Terry Wootten 201; Max Berueffy and Karin Covi 528; Verlon Stiefel and Mary Ruth Stiefel 97; Amber Davis 380; John Plunkett 545; Rodney Ivey 500; Robert Kelly 250; Jane Hancock 159; Stephanie Fida 129; Jonathon Smith 442.

RECESS

Jeannette DePoy brought the class back together by leading 67. The Mayor of Fyffe, Ms. Woodall, was introduced and welcomed everyone to the town.

Leaders: Danny Arms 232; Daphene Causey 200; Greg Mulkern 192; Lela Crowder 374; Jackson Harcrow 418; Laura Krueger 547; Ainslie Allen 146; Elene Stovall 440; Coy Ivey and Mayor Woodall 384; Joel Jenkins 496; Cheyenne Ivey 56t; Betty Wright 424; Barbara Swetman 485; Rachel Rudi 464; Judy Chambless 319. Joyce Walton spoke to the class about her memories of the 1959 convention and led 455.

The memorial lesson was conducted by Bridgett Hill, Michael Thompson, and Richard DeLong. Bridgett spoke of what Sacred Harp singing has meant to her, and of those who have passed away. Michael Thompson read the names of the following deceased: Henry Ott, Fay Oliver, Mattie Townsel, Gertha Parker, Auther Beaty, Alan Rosser, E.M. Robbins—Alabama; Lee Rogers, Frank Block, Marie Stewart, Jimmie Denney—Georgia; Marion Hatchett, Dr. William J. Reynolds—Tennessee; Mary Gladys Cornelius—Kentucky; Katherine Ann Warren—New York; John Etheridge—Florida; Venson Arms—South Carolina; Ophelia Matthews—Texas. Bridgett led 330b in their memory.

Michael Thompson read the names of the following sick and shut-ins and led 34t in their honor: Karen Keller, Violet Thomason, Ottis Sides, Charlotte Hill, Emily Boswell, Josie Hyde, Clarence McCool, Charlotte McCarn, Michael Hancock, Ruth Wampler, Mildred McElroy, Marvin McElroy, Genny Whitworth, Myrtle Wootten, Rodney Willard, Bill Tanner, and Corene White.

Richard DeLong read excerpts from the memorial lesson of 1959 and also read the names of the deceased at that time as follows: Mattie Morris, Lena Cagle, Molly Blocker, Mrs. William Tipton, Era Snow, Mildred White, Della Helton, Oscar Putman, Rev. A.J. Snider, Rev. C.E. Dean, Newton Blackwood, Tom Nunnely, Henry Campbell, D.J. Hughes, W.H. Butler, and T.C. Jackson. Richard led 420. The memorial lesson was closed with prayer offered by Ricky Harcrow.

LUNCH

The afternoon session was called to order by Shane Wootten leading 155. Leaders: Tom George 231; J.C. Rutledge 568; Pam Nunn and Jeff Sheppard 556; Tim Reynolds 313b; Virginia Douglas 49b; Pierce Phillips 524; Jennie Brown 456; Susan Harcrow and Karen Ivey 426b; Nathan Rees 434; Sharon DuPriest 300; Richard Mauldin 378t; Julian Damashek 153; Ross Brand 419; Kristie Harju and Donna Bell 441; Oliver Kindig-Stokes 462; Cassie Allen 183.

RECESS

B.M. Smith brought the class back together leading 448b. Leaders: Aldo Ceresa 320; Chris Holley 101b; Xaris Martínez 204; Jessica Hahl 165; Warren Steel 82b; Deidra Montgomery 74b; Janet Herman 65; Scott Kennedy 347; Dennis George and Tom George 270; Nate Green and Norma Green 185; Bud Oliver and Reba Windom 42; Carolyn Thompson 278t; Ed Thacker and Henry Johnson 406; Shelbie Sheppard and Rene Greene 216; Bea Carnathan 80b.

A business session was held for the purpose of hearing committee reports. Nora Parker gave the financial report stating that expenses had been met.

The Resolutions Committee submitted the following report: We, the Resolution Committee of the 106th session of the United Sacred Harp Musical Association, make the following resolutions: (1) We thank the Lord who, through his bountiful mercy, has granted us voices to sing praises to His name, provisions to sustain us this weekend, and the privilege to sing with friends and loved ones whom we hold dear; (2)We also thank the Town of Fyffe, Senator Barron, and Representative Greeson for their gracious welcome and for the many ways they have made the singing a success; (3)Furthermore, we thank all those who provided their valuable time and material support to this convention; (4) We also thank the singers who came from far and near, and united their voices in song; (5) We thank all the officers and committee members who made the singing run smoothly; (6) We resolve to return again next year for the 107th session of the United Sacred Harp Musical Association meeting, to carry on the traditions that have been handed down from those who have gone before, and to go forth praising God in our hearts. This report is respectfully submitted by Lauren Bock, Eddie Mash, and Matt Hinton.

The Locating Committee reported that 2 requests were received and recommended that the 107th session of the United Sacred Harp Musical Association meet at Zion Hill Primitive Baptist Church, Douglas, Alabama.

All reports were approved and the business session was closed.

Announcements were made. Shane Wootten and Jeannette DePoy led 62 as the closing song, and those who wished took the parting hand. The closing prayer was offered by Ed Thacker, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Shane Wootten; Vice Chairman—Jeannette DePoy; Secretary—Nora Parker