Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, October 17

The 19th annual Pacific Northwest Convention was held at The Laurelhurst Club, Portland, Oregon, on the third Sunday and Saturday before in October. Marie Brandis called the class to order at 9:00 a.m. leading 448b. Dorothy Robinson offered the invocation.

A brief business meeting was called to order. The following officers were elected or appointed to serve: Chairlady-Marie Brandis; Secretary-Lyle Lindsey; Treasurer-Dan Thoma. Marie Brandis welcomed everyone, a few brief announcements were made, and the singing school teacher was introduced.

Henry Johnson presented an in-depth lecture on the history and rudiments of The Sacred Harp and its revisions: how the original tradition and editions used three line songs, and then gradually changed, with additions of more alto line songs. He spoke of the polyphonic chords and progressions that make Sacred Harp music different from other music. He emphasized the written tradition of the rudiments, teaching the pleasing quality of the music both harmonically and dynamically, and led several songs to demonstrate those qualities. Midway through his lecture there was a recess and call back by Dan Thoma leading 145b.

RECESS

The class was brought back together by Sarah Hauser leading 46. Leaders: Lyle Lindsey 34b; Steve Cackley 213b; Tamara Harris 176t; Tom McTighe 274t; Julie Thoma 129; Jessica Beer 171; Cameron Doerge 76b; Dan Thoma 312b; Thom Fahrbach 391; Dorothy Robinson 77t; Bridgett Hill 522; Chris Cotter 215; Jack Lofton 216; Ethan Hardy 486; Mryka Hall-Beyer 350; Steve Helwig 64; Lucinda Saue 49b; Greg Mulkern 267; Anne Huckins 452; Matt Hinton 365; Cornelia Stanton 108t; Bruce Roland 282. Noon time grace was offered by Dorothy Robinson.

LUNCH

The class was brought back together by Cindy Reuter leading 72b. Leaders: Betsy Jeronen 302; Christie Harju 411; David Wright 283; Henry Johnson 521; Rebecca Edwards 402; Caleb Hardy 192; Mary Lou Van Laanen 540; Anna Stoerch 84; Kathy Vlach 535; Cindy Overmeyer 276; Linda Booth 198; Marie Brandis 142; Marcia Stedman 318; Susan Helf 189; Jenn Dolan 222; John Carson 335; Mary Ditson 532; Jessica Hahl 417; Greg Saue 99; Bob Schinske 392; Jacob Breedlove 506; Emily Winokur 339; Robert Norman 504.

RECESS

The class was brought back together by Jack Lofton leading 278b. Leaders: Karl Oswald 178; Susanne Denker 56b; Abraham Hardy 223; Callie Jordan 277; Steve Tarr 315; Wendy Marshall 499; Eran Rhodes 159; Em Lash 547; Eric Holt 501; Meg Larson 200; Mryka Hall-Beyer 497; Matt Hinton 31t; Mary Lou Van Laanen 474; Bridgett Hill 377; Julia Garfield 45t; Henry Johnson 515; Rebecca Edwards 47t; Kristie Harju 168.

The closing prayer was offered by Dorothy Robinson, and the class was dismissed for the day.

Sunday, October 18

The Sunday session of the Pacific Northwest Convention held in Portland, Oregon, was brought to order by Marie Brandis leading 82t. The invocation was offered by Bridgett Hill.

Leaders: Lyle Lindsey 510; Julie Thoma 107; Cindy Reuter 452; Steve Cackley 77b; Liz Bryant 547; Sarah Hauser 106; Tom McTighe 328; Betsy Jeronen 344; Greg Saue 163b; Gary Plouff 318; Em Lash 28b; Dorothy Robinson 349; Bob Schinske 278t; Eric Holt 313b; Lucinda Saue 86; Jacob Breedlove 32t; Anna Stoerch 448b.

RECESS

The class was brought back together by Tamara Harris leading 30t. Leaders: John Carson 38b; Jessica Hahl 59; Bruce Rowland 426b; Karen Willard 558; Linda Booth 196; Steve Helwig 245; Caroline Helmeczi 48b; Kathy Vlach 313t; Dana Thoma 103; Cindy Overmyer 28t; Martha Johnson 198; Andrew Snyder 142; Cornelia Stanton 466; Jack Lofton 220; Mary Ditson 455; Pat Nida 369; Greg Mulkern 564.

RECESS

The class was brought back together by Julie Thoma leading 37b. Leaders: Wendy Marshall 32b; Ann Huckins 270; Sophia Schinske 117; Susan Helf 112; Marcia Stedman 66; David Wright 195; Emily Winokur 330b.

The memorial lesson was conducted by Jessica Hahl, who spoke on behalf of the sick and shut-ins. She led 229 after reading the following names: Ralph Krupp, Dorothy Herival, Ken Doerge, Leola Doerge, Bob La Moon, Bernice White, Kathryn Cramer, Barbara Conde, Ima Rowland, Janet Trygstad, Hugo Glanville, Bruce Clarke, David Willard, Nadine Willard, Rodney Willard, Barbara Willard, Shelbie Sheppard, Beth Phillips, Jack Hoadley, and Dean Nida.

On behalf of the deceased, Thom Fahrbach presented a very moving memorial lesson, and led 376 after reading the following names: Kristrun Groundal, Heidi Novak—Unknown states of origin; Jack Stephen, Leta Marshall, Janice Lillehammer-Latham, Laura Vanderbeek, Bobby Stewart, Labon Backer—Washington; Dominic DeFazio, Leslie Brocklebeck, Harold Gurske, Garrett McLoughlin, Mary Dahl, Jonathan Kunze, Amma Cauley, Anylese Diaz, Chester Pietka, Betty Pietka, Vern Larson—Oregon; Jane Bruner—Florida; Jimmy Camp—Georgia; Pam Hahl—Colorado; Ernest Breuer—Austria. The memorial lesson was closed with prayer offered by Bridgett Hill.

Leaders: Marie Brandis 445; Gary Plouff 500; Andrew Snyder 454; Robert Norman 163t; Karen Willard 128. Noon time grace was offered by Bridgett Hill.

LUNCH

The class was brought back together by Greg Mulkern leading 162. Leaders: Kristie Harju 110; Karl Oswald 38t; Matt Hinton 186; Henry Johnson 138t; Ethan Hardy 193; Bridgett Hill 440; Jenn Dolan 472; Rebecca Edwards 422; Tamara Harris 329; Mryka Hall-Beyer 68b; Caleb Hardy 320; Thom Fahrbach 306; Cindy Reuter 569b; Caroline Helmeczi 108b; Liz Bryant 475; Tom McTighe 39t; Jacob Breedlove 114.

RECESS

The class was brought back together by Mary Ditson leading 146. Leaders: Steve Helwig 150; Bridgett Hill 546; Greg Mulkern 442; Henry Johnson 418; Pat Nida 542; Tamara Harris and Chris Cotter 425; David Wright 144; Dan Thoma 549; Mryka Hall-Beyer 327; Kristi Harju 203; Matt Hinton 448t.

Marie Brandis called a business meeting to order. Committee reports were given. The Treasurer announced most of the expenses were met. Registration reported 207 registered singers, and 68 leaders led 146 songs. Resolutions were given by Kristie Harju and Jacob Breedlove, in a very eloquent and amusing manner, thanking each committee chair, travelers from afar, and Henry Johnson for his fine singing school. A gift was presented to Henry Johnson, a cross stitch book cover which quoted one of Henry’s favorite Sacred Harp songs, sewn by Jessica Beer and Emily Winokur.

Marie Brandis led 36b as those who wished took the parting hand. Bridgett Hill offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairlady—Marie Brandis; Secretary—Lyle Lindsey