Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The 24th annual Capitol City Shape Note Singing, sponsored by the Alabama Center for Traditional Culture, was held in Old Alabama Town, Montgomery, Alabama, on Thursday before the third Sunday in July. The class was called to order by Bill Hogan leading 36b (SH). Bill Hogan welcomed everyone, and introduced Joey Brackner. Mr. Brackner made comments about the history of this particular singing and about the goals of the Alabama Center for Traditional Culture. The morning prayer was offered by Tommy Spurlock.

The officers appointed to serve for the day are as follows: Chairman—Bill Hogan; Vice Chairman—Joey Brackner; Secretary—Judy Caudle.

The first session of singing included selections from the Sacred Harp, 1991 Edition. Leaders: Bill Hogan 59; Judy Caudle 49t; Tommy Spurlock 146; Stanley Smith 144; Eddie Pierce 282; Erycl Vidrine 68b; Bea Carnathan 472; Jim Aaron 503; Judy Chambless 276; Frank Strickland 176b; Voncile Nall 39b.

The second session of singing included selections from the Alabama Christian Harmony. Leaders: Billy Thompson 91; Jonathon Blakeley 287; Jonathon Smith 64; Oliver Kindig-Stokes 172; Nancy Hogan 189; Ken Sundberg 47 (t? b?); Sarah Smith 59b.

RECESS

This session of singing included selections from the Colored Sacred Harp, and was dedicated to the memory of H.J. Jackson. Leaders: Bill Hogan 24 (t? b?); Oliver Kindig-Stokes 4; Steve Grauberger 95; Buell Cobb 59b; Tommy Spurlock 87; Stanley Smith “Lord, Give Me Just A Little More Time” (in honor of Bernice Harvey).

The last morning session of singing included selections from the Sacred Harp, Cooper Revision. Leaders: Bill Aplin 567; Ken Sundberg 393t; Frank Strickland 410 (t? b?); Adrian Nall 505; Audrey Blakeley, J.T. Blakeley, and Carmen Brothers 348t; David Ivey 72 (t? b?); Vicki Aplin 270; Wendy Futral 500; Bill Hogan 369. The blessing before the noon meal was offered by Elder Jonathon Blakeley.

LUNCH

The afternoon session began with selections from the Sacred Harp, 1991 Edition, and was called to order by Bill Hogan leading 268. Leaders: Doug Conn 300; Robert Kelley 180; Lela Crowder 73t; Ann Webb 142; Amber Davis 391; Angela Myers 186; Robert Chambless 225t; Chita Blakeley 109; Gary Smith 99.

The Alabama Christian Harmony was used for the next session of singing. Leaders: Joey Brackner 117; Eddie Pierce 188t; Robert Kelley 234; Billy Thompson 178; Lela Crowder 44b; Judy Caudle 258 (?); Nancy Hogan 214; Oliver Kindig-Stokes 179; Bill Hogan 133; Stanley Smith 19.

The final session of singing included selections from the Sacred Harp, Cooper Revision. Leaders: Ermon Richmond and Bill Hogan 406; Doug Conn 511t; Judy Chambless 138t; Vicki Aplin 380t; Tommy Spurlock 140, 112 (for Margaret); Stanley Smith 511b (by request), 393t (by request); Bea Carnathan 80b; Jonathon Smith 416t; Carrie Gentry 192; Oliver Kindig-Stokes 559 (?).

Bill Hogan, Joey Brackner, and Steve Grauberger led 527 (CB) as the closing song. The closing prayer was offered by Bill Hogan, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Bill Hogan; Vice Chairman—Joey Brackner; Secretary—Judy Caudle