Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The Young People’s Sacred Harp Association met on the Saturday before the first fifth Sunday after the fourth of July at Old Fuller Cemetery Church in Ider, Alabama. The class was called to order by Allison Blake Steel leading 32t. Jackson Harcrow offered the opening prayer.

Leaders: Deidra Montgomery 47t; Phil Summerlin 350; Nate Green and Norma Green 317; Henry Johnson 375; Judy Chambless 565; Carol Munro Mosley 368.

A business session was held with the following officers elected or appointed: Chairman—Blake Sisemore; Vice Chairperson—Cheyenne Ivey; Secretary—Deidra Montgomery; Chaplain—Jackson Harcrow; Finance Committee—Riley Lee, Jared Wootten, and Scott Ivey; Arranging Committee—Jesse Pearlman Karlsberg and Rachel Rudi; Resolutions Committee—Lauren Bock, Kelsey Sunderland, and Nathan Rees; Locating Committee—Richard Ivey, Emma Rose Brown, and Holly Mixon. Blake Sisemore welcomed the class and led 187.

Leaders: Cheyenne Ivey 176b; Jackson Harcrow 224; Katie White 504; Lance Phillips, Robert Kelley, Jonathon Smith, Nathan Rees, and Lela Crowder 373; Karen Ivey 492; Angela Myers 168; Robert Chambless 145b; Peter Trumbore 40; Jeannette DePoy 142; Matt Hinton 300; Karen Rollins and Beverly Thompson 268; Gerry Hoffman 124; Richard Mauldin 36b.

RECESS

Blake Sisemore called the class back to order leading 129. Leaders: Jeffrey Wootten 460; Darrell Swarens and Paula Oliver 63; Seth Holloway 37b; Sue Bunch 66; John Plunkett 540; Betty Wright 569b; Michael Thompson and Allison Blake Steel 123b; Sarah Beasley 340; Reba Windom 328; Lynne deBenedette 383; Ricky Harcrow and Sarah Jenkins 309; Susan Allred 378b; Delone Cobbs 312t.

RECESS

The class was called back together by Blake Sisemore and Emma Rose Brown leading 56t. Leaders: Scott DePoy 201; Cora Sweatt 159; Elene Stovall and Deidra Montgomery 534; Danny Arms 392; Pam Nunn 528; David Ivey and Susan Harcrow 217; Karen Freund 442; Morgan Bunch 227; Daphene Causey and Sharon DuPriest 216; Matt Wojcik 215; Hayden Wootten and Kennedy Wootten 480; Phillip Langley 172; Jared Wootten and Jamie Wootten 182; Erica Hinton 157; Lela Crowder and Phillip Langley 436. Jackson Harcrow offered the blessing for the noon meal.

LUNCH

Cheyenne Ivey and Rodney Ivey called the class back to order leading 81t. Leaders: Scott Ivey 203; Jennie Brown 564; Nathan Rees 380; Andy Crawford, Dinah East, and Kendra Strickland 49b; Ross Brand 481; Kelsey Sunderland 389; Caleb Allred 448t; Paula Oliver 222; Sarah Trumbore 335; Annaliza Cull 155; Will Allred 503; Holly Mixon 99; Jonathon Smith 70b; Eli Hinton 277; Barrett Patton 408; Drew Smith and Emily Kirkland 384; Jenna Strizak 218; Mary Amelia Taylor 189.

RECESS

Kelsey Sunderland and Lauren Bock called the class back to order leading 314. Leaders: Shelbie Sheppard 106; Jeff Sheppard 556; Michelle Cull 454; Robert Kelley 333; Emma Rose Brown 472; Michael Mosley 426b; Bob Cull 547; Mary Gowins 573; Christopher Mann 128; Jesse Pearlman Karlsberg 435; Riley Lee 34b; Loyd Ivey 225t; Judy Caudle 440 (for Cassie Allen); Richard Ivey and Jaycee Ferguson 87; Rachel Rudi and Lela Crowder 76b.

Blake Sisemore brought the class into a business meeting and heard reports from each committee. The Resolutions Committee thanked God for the privilege of meeting on that day and for inspiring the youth gathered there to seek the old paths and walk therein. It also gave thanks to those who, in their youth, worked hard to keep this tradition alive. Additionally, it read resolution no. 1006 from the DeKalb County Commission, which expressed its appreciation to all those who have participated, and trusts that the preservation of Sacred Harp tradition will be perpetuated and instilled in the hearts and minds of lovers of sacred music for years and generations to come. The Finance Committee thanked all for their generosity. The Locating Committee announced that next year’s Young People’s Singing will be held at Northeast Alabama Community College in Rainsville, Alabama. The business meeting was closed.

Announcements were made. Blake Sisemore, Cheyenne Ivey, Deidra Montgomery, and Jackson Harcrow led 146 as the closing song. Jackson Harcrow offered the closing prayer.

Chairman—Blake Sisemore; Vice Chairperson—Cheyenne Ivey; Secretary—Deidra Montgomery