Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The 31st annual Young People’s Sacred Harp Association met on Saturday before the first fifth Sunday after the fourth of July at Northeast Alabama Community College, Rainsville, Alabama. The class was called to order by Blake Sisemore leading 52t. John Bahler offered the morning prayer.

Leaders: Blake Sisemore 37b; Cheyenne Ivey 56t; Scott Ivey 81t; Jeannette DePoy 67; Ed Thacker 532; Nate Green and Norma Green 373; Michael Mosley 208; Dennis George 383; Stuart Ivey and Courtney Miller 63.

A business session was held with the following officers elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Cheyenne Ivey; Vice Chairman—Scott Ivey; Secretary—Kelsey Sunderland; Arranging Committee—Stuart Ivey, Macy Crawford, and Paula Oliver; Finance Committee—Kelly Kennedy, Christopher Mann, and Kim Bahmer; Resolutions Committee—Nathan Rees, Holly Mixon, and Molly Ellis; Chaplains—John Bahler and John Kelso; Locating Committee—Richard Ivey, Blake Sisemore, and Tom George.

Leaders: Cheyenne Ivey 76b; Brad Bahler 32t; Kelsey Sunderland 313t; John Kelso 470; Christopher Mann 77t; Lela Crowder 138b; Henry Johnson 138t; Erica Hinton 82t.

RECESS

Macy Crawford led 178 to call the class back to order. Leaders: Kramer Klein 105; Karen Rollins and Barry Rollins 268; Tom George 232; Judy Caudle 176t; Ben Copenhaver 491; Scott DePoy 277; Rebekah Gilmore 411; Karen Bahler 276; John Plunkett 354t; Kelly Kennedy 501; Daniel Hunter 312t; J.L. Hopper 187; Sarah Trumbore 376; Delone Cobbs 73t; Susan Harcrow and David Ivey 172.

RECESS

Paula Oliver brought the class back to order by leading 40. Leaders: Allison Whitener 131b; Jonathon Smith 57; Pat Temple 33t; Gerry Hoffman 192; Jessa Cherones 299; Joyce Walton 392; Nathan Berry 222; Loyd Ivey 389; Ben Cocchiaro 327; Louis Hughes 403; Molly Ellis 47t; Karen Freund 442; Brian How 183; Kim Bahmer 475; Holly Mixon 142; Steve Kick 279; Robert Kelley 121; Susan Cherones 107; Mark Godfrey 163t; Michael Thompson 207. John Kelso offered the blessing before the noon meal.

LUNCH

The afternoon session began with Cheyenne Ivey, Jessa Cherones, and Holly Mixon leading 101t. Leaders: Elene Stovall and Gresham Davis 200; Alex Makris 568; Blake Sisemore, Reba Windom, and Betty Shepherd 216; Bethany Towne 173; Richard Ivey 182; Lynne deBenedette, Karen Freund, and Rodney Ivey 300; Leigh Cooper 209; Darrell Swarens 341 (in memory of Bob Meek); Karen Ivey and Holly Mixon 217; Robert Chambless 49t (for Dr. Juliette Haynes); J.R. Hardman 335; Angela Myers 270; Grace Gilmore 542; Caleb Dillehay 456; Mary Elizabeth O’Neal 344; Stephanie Fida 229; Kendra Strickland 33b; John Bahler 448t; Melissa Kelley 114.

The class went into a business session for the purpose of hearing reports from the committees. The Finance Committee reported that expenses were exceeded, and remaining funds would be deposited for future use.

The Resolutions Committee submitted the following report: As the Young People’s Convention, we resolve to thank God for the privilege and freedom to meet here today. We want to thank the many officers and individuals who made this event possible. We thank Northeast Alabama Community College for their hospitality and the use of their facilities. We thank older people, who have passed down this tradition and inspired us with their voices and hearts. We resolve, as young people, to strive to be worthy in following their examples, and seek the old paths. We thank David Ivey and Susan Harcrow for being the first officers of the Young People’s Convention in 1981. Let us remember the survivors of the Alabama tornadoes. Be it resolved, that we meet again in 2012 on Saturday before the first fifth Sunday after the fourth of July.

The Locating Committee reported that the 32nd annual Young People’s Sacred Harp Association will meet with the singers in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in July, 2012. Kim Bahmer spoke on behalf of the Minnesota singers, and invited everyone to attend. The business session was closed.

Blake Sisemore led 72b to bring the class back to order. Dr. David Campbell, President of Northeast Alabama Community College, addressed the class, and welcomed everyone.

Leaders: Annaliza Cull 155; Matt Hinton 460; William Gilman 117; Peter Trumbore 39t; B.M. Smith 99; Mary Wright 421; Judy Chambless 540; Philip Gilmore 29t; Phil Summerlin 146; Coy Ivey 384.

The Secretary reported that the class sang 86 songs led by 90 leaders from 16 states. Announcements were made.

Cheyenne Ivey, Scott Ivey, and Kelsey Sunderland led 267 as the closing song. John Bahler offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Cheyenne Ivey; Vice Chairman—Scott Ivey; Secretary—Kelsey Sunderland