Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, November 26

The singing school was held on the evening before the first-ever all-day singing in the Czech Republic, and was led by Aldo Ceresa. Aldo called the class to order by leading 49t. Chairman Blazej Matusiak offered the opening prayer.

Aldo welcomed the singers and thanked the organizers. The class sang 31t, 155, and 274t. Aldo gave a brief introduction to the history and practice of Sacred Harp singing. He then introduced the four shape notes and gave a lesson on the major scale. Aldo encouraged singers to sing in full voice and to practice the shapes and scales at home. The class practiced singing intervals and Aldo led 49b (sang in separate parts). Aldo gave lesson on minor scale and led 39t. An explanation of fuging tunes was followed by Aldo leading 155.

RECESS

Aldo Ceresa called the class back to order by leading 105. Aldo offered instruction in singing, keeping time, and leading as the singers took turns choosing and leading songs. Leaders: Alessandro Bacchiega 87; Kama Dembinska 101t; Magdalena Gryszko 66; Zosia Przyrowska 268; Eva Striebeck 385t; Sarah West 370; Pauline Hyde 209; Blazej Matusiak 76b; Sadhbh Ní Fhloinn 313b; Cath Saunt 52t; Jacek Borkowicz 228; Dominika Jedrzejczak 28t; Anna Godlewska 47b; Ewan Paterson 178; Cath Ingham 49t.

Aldo Ceresa led 62 as the closing song. Magdalena Gryszko offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Sunday, November 27

The first all-day singing in the Czech Republic was held on the first Sunday of Advent in the Dominican monastery at St. Giles Church in Prague. Chairman Blazej Matusiak welcomed singers and led 49t. Magdalena Gryszko offered the opening prayer.

Leaders: Aldo Ceresa 56t; Sarah West 324; Ewan Paterson 117; Pauline Hyde 155; Eamonn O’Neill 29t; Dominika Jedrzejczak 457; Eimear Craddock 99; Kama Dembinska 34t; Jacek Borkowicz 376 (for Justyna Orlikowska); Amanda Parkes 318; Alessandro Bacchiega 87; Dara Ni Dheasinaigh 106; Anna Godlewska 49b; Cath Saunt 39t; Magdalena Gryszko 171 (for Karen Ivey); Sadhbh Ní Fhloinn 300; Blazej Matusiak 77t; Aldo Ceresa 203; Pauline Hyde 313b.

RECESS

The class was called back to order by Sarah West leading 335. Leaders: Ewan Paterson 159; Zosia Przyrowska 274t; Cath Saunt 47t; Kama Dembinska 267; Jacek Borkowicz 63; Magdalena Gryszko with all who are first time on an all-day singing 105; Amanda Parkes 569b; Dominika Jedrzejczak 547; Eamonn O’Neill 535; Sadhbh Ní Fhloinn 65 (for all Cork Sacred Harp singers and especially for Michael Morrisroe); Eimear Craddock 168; Dara Ni Dheasinaigh 183; Aldo Ceresa 507; Pauline Hyde 209; Sarah West 498; Ewan Paterson 31t (for Michael Walker); Cath Saunt and Aldo Ceresa 504; Alessandro Bacchiega 282 (for Polish Sacred Harp singers); Amanda Parkes 430; Jacek Borkowicz 270. Pauline Hyde offered the blessing for the midday meal.

LUNCH

Blazej Matusiak brought the afternoon session to order by leading 128.

Leaders: Magdalena Gryszko 38t; Zosia Przyrowska 163b; Sadhbh Ní Fhloinn 163t; Aldo Ceresa 192 (for Gosia Perycz); Sarah West 224; Cath Saunt 40; Amanda Parkes 148; Alessandro Bacchiega 86 (for Magdalena Gryszko); Eimear Craddock and Magdalena Gryszko 269; Eamonn O’Neill 384; Jacek Borkowicz 70b; Dara Ni Dheasinaigh 344; Blazej Matusiak 276; Kuba Choinski 112.

The memorial lesson was conducted by Aldo Ceresa. Aldo made special mention of George Seiler—New York, USA, then read the following names of the deceased: Peter Scott—Sheffield; Travis Keeton and Marie Ivey—Alabama, USA; Frank Evans—Virginia, USA; Mark Waterson—Robin Hoods Bay; Maurizio Vallebella—Cork/Rome; Ita Ryder—Cork; Michael Hyda—Cork; people who died in Japan during tsunami; Birgrid von Hollen—Bremen; Marek Wakarecy—Poland.

The names of sick and housebound read were Justyna Orlikowska, Bud Oliver, Derry Desmond, and Don Sparkling. Aldo led 146. Magdalena Gryszko closed the lesson with prayer.

RECESS

The class was called back to order by Amanda Parkes leading 29b.

Leaders: Caoimhe McAlister, Cherilyn MacNeil, and Magdalena Gryszko 47b; Zosia Przyrowska 122; Sarah West 196; Cath Saunt 38b; Alessandro Bacchiega 45t; Eimear Craddock 319; Kuba Choinski 34b; Eamonn O’Neill 68t; Aldo Ceresa 108b; Dara Ni Dheasinaigh 36t; Jacek Borkowicz 111b; Blazej Matusiak 198.

RECESS

The last session was brought to order by Magdalena Gryszko leading 113. Leaders: Dara Ni Dheasinaigh, Sarah West, Amanda Parkes, and Aldo Ceresa 455; Magdalena Gryszko, Blazej Matusiak, and Katka Kacenka 503 (for Blazej Matusiak and Sacred Harp singing in the Czech Republic); Caoimhe McAlister, Cherilyn MacNeil, and Ewan Paterson 345b; Magdalena Gryszko, Sadhbh Ní Fhloinn, Alessandro Bacchiega, and Kuba Choinski 66; Jacek Borkowicz, Dominika Jedrzejczak, Kama Dembinska, Zosia Przyrowska, and Eimear Craddock 84 (for Rodrigo Francisco); Dara Ni Dheasinaigh, Sadhbh Ní Fhloinn, Eimear Craddock, Amanda Parkes, Pauline Hyde, and Eamonn O’Neill 383; Dara Ni Dheasinaigh, Jacek Borkowicz, and Kuba Choinski 162; Sarah West, Cath Saunt, Cath Ingham, and Ewan Paterson 153; Blazej Matusiak, Alessandro Bacchiega, and Aldo Ceresa 277.

Announcements were made. Blazej Matusiak led 62 as the closing song. Magdalena Gryszko offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Blazej Matusiak; Secretaries—Kuba Choinski and Cath Saunt