Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, March 31

The 23rd session of the Potomac River was called to order by Carly Goss leading 228. Miriam Kilmer offered the opening prayer.

The following officers were elected or appointed during a business session: Co-Chairpersons—Maura Burns and Amber Smith; Vice Chairman—John delRe; Secretary—Nora Dunn; Treasurer—Liz Meitzler.

A singing school was presented by Daniel Hunter. Dan discussed information for beginners, including shapes, how to lead different time signatures, and accent. He also reminded the class to look for syncopation, and to use the poetry of the song to help find the accent. Dan asked class members to join him in leading each example song. He concluded by reminding the class that for all the things written down and indicated in the book, the best way to know what is going on is to keep your ears and eyes open. He encouraged everyone to lead, and to connect with the leader, because there was always something to learn from each leader.

During the singing school, the class sang 49t, 29b, 111b, 87, and 325.

RECESS

Maura Burns led 324 to bring the class to order. Leaders: Amber Smith and Maura Burns 276; John delRe 144; Nora Dunn 391; Liz Meitzler 215; Susan Green 327; Ina Shea 171; Kelly Kennedy 441; Gillie Campbell 159; Joshua Barnett 163t; Jessica Keyes 348t; Chris Wilhelm 74t; Sonia Chin 402; Tom Ivey 188; Mary Helen Dupree 66; Rachel Speer 298; Dean Jens 72b; Leon Pulsinelle 68b; Zachary Bullock 73t; Mel Novner 86; Kathy Manning 377; Joseph Pimentel 189; Sharon Strong 250; Laura Densmore 201; Mary Ann Daley 112; Rosemary Greenaway 475. A prayer was offered by Jen Raffensperger before the noon meal.

LUNCH

Mary Langley and Jim Glaser led 319 to call the class back to order. Leaders: Joni Seidenstein 142; Richard Green 313b; Michael Nord 542; Hal Kunkel 304; John Plunkett 297; Elizabeth Stoddard 546; Barbara Hohenstein 553; Becky Wright 421; Robert Stoddard 456; Kevin Griffin Moreno 278t; Carly Goss 76b; John Alexander and Diane Ober 163b; Mona Lewandowski 385b; Fred Todt 216; Hank Schutz 503; Doron Henkin 333; Adrian Mariano 419; Leyland delRe 398; Aldo Ceresa 182; Dan Hunter 498; Kelly Macklin 174; Tim Slattery 415.

RECESS

Mel Novner and Kelly Kennedy led 29t to call the class back to order. Leaders: Liz Meitzler 56b; Mary Wright 328; Clare Chapin 510; Joe Bedont 101t; Leslie Booher 81t; Jason Law 481; Mimi Stevens 183; Cheryl Mitchell 294; Miriam Kilmer 58; Doron Henkin 193; Thomas Ward 375; Lee Schumacher 117; Martha Burns 178; Hank Schutz 155; Mona Lewandoski 30b; Richard Green and Susan Green 350; Elissa Krieg 133; Joseph Pimentel 217; Jim Glazer 462; Barbara Hohenstein 302; Joshua Barnett 209; Sonia Chin 460.

Maura Burns and Amber Smith led 383. Mimi Stevens closed the session with a prayer.

Sunday, April 1

The Sunday session of the Potomac River Convention was brought to order by Maura Burns leading 217. Miriam Kilmer offered the morning prayer.

Leaders: Mary Helen Dupree 35; Mimi Stevens 84; Gillie Campbell 87; Mary Ann Daly 53; Mary Wright 433; Susan Green 57; Leyland delRe 484; Joshua Barnett 31t; Clare Chapin 47t; Carly Goss 192; John delRe 83t; Sharon Strong 240; John Plunkett 447; Michael Nord 171; Joni Seidenstein 506; Aldo Ceresa 564; Kathy Manning 565; Adrian Mariano 500; Tom Ivey 254; Nora Dunn 283; Kelly Macklin 485.

RECESS

Elizabeth Stoddard called the class to order by leading 448b. Leaders: Bev Yaeger 351; Tim Slattery 344; Chris Wilhelm 177; Ina Shea 550; Rachel Hall 442; Robert Stoddard 85; Hal Kunkel 170; Leslie Booher 448t; Daniel Hunter 342; Elizabeth Stoddard 191; Mel Novner 428; Becky Wright 160b; Kelly Kennedy 502; Kevin Griffin Moreno 486; John Alexander 317; Liz Meitzler 29t; Jessica Keyes 208; Aaron Weiss 77t; Peter Pate 501.

The memorial lesson was conducted by Mary Ann Daly and Clare Chapin. They led 30t for the sick and shut-ins.

The following deceased were remembered: Frank Evans—Virginia; Florence Thorpe—Maryland; Tom Maher and James Wyllie—Pennsylvania; John Shippee, Shelly MacEwen, George Holland, Nick Griffin, and Lonnie Rogers—Georgia; John Merritt—Mississippi. Peter Pate offered prayer to close the memorial service.

Leaders: Jim Glaser 322; Fred Todt 480; Martha Burns 410 (t? b?); Zachary Bullock 435; Sonia Chin 26; Maura Burns 198. A prayer was offered by Mimi Stevens.

LUNCH

Robert Stoddard called the afternoon session to order by leading 277. Leaders: Liz Meitzler 319; Sharon Strong 417; Kevin Griffin Moreno 371; Leyland delRe 187; Leslie Booher 128; Jim Brady, Grace Brady, and family 294; Rachel Hall 74t; Aldo Ceresa 411; Mel Novner 318; Hal Kunkel 298; Becky Wright 562; Elizabeth Stoddard 218; Chris Wilhelm 176b; John Plunkett 466; Kelly Kennedy 397; Michael Nord 558; Tom Ivey 236; Dan Hunter 359; Robert Stoddard 44; Ina Shea 227; Aaron Weiss 40.

RECESS

Carly Goss led 162 to bring the class to order. Leaders: Jessica Keyes 445; Susan Green 551; Walter Olson 532; Peter Pate and Kassie Pate 503; Mary Helen Dupree 120; Nora Dunn 392; Kathy Manning 212; John DelRe 59; Mary Ann Daly and Gillie Campbell 181; Joshua Barnett 472; John Alexander 33b; Joni Seidenstein 454; Mimi Stevens 347; Adrian Mariano 203; Tim Slattery 300; Carly Goss and Kelly Macklin 477; Clare Chapin 452; Liz Meitzler 512; Robert Stoddard and Elizabeth Stoddard 522; Hal Kunkel, Ina Shea, and Zachary Bullock 436; Maura Burns and Amber Smith 455.

Committee Reports were given. The Finance Committee reported that all expenses of the convention were met. The Secretary reported on the number of leaders, number of songs led, and number of registered singers. Kathy Manning offered resolutions to thank all those who served to make the convention a success. A motion was made and carried that reports be accepted. Announcements were made.

Maura Burns, Amber Smith, and the other officers led 62 as the closing song.

Chairpersons—Maura Burns and Amber Smith; Vice Chairman—John delRe; Secretary—Nora Dunn