Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The 19th annual Northern Shenandoah Valley Shape Note All-Day Singing was called to order at 10:00 a.m. at Grace Episcopal Church by Beverly Yeager, who welcomed the singers, and led 77b. Jim Glaser led 101t, and offered the opening prayer.

Leaders: Mary Langley 569t; Gillie Campbell 66; Susan Green 57; Joel Miller 215; Liz Meitzler 512; Erin Gum 111b; Joshua Barnett 228; Bethany Towne 430; Leyland delRe 208; Jim Strube 348t; Les Updike 162; Kelly Kennedy 101b; Ina Shea 568; Brady family 319; Kevin Sims 440; Laura Smith 63; Tim Slattery 344; Joni Seidenstein 377.

The following officers were elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Jim Glaser; Vice Chairman—Diane Ober; Treasurers—Richard Green and Susan Green; Secretaries—Mary Langley and Gillie Campbell.

RECESS

Dan Hunter and Kelly Kennedy led 27 to bring the class back to order.

Leaders: John Alexander 317; Maura Burns 200; John delRe 272; Mary DeNys 102; Kathy Manning 380; Stephen McMaster 282; Will Polaski 110; Nora Dunn 539; Richard Green 198; Mary Wright 546; Gabriel Brady 294; Kelly Macklin 218; Guy Bankes 315; Jessica Keyes 99.

The memorial lesson was conducted by Zach Bullock, who read the list of names of the sick and shut-ins. John Alexander read the list of names of the deceased as follows: Joseph Ost—Kansas; John Merritt—Mississippi; Frank Evans and Barb Slaughter—Virginia; Sister Laurentia Boyle—Indiana/Virginia; Harrison Creel—Alabama; Paul Metzger and Jean Hanss—New York; Robert Wert—Indiana; Julietta Haynes—Tennessee; Margaret Philips and Doug Philips—British Columbia. John and Zach led 435 as the memorial song.

RECESS

The singing resumed with Bethany Towne and Sarah Whites-Koditschek leading 59. Leaders: Matt Roberts 146; Robin Betz 268; Adrian Mariano 372; Nathalie Jablonski 328; Sandra Polaski 298; Zach Bullock 72b; Rebecca Green 49b; Pat Temple 33t; Eileen Metzger 383; Don Polaski 112; Doron Henkin 391; Miriam Kilmer 58; Eric Xu 500; Myles Dakan 506; Connie Stanton 473; Erik Schwab 189. Diane Ober offered the meal blessing.

LUNCH

The afternoon session was brought to order by Erik Schwab leading 339.

Leaders: Leon Pulsinelle 168; Steve Hoyt 323b; Abby Minor 445; Tom Metzger 522; Emily Hancock 145b; Debbie Hall 192; Kevin Moreno 558; Hal Kunkel 426b; Paula Picton 436; Clare Chapin 497; Rachel Hall 411; Rachel Speer 106; Terry Ryan 476; Ted Stokes 442; Dean Jens 212; Becky Wright 424; Dan Hunter 475; Sarah Whites-Koditschek 176b; Bob Flannery 159; Peter Pate 503.

RECESS

The day’s final session was called to order by Maura Burns leading 335. Leaders: Kelly Kennedy 302; John Brode 91; Natalie Jablonski 284; Debbie Hall 163t; Ina Shea 502; Paula Picton 196; Leon Pulsinelle 47b; Hal Kunkel 179; Emily Hancock 455; Erik Schwab 313t; Eric Xu 114; Connie Stanton 454; Becky Wright and Myles Dakan 573; Terry Ryan 477; Liz Meitzler 213t; Ted Stokes and Bethany Towne 158; Eileen Metzger 182; Guy Bankes 486; Doron Henkin 448t.

Jim Glaser made closing remarks. Announcements for upcoming singings were made. Bev Yeager offered a resolution of thanks and gratitude for the day, and resolutions of thanks to everyone who helped make the singing a success. Note: A second day of singing of selections from the soon-to-be published Shenandoah Harmony was held on Sunday, June 3, Millwood, Virginia, but no minutes were recorded.

Jim Glaser led 354t as the closing song, and then dismissed the class with a closing prayer.

Chairman—Jim Glaser; Vice Chairman—Diane Ober; Secretaries—Mary Langley and Gillie Campbell