Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, May 25

The 2nd annual John N. Merritt Memorial Singing Convention was called to order by Henry McGuire leading 32t. John Van Horn offered the morning prayer.

Leaders: Henry McGuire 111b; Mark Davis 48t, 47b; John Van Horn 300, 200; Paul Forster and Mark Davis 63, 101t; Henry Schuman and Linda Hellerich 96 (CB), 189 (CH); Steven Wedgeworth 107, 106; Gordon Cotton and Henry McGuire 59, 226t (CH); Charity Vaughn 148 (CB), 575 (CB); Hugh Bill McGuire and Hugh Bill McGuire, Jr. 84, 86.

The following officers were elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Henry McGuire; Vice Chairman—Mark Davis; Secretary—Henry Schuman.

RECESS

Henry McGuire brought the class to order by leading 518 (CB). Leaders: Jackson Fleder 450 (CB), 368t (CB); Carol Watts 144 (CB), 38t (CB); Hugh Bill McGuire, Jr. 138 (CH), 93 (CH); Mallory Oliver 78 (CB), 559 (CB); Robert DuPree 121t (CH), 264 (CH); Peggy Ray 67 (CB), 64 (CB). Henry McGuire led 369 (CB) before the noon meal.

LUNCH

Drew McGuire brought the class to order by leading 82t and 140 (CB). Leaders: Erica Martinez 417, 217; Robert Vaughn 427t (WB), 368t (WB); Henry Schuman 172 (CH); Warren Steel 187, 183; SR Susan Dickey 178, 128; Drew McGuire 129, 56b; Anne Steel 318, 348b; Darlene Reynolds and Mark Davis 484 (CB), 54t (CB); Charity Vaughn 569b; Mallory Oliver 109 (CH); Robert DuPree 63t (CH); Erica Martinez 532; Robert Vaughn 203 (WB); Carole Watts 319; Jackson Fleder 296; Anne Steel 209; Henry McGuire, Hugh Bill McGuire, Hugh Bill McGuire, Jr. and Drew McGuire 236.

Announcements were made. Henry McGuire, Hugh Bill McGuire, Jr., Drew McGuire, and Mark Davis led the Drone as the closing song. Drew McGuire dismissed the class with prayer.

Sunday, May 26

The Sunday session of the John N. Merritt Memorial Singing Convention was called to order by Henry McGuire leading 68b. John Van Horn offered the morning prayer.

Leaders: Henry McGuire 46; Mark Davis 123t, 203; Darlene Reynolds 204t (CH), 490; Jackson Fleder 30b, 460; Natalie Davis 400, 572 (CB); Hugh Bill McGuire and Hugh Bill McGuire, Jr. 384 (CB), 155 (CH); Carole Watts 392 (CB), 500 (CB).

RECESS

Henry McGuire brought the class back together by leading 522 (CB). Leaders: Sarah Beasley 159, 145b; Hugh Bill McGuire, Jr. 35t (CH), 380 (CH); Charity Vaughn 514 (CB), 318 (CH); Robert DuPree 349 (CH), 393t (CB).

Charity Vaughn and Carole Watts conducted the memorial lesson. Charity spoke on behalf of the sick and shut-ins and read the following list of names: W.M. Allen, Eugene Forbes, and Henry Wooten. She led 154 in their honor.

Carole Watts spoke on behalf of the deceased and led 146 in memory of the following: Myrtle Ann Beasley and Bud Oliver—Alabama; Cecil Powell—Arkansas; Virginia Carter and Nellie Davis—Mississippi; Clayton Ezell—Tennessee. Carole then conducted a remembrance of our veterans. She led 137 (CB) for them. Mark Davis offered prayer to close the session.

LUNCH

Henry McGuire and Hugh Bill McGuire, Jr. brought the class to order by leading 212 and 136. Leaders: Andy Davis 254, 196; Erica Martinez 408 (CB), 300 (CB); John Van Horn 70b, 168t (CH); Seth Holloway 571 (CB), 182; Drew McGuire 378t, 81t (CH); Henry McGuire 472, 475; Henry Schuman 142 (CH), 184 (CH); Charity Vaughn 504; Hugh Bill McGuire, Jr. 512 (WB); Sarah Beasley 340; Robert DuPree 163b; Carole Watts 344; Natalie Davis 270; Jackson Fleder 76b; Andy Davis 47b; Erica Martinez 268; Henry McGuire, Hugh Bill McGuire, Jr. and Drew McGuire 77t.

Announcements were made. Henry McGuire, Hugh Bill McGuire, Jr. and Mark Davis led the Drone as the closing song. Drew McGuire dismissed the class with prayer.

Chairman—Henry McGuire; Vice Chairman—Mark Davis; Secretary—Henry Schuman