Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The 17th annual session of the Rotunda Singing was held in the foyer of the Department of Archives and History, Montgomery, Alabama. Four songbooks were used: The Colored Sacred Harp; The B.F. White Sacred Harp, Cooper Edition; The Christian Harmony; and the Sacred Harp, 1991 Edition.

The class was called to order by Bill Hogan leading 36b, followed by a warm welcome. Joey Brackner of the Alabama State Arts council offered words of welcome. Bill led 155 and Stanley Smith led 29b. Bill Hogan offered the opening prayer.

The first session of singing was from the B.F. White Sacred Harp, Cooper Edition. Leaders: Fred Hoerr 507b (CB); Elizabeth Duffy 159 (CB); Nathan Rees 442b (CB); Steve Grauberger 410 (CB); Tommie Spurlock 140 (CB); Karen Clark 573 (CB); Frank Strickland 164 (CB); Adrian Nall 393 (CB); Wesley Herring 45t (CB). Steve Murray, Director of Archives and History, offered words of encouragement and welcome.

The following officers were elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Bill Hogan; Vice Chairman—Joey Brackner; Arranging Committee—Stanley Smith and Judy Chambless; Secretary—Carol Duvall.

The second session of singing was from the Colored Sacred Harp. Leaders: Bill Hogan 6; Jim Carnes 19; Ken Sundberg 24; Steve Grauberger and Dorothy Dejournette 41; Karen Clark and William Holly 12; Stanley Smith 87; Nancy Hogan, Bill Hogan, and Karen Clark “Lord, Give Me Just a Little More Time”.

RECESS

The class was called to order by Nancy Hogan leading 180 (CH). The third session of singing was from the Christian Harmony. Leaders: Alice Sundberg 338b (CH); Brenda Chafin 372 (CH); Linda Thomas 189 (CH); Danny Creel 54 (CH); John Plunkett 163t (CH); Tim Taylor 322 (CH); Billy Thompson 342 (CH); Ryan Bowman 76b (CH); Velton Chafin 316 (CH); Eddie Pierce 82b (CH); Sarah Beasley 117 (CH).

The fourth session of singing was from the Sacred Harp, 1991 Edition. Leaders: David Ivey 82t; Ann Gray 146; Jack Nelson 318; Hubert Nall 421; Karen Ivey 500; Wendy Futral and Robby Anderson 145b; Nicole Bowman 196; David Brodeur 189; John Plunkett 464; Bea Aaron 456; Jim Carnes 209; Jim Aaron 47b; Seth Holloway 235; Danny Creel 217. The class sang 369. Tommie Spurlock offered the blessing before the noon meal.

LUNCH

The afternoon session began with singing from the Sacred Harp, Cooper Edition, and was called to order by Bill Hogan leading 497 (CB). Leaders: Ryan Bowman 380t (CB); Adam Brasich 42 (CB); Mike Rogers 72 (CB); Haley Odom 358 (CB); Eddie Pierce, Jane Dalton, and Betsy Bell 282 (CB); Nancy Hogan 543 (CB); Adrian Nall 484 (CB); Ann Gray 571 (CB); Myrtle Richberg 450 (CB); Joey Brackner 361 (CB); Barry Patrick 192 (CB); Brenda Chafin 86 (CB); David Ivey and Karen Ivey 559 (CB); Karen Holcomb, Max Bruce, and Jack Nelson 87 (CB).

The second session of the afternoon included selections from the Colored Sacred Harp. Leaders: Tim Taylor 59; Joey Brackner 3; Ken Sundberg 4; John Plunkett 18.

The third session of the afternoon was sung from the Christian Harmony. Leaders: Bill Hogan 133 (CH); Nathan Rees 232t (CH) (for Ercyl Vidrine); Nathan Rees 354 (CH); Karen Clark 168b (CH); Eddie Pierce 171 (CH); John Plunkett 546b (CH); Nancy Hogan 432b (CH).

The fourth session of the afternoon was sung from the Sacred Harp, 1991 Edition. Leaders: Linda Thomas 176b; Nathan Rees 285b; Robert Chambless 159; Joey Brackner 178; Steve Grauberger 127; Max Bruce and Sadie Bruce 354b; Tim Taylor 350; Ryan Bowman 547; Karen Clark 534; David Brodeur 347; Hubert Nall 168; Bea Aaron 112; Carol Duvall and Bill Hogan 523.

Following announcements, Carol Duvall, Judy Chambless, Joey Brackner, and Bill Hogan led 47t as the closing song. Danny Creel offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Bill Hogan; Vice Chairman—Joey Brackner; Secretary—Carol Duvall