Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The 33rd annual Kentucky State Sacred Harp Singing was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Ron Pen. After a couple of housekeeping announcements, Ron led 73b. The Sacred Harp, 1991 Edition and Southern Harmony were used through the day.

Leaders: Rafi Finkel 523; Ray Rechenberg 47t; Zach Davis 106; Tim Morton 107; Zach Davis 81t (for Jim Thobaben); Alana Boltz 85; Darrell Swarens 441; Joy Dunn and Zach Davis 49t; Tom Morton 49b; Randy Webber 88 (SoH); Tanner Jones 339; Mary Brinkman 358; Charles Coulston 155.

The following officers were elected or appointed to serve: Chairperson and Treasurer—Charles H. Coulston; Organizing Committee—Ron Pen, Raphael Finkel, Jim Thobaben, Zach Davis, and Keith MacAdam; Secretary—Mary Brinkman.

RECESS

The class was called back to order by Ron Pen leading 146. Leaders: Rafi Finkel 117; Ray Rechenberg 354t; Donna Kwon 34b; Zach Davis 276; Tim Morton 228; Rafi Finkel 551 (for Jim Thobaben); Alana Boltz 183; Darrell Swarens 208; Tom Morton 503; Randy Webber 148; Tanner Jones 209; Mary Brinkman 313t; Charles Coulston 299; Ron Pen and John McCluskey 524; Rafi Finkel 66; Ray Rechenberg 480; Donna Kwon 47t; Zach Davis 82 (SoH); Tim Morton 50 (SoH); Randy Webber 16 (SoH) (for Jim Thobaben).

RECESS

Randy Webber conducted the memorial lesson. From the sick and shut-ins list Ron Pen mentioned Jean Ritchie and led 118 for her. Ray Rechenberg and Zach Davis commented about Loraine Bayer, and Zach led 547 for her. Ed Walton spoke about his daughter, Amy Phillips, who lived in Ohio and died in 2013. He led 268 in memory of her. Mary Brinkman memorialized Caroline Simmons, a Kentuckian who died in 2013, and with Randy Webber, led 196 in memory of her. Darrell Swarens spoke of Josie Hyde from Alabama, who died in 2013, and led 507. Jim Thobaben memorialized Marilyn Claysen from Illinois, who died just before the singing. He asked Zach Davis to lead 128 in memory of her. Ray Rechenberg commented about Martha Aden of Ohio, who died from cancer in 2013, and led 285t in her memory. Tim Morton and Tom Morton spoke about Ann Morton Marchal, (Tom’s sister and Tim’s aunt) from Kentucky, who died in 2014. They led 330b. Zach Davis made comments about Bob Meek, and led 223. That concluded the memorial lesson. Jim Thobaben offered a blessing before the noon meal.

LUNCH

Zach Davis called the afternoon session together by leading 63. Leaders: Michele Cull 76b; Alana Boltz 67; Darrell Swarens 38 (SoH); Joy Dunn 133; Tom Morton 340; Randy Webber 296 (SoH); Mary Brinkman 178; Charles Coulston 86; Zach Davis 159 (for Terry White); Ron Pen and Sophie Hackworth 455; Rafi Finkel “Lansdowne”; Ray Rechenberg 454; Zach Davis 180; Tim Morton 481; Zach Davis 34t (SoH); Ron Pen 269; Alana Boltz 277; Darrell Swarens and Michele Cull 236; Zach Davis 58; Tom Morton 496; Ketti Tonnemacher 515; Joy Dunn 452; Randy Webber 147t; Charles Coulston 497; Ron Pen 59; Raphael Finkel 528; Ray Rechenberg 300; Tim Morton 168; Jim Thobaben 312b.

Announcements were made. Zach Davis led 267 as the closing song. The class was dismissed.

Chairman—Charles Coulston; Secretary—Mary Brinkman