Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Friday, October 24

The 7th session of the Alaska Sacred Harp Singing Convention was held on Friday and Saturday before the fourth Sunday in October. Chairlady Kari Lundgren introduced Elene Stovall of Birmingham, Alabama, as the singing school teacher. Elene opened the session by leading 36b. William E. Davis offered the opening prayer.

Elene spoke of the traditions of Sacred Harp as she learned them as a young person. She is a fourth generation Sacred Harp singer. She led 99 and 30b. She then spoke of composers, who contributed songs to the 1960, 1971, and 1991 editions. Elene led 480 and 564 written by John Hocutt as examples of recent compositions. While discussing the Rudiments of Sacred Harp, Elene led 168, 64, 365, 283, and 396 to illustrate modes of time, leading styles, and accenting. Elene then encouraged the following new singers to lead songs under her guidance: Bob Hume 84; Charley Basham 63; Joe Linden 457; Charlie Jones 39t; Linda Mason 452; Peg Faithful 155. Elene spoke about songs with unusual repeats, and asked Steve Helwig to lead 193 and Gosia Perycz to lead 550 to illustrate. Elene asked Kari Lundgren to lead 29t as an example of a song which might be led “in 4 beats” without rests. Elene also spoke about the tradition of memorial lessons.

Kari Lundgren led 122 as the closing song. William E. Davis offered the closing prayer.

Saturday, October 25

The Saturday session of the Alaska Sacred Harp Singing Convention was brought to order by Kari Lundgren leading 171. William E. Davis offered the opening prayer.

The following officers were previously elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Kari Lundgren; Secretaries—Julia Smith and Charley Basham; Chaplain—William E. Davis; Memorial Committee—Kari Lundgren and John David Thacker.

Leaders: Kari Lundgren 162; Sara Beaber-Fujioka 276, 501; Julia Smith 63; Charley Basham 454, 66; Steve Helwig 68t, 126; Kathy Kyle 268, 82t; Denise Klingler 45t; Betsy Jeronen 106, 500; Peg Faithful 155, 141; Sylvia Friske 49t, 40; John David Thacker 72b, 81t; Lynn Basham 47t, 173.

RECESS

Cornelia Stanton called the class to order by leading 32t. Leaders: Concetta Branson 38t, 77b; Lynn Schmidt 282; Linda Mason 87; Elene Stovall 182, 195; Mary Barrett 148, 24t; Judy Gangle 85, 288; Gosia Perycz 187, 352; Charlie Jones 80t, 163t; Tom Crane 178, 107; Cornelia Stanton 452, 217; Jason Birbal 59, 37b; Sara Beaber-Fujioka 388; Robert Sullivan 49b, 299; Campbell Longworth 198, 218. William E. Davis offered the blessing before the noon meal.

LUNCH

Robert Sullivan called the class to order leading 159. Leaders: Maria D’Agostino 277, 332; Nathan Baring 86, 42; Bob Hume 84, 209; Betsy Jeronen 426b, 475; John David Thacker 299.

Kari Lundgren and John David Thacker conducted the memorial lesson. Kari lead 31t for the following sick and shut-ins; Toney Smith, Kirk Lundgren, Barry Burger, Victoria Vosburg, Susan Vosburg, Barbara Willard, Rodney Willard, and Laura Ramp.

John David led 163b in memory of the following deceased; Jerry Jeronen—Oregon; Sam McAlpine and Lissette Mondalvo—Alaska; Bill Aplin—Alabama.

Leaders: Elene Stovall 216, 278t; Gosia Perycz 271t, 272; Peg Faithful 65, 128; Kari Lundgren 361, 344; Charley Basham 122; Concetta Branson 472, 384; Steve Helwig 70t, 74t; Cornelia Stanton 101t, 350.

RECESS

Peg Faithful called the class to order leading 324. Leaders: Sara Beaber-Fujioka 146; Campbell Longworth 228; Tom Crane 99; Lynn Basham 479; Jason Birbal 186; Maria D’Agostino 457; Robert Sullivan 474.

A business meeting was held. The secretary reported singers in attendance from three countries: the U.S., Poland, and Australia. The Treasurer reported that expenses had been met to cover convention costs.

Kari Lundgren led 122 as the closing song. William E. Davis offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Kari Lundgren; Secretaries—Julia Smith and Charley Basham