Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

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John Newton Merritt Memorial
Singing Convention

Old Court House Museum, Vicksburg, Mississippi

May 23-24, 2015

Saturday, May 23

The 4th annual John Newton Merritt Memorial Singing Convention was called to order by Henry McGuire leading 31b. Arlon Gardner offered the morning prayer.

Leaders: Henry McGuire 100; Mark Davis 67, 270; Arlon Gardner 278t, 313t; Darlene Reynolds and Hugh McGuire 484 (CB), 410 (CB).

A business meeting was held and the following officers were elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Henry McGuire; Vice Chairman—Mark Davis; Arranging Officer and Secretary—Henry Schuman.

Leaders: Henry Schuman and Linda Hellerich 189 (CH), 85 (CH); Nanette Olivier 159 (CB), 71 (CB); SR Susan Dickey 551, 59; Shelby Castillo and Lisa Geist 186, 273; Hugh McGuire 227 (CB), 138t (CB).

RECESS

Henry McGuire brought the class to order by leading 522 (CB). Leaders: Carole Watts 40 (CB), 573 (CB); Erica Martinez 98 (CB), 417 (CB); Regina Derstine and Todd Derstine 457 (for Nancy Van Den Akker), 100; Judy Leatherwood 117, 183; Lisa Leming 504, 155; Peggy Ray 143, 64; Robert Vaughn 117 (CB), 338 (CB); Lisa Geist 528, 228.

LUNCH

Henry McGuire led 316 (CH) to bring the class to order. Leaders: Henry Schuman and Arlon Gardner 372 (CH); Sonya Kirkham 475 (CB), 54t (CB); Amber Davis 391, 192; Wilma Ann Mitchell 147t, 274t; Charity Vaughn 108b (CB), 212 (CB); Sarah Tidwell 72b, 146; Hugh McGuire, Henry McGuire, and Sarah Tidwell 486t (WB); Drew McGuire 492, 563 (CB).

RECESS

Robert Vaughn brought the class to order by leading 286. Leaders: Robert Vaughn 344; Jason Cole and Henry McGuire 178; Erica Martinez 542; Carole Watts 571 (CB); Shelby Castillo and Lisa Geist 299; Logan Hollarsmith 176t; Nanette Olivier 268t (CB); Peggy Ray 336t (CB); Lisa Leming 65; Robert Vaughn 490; Amber Davis 229 (CB); Sonya Kirkham 559 (CB); Charity Vaughn 514 (CB); Lisa Geist 546.

Announcements were made. Henry McGuire, Hugh McGuire, and Mark Davis led the Drone (549b CH) as the closing song. Arlon Gardner dismissed the class with prayer.

Sunday, May 24

The Sunday session was called to order by Henry McGuire leading 32t. Arlon Gardner offered the morning prayer.

Leaders: Henry McGuire 120; Mark Davis 102, 91; Arlon Gardner 216t (CH), 155 (CH); Henry Schuman 142 (CH), 149 (CH); Darlene Reynolds 204t (CH), 291 (CH); Logan Hollarsmith 107, 388; Sarah Tidwell 63, 42; Nanette Olivier 117 (CH), 109 (CH); John Van Horn 200, 300; Lisa Geist 272, 527.

RECESS

Henry McGuire and Will McGuire brought the class back together by leading 392 (CB). Leaders: Carole Watts 584 (CB), 549 (CB); Lisa Davis 99, 542: Hugh McGuire 512 (WB), 264b (WB); Regina Derstine and Todd Derstine 95, 297; Natalie Davis 142, 172; Robert DuPree 40, 84; Sonya Kirkham 411 (CB), 54t (CB); Amber Davis 436, 380; Charity Vaughn 140 (CB), 468 (CB); Drew McGuire 383, 30b; Lisa Leming 198, 288; Warren Steel 203 (CH), 442.

Charity Vaughn and Carole Watts conducted the memorial lesson. Carole spoke on behalf of the sick and shut-ins. She read the following list of names, and led 340 on their behalf: Nancy Van Den Akker, Gravis Ballinger, Gordon Cotton, Roy (R.M.) Davis, Stites Gardner, Jr., Mrs. Billie Margaret Gardner, Phillip Springfield, and Paula Springfield.

Charity spoke on behalf of the deceased and led 547 (CH) in memory of the following: Jean Ballinger, Johnny Humber, and Rene Humber—Alabama; John Dennis—Ohio; Jerry Tidwell—Mississippi; Rachel Etheridge—Tennessee; Thierry Carrell—Virginia. Charity then conducted a remembrance of our veterans. She led 480 (CB) for them. Mark Davis led the class in prayer.

Leaders: Shelby Castillo 208, 318; Erica Martinez 498, 112.

LUNCH

Henry McGuire brought the class to order by leading 108t. Leaders: Henry McGuire 180 (CH); Sonya Kirkham 486 (CB); Logan Hollarsmith 29b; Amber Davis 276; Robert DuPree 569b; Carole Watts 319; Steve Kelly and Mark Davis 45t; Lisa Leming 210; John Van Horn 296; Regina Derstine, Sandra Melsheimer, and Virginia Monsour 96 (CB); Drew McGuire 475; Henry Schuman 532; Natalie Davis 270; Hugh McGuire 196; Darlene Reynolds 188 (CH); Warren Steel 176t (CB); Erica Martinez 38t (CB) Charity Vaughn 76b (CB); Mark Davis 101 (CH); Drew McGuire 236; Henry McGuire 543t (WB).

Announcements were made. Henry McGuire, Hugh McGuire, and Mark Davis led the Drone (549b CH) as the closing song. Drew McGuire dismissed the class with prayer.

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