Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The 3rd annual University of Michigan Ann Arbor All-Day Singing brought together experienced singers and students, especially those in the Early Music Choir of the U-M School of Music, Theatre and Dance. The class was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by Joe Gascho leading 59. Will Fitzgerald offered the opening prayer.

The following officers were appointed as follows: Chairman—Joe Gascho; Vice Chairman—Mark Clague; Chaplain—Will Fitzgerald; Arranging Officer—Gillian Inksetter; Secretaries—Caitlyn Koester and Rachel Yu Chen.

Leaders: Mark Clague 569b; Will Fitzgerald 35; Idy Kiser 28b; Bess Fitzgerald and Will Fitzgerald 230; Meghan Melloy Ness and Anna Golitzin 159; Jeremy York 171; Charlotte Wolfe 274t; Tish Shapiro and Jeremy York 146; Anne Missavage 66; Anna Golitzin 145t; Jan May 474; Martha Beverly 532; Marian Mitchell 457; Peter Trumbore 313b.

RECESS

Gillian Inksetter called the class to order by leading 32t. Leaders: David Stowe 84; Cory Sees 30b; Cecilia Kramer 430; Catherine Brown 287; Katie White 547; Ray Rechenberg 203; Nathan Thatcher “Behold the Morning Sun” (an original composition); Gerry Hoffman 272; Joe Gascho 127; Annie Jeng 107; Mark Clague 183; Will Fitzgerald 34t; Tish Shapiro and Jeremy York 344.

Martha Beverly conducted the memorial lesson. She spoke about the tradition and its meaning to the community, especially those who cannot be with us today. She read the following list: Hugh McGraw, Johanna Fabke, and Gary Gronau. She led 70t to honor them.

She read the following list of names of the deceased: Kathleen Doss Traywick, Elsie Moon, Steve Adams, Kermit Adams, S.T. Reed, Toney Smith, Gary Smith—Alabama; Charlie Derleth—Missouri; Earlis McGraw, B.M. Smith, Loyd Landrum, Johnny Lee, Delorese Lee, Edna Vickers—Georgia; Joe Nall—Florida; Janelle Davis, Les Sontag, Nathan Reed—Illinois; Ruth Steggles—United Kingdom; John Bayer—Ohio; Collette Miller—Minnesota; Lila Mitchell—New York; Laura Burns—Michigan. Martha led 340 in their memory. Will Fitzgerald closed the memorial lesson with prayer.

Leaders: Bess Fitzgerald 228; Jeremy York 49t; Idy Kiser and Showey Howey 108t; Meghan Meloy Ness and Anna Golitzin 254. Will Fitzgerald asked a blessing before the noon meal.

LUNCH

Gillian Inksetter brought the class to order by leading 31t. Leaders: Charlotte Wolfe 87; Caitlyn Koester and Rachel Yu Chen 27; Anne Missavage 236; Austin Stewart and Mark Clague 504; Ed Walton and Corey Sees 143; David Belkovski 300; Bill Beverly and Gillian Inksetter 191; Audrey Shepherd and Mark Clague 47t; Jan May 440; Anna Golitzin and Jennifer Shin 479; Wanita Forgacs 345b; Martha Beverly 436; Aaron Kurz and Vivian Anderson 118; Marian Mitchell 189; Peter Trumbore 480 (for Sarah Trumbore); Joe Gascho, Jennifer Shin, and Suzie Lee 96 (HS), 3 (CSH), 95 (CSH).

RECESS

Jeremy York called the class to order by leading 82t. Leaders: David Stowe 268; Corey Sees 245; Caitlyn Koester and Suzie Lee 128; Cecelia Kramer and Steven Whiting 485; Nathan Thatcher, David Belkovski, and Carmen Johnson 282; Catherine Brown 29t; Tish Shapiro and Jeremy York 192; Katie White 472; Bill Beverly 546; Gerry Hoffman 278t; Ray Rechenberg 349; Showey Howey 277.

Joe Gascho thanked everyone who had helped make the singing a success. The secretaries reported that fifty-five singers had attended, and thirty-eight leaders from six states and one province had led seventy songs.

Joe Gascho led 347 as the closing song. Will Fitzgerald offered the closing prayer, and dismissed the class.

Chairman—Joe Gascho; Vice Chairman—Mark Clague; Secretaries—Caitlyn Koester and Rachel Yu Chen