Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

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Garden State Singing Convention

Montclair Friends Meetinghouse, Montclair, New Jersey

May 19-20, 2017

Friday, May 19

The 25th annual Garden State Singing Convention was called to order by Gina Balestracci leading 38t (CB). She welcomed the class, followed by the opening prayer.

The following officers were appointed or elected to serve: Co-Chairmen—Gina Balestracci and Susan Bingham; Arranging Officer—Laura Densmore.

Leaders: Nancy Tkacs 276 (CB); Nancy Britten 74t (CB); Harry Scott 42; Lamar Matthew 504t (CB); Eric Xu 504b (CB); Susan Bingham 311; Barbara Swetman 392 (CB); Rachel Speer 314 (CB); Roland Hutchinson 414 (ShH); Laura Densmore 552 (CB); Nancy Mandel 574 (CB); Dean Jens 326 (ShH).

RECESS

Gina Balestracci brought the class to order leading 222 (ShH). Leaders: Nancy Tkacs 197 (CB); Nancy Britten 249 (ShH); Harry Scott 532; Lamar Matthew 485 (CB); Dean Jens 420 (ShH); Rachel Speer 429b (ShH); Susan Bingham 472; Eric Xu 22b (ShH); Roland Hutchinson 206 (ShH); Laura Densmore 380t (CB); Barbara Swetman 326b (ShH); Nancy Mandel 270 (ShH); Nancy Tkacs 156 (ShH); Nancy Britten 15 (ShH); Nancy 3b (ShH). After announcements, Gina Balestracci led 574 (CB), and offered the evening prayer.

Saturday, May 20

The Saturday session of the Garden State Singing Convention was brought to order by Gina Balestracci leading 77b, and offering the opening prayer. Leaders: Susan Bingham 34b; Laura Densmore 313t; Leon Pulsinelle 33b; Barbara Swetman 32t; Harry Scott 70b; Nancy Tkacs 31t; Roland Hutchinson 66; Terry Ryan 71; Dean Jens 42; Lamar Matthew 229; Rachel Speer 106; Douglas Fower 227; Sara Lott 270; Gina Balestracci 430; Susan Bingham 542; Laura Densmore 142; Barbara Swetman 312b; Harry Scott 145b; Nancy Tkacs 47t.

RECESS

Gina Balestracci brought the class together leading 49b. Leaders: Roland Hutchinson 155; Stephani Priskos 114; Terry Ryan 496; Elsa Phemayotin 32b; Rachel Speer 68b; Lamar Matthew 154; Douglas Fower 504; Sara Lott 410b; Susan Bingham 168; Laura Densmore 228; Leon Pulsinelle 377; Barbara Swetman 383; Harry Scott 171.

Gina Balestracci conducted the memorial lesson, reading the names of the following sick and shut-ins, and then leading 472: Karen Rollins, Tommy Spurlock, Wayne Jens, Dawn Mogren, Sandy Stoltz, Peter Heckert, Chelsea Balestracci, Kat Davis, Michael Kaye, Melanie Hauff, Ron Bornick, and Margaret Bornick.

The names of the following deceased were read: Edward Swetman and Collette Miller—Minnesota; Connie Flood and Michael Sensor—Pennsylvania; Johnny Lee and Delorese Lee—Georgia; Gary Smith—Alabama. Gina led 38b, and closed the memorial service with prayer.

Leaders: Lamar Matthew 388; Thomas Ward 230; Nancy Tkacs 189; Roland Hutchinson 188. Gina Balestracci offered grace using the poetry from the song on page 180.

LUNCH

Laura Densmore called the class to order leading 157. Leaders: Stefani Priskos 86; Terry Ryan 200; Elsa Phemayotin 455; Jack Cuffari 108b; Jeff Gauthier 236; Douglas Fower 299; Dean Jens 300, 275t; Miriam Delirium 271t; Gina Balestracci 387; Thomas Ward 89; Barbara Swetman 348b; Harry Scott 553; Nancy Tkacs 113; Miriam Delirium 448t; Leon Pulsinelle 475; Susan Bingham 479; Terry Ryan 532; Laura Densmore 83t.

RECESS

Lamar Matthew brought the class together leading 156. Leaders: Jeff Gauthier 217; Rachel Speer 99; Douglas Fower 344; Stefani Priskos 148; Elsa Phemayotin 480; Lynn Rubier-Capron 45t.

Announcements and Resolutions were followed by the officers leading 62. Gina Balestracci offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Co-Chairmen—Gina Balestracci and Susan Bingham