Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, May 27

The inaugural Saturday session of The Big Singing (using (i) The Sacred Harp, 1991 Edition) was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by Gene Gilliland, who offered the morning prayer. Tim Reynolds made introductory remarks on the format and tradition of Sacred Harp singings, and on the differences between the Sacred Harp and Southern Harmony traditions.

Leaders: Tim Reynolds 63, 39t; Randy Webber 38b, “Waggener”; Ray Rechenberg 49t, 268; Ron Pen 209, 455; David Carlton 472, 481; Donna Kwon 34b, 178.

RECESS

Tim Reynolds brought the class back together leading 148. Leaders: Ralph Paris 64, 89; Don Waggener 45t, 66; Billy See and Vickie See 480, 33b; Gene Gilliland 68b, 128; Nancy Paris and Ray Rechenberg 144; Ray Rechenberg 145t; Tim Reynolds 278t.

LUNCH

Tim Reynolds and Kaye Doran called the class back to order leading 81t. Leaders: Randy Webber 107; Randy Webber and Donna Kwon “Cincinnati”; Kerry Lovett 47b, 53; Don Waggener 117, 159; Vickie See and Billy See 282, 503; David Carlton 440, 547; Ron Pen 524, 146; Ralph Paris 31t, 36b; Ray Rechenberg 276, 300; Gene Gilliland 334, 235; Kerry Lovett 354b, 59; Ray Rechenberg 457 (by request); David Carlton 110 (by request); Randy Webber 236, 242 (by request); Ray Rechenberg 29t.

After announcements, including the agreement to continue holding this Saturday session of Sacred Harp singing, Tim Reynolds led 267 as the closing song. Gene Gilliland closed the session with prayer.

Sunday, May 28

The morning session of the 134th annual Big Singing (using (i) The Southern Harmony, compiled by William Walker), was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by Gene Gilliland leading 103 and 51. Leaders: Don Waggener 39t, 296; Raphael Finkel 50, 77; Kerry Lovett 8t, 123; Marcy Thobaben and James Thobaben 16; Tom Waggener 38, 166; Randy Webber 213, 115; Tim Reynolds 17b, 33; Vickie See and Billy See 92b, 3t; Ray Rechenberg 83, 46; Ron Pen 322, 133; Ralph Paris 27b, 276b.

LUNCH

The afternoon session was called to order at 1:15 p.m. by Gene Gilliland leading 103. Leaders: David Killingsworth 19t, 302; David Carlton 256, 276t; Erin Fulton 308, 134; James Thobaben and Ron Pen 11; Mark Cain 296; Matt Meacham 299, 312t; Don Waggener 80, 265; Amanda Groves 89b; Raphael Finkel 159b; Kerry Lovett and Leesa Lovett 332, 144; Tom Waggener 116, 189; Randy Webber 133, 13t; Tim Reynolds 178; Ron Pen 19b, 46; Ralph Paris 277, 1; Matt Meacham 39t; Gene Gilliland 94t; Gene Gilliland and Randy Webber 194; Gene Gilliland, Randy Webber, and Ron Pen 107.

Gene Gilliland led 334 as the closing song. Ralph Paris offered the closing prayer.

Chairman—Gene Gilliland; Vice Chairman—William Paris; Secretaries—Vickie See and Tim Reynolds