Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The 4th annual singing in honor of Sally Coghlan was held at the Davis United Methodist Church in Davis, California. Pat Coghlan called the class together leading 492. Dave Davidson-Methot offered the opening prayer.

In a business meeting, it was voted unanimously to change the name of the singing to the Helwig-Coghlan Memorial Singing, in honor of both Sally Coghlan and Steve Helwig. Steve chaired this singing in 2017 and contributed greatly to Sacred Harp singing on the West Coast and in Alaska. The following officers were elected or appointed to serve: Chairpersons—Annalise Veliz and Esteban Veliz; Vice Chairman—Pat Coghlan; Secretary—Dan Harper; Treasurer—Stu Pettygrove; Arranging Committee—Lindy Groening and Erika Wilson.

Leah Coffin taught a singing school. She taught some of the rudiments of music for the new singers present, and led the class in singing 46, 45t, and 36b.

RECESS

Clarissa Fetrow brought the class together leading 81t. Leaders: Dan Harper 65; Chris Tweedie 300; Jeannette Ralston 440; Dave Barber 417; Dave Davidson-Methot 49b; Aisha Morgan 30t; Carly Monnin 344; Greg Freed 161; Maggie Zhou 105; Sue Lindner 217 (for Marsha and Judy Genensky); Lena Strayhorn 102; Stu Pettygrove 93; Carolyn Deacy 29t; Sydney Thomas 377; Esteban Veliz and Rebecca Schreffler 547; Rebecca Edwards 573; Hannah Blair 142; Leigh Cooper 358; Stephen O’Leary 270.

RECESS

Erik Schwab brought the class together leading 30b. Leaders: Leah Coffin “Coghlan” (new composition in honor of Pat Coghlan’s contributions to Sacred Harp singing); Arietta Santinelli 385t; Heather Purdy 168; Wren Hyde 495; Annalise Veliz 328; Linda Selph 382; Laura McMurray 101b; Mark Godfrey 83t; Kate Fine 94; Chris Noren 497.

David Fetcho led 340 for the following ill and housebound singers: Jennifer Jones, Dorothy Robinson, Melanie Hauff, Yuka Oiwa, and Andrew Hudson. Susan Fetcho conducted the memorial lesson and led 267 in memory of Jason Lopez, Mix McDonald, Paul D. Brooks—California; Concetta Branson—Oregon; B.—Washington; Michael Appert—Illinois; Paul Wilson—Minnesota; Elaine Zidek—Ohio; Ottis Sides—Alabama; Charlene Wallace—Georgia; Aubrey Barfield and George Fetcho—Florida; Eliot Long—New York. Dave Davidson-Methot closed the memorial lesson with a prayer.

Leaders: Erika Wilson 77b; Karen Willard 274t; Lindy Groening 512. Dave Davidson-Methot offered the prayer for the noon meal.

LUNCH

Thom Fahrbach brought the class together leading 56t. Leaders: Jeff Begley 501; Stephanie Fida 271b; Betsy Jeronen 283; Kate Coxon 349; Ruth Linehan 445; Dave Barber 444; Cornelia Stanton 490; Joanie Mitchell 288; Clarissa Fetrow 387; Chris Noren 236; Sue Lindner 192; Rebecca Edwards 436; Erik Schwab 352; Kate Fine 500; Jeannette Ralston 460; Greg Freed 112; Laura McMurray 376; Hannah Blair 209; Dave Davidson-Methot 127; Maggie Zhou 155; Aisha Morgan 154; Dan Harper 195.

RECESS

Stephanie Fida brought the class together leading 67. Leaders: Emma Nuchols and Pat Coghlan 91; Thom Fahrbach 88b; Lindy Groening 108t; Karen Willard 505; David Fetcho 131t; Carly Monnin 504; Stu Pettygrove 448t; Susan Fetcho 432; Betsy Jeronen 499; Cornelia Stanton 466; Sydney Thomas 347; Ruth Linehan 542; Kate Coxon 95.

The Secretary reported seventy-four singers from five states sang seventy-eight songs led by forty-seven leaders. The Treasurer reported expenses had been met. Pat Coghlan presented a card from the entire class to Annalise and Esteban Veliz, who are expecting a child soon. Thanks were offered to all who made the singing possible.

Annalise and Esteban Veliz led 62 as the closing song. Dave Davidson-Methot offered the closing prayer.

Chairpersons—Annalise Veliz and Esteban Veliz; Vice Chairman—Pat Coghlan; Secretary—Dan Harper