Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, June 13

In a Driveway, Buncombe County, North Carolina

A group of five singers met in a driveway to sing. They brought their own chairs, books, hand sanitizer, masks, and kept well apart from each other. As the opening prayer, a poem from the internet about a pandemic, and how the people found themselves anew.

Selections were from the 2015 reprint of William Walker’s 1873 The Christian Harmony, The Sacred Harp, 1991 Edition, a handout, and Eclectic Harmony II.

Songs included: 61t (CH); 204t (CH) (for Maggie Lauterer in surgery); 88 (CH); 215t (CH) (for Scott Swanton in hospital); 280t (CH); 281b (CH); 195 (CH) (in honor of Eli’s and Andrew’s new farm); 299 (CH); 82b (CH); 86; 547; handout of Millbrook; 66 (EH2); 68 (EH2); 72 (EH2); 12 (EH2); 28 (EH2); 89b (CH) (for Diane Eskenasy and Tim Aldrich).

Saturday, August 8

A Side Yard in West Asheville, Buncombe County, North Carolina

Five singers met to sing from William Walker’s The Christian Harmony. We distanced, and masked some; no touching.

Songs included: 148 (CH); 149b (CH); 149t (CH); 61t (CH); 60t (CH); 50 (CH); 51 (CH); 164t (CH); 165t (CH); 165b (CH); 330 (CH); 95b (CH); 64t (CH); 367 (CH) (for a neighbor’s mother recently deceased); 157 (CH); 215t (CH); 214 (CH); 185b (CH); 184t (CH); 159t (CH); 103b (CH); 200b (CH). A closing prayer was offered.

Sunday, August 16

A Driveway in East Buncombe County, North Carolina

Four singers met to sing from The Sacred Harp, 1991 Edition and The Christian Harmony, 2010 Edition. Distanced seating, masks, no touching, no food. An opening prayer was offered.

Songs included: 48t; 51; 479; 503; 28t; 428; 31t; 423; 338 (for a sick friend); 349; 33b; 95 (CH); 267; 31t (CH); 232b (CH); 67b (CH); 84 (CH) (for John Hollingsworth); 318 (CH); 130t (CH); 509b (CH); 131 (CH) (in honor of Tickanetley and Blue Ridge PB churches).

Sunday, September 20

A Back Garden in Swannanoa, Buncombe County, North Carolina

Eight singers met to sing from The Sacred Harp, 1991 Edition. Distanced seating, masks, no touching, no food.

Songs included: 63; 138b; 312b; 313t; 33b; 344; 330t; 569b; 302; 277; 288; 472; 547; 46; 145b; 173; 345t; 268; 396; 384; 31t; 163b; 285t; 39t; 112; 148; 492; 101t; 267.

Saturday, September 26

A Patio in Asheville, Buncombe County, North Carolina

Five singers met on a Saturday afternoon to sing from The Christian Harmony 1873 reprint, The Sacred Harp 1991 edition, and The New Harp of Columbia. Distanced seating, masks, no touching, BYO lunch. After a pleasant lunch and visiting time, prayer was offered.

Songs included: 129b (CH); 60b (CH) (in memory of Ruth Bader Ginsburg); 61t (CH); 61b (CH); 60t (CH); 116t (CH); 194t (CH); 242; Millbrook—from a handout; 569b; 28t; 28b; 152 (NHC); 158 (NHC); 334 (CH); 151. A prayer of thanksgiving was offered for friends and this beloved music. 200b (CH).

Saturday, November 21

A Driveway in Black Mountain, Buncombe County, North Carolina

Three singers seized the opportunity of a warmish sunny afternoon—maybe the last for the year—to sing. The books used were The Georgian Harmony and The Sacred Harp, 1991 Edition.

Distanced seating, BYO chair, masks, no touching.

Songs included: 227 (GH); 250 (GH); 64 (GH); 48 (GH); 49 (GH); 90 (GH); 1 (GH); 2 (GH); 3 (GH); 4 (GH); 6 (GH); 14 (GH); 11 (GH); 18 (GH); 19 (GH); 25 (GH); 40 (GH); 45 (GH); 306; 183; 28t; 33b; 38b (for the Covid victims); 47b; 46 (surely the Covid song for singers!); 384; 169; 473; 494 (in memory of Richard DeLong); 441; 415; 454; 267.

Secretary—MB