Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Memorial Lesson

When we posted a virtual memorial lesson this time last year for the UK Convention, it was inconceivable to think that we would need to do the same twelve months on.

Whilst a small number of singings have taken place, the majority of us have not felt able to meet and sing together but we still, of course, hold our singing family close to our hearts. Thankfully, through social media and emails, we can hear more easily about those who are sick and we are able to send messages of love, healing thoughts and encouragement to them directly. Of course, a card, letter or a phone call is always most welcome to let them know that they are being thought about, especially for those for whom social media or email is not a possible means of sending good wishes. With the ongoing Covid restrictions, it is even more important to ensure that we show our love and support by letting them know that we are thinking of them, missing them and praying for them and that we look forward to better times when we will all be able to meet, sing and fellowship together.

We think of all the following who are sick and housebound and hold them, and their carers, in our thoughts and prayers. Please remember them all whilst singing the song on page 68b: Mary Wright, Marlon Wootten, Susan Bronniman, Mary Parkes, Pauline Hoyland, Melanie Hauff, Eva Striebeck, Virginia Dyer, Barry Rollins, David Jackson, Graham deZarn, Cathy Wakeman.

We have experienced the loss of so many singers during this past year and, whilst specific comments have been included about some, none is any less important a loss than another.

We could not, of course, pass this time without reflecting on how devastated our UK singing family is following the tragic death of Rebecca Over. Since joining our Sacred Harp family around 2009, Rebecca became so much a part of the singing community both in the UK and USA, spending as much time as was possible in the States each year. Her interest and extensive research into the McGraw family of West Georgia, USA, resulted in her being made an honorary member of the family and Earlis McGraw was once heard to say that “she knows more about my family than I do”. Her continuing wish during the pandemic had been to be able to sing again and, in particular, to return to the US to sing and visit her Stateside Sacred Harp family. Sadly, returning to the US was not to be, but she did at least get to sing physically in the hollow square with other singers in Winchester just a few days before she died. She would have taken much joy from that and, for that, we must thank God. She will be fondly remembered by all for her intense love of Sacred Harp and for her gentle spirit.

Adrian Bolge

was instrumental in Rebecca’s early Sacred Harp career, as it was he who advised her from whom she could purchase a book. Adrian was a real character who would drive his motorbike for hundreds of miles to attend a singing. As a devout man of faith, the words of the songs were incredibly important to him and his choice of song to lead entirely reflected his spirituality.

Coy Ivey

was a well-known and much loved, life-long singer from Sand Mountain, Alabama. His hospitality and cook-outs were legendary and he always let you know just how pleased he was to see you with his beaming smile and big bear hugs! We were privileged in 2004 when, via David, Rod and Coy organised a special Monday morning singing for us at Liberty Church and which we thought would just be maybe four of five folks and us. Well, they had rounded the troops and we were blessed with a truly wonderful morning of singing with around 20 folks. What a joy! It was always a thrill to see Coy at any singing and, as a treble singer, to have him turn to us for that last note of 384 and to see the absolute joy on his face as he did so, will forever be a treasured picture in my mind.

Joan Aldridge

will always be remembered too for her beaming smile of welcome and for her encouragement of new singers to whom she became something of a mentor. As she was an alto, I never got to sing “with” her but I sure was envious of her perfectly manicured nails!

Kathleen Robbins

was one of those Southern ladies whom, in my earliest years of visiting Alabama, I was encouraged to watch when she was leading. She was so graceful and she seemingly glided around the hollow square as she would bring in the parts.

Harry Eskew

was instrumental in organising a Sacred Harp Heritage Tour to the UK in 2007 during which Ted and I were privileged to host a special all-day singing for the group to attend.

We remember the following list of deceased: Rebecca Over, Adrian Bolge, Dorothy Singleton, Charles Rogers, Stephen Brearley, John Hopkinson, Mary Whiting, Dave Lavelle, Tony Greaves, Alan Weeks, Vonnie Chantler, Melanie Toogood, John Leonard Roles, Gillian Mary Cole—United Kingdom; Annemarie Seydel—Germany; Colin McDougall and June Harries-Powell—France; Liliana Sillito and Madison DeNiro—Canada; Coy Ivey, Joan Aldridge, Kathleen Robbins, Kenneth Sundberg, Mary Ruth Stiefel, and David “Chug” Beasley—Alabama; Harry Eskew, Mack Langley, and Jack Stringer—Georgia; David Fetcho—California; Elizabeth Gillis—Massachusetts; Peter Golden—Maine; Tom Deacy—Missouri; Gary Poe—North Carolina; Curtis Owen and David Rousseau—Texas; Baron Powers—Louisiana; Charlotte Walker and Les Updike—Virginia.

Whether these singers were known personally to us or not, we are all inextricably linked through our love of Sacred Harp and the world-wide singing community and we mourn their passing together with their families and friends. We pray that we may take comfort from the fact that the heavenly hollow square is much richer for their presence and rejoice in the sure hope in Christ that we will meet and sing together again.

Rebecca would often use the song on page 381 when conducting a memorial lesson, and so it seems appropriate to sing this as we remember her and all those named above.

A prayer from Joe Vickers to close the memorial service: Heavenly Father, how much the world has changed since last we met to sing together. We have seen the impact of something intangible and invisible. It has changed our way of life. It has taken many from us before their time. There are those, too, who we have lost but have been unable to remember in the way we would have liked to.

Our prayer is that other intangible, invisible things may be in our lives: love, friendship, fellowship, hope, joy, harmony. Our prayer is that those things might direct our paths and draw us together in heart and mind, if not physically. We pray for those who mourn and grieve. We pray that, although our bodies may be removed from each other, nothing can or will break the bonds of grace. Amen.

Memorial Committee—Helen Brown, Ted Brown, and Joe Vickers