Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The class met at the Germantown Mennonite Church, in the Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia, to sing from The Sacred Harp. The class was brought to order by Sophie Sokolov leading 47t. Rosie Sokolov offered the morning prayer. Leaders: Ben Cocchiaro 287; Tim Leonard 86; Miriam Delirium 201; Ben Fink 36b; Emily Ross 163t; Rachel Hall 460; Vale Cofer-Shabica 99; Chelsea Feltman 82t; Tarik Wareh 337; Hayden Arp 336; Greg Holt 474; Rosie Sokolov 204; Tristan Gordon 176b; Pete Sandeen 457; Anna Melton 114.

RECESS

Erika Wilson led 29t to bring the class together. Leaders: Stina Soderling 162; Thomas Ward 48t; Korey Guerrieri 106; Corinne Ducey 384; Barbara Hohenstein 32b; Jacob Hamidi 294; Cecilia Philippine and Ben Fink 232; Ina Shea 235 (in memory of Clare Maher); Kass Urban-Mead 277; Elsa Phemayotin 383; Charlie Urban-Mead 410t; Nancy Tkacs 33b; David Shulman 276; Laura Densmore 540; Erin Fulton 302; Brenda Dunlap 368.

RECESS

Tim Leonard led 84 to bring the class to order. Leaders: Rosie Sokolov 142; Jason Steidl-Jack 148; Gary Ryan 163b; Rachel Farber 214; Julia Seidenstein 284.

In the memorial lesson, Thomas Ward reflected on the concept of loss of time. He noted that this idea has taken on new meaning during the pandemic, as we as a community have literally lost opportunities to spend time singing together. He noted the irony of the fact that the song “Passing Away” is often called without a loss of time—in this way, it drives home the fact that life continues, even in the face of grief and trauma. However, when “Passing Away,” or any other song, is called with a loss of time, it allows for a moment of silence and reflection. Shape note singing practice as a whole creates a space to sit with the reality of people’s absence, and also acknowledge their loss.

Thomas read the following list of names of the deceased: Linda Wood—Delaware; Clare Maher, Becky Davidson, Jon Pickow—Pennsylvania; Graham DeZarn—Virginia; Ted Mercer—Illinois; Betsy Wildey—New Jersey; Ronnie L. Troxtel, Mable Johnson—Kentucky; Sue Bunch—Florida; Susan Bingham—New Jersey; Jason Saunders—Alabama; Merv Horst—New York; Bud Cofer—South Carolina; Larry Gordon—Vermont; Phyllis Kenline—North Carolina.

Sophie Sokolov read the following names of the sick and shut-ins: Chris Cotter, Masi Agosti, Mina Bogan, Anne Martz, Jesse Vear, Mazal Horesh, Linda Berkemeier, Eden Grace, Lua Goldmanu, Emil Lucero, and Scott Robinson. Thomas Ward led 445. Rosie Sokolov closed the memorial lesson with a prayer.

Leaders: Ina Shea 313t; Nancy Tkacs 31t; Micah Walter 269; Rachel Hall 318. Rosie Sokolov gave the noon blessing.

LUNCH

Kimberly Haas led 40 to call the class back to order. Leaders: Patti Davis 319; Ben Cocchiaro 436; Erin Fulton 381; Brenda Dunlap 216; Tristan Gordon 498; Alanna Goodman 209; Corinne Ducey 196; Jeff Gauthier 236; Stina Soderling 270; Tarik Wareh 339; Laura Densmore 522; Jason Steidl-Jack 528; Micah Walter 434; Jade Levine, Julia Seidenstein, Nathalie Levine, and Jeff Gauthier 344; Chelsea Feltman 178; Kass Urban-Mead 200; Miriam Delirium 448t; David Shulman 117; Emily Ross 183.

RECESS

Tristan Gordon and Stina Soderling led 104 to call the class back to order. Leaders: Rachel Hall, Kati Malison, and Veronica Magner 58; Korey Guerrieri 245; Greg Holt 440; Rachel Farber 444; Jacob Hamidi 448b; Barbara Hohenstein 441; Patti Davis 455; Kimberly Haas 542; New York City singers 47b; Julia Seidenstein 191; Elsa Phemayotin 285b; Charlie Urban-Mead 159; Nathalie Levine 312b; Washington, DC area singers 179; Thomas Ward 76b; Erika Wilson 77t; Gary Ryan 74b; Hayden Arp 149.

Announcements were made. Sophie Sokolov led 323t as the closing song. Rosie Sokolov offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Sophie Sokolov; Secretary—Anna Melton