Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The 15th annual Swannanoa Shape Note Singing was held in Morris Pavilion, Warren Wilson College, in conjunction with The Swannanoa Gathering’s Old Time Music and Dance Week. Ron Pen brought the class to order class with announcements, and by leading 70t (CH), followed by the opening prayer.

Leaders: Sarah Kehrberg 184 (CH); Eli Snyder 510b (CH); Clarke Williams 32b (CH); Ron Pen 117 (CH); Maddy Mullany 211b (CH); Andy Morse 191 (CH); Leslie Booher 396t (CH); Mary Baumeister 425b (CH); Stefani Priskos 493b (CH); Sadhbh O’Flynn 19 (CH); Chris Wilhelm 329 (CH); Jeremiah Ledbetter 255 (CH); Dave Farmer 544 (CH); Lynda Hambourger 129 (CH); Jonathan Wood 67b (CH); David Wilson 453t (CH); Julius Pasay 365 (CH); Michael Spencer 409b (CH); Emma Parrish 393b (CH).

RECESS

Sarah Kerhberg called the class back to order leading 186. Leaders: Clarke Williams 434; Mary Johnston 344; Cari Grindon 58; Al Grindon 503; Ron Pen 455; Maddy Mullany 234; Tristan Gordon 73t; Stina Soderling 142; Barbara Brooks 410t; Andy Morse 280; Leslie Booher 319. Patty Judson offered a blessing on the meal.

LUNCH

Mary Baumeister brought the class to order leading 333. Ron Pen conducted the memorial lesson, and led 45t in memory of the deceased after reading the following names: Cheryl Foreman—Texas; Lydia Lewallen, Ruth Partain, Tommy Bratton, Tim Aldrich, and Lara Nguyen—North Carolina; Karen Walker—New Mexico; Philomena Henderson—Ireland; Reidin O’Flynn—New York; David Fink and Philip Denney—Georgia. He read the names of the sick and shut-ins, and then led 146.

Leaders: Julius Pasay 209; Stefani Priskos 373; Kevin Kehrberg 547; Sadhbh O’Flynn 423; Jeremiah Ledbetter 61; Dave Farmer 318; Lynda Hambourger and Deborah Brogden 178; Jonathan Wood 43; David Wilson 276; Michael Spencer 289; Emma Parrish 288; Robert Kelley 292; Bill Hogan 99; Nancy Hogan 309; Deborah Brogden 47b.

RECESS

Sarah Kehrberg brought the class to order, and the class entered a business meeting. The class voted to keep the same slate of officers. The class voted to meet again in 2024 on the Saturday in July in conjunction with The Swannanoa Gathering’s Old Time Music and Dance Week. The business meeting was closed.

Leaders: Clarke Williams 88t; Eli Snyder 58 (SoH); Chris Wilhelm 173b (SoH); Cari Grindon 86; Al Grindon 171; Ron Pen 322 (SoH); Maddy Mullany 537 (CH); Andy Morse 72t (SoH); Leslie Booher 546b (CH); Mary Baumeister 145 (SoH); Julius Pasay 141; Stefani Priskos 91 (CH); Kevin Kehrberg 248 (CH); Sadhbh O’Flynn 13 (CH); Jeremiah Ledbetter 399b; Dave Farmer 196; Lynda Hambourger 200; Jonathan Wood 13t (SoH); Dave Farmer 109 (CH); Bill Hogan and Nancy Hogan 172 (CH); Robert Kelley 4b (SoH).

Eli Snyder gave the Secretary’s report stating that fifty-four singers from eight states registered, and thirty leaders led seventy-one songs. Following announcements, the officers led 267, and Sarah Kehrberg offered the closing prayer.

Chairman—Sarah Kehrberg; Vice Chairman—Ron Pen; Treasurer—Clarke Williams; At-Large member—Maddy Mullany; Secretary—Eli Snyder