Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The Hamburg All-Day Singing was held at the Ökumenisches Forum HafenCity, Hamburg, on Saturday before the fourth Sunday in October to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Hamburg Sacred Harp Group. The class was called to order by Tobias Saalmann leading 164. Tobias gave the opening introduction, and recalled the formation of Hamburg Sacred Harp in 2013. The venue for today’s singing, the Ökumenisches Forum, brought back memories as the first Germany Convention was held here in 2014. Tobias thanked all concerned for their work in building a flourishing Sacred Harp group in Hamburg. Joy Spreadborough then offered the opening prayer.

Leaders: Chloë Spreadborough 49t; Nathan Bowler 503; Joy Spreadborough 354b; Inga Buckland 171; Marcos Sullivan 34b; Fynn Titford-Mock 150; John O’Flynn 189; Johannes Kunst 142; Derek Buckland 225t; Anne Eringa 196; Emma Rock 306; Anna Eggers 217; Bertolt Hering 287; Eleni Melis 300; Maria Neuman-Fraune 128.

RECESS

The class was called back to order by Chloë Spreadborough leading 148. Leaders: Werner Ullah 457; Paul Kolenbrander 28t; Molly McCracken 276; Nina Riegler 432; Jasmina Graf 332; Constantin Dorsch 101b; Tobias Saalmann 173.

A memorial lesson then followed in three sections. Inga Buckland gave a lesson for the sick and housebound, and a lesson for those deceased, and then led 267.

There was then a special memorial lesson for Eva Striebeck, who had died at the end of August. The Hamburg group had agreed to dedicate this morning session especially to Eva, who had supported the group over the last ten years until her illness made her unable to travel there. Derek Buckland gave the memorial lesson recalling Eva’s life and contributions to Sacred Harp singing, gave a summary of the warm tributes and reminiscences about Eva received from so many people across the world, and closed the lesson by offering prayer, and leading 278t.

Leaders: Nathan Bowler 410t; Joy Spreadborough 154; Marcos Sullivan 480; Fynn Titford-Mock 83t; John O’Flynn 37b; Johannes Kunst 155; Anne Eringa 377.

LUNCH

The afternoon session was called to order by Bertolt Hering leading 228. Leaders: Nathan Bowler 186; Eleni Melis 71; Maria Neuman-Fraune 528; Janna Itter 197; Werner Ullah 29t; Paul Kolenbrander 430; Molly McCracken 504; Nina Riegler 531; Jasmina Graf 181; Marcos Sullivan 288; Constantin Dorsch 86; Inga Buckland 274t; Johannes Kunst 272; Fynn Titford-Mock 212; John O’Flynn 56b; Joy Spreadborough 452; Derek Buckland 68t; Anne Eringa 180; Bertolt Hering 163b; Tobias Saalmann 236.

RECESS

The class was called back to order by Chloë Spreadborough leading 32b. Leaders: Janna Itter 455; Ulrike Tietjen 343 (for Rike Fischer); Molly McCracken 146; Magdalena Osthaus 95; Werner Ullah 448b; Paul Kolenbrander 440; Eleni Melis 567; Maria Neuman-Fraune 147b; Inga Buckland 445; John O’Flynn 475; Nina Riegler 532; Joy Spreadborough 299; Jasmina Graf 444; Johannes Kunst 168; Anne Eringa 191; Constantin Dorsch 542; Fynn Titford-Mock 361; Derek Buckland 48b; Nathan Bowler 535.

Tobias Saalmann thanked those who had worked to help organise the day. The Secretary reported that seventy-five songs had been sung (including the closing song) by forty-one singers with twenty-five leaders. The Treasurer reported that all administrative costs had been met, and a donation would be made to the Ökumenisches Forum. Announcements were made.

Tobias Saalmann led 335 as the closing song. Derek Buckland offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairperson—Tobias Saalmann; Vice Chairperson—Chloë Spreadborough; Treasurer—Marcos Sullivan; Secretary—Derek Buckland