Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The 26th session of the Kalamazoo Sacred Harp singing was held on the third Sunday in July at the Carriage Barn at Drake Farm Homestead, Kalamazoo, Michigan. Martha Beverly called the class to order leading 171. Peter Trumbore offered the morning prayer, and then led 46. Leaders: John Fink 49b; Cecelia Kramer 71; Beth Todd 89; Scott Troyer 168; Bess Fitzgerald 97; Anne Evers 51; Steve Warner 34b; Idy Kiser 312b (in memory of her sister, Reed Schilbach); Shannon Tibbs 277; Anne Missavage 344; Grey Grant and Catherine Brown 162; Ginny Landgraf 410t; Tom Evers 31t; Anne Heider 497; Carrie Miller and Peter Trumbore 30t.

RECESS

Will Fitzgerald and Majorie Harrington led 457 to bring the class back to order. Leaders: Matthew Lind 99; Catherine Brown and Becca Harrington 66; Samuel Sommers 560; Nola Nielsen and Samuel Sommers 63; Jim Helke 279; Marian Mitchell 288; Gerald Shoultz 276; Lori Graber 30b; Terry Cunningham 142; Kate Lind and Will Fitzgerald 163t; John Fink 183; Peter Trumbore 300; Marian Mitchell 200; Matthew Lind 496; Cecelia Kramer 210; Grey Grant 198; Shannon Tibbs 86.

RECESS

Will Fitzgerald and Anna Lane led 105 to bring the class back to order. Leaders: Will Fitzgerald and Grace Flanagan 267; John Fink 268; Steve Warner 84; Gerald Shoultz 442; Ginny Landgraf 375; Jim Helke 341; Terry Cunningham 192; Scott Troyer 178; Samuel Sommers 94; Anne Evers 299; Anne Missavage 212; Tom Evers 65.

LUNCH

The afternoon session began with Samuel Sommers leading 319. Leaders: Bess Fitzgerald and Will Fitzgerald 56b; Jessica Bellaire 106; Linda Heemskerk and Cecelia Kramer 481.

The Sacred Harp Publishing Company presented a plaque to Martha Beverly to honor the contributions of the late Bill Beverly to Sacred Harp singing. Will Fitzgerald offered some words about Bill on behalf of the company. Martha Beverly and Will Fitzgerald led 191 in Bill’s honor, one of his favorite tunes, using the words of Cowper’s hymn, “God moves in a mysterious way” as a second verse. Martha Beverly also led 436 in his honor.

The session continued with the following leaders: Lori Graber 556; Anne Heider 528; Beth Todd 52t; Catherine Brown 38b; Anne Missavage 362; Anne Evers and Tom Evers 547 (in memory of Bill Beverly); Ginny Landgraf 536 (in honor of Judy Hauff); Marian Mitchell 157; Scott Troyer and Gerald Shoultz 313b; Jessica Bellaire 426t; Peter Trumbore 354b; Shannon Tibbs 42; Grey Grant 163b; Terry Cunningham 277; Martha Beverly 377; Matthew Lind 471. Announcements were made.

Martha Beverly led 209 as the closing song. Peter Trumbore dismissed the class with prayer.

Chairman—Martha Beverly; Secretary—Will Fitzgerald