Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The Hamburg All-Day Singing was held at the Ökumenisches Forum HafenCity, Hamburg, on the first Saturday in October, organised by the Hamburg Sacred Harp Group. The class was called to order at 10:15 by Marcos Sullivan leading 31t. Marcos gave the opening introduction, welcoming singers from across Germany and from other countries. Inga Buckland offered the opening prayer.

Leaders: Tobias Saalmann 72b; Inga Buckland 32t; Chloë Spreadborough 56b; Nina Riegler 52t; Bertolt Hering 34b; Derek Buckland 162; Caro Stamm-Reusch 29t; Ulla Schlobohm 70b; Paul Kolenbrander 171; Caitlin Jay 131b; Rike Fischer 29b; Baker Wardlaw 49t; Cooper Thompson 146; Janna Itter 424; Tobias Saalmann 198; Marcos Sullivan 217.

RECESS

Inga Buckland brought the second session to order leading 87. Leaders: Ulrike Tietjen 102; Catherine Van Duzer 280; Nina Riegler 479; Bertolt Hering 566; Caro Stamm-Reusch 373; Sara Hellström 335; Constantin Dorsch 51; Jasmina Graf 332; Derek Buckland 414; Paul Kolenbrander 299; Caitlin Jay 399b; Ulla Schlobohm 430; Cooper Thompson 268; Rike Fischer 448t; Baker Wardlaw 159; Tobias Saalmann 173; Chloë Spreadborough 383; Marcos Sullivan 480.

RECESS

Chloë Spreadborough brought the third session to order leading 38b. Leaders: Bertolt Hering 503; Constantin Dorsch 71; Catherine Van Duzer 354t; Sara Hellström 66; Caro Stamm-Reusch 50t.

The memorial lesson was conducted by Derek Buckland, who reflected on those listed as sick and housebound, others with ailments or disabilities, and those unable to attend singings for various reasons, thinking of how we can support each other as a caring community. Caitlin Jay read the following names of the sick and housebound: Cäcilia Mann, Martha Stracke, and Dominik Fraune.

Lucia Ferguson read the following list of names of the deceased: Richard Mauldin, Dan Brittain, Dan Burk, Jeff Begley, Uschi Nolte, Henry Guthery, Chloë Webb, Stefan Dutt, John Van Duzer, Heidi Hanf, Gisela Wolk, and Alfred Saussotte. There was then a period of silence remembering all those people. Derek Buckland closed the lesson by leading 70t.

Leaders: Tobias Saalmann 512; Inga Buckland 313t; Jasmina Graf 377; Caitlin Jay 128; Ulrike Tietjen 30b; Cooper Thompson 91; Rike Fischer 313b; Marcos Sullivan 113. Tobias Saalmann gave thanks before the lunch break.

LUNCH

The post-lunch session began with Paul Kolenbrander leading 114. Leaders: Baker Wardlaw 207; Janna Itter 65; Chloë Spreadborough 148; Ulla Schlobohm 181; Bertolt Hering 282; Constantin Dorsch 428; Catherine Van Duzer 200; Sebastian May 444; Sara Hellström 155; Caro Stamm-Reusch 564; Derek Buckland 122; Tobias Saalmann 236; Inga Buckland 545; Jasmina Graf 522; Caitlin Jay 330t; Ulrike Tietjen 505; Cooper Thompson 106; Rike Fischer 123b; Paul Kolenbrander 440; Baker Wardlaw 277; Chloë Spreadborough 349; Tobias Saalmann 344; Marcos Sullivan 475.

RECESS

Bertolt Hering started off the final session of the day leading 84. Leaders: Nina Riegler 225t; Constantin Dorsch 542; Catherine Van Duzer 196; Sara Hellström 384; Caro Stamm-Reusch 410b; Jasmina Graf 215; Caitlin Jay 271t; Cooper Thompson 47b; Tobias Saalmann 107; Ulrike Tietjen 224; Paul Kolenbrander 201; Chloë Spreadborough 375; Nina Riegler 467; Constantin Dorsch 506; Catherine Van Duzer 492; Sara Hellström 112; Caro Stamm-Reusch 565; Inga Buckland 445; Derek Buckland 385t.

Marcos Sullivan thanked all for attending and confirmed that it had been a great day. Lucia Ferguson gave the Treasurer’s report, announcing that all expenses had been met. Announcements were made. The Secretary reported that ninety-six songs had been sung by thirty singers, with twenty-one people leading, from three registered countries (Germany, the Netherlands, USA—although we all come from lots of different places).

As the closing song, Marcos Sullivan led 209. Chloë Spreadborough offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Marcos Sullivan; Secretary—Chloë Spreadborough