Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The 4th annual Kyneton All-Day Singing was held at the Kyneton Mechanics Institute, Mollison Street, Kyneton, Victoria, Australia. Lauren Reader led 49t as the opening song, and gave an Acknowledgement of Country of the Taungurung People of the Eastern Kulin Nations. Angharad Davis offered the opening prayer. Lauren Reader welcomed singers to the singing. Natalie Sims taught an introductory singing school on the rudiments and preparing to lead songs. The singing school included 45t.

Leaders: Meg Quinlisk 56t; Melanie Albrecht 56b; Myfanwy Godfrey 107; Angharad Davis 68b; Thomas MacDonald 65; Natalie Sims 354t; Ruby Foster 299; Shawn Whelan 472.

A business session was held and the following officers were elected or appointed to serve: Chairperson—Lauren Reader; Secretary—Chris Phillips; Chaplain and Memorial Lesson—Angharad Davis and Meg Quinlisk; Treasurer—Myfanwy Godfrey; Arranging Committee—Natalie Sims and Shawn Whelan; Registration Committee—Edie White and Myfanwy Godfrey; Food Committee—Naomi Colville and Darren White.

RECESS

Chris Phillips led 47t to bring the class back to order. Leaders: Ruth McNamara and Alex McNamara 34b; Alexis Halverson and Melanie Albrecht 276; Lauren Reader 112; Meg Quinlisk 430; Melanie Albrecht 86; Angharad Davis 96; Natalie Sims 203; Thomas MacDonald 189; Shawn Whelan 455; Ruby Foster 102; Chris Phillips 269; Ruth McNamara and Alex McNamara 481; Alexis Halverson and Natalie Sims 300; Lauren Reader and Chris Phillips 91; Meg Quinlisk 110; Melanie Albrecht 95; Angharad Davis 181; Natalie Sims 98; Thomas MacDonald 179; Ruby Foster 406; Chris Phillips and Leanne Watson 162. Angharad Davis offered a blessing before the meal.

LUNCH

Shawn Whelan and George Vanderstoep led 178 to bring the class back to order. Leaders: Meg Quinlisk and Shawn Whelan 198; Melanie Albrecht 277; Angharad Davis 500; Chris Phillips 410t; Thomas MacDonald 245; Lauren Reader 504; Natalie Sims 475; Myfanwy Godfrey 146; Ruby Foster 232.

The memorial lesson was conducted by Meg Quinlisk. The following sick and shut-ins were named: Claire Reader, Margaret Davis, Rhiannon Davis, Meg Quinlisk. Meg Quinlisk led 30b. The following deceased were remembered and honoured: Amanda Stevenson, Tom Whelan, Michelle Cook, Evdokia Harilaou, Dimitri Harilaou, Robert Colville, John Hamill, Mr. Pritchard, Bob McDonald, Sarah Grube. Meg Quinlisk led 308. Angharad Davis offered a prayer.

Leaders: Bill Thomson 268; Alexis Halverson and Shawn Whelan 547; Kate Reid and Lauren Reader 434; Lauren Reader 344; Melanie Albrecht 106.

RECESS

Angharad Davis led 59 to bring the class back to order. Leaders: Myfanwy Godfrey 535; Mary Vanderstoep and Natalie Sims 63; Chris Phillips 270; Ruth McNamara 284; Thomas MacDonald 227; Natalie Sims 136; Bill Thomson 49b; Meg Quinlisk 306; Kate Reid 142; Ruby Foster 195; Meg Quinlisk, Thomas MacDonald, Angharad Davis, and Ruby Foster 254; Lauren Reader, Naomi Colville, Ruth McNamara, George Vanderstoep, and Ingrid Vanderstoep 82t; Myfanwy Godfrey, Shawn Whelan, Melanie Albrecht, Natalie Sims, Alexis Halverson, and Chris Phillips 217; Ruby Foster, Bill Thomson, and Angharad Davis 428; Kate Reid, Lauren Reader, Shawn Whelan and Alexis Halverson 385b.

Lauren Reader thanked those who worked hard to make the all-day singing happen, including officers, committee members, and the singing school teacher. The Secretary reported twenty-three singers from two states and two countries had sung sixty-five songs led by twenty leaders. The Treasurer reported that costs of venue hire had been met, and a small surplus was available to furnish the purchase of new books. Announcements were made.

Lauren Reader and Meg Quinlisk led 339 as the closing song. Angharad Davis offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Sunday, November 10

The class reconvened on Sunday afternoon at a private home in Kyneton to sing from the Shenandoah Harmony. Leaders: Lauren Reader 264b (ShH); Chris Phillips 162 (ShH); Ruby Foster 194 (ShH); Thomas MacDonald 15 (ShH); Angharad Davis 197 (ShH); Shawn Whelan 287 (ShH); Meg Quinlisk 292 (ShH); Lauren Reader 105 (ShH); Chris Phillips 132 (ShH); Ruby Foster 258 (ShH); Thomas MacDonald 160 (ShH); Angharad Davis 180 (ShH); Shawn Whelan 171 (ShH); Meg Quinlisk 154 (ShH); Lauren Reader 408t (ShH); Chris Phillips 408b (ShH); Ruby Foster 41 (ShH); Thomas MacDonald 106 (ShH).

RECESS

Angharad Davis led 186 (ShH) to bring the class back to order. Leaders: Shawn Whelan 403 (ShH); Meg Quinlisk 103 (ShH); Lauren Reader 140b (ShH).

Chris Phillips led 264t (ShH) as the closing song. The class was dismissed.

Chairperson—Lauren Reader; Secretary—Chris Phillips