Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The 41st Chicago Anniversary Singing was held at Kilbourn Park Fieldhouse, Chicago, Illinois, on the second Sunday in January. The class was called to order at 9:30 a.m. by Ginny Landgraf leading 77b. Jim Swanson led the opening prayer.

Leaders: Dave Barford 37b; Brady Santoro 27; Randy Neufeld 171; Jim Helke 271t; Michael Mosley 235; Lori Graber 101t; Scott Stieg 455; Mark Bruns 480; Mark Bowman 344; Megan Dunning 76b; June Murphy 361; Susan Geil 565.

A business session was held to elect, appoint, or announce previously appointed officers and committee members as follows: Chairman—Dave Barford; Secretary—Brady Santoro; Arranging Committee—Eileen Ferguson, Jim Swanson; Kitchen Committee—Susan Geil; Finance Committee—Brady Santoro; Chaplains—Jim Swanson, Ginny Landgraf; Workshop Leader—Matthew Siefert; Resolutions—Lisa Grayson.

RECESS

Eileen Ferguson brought the class back to order leading 84. Leaders: Scott Luscombe 38t; JoDell Albi 163b; Wendy Wahn 472; Marian Mitchell 299; Sidra Schkerke 142; Steve Warner 34b; Erik Schwab 317; Cecilia Kramer 47b; Martha Beverly 532; Molly Whedbee 288; Anne Missavage 485; Anne Heider 189; Terry Cunningham 81t; Jim Swanson 353; Ginny Landgraf 547; Randy Neufeld 236; Michael Mosley 454.

RECESS

June Murphy brought the class back to order leading 318. Leaders: Luke Patterson 31t; Lisa Grayson 411; Jim Helke 196.

The memorial lesson was offered by Dave Barford. He led 122 and read the following list of names of the sick and shut-ins: Debbie Barford, Janet Fraembs, Robert Grayson, Rochelle Lodder, Eric Morgan, Scott Paeth, and John Seaton.

He also read the following list of names of the deceased: Terry Barber, Jeff Begley—California; Jeff Glenn, Nora O’Donnell—Illinois; Kelly Bowman, Tammy Hicks-Syron, Nixon and Ann McMillan—Michigan; Ted Lewis—Minnesota; Christian Camlin—Missouri; Mary Kregness—Ohio; Reed Schilbach—Washington; Mary Owen Grayson, Todd Siefert—Wisconsin. Dave led 147t and offered prayer.

Leaders: Brady Santoro 28t; Lori Graber 314; Scott Stieg 159; Mark Bruns 540; Mark Bowman 99; Dan Nickel 335; Susan Geil 474; Megan Dunning 148; Eileen Ferguson 504; Judy Hauff joined by phone and delivered a greeting to singers; Scott Luscombe 481. Jim Swanson offered grace before the meal.

LUNCH

Jim Swanson brought the class back to order leading 145t. Leaders: JoDell Albi 110; Wendy Wahn 56b; Marian Mitchell 47t (for John Seaton); Sidra Schkerke 448t; Steve Warner 86; Erik Schwab 495; Cecilia Kramer 39t; Martha Beverly 210; Molly Whedbee 141; Anne Missavage 362; Casey Doe 117; Anne Heider 198; Matthew Siefert 550; Terry Cunningham 192; Ginny Landgraf 433; Lisa Grayson 528; Luke Patterson 123b; Randy Neufeld 496; Michael Mosley 475.

RECESS

Jim Helke called the class back to order leading 503. Leaders: Cecilia Kramer 157; Mark Dawson 476; Mark Bruns 203; Scott Stieg 155; Anne Missavage 430; Brady Santoro 513.

The Founders’ Lesson was presented by Terry Cunningham, Kris Richardson, and Wendy Wahn. In celebration of nearly a half-century of Sacred Harp singing in Chicago, they led 501.

Leaders: Marian Mitchell 112; Martha Beverly 384; Mark Bowman 178; June Murphy 93; Jim Swanson 197; Matthew Siefert 183; Lisa Grayson 378b; Sidra Schkerke and Erik Schwab 214, 209.

The Arranging Committee and Secretary presented their reports to the class. Lisa Grayson delivered resolutions, recognizing the various committees and resolving to meet again on the second Sunday in January, 2026.

Dave Barford thanked everyone who contributed to the singing and fellowship, leading 347 as we took the parting hand. Ginny Landgraf dismissed the class with prayer.

Chairman—Dave Barford; Secretary—Brady Santoro