Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

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Australian Sacred Harp Convention

Erskineville Town Hall, Sydney, Australia

January 25-26, 2025

Saturday, January 25

The 8th Australian Sacred Harp Singing Convention in Australia was held at the Erskineville Town Hall, Sydney, on the weekend closest to Australia Day. The outgoing Chairperson, Shawn Whelan, led 77b. The incoming Chairperson, Meg Quinlisk, welcomed singers and offered an Acknowledgement of Country to the Gadigal people, the traditional custodians of the land on which the Convention was held. Caitlin McHugh offered the opening prayer.

A brief business session was held and the following officers were appointed to serve: Chairperson—Meg Quinlisk; Vice Chairperson—Lachlan Warner; Registration and Arranging Committee—Thomas MacDonald and Ruby Foster; Treasurer—Caro Wormell; Secretary—Lauren Reader; Food Committee—Angharad Davis and Lachlan Warner.

Angharad Davis taught an introductory singing school on the history and traditions of Sacred Harp singing, including its use as a pedagogical tool. The singing school included singing of 45t.

Leaders: Ruby Foster 40; Lauren Reader 47t; Caro Wormell 49t; Shawn Whelan 49b; Meg Quinlisk 159; Natalie Sims 354t; Chris Phillips 276; Caitlin McHugh 162; Derek Buckland 28b; Morag Logan 148; Thomas MacDonald 65; Inga Buckland 39b; Peter Rayner 67; Angharad Davis 57; Ruby Foster 417.

RECESS

Meg Quinlisk led 30t to bring the class back to order. Leaders: Lauren Reader 91; Caitlin McHugh 31t; Shawn Whelan 70b; Peter Rayner 113; Angharad Davis 96; John Gill 282; Inga Buckland 223; Silvia Da Rocha 278t; Caro Wormell 504; Derek Buckland 122; John Gill and Brittany Gill 209; Thomas MacDonald 406; Morag Logan 452; Natalie Sims 76b; Chris Phillips 339; Ruby Foster 294; Meg Quinlisk 506; Lauren Reader 512. Caitlin McHugh offered a blessing before the meal.

LUNCH

Lauren Reader led 228 to bring the class back to order. Leaders: Thomas MacDonald 240; Chris Phillips 528; Ruby Foster 553; Shawn Whelan 383; Derek Buckland 126; Caitlin McHugh 127; Lyndal McRae 274t; Peter Rayner 84.

The memorial lesson was conducted by Caitlin McHugh. The following sick and shut-ins were named: David Macpherson, Robin Price, Guinefort, Les Reader, John White, Annette White, Ken Hallock, Cäcilia Mann, Macduff, Margaret Davis and Rhiannon Davis. Caitlin McHugh led 86.

The following deceased were remembered and honoured: Tom Whelan, Rob Mahoney, Dan Burk, Jeff Begley, Uschi Nolte, Henry Guthery, Chloe Webb, Moi Chen Tee, Michael Kennedy, Sarah Grube, Alex Renwick, Anne Martin, James Walsh, Betty Staley. Caitlin McHugh led 70t.

Leaders: Angharad Davis 82b; Inga Buckland 109; Silvia Da Rocha 547; Caro Wormell 348t; Morag Logan 189; Natalie Sims 318; Meg Quinlisk 454; Lauren Reader 299.

RECESS

Thomas MacDonald led 245 to bring the class back to order. Leaders: Chris Phillips 183; Ruby Foster 263; Shawn Whelan and Philippa Stevens 542; Caro Wormell 277; Caitlin McHugh 173; John Gill 146; Angharad Davis 292; Natalie Sims 112; Kate Reid 451; Peter Rayner 155; Morag Logan 120; Inga Buckland 308; Derek Buckland 123b; Silvia Da Rocha 216; Shawn Whelan and Meg Quinlisk 532; Lauren Reader 99; Melanie Albrecht 535; Shawn Whelan and Lachlan Warner 323b; John Gill 480.

Meg Quinlisk thanked those who worked to make the first day of the convention happen. Announcements were made. Meg Quinlisk led 340 as the closing song.

Sunday, January 26

The Sunday session of the Australian Sacred Harp Convention commenced with a walking tour of significant buildings, statues, memorials, gardens and sculptures in Sydney, led by Angharad Davis and Meg Quinlisk. The following songs from The Sacred Harp, 1991 Edition and The Shenandoah Harmony were sung: 155, 121, 91 (ShH), 156 (ShH), 26, 172, 391, 545, 127, 117, and 437. After the walking tour, the class reconvened at Erskineville Town Hall.

LUNCH

Leaders: Meg Quinlisk 138b; Caitlin McHugh 134; Peter Rayner 324; Caro Wormell 198; Angharad Davis 550; Natalie Sims 193; Morag Logan 442; Inga Buckland 44; Chris Phillips 143; Thomas MacDonald 254; Kate Reid 434; Shawn Whelan 236; Derek Buckland 95; Ruby Foster 204; Silvia Da Rocha 300; Lauren Reader 260; Caitlin McHugh and Elizabeth Gray 457.

RECESS

Meg Quinlisk led 380 to bring the class back to order. Leaders: Caitlin McHugh 398; Peter Rayner 71; Caro Wormell 178; Angharad Davis 225t; Chris Phillips, Lauren Reader, Peter Rayner, Morag Logan, Shawn Whelan, Natalie Sims and Melanie Albrecht 344; Derek Buckland and Inga Buckland 70b; Kate Reid and Silvia Da Rocha 38b; Chris Phillips, Caro Wormell and Meg Quinlisk 92.

Meg Quinlisk thanked all those who attended the convention and contributed to its success, particularly those who had travelled from overseas and interstate to attend. Thanks were expressed to officers and committee members for their work to support the convention.

The Secretary reported that twenty-six singers attended the convention. Twenty-three leaders from two Australian states and territories and three countries led ninety-five songs.

The Treasurer reported that donations made during the convention were sufficient to cover the costs of convention expenses and any surplus would be used to support Sacred Harp singing activities as needed.

Announcements were made, and it was resolved to gather again next year in Melbourne on the weekend closest to Australia Day to reconvene the Australian Sacred Harp Convention.

Meg Quinlisk, Lauren Reader and Caro Wormell led 62. Caitlin McHugh offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairperson—Meg Quinlisk; Vice Chairperson—Lachlan Warner; Secretary—Lauren Reader