Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The 28th annual Sacred Harp singing associated with the Society for American Music annual conference, held this year in Tacoma, Washington, was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Esther Morgan-Ellis leading 31t. Karen Willard gave the opening prayer. Song selections were from The Sacred Harp, 1991 Edition except where otherwise indicated.

Leaders: Esther Morgan-Ellis 466; Erin Fulton 37b, 416; Jesse P. Karlsberg 417, 329; Doug Hill 337, 482; Elizabeth Uchimura 159; Paul Chamberlain 299, 438; Kristofer Ilex 83b, 328; Marla Elliott 313b, 269; Karen Willard 128, 114; Pippa Stoddard 134, 325; Tom Riis 189, 49b. Chase Castle introduced the song “Exeter,” a setting by William Billings of Issac Watts’s hymn “My thoughts on awful subjects roll,” related to a paper he was presenting at the conference. Chase Castle and Esther Morgan-Ellis led “Exeter.”

RECESS

Esther Morgan-Ellis called the class back to order leading 89. Leaders: Bertie Tompkins 227, 111b; Katina Mitchell 229, 59; David Wright 119, 156; Deb Koch 34b, 84; Jennifer DeLapp-Birkett 154, 122 (dedicated to the families of those who have died by suicide); Pippa Stoddard 123t; Anne Huckins 474, 107; Laura McMurray 101b; Sara Ng 79; Esther Morgan-Ellis, Deborah Morgan-Ellis, Phil Morgan-Ellis, and Anna Magner 448t; Karen Willard 556; Marla Elliott 504; Kristofer Ilex 278b; Paul Chamberlain 430; David Wright 217; Doug Hill 172; Bertie Tompkins 522. Announcements of upcoming singings were made.

Esther Morgan-Ellis, Erin Fulton, and Jesse P. Karlsberg led 267 (for Ron Pen) as the closing song. Chase Castle, a member of the Society, offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

The Society for American Music Singing occurs in conjunction with the Society’s annual meeting, the date and location of which vary each year. The 2026 singing will convene in Richmond, Virginia.

Chair—Esther Morgan-Ellis; Vice Chair—Erin Fulton; Secretary—Jesse P. Karlsberg