Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The 17th annual Swannanoa Shape Note Singing was held at Morris Pavilion, Warren Wilson College, in conjunction with The Swannanoa Gathering’s Old Time Music and Dance Week. Sarah Kehrberg brought the class to order with announcements, and by leading 73b followed by an opening prayer from Ron Pen.

Leaders: Eli Snyder 47t; Emma Parrish 497; Jonathan Wood 51; Larry Hall 551; John Plunkett 171; Brian Boris 282; Chris Wilhelm 376; Leslie Booher 319; Jacob Lindler 93; Lynda Hambourger 373; Dave Farmer 318; Daron Douglas 284; Michael Archer 39t; Kevin Kehrberg 112; Judy Mincey 291; Mary Baumeister 124; Ron Pen 128; Michael Spencer 393; Robert Kelley 458; Sarah Kehrberg 313b.

RECESS

Maddy Mullany brought the class to order leading 21 (CH). Leaders: Clarke Williams 54 (CH); Emma Parrish 170 (CH); Joe Holbert 214 (CH); Eli Snyder 316 (CH); Jonathan Wood 426 (CH); Chris Wilhelm 257 (CH); Brian Boris 85 (CH); Mary Baumeister 238 (CH).

Sarah Kehrberg and Clarke Williams conducted the memorial lesson. The names of the sick and shut-ins were read aloud. They led 400 (CH). Clarke Williams read the names of the deceased aloud, and led 111t (CH).

Leaders: John Plunkett 462t (CH); Judy Mincey 223 (CH); Lynda Hambourger 299 (CH); Jacob Lindler 431 (CH); Dave Farmer 432b (CH). Sarah Kerhberg offered a blessing for the meal.

LUNCH

Kevin Kehrberg began the afternoon session by leading 89 (CH). Leaders: Ron Pen 117 (CH); Michael Spencer 455b (CH); Sarah Kehrberg 546b (CH); Robert Kelley 174 (CH); Andy Morse 493b (CH); Leslie Booher 164t (CH); Larry Hall and Jonathan Wood 171 (CH); Jonathan Wood 295 (SoH) (for Will Partain); Mary Baumeister 315 (SoH); John Plunkett 280b (SoH); Judy Mincey 72t (SoH); Eli Snyder 30 (SoH); Jacob Lindler 318 (SoH); Maddy Mullany 132 (SoH) (for Bob Richmond).

RECESS

Sarah Kehrberg brough the class to order leading 16 (SoH). Leaders: Clarke Williams 325 (SoH); Daron Douglas 163b (for S.L. McTaggart); Candace Burch 47b; Dave Farmer 109 (SoH); Lynda Hambourger 448t; Michael Archer 445; Francesca Costantino and Sarah Kehrberg 178; Andy Morse 280; Michael Spencer 308; Emma Parrish 353; Robert Kelley 67 (SoH); Milt Crotts 89t (SoH); Brian Boris 82b (CH); Leslie Booher 180 (CH); John Plunkett 133 (CH); Kevin Kehrberg 436b (CH); Jonathan Wood 242; Ron Pen 455; Larry Hall 142.

The class entered a business meeting and voted to keep the same officers and resolved to meet again in 2026. Fifty-two singers from eight states, Germany and the UK registered; twenty-seven leaders led seventy-two songs. Following announcements the officers led 267 as the closing song. Sarah Kehrberg offered the closing prayer.

Chair—Sarah Kehrberg; Vice Chair—Ron Pen; Secretary—Eli Snyder