Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The 5th annual Helwig-Coghlan Memorial All-Day Singing met at the California Historical Radio Society in Alameda, California, on Saturday before the second Sunday in November. The class was called to order by Lindy Groening and Pat Coghlan leading 492. J.T. Harechmak offered the opening prayer.

The business meeting was held and the following slate of officers were appointed: Chairs—Pat Coghlan, Joe Coghlan, Lindy Groening; Secretaries—Leah Coffin, Helen Cepero; Treasurer—Dami Osoba; Chaplain—J.T. Harechmak; Registration—Yarrow Syskine; Resolutions—Maggie Zhou; Arranging Committee—Heather Purdy and Marc Lambert; Food—Hannah Blair; Beverages—Paul Hsi. A resolution was passed to use The Sacred Harp: 2025 Edition for the singing, and the business meeting was suspended.

Leaders: Heather Purdy 39t; Leigh Cooper 55; Lena Strayhorn 484b; Anne Caswell 33b; Helen Cepero 334; Dami Osoba 487; Marc Lambert 84; Maggie Zhou and Veena Mukherzhou 105; Hannah Blair 357; Paul Hsi 47b; Hugh McGuire 41; Leah Coffin 531; Yarrow Syskine 130; Dave Barber 178b; Carolyn Deacy 182; Jenny Solheim 516.

RECESS

Hugh McGuire led 495 to bring the class together. Leaders: Linda Selph 381; Chris Thorman 484t; Lindy Groening 223; Ellen Lueck 37t; Thom Fahrbach 451; Nina Berry 45t; Mark Godfrey 413; Jennifer Jones 494; J.T. Harechmak 36t; Dill Ma 183; Sumie Arnold 524; Wren Hyde 561; Kate Coxon 78.

RECESS

The class was brought back to order by Leigh Cooper leading 32t. Leaders: Bob Schinske 526; Betsy Jeronen 256; Kate Fortin 255; Dave Barber 444; Hannah Blair 115; Anne Caswell 258; Dami Osoba 150; J.T. Harechmak and Peter Harechmak 31t; Lena Strayhorn 420t; Heather Purdy 270; Maggie Zhou 548; Carolyn Deacy 254; Marc Lambert 455; Jenny Solheim 463; Yarrow Syskine 410t; Leah Coffin 397; Helen Cepero 496; Thom Fahrbach 497b; Kate Coxon 483. J.T. Harechmak asked a blessing before dinner on the grounds.

LUNCH

J.T. Harechmak brought the class back to order leading 89. Leaders: Ellen Lueck 118; Betsy Jeronen 392; Joe Coghlan 501b; Pat Coghlan 214; Leigh Cooper 358; Bob Schinske 471; Sumie Arnold 551 (for Aida Veliz); Mark Godfrey 351; Paul Hsi 72b; Rebecca Edwards 393; Chris Thorman 288; Jennifer Jones 430; Dill Ma 315; Wren Hyde 166; Lindy Groening 116; Linda Selph 480; Kate Fortin 426b; Thom Fahrbach 80t; Kate Coxon 544; Jenny Solheim 367; Lena Strayhorn 70b; Hannah Blair 454; Dave Barber 64; Leah Coffin 449.

RECESS

Heather Purdy led 428 to bring the class together. Leaders: Rebecca Edwards 440; Dami Osoba 216; Bob Schinske 523; Wren Hyde 276; Anne Caswell 569b; Betsy Jeronen and Thom Fahrbach 225t; Yarrow Syskine 56b; Joe Coghlan 49b; Carolyn Deacy 201; Kate Fortin 528 (in memory of Steve Helwig); Ellen Lueck 520; Marc Lambert 112; Sumie Arnold 135; Jennifer Jones 224; Maggie Zhou 515; Linda Selph 217; Chris Thorman 280; Mark Godfrey 299.

The business meeting was reopened. The treasurer reported that expenses had been met. The secretaries reported that forty-four singers from three states were present, of which thirty-five singers led ninety-five songs. The Resolutions Committee thanked all who made the singing possible and resolved to meet again in 2026 on Saturday before the second Sunday in November. The business meeting was closed, and announcements were made.

Lindy Groening led 347t as the closing song. J.T. Harechmak dismissed the class with prayer.

Chairs—Pat Coghlan, Joe Coghlan, Lindy Groening; Secretaries—Leah Coffin, Helen Cepero