Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

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Lincoln’s Birthday Singing

University of Chicago, Ida Noyes Hall, Chicago, Illinois

February 7, 1999

The seventh annual Lincoln’s Birthday singing at the University of Chicago’s Ida Noyes Hall was called to order by Ted Mercer at 1:00 p.m.

Kiri Miller was elected as chair and arranged for the election of the other officers. She then asked Ted Mercer to give a short lesson on the shapes for the many individuals who had wandered into the singing from other areas of the Folk Festival of which the singing was a part.

Due to a hard drive crash, virtually all of the record of who led songs has been lost, the two exceptions being Marcia Johnson 212 and Martin Pergler 248 (?). The class particularly welcomed two leaders from distant places: Joe Hickerson of Maryland and the recordings division of the Library of Congress, and Esther Huckaby of Texas.

The singing ended with a prayer and Kiri Miller led 347 as the parting song at 4:00 p.m.

The specific date of the singing varies from year to year, but it is always held in conjunction with the University of Chicago Folk Festival. In 2000, the singing will be on February 6.

Chairman—Kiri Miller; Vice Chairman—Kate Lingley; Secretary—Mark Miller.