Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The thirty-eighth annual Harpeth Valley-Priestley Miller Memorial Singing was called to order at 9:30 a.m. on the first Saturday after Easter by David Carlton leading song on page 48t. Hibbard Thatcher led the congregation in an opening prayer.

Leaders: Darrell Holley 59; Sandie Scott 29 (t? b?) (for Marilyn Burchett); Hibbard Thatcher, Kate Janssen, and Stacie Wright 268; Tim Reynolds 84; Jon Gregg 155; Fay Thompson 128; Linda Sides 569b; Stephen Shearon 64; Pam Beziat 147 (t? b?); Laurens Blankers 40; Lewis Frost 49b.

RECESS

The class was called to order by David Carlton leading song on page 133.

The class organized with the following officers elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—David Carlton; Vice Chairman—Darrell Holley; Secretary—Marilyn Burchett; Arranging Committee—Sandie Scott and Henry Cobb; Chaplain—Hibbard Thatcher; Memorial Committee—Tim Reynolds and Fay Thompson.

Leaders: Henry Cobb 452b; Hugh McElrath 312b; Gary Smith 34b; Linda McGill 178; Martha Lang 106; Lynn McGill 85; Sarah Smith 159; Michael Penney 58; Ronnie Douglas and Linda Sides 45t; Stacie Wright and David Carlton 63; Marcia Bartenhager, Leigh Anne Bennett, and Laurens Blankers 73b; Kate Janssen and Henry Cobb 68b; Laurens Blankers 223. Hibbard Thatcher led the blessing for the noon meal.

LUNCH

The afternoon session began with David Carlton leading song on page 146; Tim Reynolds 148; and Jon Gregg 347.

Tim Reynolds and Fay Thompson presented a memorial lesson commemorating Harold Fair, L. E. Denson, and Margaret Wright. Tim Reynolds noted that memorial lessons are not customary at one- day singings. He emphasized that it is important for Nashville singers to recognize their ties to other singers and to the rich history of Sacred Harp singing around Nashville. Margaret Wright, longtime music professor and choir leader at Middle Tennessee State University, was one such central figure who especially nurtured and preserved this tradition. Today’s singing was dedicated to her memory. Tim reminded the class of the importance of remembering the faithful singers of the past as a way of showing our own faithfulness, and that at some future memorial lesson, our own names would be called. He called on Linda McGill, a former student of Margaret Wright, for reminiscences, and on Gary Smith, who read an appreciation he wrote of her arrangement of “Jacob’s Vision,” 551. Tim Reynolds then led song on page 551.

Leaders: Stephen Shearon 213t; Linda Sides 475; Lynn McGill 236; Sandie Scott “Harpeth” (Missouri Harmony); Darrell Holley 354b; Linda McGill 254; Hugh McElrath 35; Martha Lang 504; Michael Penney 31b.

Announcements were made. David Carlton led song on page 62 as the closing song.

Chairman—David Carlton; Vice Chairman—Darrell Holley; Secretary—Marilyn Burchett.