Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The first annual Kalamazoo Convention was held on the third Sunday in July at the Wesley Foundation Building on the campus of Western Michigan University. The class was called to order by Martha Beverly and Bill Beverly leading song on page 59. James Nelson Gingerich offered the morning prayer.

A business session was held in which the following officers were elected by acclamation: Chairpersons—Martha Beverly and Bill Beverly; Secretary and Arranging Committee—Henry Schuman; Treasurer—Ann Miczulski.Leaders: Bill Beverly 37b; Martha Beverly 48t; Henry Schuman 30t; Ann Miczulski 551; Jan Wright 31t; Jan Ketelle 36b; Roger Williams 84; Joan Aldridge 454; Molly Williams 81t; James Nelson Gingerich 472; Pauline Childers 475; Jim Pfau 171.

RECESS

Bill Beverly and Martha Beverly called the class to order leading song on page 300. Leaders: Al Frank 362; Kate Lind 335; Brad Oglesby 503b; Melanie Hauff 421; Barbara Nelson Gingerich 212; Joe Todd 124; Kiri Miller 330 (t? b?); Christine Guth 390; Richard DeLong 74t; Marcia Johnson 436; Kent Beck 87; Beth Todd 501; Keith Willard 297; Judy Hauff 201b; Ted Johnson 506.

RECESS

Henry Schuman called the class to order leading song on page 49t (by request). Leaders: D.J. Hatfield 251 (?); Cathryn Baker 143; Charles Wells 38b; Reba Dell Windom 142; Jenny Willard 349; James Page 216; Charlotte Wolfe 99; Jim Pfau 203; David Rust 213 (t? b?); Ted Mercer 240; Terry Hogg 112; Jim Helke 49b; Mark Miller 266; Samuel Sommers 528. Reverend Jeffrey Williams, Chaplain of the Wesley Foundation, led the class in a blessing for lunch.

LUNCH

Bill Beverly and Martha Beverly brought the afternoon session together leading song on page 66. Leaders: Jan Wright 183; Roger Williams 52t; Thomas Willard 378t; Joan Aldridge 198; Stanley Chang 269; Molly Williams 284; Charles Wells 47b; Ann Miczulski 314; Keith Willard 29t; Reba Dell Windom 196; James Nelson Gingerich 254 (by request); James Page 315; Judy Hauff 245; Richard DeLong 34t; Marcia Johnson 163t; Melanie Hauff 444; Brad Oglesby 402; Jenny Willard 318.

RECESS

The class was called together by Bill Beverly and Martha Beverly leading song on page 176 (t? b?). Leaders: Ted Johnson 547 (by request); D.J. Hatfield 218; Pauline Childers 234; Mark Miller 365 (by request); Jan Ketelle 445; Joe Todd 384; Kiri Miller 267; Ted Mercer 195; Beth Todd 32t; David Rust 485; Christine Guth 35; Al Frank 146; Kate Lind 56b; Terry Hogg 299; Samuel Sommers 422; Henry Schuman 120; James Nelson Gingerich 522.

Martha Beverly offered the following resolutions. Thanks to:

1. Zaide Pixley and John Fink for organizing the February 1997 singing at Kalamazoo College which planted the seed of Sacred Harp in this community;
2. The Wesley Foundation and Pastor Jeffrey Williams for making this site available;
3. Grace Flesche for managing the kitchen, Dennis and Ann Miczulski for placing signs, Roger Williams for set-up and clean-up, Jan Wright and Molly Williams for registration;
4. All who provided today’s excellent dinner;
5. The Goshen, Indiana singers whose presence and experience has helped us to learn and grow in the tradition;
6. The Chicago singers for fostering Kalamazoo events and for leading the way;
7. All the singers who came from near and far to sing with us today; and
8. Almighty God for giving us voices to sing His praise.

Bill Beverly and Martha Beverly led song on page 47 (t? b?) as the closing song. Samuel Sommers offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairpersons—Bill Beverly and Martha Beverly; Treasurer—Ann Miczulski; Secretary—Henry Schuman.