Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, November 24

The 119th session of the Alabama Sacred Harp Musical Association met at Jefferson State College on the fourth Sunday and Saturday before in November. The class was called to order by Judy Caudle leading 63. The opening prayer was offered by Nicholas Thompson.

Leaders: Tom George 171; Linda Thomas and Nate Green 32t (for Jewel Wootten); Cheyenne Ivey 182; David Ivey 388; Justin Bowen 207; Rodney Ivey 200; Nicholas Thompson 340; Gail Doss 354t; Jim Aaron 47b; Mary Helen Dupree 107; Nate Green and Norma Green 34b; Mike Hinton 475; Pamela Minor and Gill Minor 121; David Smead 492; Ann Riley 186; Tim Gregg 92; Ben Shirley 115; Tom Booth 480; Anna Hinton 455; Hubert Nall 313t; Jeremiah Ledbetter 35.

RECESS

Tom George led 81t to bring the class back together. Leaders: Buell Cobb 439; Nathan Rees 462; Alex Forsyth 271b; Karen Rollins 136; Lisa Bennett 512 (for Chloe Webb).

A business session was held at this time, and the following officers and committee members were elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Tom George; Vice Chairman—Danny Creel; Secretaries—Elene Stovall, Cheyenne Ivey, and Linda Thomas; Chaplain—Daniel Lee; Arranging Committee—Sharon DuPriest and Cindy Tanner; Locating Committee—Linda Thomas and David Ivey; Resolutions Committee—Bridgett Hill Kennedy and Pam Nunn; Memorial Committee—Linda Sides and Hayden Arp; Finance Committee—Alex Forsyth, Rodney Ivey, and Nicholas Thompson. The business session was closed.

Leaders: Jonathon Smith 417; David Carlton 198; Bea Aaron 456; Ellen Ray 338; Judy Chambless 318 (for Eugene Forbes); Sarah Trumbore 172; Thom Fahrbach 214; Susan Cherones 349; Ann Jett 440 (for Barrett Patton); Andy Ditzler 151 (for Gillian Inksetter); Dennis George 139; Ryan Nash 522; Danny Creel 269; Loyd Ivey 426b; Daniel Lee 101b.

RECESS

The class was brought back to order by David Ivey leading 345b. Leaders: Daniel Williams 453; Hayden Arp 488; Daniel Bearden 234; Matt Hinton 29t; Linda Sides 82b; Anna Pfau 411; Christopher Mann 565; Bridgett Hill Kennedy 564 (for Elder Hopper); David Brodeur 403; Paul Luther Wilson 86; Wanda Capps 542 (for Brenda Chafin); Ada Silva 346; Keillor Mose 28b (in memory of Jim Windom); Pam Nunn 556 (in memory of Daphene Causey).

Danny Creel, representing the Sacred Harp Publishing Company, informed the class of the criteria for posthumously honoring Sacred Harp singers and supporters. He asked Hayden Arp to lead 140 in memory of Daphene Causey. He then presented Daphene’s family with a plague honoring her dedication and support of the Sacred Harp singing community. The family made comments, and accepted the award. Cindy Tanner led 436.

Leaders: Marlin Beasley 460; Ateven Snderson 203; Celeste Silva 209; Delone Cobbs 347; Samuel Williams 215; Jacob Acton 277; Vella Dailey 47t; Lina Silva 496; Shane Brown 297; Jerusha Wheeler 383. Daniel Lee asked a blessing before the noon meal.

LUNCH

The afternoon session began with Danny Creel leading 76b. Leaders: John Markovitz 278t; AnnaLiza Cull 40; Robert Chambless 84; Joseph Silva 504; Michele Cull 208 (in memory of Darrell Swarens); Justin Bowen 333; Jim Aaron 231; Tim Gregg 473; Mary Helen Dupree 497; Loyd Ivey 283; Daniel Williams 326; Daniel Bearden 327; Lina Silva 196; Jeremiah Ledbetter 495; David Carlton 332; Karen Rollins, Rodney Ivey, and Matt Hinton 365; Noel Silva 49b; Samuel Williams 534; Cassie Allen and Hayden Arp 434; Tom Booth 204; Vella Dailey 176t; Christopher Mann and Delone Cobbs 168; Shannon Primm 38t.

Tom George led 45b as the closing song. Daniel Lee dismissed the class with prayer.

Sunday, November 25

The Sunday session of the Alabama Sacred Harp Musical Association meeting began with Tom George leading 37b. Daniel Lee offered the opening prayer.

Leaders: Danny Creel 112; Daniel Lee 179; Linda Thomas 81b; Elene Stovall 411 (for Paula Picton and Don Bowen, and in memory of Robert Mathis); Nicholas Thompson 304; David Ivey 394; Linda Sides 530; Pam Nunn 216 (for Reba Windom); Karis Askin 168; Bridgett Hill Kennedy 82t; Mike Hinton 373; Ashley Sellers 442; Andy Ditzler 328; Larry Ballinger 306; Samuel Williams 378b; Shannon Primm 181; Winfred Kerr 521; Buell Cobb 52b; Nathan Rees 351; Nate Green and Norma Green 141; Kathy Williams 540.

RECESS

Tom George brought the class back together by leading 145t. Leaders: Jonathon Smith 202; Ellen Ray 323t; Philip Denney 421; Pamela Minor 312b; Gail Doss 493; Wanda Capps 298; Ben Shirley 294; Lisa Geist 273; Hubert Nall 287; AnnaLiza Cull 142; Ryan Nash 299; Beth Ann Clay 455; Henry Johnson 489; Lisa Bennett 341 (in memory of Darrell Swarens); Bea Aaron 568; Keillor Mose 422; Sarah Trumbore 418; Judy Caudle and Ryan Nash 272; Emma Hayden Calvert 388; David Brodeur 329; Ateven Snderson 417; Anna Hinton 383.

The memorial lesson was conducted by Linda Sides and Hayden Arp. Hayden spoke on behalf of the following sick and shut-ins: Charlene Wallace, Gillian Inksetter, Velton Chafin, Brenda Chafin, Ottis Sides, Jerry Kitchens, Concetta Branson, Dan Fahrbach, Norma Mincey, Judy Mincey, Roy Davis, Jewel Wootten, Eugene Forbes, Louis Hughes, Janice Hughes, Margie Smith, Don Bowen, Ozella Blackmon, Julia Poston, Coy Ivey, David Jackson, Idy Kiser, Paula Picton, Margaret Keeton, and Adrian Eldridge.

Linda Sides spoke in memory of the following deceased: Willodean Barton, Glenda Hopper, Lilly Hopper, Daphene Causey, Doug Conn, Elaine Ivey, Barbara Isbell, and Floy Wilder—Alabama; Florice Akin, Louise Holland, Andy Worthington, and James Batts—Georgia; Doug Webb, Calvin Stone, Edith Owen, and Mrs. Vaughn—Texas; Steve Helwig—Oregon; Darrell Swarens—Indiana; Jim Windom—Michigan; Wally Jeffries—Kentucky; Robin Mathis—Mississippi. Linda led 111b in memory of the deceased, and then offered prayer to close the memorial service.

Leaders: David Smead 348b; Cassie Allen 498; Hayden Arp 225b; Alex Forsyth 57; Ann Riley 456; Susan Cherones 300; Tom Fahrbach 27; Matt Hinton 460; Michele Cull 430; Ann Jett 88t; Cindy Tanner 198 (in memory of Darrell Swarens); Sharon DuPriest 546. Daniel Lee asked a blessing before the noon meal.

LUNCH

Danny Creel brought the afternoon session to order by leading 77t. Leaders: Cheyenne Ivey 212; Leanne Carter, Julia Carter, and Haven Carter 45t, 354b; Karis Askin and Philip Denney 178; Anna Hinton and AnnaLiza Cull 155; Tom George and Sarah Trumbore 124; Bridgett Hill Kennedy and Thom Fahrbach 276; Larry Ballinger and Lisa Geist 528; Kathy Williams and Judy Caudle 547; Matt Hinton and Mike Hinton 527; Daniel Lee and Susan Cherones 67; Linda Sides and Nicholas Thompson 215; Hayden Arp and Alex Forsyth 445; Lisa Bennett and David Smead 538 (for Judy Mincey); Ryan Nash and Beth Ann Clay 454; Anna Pfau and Keillor Mose 500; Ateven Snderson and Ellen Ray 344; David Brodeur and Andy Ditzler 242 (in memory of Daphene Causey); David Ivey and Nathan Rees 461; Michele Cull and Shannon Primm 36b (in memory of Darrell Swarens); Gail Doss and Ann Riley 523; Hubert Nall and Winfred Kerr 566; Henry Johnson and Samuel Williams 55; Ben Shirley and Pamela Minor 191; Pam Nunn and Cassie Allen 218 (for Eugene Forbes); Bea Aaron and Cheyenne Ivey 175; Linda Thomas and Elene Stovall 217; Ann Jett, Wanda Capps, Cindy Tanner, and Danny Creel 222; Sarah Trumbore, Cheyenne Ivey, Hayden Arp, Nicholas Thompson, Alex Forsyth, Keillor Mose, and Tom George 384 (for Coy Ivey).

A business meeting was held for the purpose of hearing reports. The Locating Committee reported that the convention will be held at Jefferson State College in November, 2019. The Finance Committee reported that expenses were met. The Resolutions Committee submitted the following: We would be remiss to close this convention without first giving thanks to the Lord. We give Thee thanks for the miracle of life, for quickening our spirits, and strengthening our voices to sing your praise. Additionally, we resolve to thank all the officers and committee members for their tireless efforts. We offer special thanks to the Arranging Committee for keeping this convention organized and moving along. We are thankful for the caterers and most appreciative for each individual who prepared a dish or dishes. We thank each of you for lending your voices. Finally, we resolve to congregate on the same weekend next year at this place for the 120th session of the Alabama Sacred Harp Musical Association meeting. The Secretary reported that over the two days of singing 118 leaders, representing fifteen states and two countries, led 196 songs.

Announcements were made. Tom George and Danny Creel led 146 as the closing song. Henry Johnson offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Tom George; Vice Chairman—Danny Creel; Secretaries—Elene Stovall, Cheyenne Ivey, and Linda Thomas