Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, September 15

The 28th annual session of the Illinois State Sacred Harp Convention was called to order by Ryan Wheeler leading 45t. Don Bardsley offered the morning prayer.

The following officers and committees were previously elected or appointed: Chairman—Ryan Wheeler; Co-Chairman—Jim Page; Treasurer—Barbara A. Moore; Secretary—Janet Fraembs; Chaplain—Don Bardsley (Saturday); Lou Kujawinski, Carol Munro Mosely (Sunday); Arranging Committee—Berkley Moore and Barbara A. Moore; Finance Committee—Mark Graber and Ryan Wheeler; Memorial Committee—Ryan Wheeler and Jim Page.

Leaders: Terry Hogg 523; Janet Fraembs 34b; Peggy Brayfield 13 (MH); Lori Graber 2 (MH); James Page “Berkley”; Paul Figura 19 (MH); Johanna Fabke 473; Ginny Landgraf 77 MH; Jo Dell Albi 169; Dave Ressler 171; Jonathan Smith 101b; Nathan Rees 138t; Anne Heider 138 (MH); Helen Parker 117; Joan Aldridge 110; Bill Rintz 178; Berkley Moore 9 (MH).

RECESS

Darrell Swarens brought the class back to order by leading 128. Leaders: Penny Kujawinski 474; William Shetter 64 (MH); Steve Warner 131 (MH); Shirley Figura 180 (MH); Micah Sommersmith “Runyan”; Jan Ketelle 89 (MH); Gary Gronau 419; Becky Browne 318; Len Vanderjagt 99; Lou Kujawinski 368; Don Bardsley 149; Julie Vea 536; Presley Barker 131t; Martha Tyner 40. Don Bardsley offered the blessing before the noon meal.

LUNCH

Presley Barker called the class back together for the afternoon session leading 276. Leaders: Paul Figura 127 (MH); Ginny Landgraf 91 (MH); Dave Ressler 216; Jo Dell Albi 214; Jonathan Smith 189; Nathan Rees 371; Anne Heider 455; Helen Parker 481; Bill Rintz 51 (MH); Darrell Swarens 507; William Shetter 135 (MH); Steve Warner 168; Shirley Figura 30b; Micah Sommersmith 157; Jan Ketelle 217; Becky Browne 270; Gary Gronau 496; Len Vanderjagt 102; Don Bardsley 56b; Julie Vea 436; Ryan Wheeler 148.

RECESS

James Page brought the class back together by leading 65. Leaders: Terry Hogg 43; Peggy Brayfield 34 (MH); Lori Graber 228; Janet Fraembs 532; Martha Tyner 335; Presley Barker 505; James Page 45 (MH); Joan Aldridge 373; Lou Kujawinski 442; Penny Kujawinski 37b; Ginny Landgraf 148 (MH); Dave Ressler 175 (MH); Jo Dell Albi 8 (MH); Jonathan Smith, Kyle Carmack, and Nathan Rees 56t; Anne Heider 273; Bill Rintz 288; Darrell Swarens 145 (MH); William Shetter 454.

Following announcements, Ryan Wheeler led 323t. Terry Hogg closed the Saturday session with prayer.

Sunday, September 16

The Sunday session of the Illinois State Sacred Harp Singing Convention was called to order by Ryan Wheeler leading 59. Lou Kujawinski offered the morning prayer.

Leaders: Berkley Moore 435; Carol Munro Mosley 192; Dave Ressler 300; Len Vanderjagt 49b; Lou Kujawinski 56 (MH); Penny Kujawinski 32t; Joan Aldridge 166; Johanna Fabke 114; James Page 170 (MH); Presley Barker 191; Martha Tyner 84; Janet Fraembs 110 (MH); Lori Graber 497; Peggy Brayfield 84 (MH); Terry Hogg 162 (MH); Julie Vea 385t; Ryan Wheeler 149 (MH); Joe Astrouski 335; Berkley Moore 142 (MH); Carol Munro Mosley 145 (MH); Dave Ressler 70 (MH).

RECESS

The memorial lesson was conducted by Presley Barker and Ryan Wheeler. The names of the sick and shut-ins read by Presley were Bob Scorgie, Bob Anderson, Lee Steinmetz, Doris Steinmetz, Mary Jean McGuire, David Rust, Marlen Rust, Bill Smith, Sharon Owens, Josie Hyde, Jim Helke, and Ted Mercer. He commented that with today’s technology we share our singings with our absent friends by holding up phones for them to hear. He led 472 for them.

The following names were listed on the memorial list: Becky Schildman, Michael Veech, Garry Harrison, Dorthy Dexheimer—Illinois; M. Harrison Creel, Marie Ivey, Travis Keeton, Ruth Johnson, Pauline Griggs—Alabama; John Merritt—Mississippi; Lonnie Rogers—Georgia; Dora Miller—Iowa; Sharyn Kropp—Missouri; Elaine Beyer—Wisconsin. Ryan talked about how much we owe those who have passed on and told how a singer from Chicago, Paul Sheeter, now deceased, had been instrumental in encouraging the Geneva singing. He led 66, and closed the memorial lesson with prayer. Carol Munro Mosley offered the noontime blessing.

LUNCH

Terry Hogg brought the class back to order by leading 62 (MH). After the convention voted for each leader to select two songs if desired, the following tunes were led. Leaders: Julie Vea 113 (MH), 218; Ryan Wheeler 236, 278b; Joe Astrouski 397, 504; Carol Munro Mosley 540, 455; Dave Ressler 285t, 299; Terry Hogg 147 (MH), 133 (MH); Ryan Wheeler 33b; Penny Kujawinski 372, 29t; Lou Kujawinski 272, 473; Johanna Fabke 505; James Page 34 (MH), 67 (MH); Ryan Wheeler 457; Presley Barker 277, 276; Martha Tyner 147t, 479.

RECESS

Singing resumed with Berkley Moore leading 229. Leaders: Janet Fraembs 181, 385b; Peggy Brayfield 126 (MH), 284; Lori Graber 368, 107; Ryan Wheeler 81t, 77t; Joe Astrouski 80t 105; Dave Ressler 122, 67; Terry Hogg 535, 549.

Ryan Wheeler announced that expenses were met. He then thanked the various committees and individuals who had made the convention a success, those who had brought food, and those who had come from near and far to sing. He acknowledged the Christian County Historical Society and Chuck Courtwright for use of the facility. Announcements were made.

Ryan Wheeler led 62 as the closing song, and those who wished took the parting hand. Terry Hogg closed with a prayer.

Chairman—Ryan Wheeler; Co-Chairman—James Page; Secretary—Janet Fraembs