Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The first Poland All-Day Cooper Book singing was held on Saturday before the third Sunday in July. Gosia Perycz called the class to order leading 101t, and welcomed the class to Zawory. Blazej Matusiak offered the opening prayer.

David Lee of Hoboken, Georgia, was introduced as the guest singing school teacher. David spoke about the history of Cooper Book singing in his hometown of Hoboken. He demonstrated the traditional “Hoboken style” of singing Sacred Harp by leading 68b, 410, 465, 572, 73t, 478, 95b, 378t, 388, 364, 511t, 511b, and 539. David also demonstrated differences in styles by leading 47t with two beats, then four beats, and then in the Hoboken style sung from Lloyd’s Hymnal.

RECESS

Steve Helwig called the class back to order leading 268t. David Lee continued the singing school portion of the day with a workshop on walking time. After demonstrating the technique with 45t, 348t and 378b, David had each member of the class practice walking time with common, triple, and compound time songs. Following the workshop, David requested leaders to practice walking time on the song of their choice. Leaders: Magdalena Gryszko 45t; Olgierd Orlikowski 108b; Blazej Matusiak 31t; Justyna Orlikowska 58; Mary Helen Dupree 52t; Gosia Perycz 204; Piotrek Zarzycki 159; Alma Moledys 65; Jacek Borkowicz 29t; Joanna Mankiewicz 87; Karolina Materek 49t; Steve Helwig 71; Kama Dembinska 134; Karen Willard 138t. David Lee resumed the singing school by leading a selection of songs not generally sung out of other shape note hymnals including 263, 55, 563, 492, 502, 519, 140, 328, and 503. Blazej Matusiak blessed the noon meal.

LUNCH

Steve Helwig called the class back to order leading 39. David Lee spoke briefly about the importance of this music as a gift, and the responsibility we, as singers, have to pass it on to the next generation. Leaders: David Lee 47b, 96; Kathy Lee 29b; Mary Helen Dupree 583; Karen Willard 585; Piotrek Zarzycki 142; Gosia Perycz 505; Magdalena Gryszko 571; Alma Moledys 587; Olgierd Orlikowski 215; Kama Dembinska 102; Blazej Matusiak 393; Justyna Orlikowska 277; Jacek Borkowicz 274t; Steve Helwig 98; Kathy Lee 171; Gosia Perycz 123b; Mary Helen Dupree 389t; Kama Dembinska 99; Olgierd Orlikowski 383; Piotrek Zarzycki 239; Magdalena Gryszko 276; Blazej Matusiak 463; Justyna Orlikowska 107; Jacek Borkowicz 376; Karen Willard 559; David Lee 514; Steve Helwig 591.

Gosia Perycz and David Lee led 207b as the closing song. David Lee offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairperson—Gosia Perycz; Secretary—Steve Helwig