Minutes 2014
Saturday
Steve Fletcher as Chair called the class to order with 34b. She welcomed the assembled singers to Let Us Sing! South of England Sacred Harp Convention 2014 and called upon Richard Percival to offer the opening prayer. By way of a Singing School, Steve brought to the attention of the singers the resources on offer to assist with learning to sing shape-note music, charts and diagrams, the Rudiments in the Sacred Harp, and the experience of singers in the room. She then outlined points of convention etiquette, which encourages all leaders to contribute to the pleasant experience of the singers by considering appropriate choices of song throughout the day.
Leaders: Steve Fletcher 212; Nick Hall 36b; Toby Goss 300; Sheila Girling Macadam 523; Heather Thompson 178; Rachel Jordan 52t; Mandy Townsend 480; Richard Percival 49b; Sofi Mogensen 312b; Michael Walker 31t; Steve Welch 147b; Alan Williams 84; Edmund Richardson 111b; Phil Owen 296; Adrian Bolge 107.
RECESS
The class was called to order by Nick Hall leading 318. Leaders: Edwin Macadam 192; Dil Scott 40; Toby Goss 203; Sheila Girling Macadam 534; Heather Thompson 47b; Rachel Jordan 183; Mandy Townsend 217; Richard Percival 479; Sofi Mogensen 102; Michael Walker 506; Steve Welch 489; Edmund Richardson 148; Phil Owen 38b; Adrian Bolge 503; Edwin Macadam 121; Sheila Girling Macadam 442; Heather Thompson 284; Rachel Jordan 344; Nick Hall 231. Mary Bolge offered Grace before lunch.
LUNCH RECESS
Richard Percival opened the afternoon session with 452. Leaders: Toby Goss 315; Heather Thompson 146; Mandy Townsend 448t; Sofi Mogensen 228; Michael Walker 475; Steve Welch 50b; Steve Fletcher 481; Phil Owen 204; Edmund Richardson 134; Alan Williams 569b; Adrian Bolge 77t; Richard Percival 504; Toby Goss 474; Rachel Jordan with Chloe Marshall 99; Nick Hall 528; Sofi Mogensen 65; Heather Thompson 86; Mandy Townsend 490; Michael Walker 507.
RECESS
Steve Fletcher opened the final session of the day with 299. Leaders: Steve Welch 150; Edmund Richardson 32t; Phil Owen 106; Alan Williams 472; Adrian Bolge 87; Nick Hall 223; Rachel Jordan 391; Heather Thompson 535; Mandy Townsend 441; Richard Percival 361; Werner Ullah 133; Sofi Mogensen 278t; Michael Walker 573; Alan Williams 277; Phil Owen 430; Steve Welch 31b; Edmund Richardson 313t. Following announcements of forthcoming singings, thanks were given to the many people who had helped with various tasks during the day. Adrian Bolge gave the closing prayer; Steve Fletcher led the final song 46 and the class was dismissed.
Alternative Singing, Saturday
Michael Walker introduced us to The Christian Harmony, 2012 edition, and to the Aiken 7-shape system of notation. He then led us through these songs, some familiar to us from The Sacred Harp (Denson), others characteristic of this collection: 78b New Britain; 50 Cranbrook; 59t Mear; 94 Plenary; 26t Golden Hill; 61t North Carolina; 61b Gaines; 55b Idumea; 354 Summer; 208b French Broad; 64 Youthful Blessings; 144 Walk with God; 101 An address for all.
Steve Fletcher then led us in selected “New England & New Writings” songs. From Norumbega Harmony: Maryland; Walpole; Ten thousand charms; Lancaster. From Northern Harmony: Birmingham; Warren; the session ended with a piece written by Mick Verrier: New England.
Sunday
Steve Fletcher called the class to order with 178. She welcomed singers to the second day of Let Us Sing!, and called upon Martin Williams to offer the opening prayer. Michael Walker conducted a singing school on the topic of Accent. Having complimented UK singers on their ability to stay in tune, he went on to say that we tend to alter our rhythms to suit the words, using free rhythm much as we would when singing folk songs. American singers, by contrast, use accent to keep the time consistent. He showed us how to accent on the primary and secondary beats in each bar whilst holding right back on unaccented beats. We sang these songs by way of illustration: 146; 275t; 318.
Leaders: Matthew Parkinson 101t; Mandy Townsend 72b; Alan Williams 284; Tom Gerber 74b; Steve Brett 48t; Michael Walker, on behalf of Maggie Eiseman-Renyard 122; Barry Parsons 274b; Pete Eiseman-Renyard 49t; Michael Walker 230; Steve Fletcher, on behalf of Jac Gehring 163t; Matt Parkinson 89; Tom Gerber 108b; Steve Brett 37b; Alan Williams 425; Mandy Townsend 112; Pete Eiseman-Renyard 47t; Barry Parsons 417.
Steve Fletcher gave a joint Memorial and Sick & Housebound lesson, taking as her theme “The moral of the elephant”, which demonstrated the benefits of bringing together all points of view in order to see the whole picture, whilst celebrating the diversity within the Sacred Harp community. She related this to different approaches to death. Claire Shearman read the names on the Memorial List (all from UK): Roy Jones, Old Marston, Oxford; Dudley K. Fuller, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire; Douglas Hall, Warwick; Ted Alderson, Tatsfield, Surrey; Veronica Shrub, Tatsfield, Surrey; Irene Owen, Tatsfield, Surrey; Steve Arch, Lewes, Sussex; Jean Bell, Lewes, Sussex; Don Bishop, Lewes, Sussex; Sara Ray, London; Dorothy Williams. Steve then considered different experiences of ill health. Samantha Cole read the names on the Sick & Housebound list (all from UK): Jackie Saunders, Eynsham, Oxfordshire; Patricia Price, Sutton, Surrey; Jan Lawrence, London; Mary Wray, London; Moya Wolfe, London; Drew Logan, Belfast. Following a few moments of silent contemplation, Steve led 411.
Leaders: Michael Walker 435; Matt Parkinson 204; Pete Eiseman-Renyard 84; Steve Brett 512; Tom Gerber 76b; Barry Parsons 33t; Mandy Townsend 490; Michael Walker 129; Steve Fletcher 472. Martin Williams offered Grace before lunch.
LUNCH RECESS
Tom Gerber called the class to order with 68b. Leaders: Matt Parkinson 69b; Alan Williams 70b; Mandy Townsend 313b; Steve Brett 182; Michael Walker 153; Barry Parsons 128; Pete Eiseman-Renyard 117; Steve Fletcher 383; Matt Parkinson 213t; Tom Gerber 334; Alan Williams 299; Mandy Townsend 302; Steve Brett 142; Michael Walker 309; Barry Parsons 436; Pete Eiseman-Renyard 40; Steve Fletcher 148; Matt Parkinson 569b; Steve Brett 426b; Mandy Townsend 448b; Tom Gerber 100; Alan Williams 183; Pete Eiseman-Renyard 143; Michael Walker 209; Barry Parsons 338; Steve Fletcher 155; Matt Parkinson 157; Alan Williams 323b; Steve Brett 504; Steve Fletcher 29t; Mandy Townsend 542; Michael Walker 225t.
Following announcements of forthcoming singings, thanks were given to the many people who had helped with various tasks today. Martin Williams gave the closing prayer; Steve Fletcher led the final song 46 and the class was dismissed.
Chair: Steve Fletcher; Secretaries: Sofi Mogensen, Werner Ullah. Minutes submitted by Steve Fletcher.
Steve Fletcher as Chair called the class to order with 34b. She welcomed the assembled singers to Let Us Sing! South of England Sacred Harp Convention 2014 and called upon Richard Percival to offer the opening prayer. By way of a Singing School, Steve brought to the attention of the singers the resources on offer to assist with learning to sing shape-note music, charts and diagrams, the Rudiments in the Sacred Harp, and the experience of singers in the room. She then outlined points of convention etiquette, which encourages all leaders to contribute to the pleasant experience of the singers by considering appropriate choices of song throughout the day.
Leaders: Steve Fletcher 212; Nick Hall 36b; Toby Goss 300; Sheila Girling Macadam 523; Heather Thompson 178; Rachel Jordan 52t; Mandy Townsend 480; Richard Percival 49b; Sofi Mogensen 312b; Michael Walker 31t; Steve Welch 147b; Alan Williams 84; Edmund Richardson 111b; Phil Owen 296; Adrian Bolge 107.
RECESS
The class was called to order by Nick Hall leading 318. Leaders: Edwin Macadam 192; Dil Scott 40; Toby Goss 203; Sheila Girling Macadam 534; Heather Thompson 47b; Rachel Jordan 183; Mandy Townsend 217; Richard Percival 479; Sofi Mogensen 102; Michael Walker 506; Steve Welch 489; Edmund Richardson 148; Phil Owen 38b; Adrian Bolge 503; Edwin Macadam 121; Sheila Girling Macadam 442; Heather Thompson 284; Rachel Jordan 344; Nick Hall 231. Mary Bolge offered Grace before lunch.
LUNCH RECESS
Richard Percival opened the afternoon session with 452. Leaders: Toby Goss 315; Heather Thompson 146; Mandy Townsend 448t; Sofi Mogensen 228; Michael Walker 475; Steve Welch 50b; Steve Fletcher 481; Phil Owen 204; Edmund Richardson 134; Alan Williams 569b; Adrian Bolge 77t; Richard Percival 504; Toby Goss 474; Rachel Jordan with Chloe Marshall 99; Nick Hall 528; Sofi Mogensen 65; Heather Thompson 86; Mandy Townsend 490; Michael Walker 507.
RECESS
Steve Fletcher opened the final session of the day with 299. Leaders: Steve Welch 150; Edmund Richardson 32t; Phil Owen 106; Alan Williams 472; Adrian Bolge 87; Nick Hall 223; Rachel Jordan 391; Heather Thompson 535; Mandy Townsend 441; Richard Percival 361; Werner Ullah 133; Sofi Mogensen 278t; Michael Walker 573; Alan Williams 277; Phil Owen 430; Steve Welch 31b; Edmund Richardson 313t. Following announcements of forthcoming singings, thanks were given to the many people who had helped with various tasks during the day. Adrian Bolge gave the closing prayer; Steve Fletcher led the final song 46 and the class was dismissed.
Alternative Singing, Saturday
Michael Walker introduced us to The Christian Harmony, 2012 edition, and to the Aiken 7-shape system of notation. He then led us through these songs, some familiar to us from The Sacred Harp (Denson), others characteristic of this collection: 78b New Britain; 50 Cranbrook; 59t Mear; 94 Plenary; 26t Golden Hill; 61t North Carolina; 61b Gaines; 55b Idumea; 354 Summer; 208b French Broad; 64 Youthful Blessings; 144 Walk with God; 101 An address for all.
Steve Fletcher then led us in selected “New England & New Writings” songs. From Norumbega Harmony: Maryland; Walpole; Ten thousand charms; Lancaster. From Northern Harmony: Birmingham; Warren; the session ended with a piece written by Mick Verrier: New England.
Sunday
Steve Fletcher called the class to order with 178. She welcomed singers to the second day of Let Us Sing!, and called upon Martin Williams to offer the opening prayer. Michael Walker conducted a singing school on the topic of Accent. Having complimented UK singers on their ability to stay in tune, he went on to say that we tend to alter our rhythms to suit the words, using free rhythm much as we would when singing folk songs. American singers, by contrast, use accent to keep the time consistent. He showed us how to accent on the primary and secondary beats in each bar whilst holding right back on unaccented beats. We sang these songs by way of illustration: 146; 275t; 318.
Leaders: Matthew Parkinson 101t; Mandy Townsend 72b; Alan Williams 284; Tom Gerber 74b; Steve Brett 48t; Michael Walker, on behalf of Maggie Eiseman-Renyard 122; Barry Parsons 274b; Pete Eiseman-Renyard 49t; Michael Walker 230; Steve Fletcher, on behalf of Jac Gehring 163t; Matt Parkinson 89; Tom Gerber 108b; Steve Brett 37b; Alan Williams 425; Mandy Townsend 112; Pete Eiseman-Renyard 47t; Barry Parsons 417.
Steve Fletcher gave a joint Memorial and Sick & Housebound lesson, taking as her theme “The moral of the elephant”, which demonstrated the benefits of bringing together all points of view in order to see the whole picture, whilst celebrating the diversity within the Sacred Harp community. She related this to different approaches to death. Claire Shearman read the names on the Memorial List (all from UK): Roy Jones, Old Marston, Oxford; Dudley K. Fuller, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire; Douglas Hall, Warwick; Ted Alderson, Tatsfield, Surrey; Veronica Shrub, Tatsfield, Surrey; Irene Owen, Tatsfield, Surrey; Steve Arch, Lewes, Sussex; Jean Bell, Lewes, Sussex; Don Bishop, Lewes, Sussex; Sara Ray, London; Dorothy Williams. Steve then considered different experiences of ill health. Samantha Cole read the names on the Sick & Housebound list (all from UK): Jackie Saunders, Eynsham, Oxfordshire; Patricia Price, Sutton, Surrey; Jan Lawrence, London; Mary Wray, London; Moya Wolfe, London; Drew Logan, Belfast. Following a few moments of silent contemplation, Steve led 411.
Leaders: Michael Walker 435; Matt Parkinson 204; Pete Eiseman-Renyard 84; Steve Brett 512; Tom Gerber 76b; Barry Parsons 33t; Mandy Townsend 490; Michael Walker 129; Steve Fletcher 472. Martin Williams offered Grace before lunch.
LUNCH RECESS
Tom Gerber called the class to order with 68b. Leaders: Matt Parkinson 69b; Alan Williams 70b; Mandy Townsend 313b; Steve Brett 182; Michael Walker 153; Barry Parsons 128; Pete Eiseman-Renyard 117; Steve Fletcher 383; Matt Parkinson 213t; Tom Gerber 334; Alan Williams 299; Mandy Townsend 302; Steve Brett 142; Michael Walker 309; Barry Parsons 436; Pete Eiseman-Renyard 40; Steve Fletcher 148; Matt Parkinson 569b; Steve Brett 426b; Mandy Townsend 448b; Tom Gerber 100; Alan Williams 183; Pete Eiseman-Renyard 143; Michael Walker 209; Barry Parsons 338; Steve Fletcher 155; Matt Parkinson 157; Alan Williams 323b; Steve Brett 504; Steve Fletcher 29t; Mandy Townsend 542; Michael Walker 225t.
Following announcements of forthcoming singings, thanks were given to the many people who had helped with various tasks today. Martin Williams gave the closing prayer; Steve Fletcher led the final song 46 and the class was dismissed.
Chair: Steve Fletcher; Secretaries: Sofi Mogensen, Werner Ullah. Minutes submitted by Steve Fletcher.