Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The Berks County Sacred Harp Singers hosted their second annual all day singing on Saturday before the fifth Sunday in August (Labor Day weekend) at Maidencreek Meeting House near Leesport, Pennsylvania.

Officers: Chairman—Betty Hanf; Arranging Committee—Doron Henkin; Supplies—Pat Pingel; Treasurer—Ruth Shaffer; Secretary—Molly Sayvetz; Registration—Susan Munch; Chaplain—George Seiler, Jean Seiler, and Paula McGray; Pitching—Jean Seiler and Paula McGray; Publicity—Doron Henkin; other arrangements—Betty Hanf, Win Keck, Peggy Keck, Ina Henkin, and Miranda DeRaymond. Singers attended from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, and Massachusetts.

The singing was called to order by Guy Bankes leading song on page 49t. The opening prayer was led by George Seiler. Leaders: Guy Bankes 34b; Betty Hanf 40; Dennis Leipold 66; Duran Perkins 106, 107; Barbara Swetman 38b, 186; Diane Mennella 336, 337; George Seiler 480, 159; Ted Stokes 133, 448 (t? b?); John delRe 110, 111b; Gabriel Kastelle 285 (t? b?), 30b.

A children’s lesson was led by Leyland delRe, John Daniel delRe, Daniel Henkin, Gilead Henkin, and Hannah Henkin 448b. The first half of the morning concluded with Paula McGray leading 315, 377.

RECESS

Doron Henkin called the class to order leading song on page 31t. Leaders: Gina Balestracci 28t, 173; Tom Tucker 39t, 192; Jean Seiler 32t, 200; Guy Bankes 68b; Kelly Macklin 272, 196; Peter Pate 396, 506; Cathy Tucker 547, 146.

The Memorial Lesson was led by Guy Bankes. For the deceased, George Seiler led song on page 347. Gina Balestracci led song on page 59 for the sick and shut-in.

Leaders: Guy Bankes 61; Doron Henkin 148; Kat Kinkade 539b, 163t.

LUNCH.

The class was called to order by Guy Bankes leading song on page 391. Immediately following were a number of songs from books other than the Sacred Harp, and new songs not yet published. Leaders: Doron Henkin “Windgate” (by Tom Tucker); Ruth Shaffer “Pottsville”, “Jerusalem”, “David’s Lamentation” (songs from the Pennsylvania German shape note tradition in both German and English); Tom Tucker “Aleotti”; Kat Kinkade “Never Turn Around”; Doron Henkin “Sabbath Day”; Kat Kinkade “Genesis”; Cathy Tucker “Hallelujah New” (by Roland Hutchinson—3/2 version); Doron Henkin “Memorial Bridge”; John delRe “Hans” (by John Bayer, Jr.); Kat Kinkade “Augsburg” (by Hal Kunkel); Gabriel Kastelle “Weeping Mary” (by John McCurry); Barbara Swetman “Ten Thousand Charms” (by Hal Kunkel). (Where no composer is given, the leader is the composer.)

RECESS

Doron Henkin called the class to order leading song on page 31b. Leaders: Ellie Soler 482, 156; John Hewes 410 (t? b?), 553; Kat Kinkade 224; Betty Hanf 49b; Carol Werba 474; Dennis Leipold 442; Barbara Swetman 198; George Seiler 475; Diane Mennella 313b; John delRe 29t; Ted Stokes 48t; Doron Henkin 189; Tom Tucker 300; Peter Pate 217; Molly Sayvetz 501b, 269; Jean Seiler 372.

RECESS

The class was called to order by Kat Kinkade leading song on page 163 (t? b?). Leaders: Gabriel Kastelle 209; a children’s lesson led by Leyland delRe, John Daniel delRe, Daniel Henkin, Gilead Henkin, Hannah Henkin, and Marina Milonov 294; Gina Balestracci 260; Kelly Macklin 368; John Daniel delRe 207; John Hewes 551; Cathy Tucker 554 (?); Guy Bankes 178; Ellie Soler 277; Doron Henkin 411; Dennis Leipold 35; Diane Mennella 318; Molly Sayvetz 344; John delRe 144; Peter Pate 487; Kat Kinkade 282; Kelly Macklin 288.

The singing was closed with song on page 62 led by Guy Bankes, and a closing prayer by Jean Seiler.

Chairman—Betty Hanf; Secretary—Doron Henkin.