Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The annual Huntsville Sacred Harp Singing was held on Saturday before the first Sunday in May in the Old County Church at Burritt on the Mountain, Huntsville, Alabama. The class was called to order at 9:30 a.m. by Stuart Ivey leading 59. Gary Huffman offered the opening prayer.

The class was organized by electing or appointing the following officers to serve: Chairman—Stuart Ivey; Vice Chairman—David Ballinger; Secretaries—Amanda Hardiman and Teresa Hope; Arranging Committee—Lomax Ballinger and David Ballinger.

Leaders: David Ballinger 340; Teresa Hope and Amanda Hardiman 68b; Lomax Ballinger 312b; David Ivey 542; Cheyenne Ivey 432; Samuel Sommers 197; Pam Wilkerson and Loyd Ivey 424; Daniel Bearden 470; Buddy Ballinger 343; Elene Stovall 492; Stephen Huffman 131b; Jim Aaron 47b; Lauren Allen 412; Drew McGuire 422; Amy Daniel 270; Daniel Lee 566; Lisa Geist 273; Andy Ditzler 306; Brad Bahler 75; J.L. Hopper 450; Jeannette DePoy 34b; Mark Carroll 30b; David Bahler 63; Shelby Castillo 106; J.C. Rutledge 480; Jeff Adcock, Leah Holland, and Justin Bowen 34t; Bea Aaron 456.

RECESS

Henry Guthery led 76b to bring the class back together. Leaders: Richard Mauldin 446; Cassie Allen 352; Delone Cobbs 354t; Winfred Kerr 460; Rebecca Over 186; Nate Green and Norma Green 350; Nicholas Thompson 336; Cindy Tanner and Cassie Allen 498; Ron Harper 442; Hayden Arp 181; Billy See and Vickie See 33b; Sarah Trumbore 474; Caleb Dillehay 402; Jonathan Parris and Chris Parris 206 (for their dad), 377; Linda Booth 196; Charles Meitinger 182; Leopoldine Guillaume 228.

RECESS

The class was brought back to order by Stuart Ivey leading 85. The memorial lesson was conducted by Kelsey Ivey and David Brodeur. Kelsey Ivey spoke for the sick and those who couldn’t be here, and read the following list of names: Karen Rollins, Velton Chafin, Johnnie Chafin, Ottis Sides, Clarissa Fetrow, Michael Appert, Lilly Hopper, Anne Mauldin Chalker, Rachel Rodgers, Hugh McGraw, Robby Rivers, Tommie Spurlock, Curtis Owen, and Edith Owen. She led 65 in their honor.

David Brodeur spoke in memory of the deceased, and read the following list of names: Gravis Ballinger, Kermit Adams, Steve Adams, Kenneth Fannin, Elsie Moon, and Suzie Nolen Bennett—Alabama; Earlis McGraw, Geneva Prichard, and B.M. Smith—Georgia; John Bayer—Ohio; Joe Nall—Florida. He led 544. Samuel Sommers closed the memorial lesson with prayer.

Leaders: Richard Ivey 345b; Mary Huffman 37b; Gary Glover 35; Linda Thomas 472; Dennis George and Tom George 532; Charles McCravy and Shane Wootten 145t; Karen Bahler 74b.

LUNCH

The afternoon session began with Shane Wootten leading 277. Leaders: Russ Pope 128; Henry Johnson 231; Loyd Ivey 283; Hubert Nall 168; Lauren Bock 419; John Huffman 528; Susan Cherones 564; Bob Simmons 569b; Karen Ivey and Allison Whitener 217; Earl Ballinger 97; Linda Sides 170; Jesse Karlsberg 187; Isaac Green 421; Susan Allred 183; Rob Bahler 536; Rick Fretter 313b; Geraldine Sharpton 318; Bill Hutcherson 457.

RECESS

Rodney Ivey called the class back together leading 129. Leaders: Judy Caudle 540; Sasha Hsuczyk 436; Chris Mann, Garrett Sipe, and Sonya Sipe 77t; Elizabeth Gentry 347; Larry Ballinger 56t; Gail Doss 137; Judy Mincey 500; Rob Dunn and Hubert Nall 313t; Bridgett Hill Kennedy 391; Nathan Rees 371; Alex Forsyth 530; David Ivey 268 (by request).

Following announcements, Stuart Ivey led 45t as the closing song. Samuel Sommers offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Stuart Ivey; Vice Chairman—David Ballinger; Secretaries—Amanda Hardiman and Teresa Hope