Mississippi Sacred Harp Singings

Selected Minutes, 2018

  • Oxford
  • Bethel
  • Enon
  • Concord
  • Vicksburg
  • Sherman
  • Calhoun County Convention
  • Mississippi State Convention
  • Taylor
  • Calhoun County Nursing Home
  • [ Minutes of 2017 Singings ]

    [ Minutes of 2016 Singings ]

    [ Minutes of 2015 Singings ]

    [ Minutes of 2014 Singings ]

    [ Minutes of 2013 Singings ]

    [ Minutes of 2012 Singings ]

    [ Minutes of 2011 Singings ]

    [ Minutes of 2010 Singings ]

    [ Minutes of 2009 Singings ]

    [ Minutes of 2008 Singings ]

    [ Minutes of 2007 Singings ]

    [ Minutes of 2006 Singings ]

    [ Minutes of 2005 Singings ]

    [ Minutes of 2004 Singings ]

    [ Minutes of 2003 Singings ]

    [ Minutes of 2002 Singings ]

    [ Minutes of 2001 Singings ]

    [ Minutes of 2000 Singings ]

    [ Minutes of 1999 Singings ]

    [ Minutes of 1998 Singings ]

    [ Minutes of 1997 Singings ]

    [ Minutes of 1996 Singings ]

    [ Minutes of 1995 Singings ]


    Powerhouse Community Arts Center
    Oxford, Mississippi
    March 11, 2018

    The thirty-eighth annual Oxford Sacred Harp Singing was held in the Powerhouse Community Arts Center on the second Sunday in March. The class was called to order by Warren Steel leading 48t. Mark Davis offered the morning prayer, then led 421. The class entered into a business session. The following officers were elected to serve: Chairman: Warren Steel; Vice Chairman: Mark Davis; Secretary: Wanda Capps; Arranging Committee: Linda Sides. Leaders: Wanda Capps (AL) 546; Darlene Reynolds 480; David Jackson (AL) 445; Leslie Booher (TN) 155; Ginnie Ely (CO) 228; Arlon Gardner 481; Anne Steel 47b; Earl Ballinger (AL) 97; Bentley Rose 282; Mark Tew 46; Loretta Whitman (AL) 399b; Glenn Keeton (AL) and Lena Keeton (AL) 475, 504; Shelbie Castillo (AL) 67; Kayla Burns 47t.

    Recess.

    Ken Tate (AL) called the class to order leading 123t. Leaders: Larry Ballinger (AL) 540; Jan Murray 457; Regina Derstine 385b; Andy Davis 434; Danny Creel (AL) 456; Drew McGuire 329; Lisa Geist (AL) 394; Kay Farmer (TX), Ann Simpson (TX), Fran Arnold (FL), Mary Jo Myhr (AL) and Cindy Reed 45t; Chuck Howell 339; Jamira Jackson, April Ayton, Kingston Ayton and Wesley Ayton 128, 361; Amber Davis (AL) 396; Henry McGuire 362; Scott Polston 137; Linda Sides (AL) 215, 225t.

    Recess.

    Mark Davis brought the class to order leading 88b. Leaders: Ginnie Ely 454; Larry Ballinger 217. A memorial lesson was held. Regina Derstine led 209 for the sick and homebound. Anne Steel led 285t in memory of the deceased: Gravis Ballinger, Johnnie Chafin, Ola Meadows, Arthur Gilmore, Daphene Causey and Libby Hankins (Alabama); Hugh McGraw and Louise Holland (Georgia), Darrell Swarens (Indiana); T. J. Funderburk, Yaeko Takada and Anne Percy (Mississippi). Linda Sides led the memorial prayer. Other leaders: Danny Creel 530; Shelbie Castillo 564.

    Lunch.

    Warren Steel called the afternoon session to order leading 213t. Leaders: Amber Davis 300; Andy Davis 196; Wanda Capps 203; Darlene Reynolds 490; Jack Barbera 268; David Jackson 235; Anne Steel 318; Jan Murray 31b; Ken Tate 532; Leslie Booher 448t; Earl Ballinger 208; Loretta Whitman, Margaret Keeton (AL) and Louise Yeager (AL) 569b; Arlon Gardner 278t; Drew and Henry McGuire 550; Mark Tew 299; Chuck and John Howell 112; Jack Barbera 162; Scott Polston 148; Lisa Geist 528; Glenn Keeton 236; Mark Davis and Leanne Hubbard 280; Kay Farmer, Ann Simpson, Fran Arnold, Mary Jo Myhr and Cindy Reed 63; Curtis Gregory 119. Following announcements, Warren Steel led the closing song on 288, and the class was dismissed with prayer by Earl Ballinger.

    Chairman - Warren Steel, mudws@olemiss.edu
    Vice-Chairman - Mark Davis,
    Secretary - Wanda Capps

    Bethel

    Bruce, Mississippi

    April 1, 2018

    The sixty-ninth annual Sacred Harp singing at Bethel Primitive Baptist Church was held on Easter Sunday in memory of Hugh Bill McGuire. Henry McGuire called the class to order leading 547t (WB). Robert Earl Alexander led the morning prayer. Henry McGuire then led 484t (WB), and called the following leaders: Drew McGuire 37b, 318; Lisa Geist 477, 528; Ken Tate 498, 535; Robert Earl Alexander 134, 124; Earl Ballinger 141 36b; Will McGuire 110, 181; John Plunkett 443b (WB), 449t (WB); Amber Davis 395, 44; Danny Creel 354b, 63; Andy Davis 222, 269.

    Recess.

    Mark Davis called the class together leading 104. Other leaders: Anne Steel 421, 209; Mike Hankins 84, 168; Ann Jett 172, 47b; Arlon Gardner 65, 67; Shelbie Castillo 81t, 432; Mark Tew 46, 108t; Ricky Beasley 285t, 73t; Mark Davis 310, 408; Larry Ballinger 120, 112; Warren Steel 150 (WB), 484b (WB); Henry McGuire 492 (WB).

    Lunch.

    Drew McGuire called the afternoon session together leading 138t. Other leaders: Henry McGuire 196, 40; Lisa Geist 273; Ken Tate 359b (WB); Robert Earl Alexander 35; Earl Ballinger 99; John Beasley 480, 335; Will McGuire 119; John Plunkett 460; Sarah Tidwell 42, 146; Amber Davis 192; Danny Creel 526 (WB); Andy Davis 434; Carol Salman 218; Anne Steel 200; Mike Hankins 527; Arlon Gardner 454; Shelbie Castillo 456; Mark Tew 203; John Jones and Ricky Beasley 45t; Mark Davis 78, 236; Warren Steel 419. Henry, Drew, Will and Charlie McGuire led 486t (WB). Following announcements, Henry and Drew McGuire led the closing song on page 62, and the class was dismissed with prayer by Danny Creel.

    Chairman - Henry McGuire
    Vice Chairman - Drew McGuire
    Secretary - Warren Steel

    Enon

    Chickasaw County, Mississippi

    April 15, 2018

    The 102d annual singing at Enon Primitive Baptist Church was called to order after dinner by Brian Harrison leading songs on page 119, 137 and 139. He then called the following leaders: Warren Steel 47t, 36b, 65; Colvin Mann 147t, 159; Todd Derstine 128, 58, 57; Regina Derstine 39t, 61, 47b; Anne Steel 354b, 129, 146; Kail Funderburk 569b, 282; Ester Mann 480, 40, 438; Linda Funderburk 330t, 373, 288; Judy Harrison 358, 335, 400; Henry McGuire 268, 155, 236. Twelve members of the extended Allen family led 494 (WB) and 519 (WB). Robert Earl Alexander 85, 388. Although there was no specific memorial lesson, many of the songs were led in memory of deceased singers, including W. M. Allen, George Easley, Charles Porter and especially T. J. Funderburk, who passed away this year. Following announcements, Brian Harrison led the closing song on page 63, and Robert Earl Alexander dismissed the class with prayer

    Chairman - Brian Harrison
    Vice Chairman - Ester Mann
    Secretary - Judy Harrison

    Concord

    Calhoun County, Mississippi

    May 20, 2018

    The one hundred forty-fourth annual Sacred Harp singing at Concord Baptist Church was called to order after dinner by John Van Horn leading songs on page 31b, 83t, 67 and 155. Other leaders: Robert Earl Alexander 136, 137, 418, 101t; Anne Steel 61, 270, 278t, 472; Mark Davis 63, 313t, 108t, 36b; Warren Steel 129, 112, 332, 203; Andy Davis 196, 198, 268, 222; Rita Stewart 519 (WB), 517 (WB), 45t; John Van Horn 142; Robert Earl Alexander 417; Anne Steel 111b; Mark Davis 236; Warren Steel 282; Andy Davis 434. Following announcements, John Van Horn led the closing song on page 235 and Robert Earl Alexander dismissed the class with prayer.

    Chairman - John Van Horn
    Secretary - Warren Steel

    John N. Merritt Memorial

    Vicksburg, Mississippi

    May 26-27, 2018

    Saturday, May 26

    The 7th annual John Newton Merritt Memorial Singing was called to order by Henry McGuire leading 47t. Elder Robert Vaughn offered the morning prayer. Leaders: Henry McGuire 505 (CB); Mark Davis 31b, 76b; Darlene Reynolds 484 (CB), 411 (CB); Robert Vaughn 31t, 339; Lisa Geist 546, 228; Will McGuire 181, 180; Sonja Kirkham 268t (CB), 330t (CB).

    Recess.

    Leaders: Hugh McGuire 487t (WB), 196 (WB); Jamira Jackson 455, 57; Andy Davis 198; Amber Davis 436, 500; Regina Derstine 36t, 390; Wilma Mitchell 39t, 204t (CH); Susan Dickey 392, 159; Carole Watts 298 (CH), 189 (CH); Todd Derstine 128, 84; Carol Selman 86.

    Lunch.

    Leaders: Henry McGuire 140 (CB); Natalie Davis 155, 273; Chris Nicholson 32t, 34b; Robert Vaughn 210 (CB), 211 (CB); Lisa Geist 182, 472; Mark Davis 450, 316; Will McGuire 214 (CH), 314 (CH); Sonja Kirkham 480, 63; Hugh McGuire 163t (CH), 354 (CH); Jamira Jackson 109 (CH), 369 (CH); Andy Davis 208, 212; Regina Derstine and Todd Derstine 327, 410t; Susan Dickey 507t (CH), 470 (CH); Carole Watts 572 (CB), 573 (CB); Chris Nicholson 490 (CH); Henry McGuire 76b (CH), 505 (CB). Mark Davis, Hugh McGuire, and Henry McGuire led “The Drone” as the closing song. Elder Robert Vaughn dismissed the class with prayer.

    Sunday, May 27

    The class was brought to order by Henry McGuire leading 33b and 91. Mark Davis offered the opening prayer. Leaders: Mark Davis 179, 416, 137; Nicholas Thompson 200, 318, 93 (CH); Amber Davis 507, 306, 381; Will McGuire 129, 483, 142 (CH); Sonja Kirkham 128t (CH), 255 (CH), 355 (CH); Lisa Geist 527, 528, 215.

    Recess.

    Leaders: Hugh McGuire 256t (CH), 82t (CH), 145t; Jamira Jackson 571 (CB), 383 (CB), 282 (CB); Natalie Davis 192, 340, 460; Regina Derstine 86 (CB), 264 (CH), 64 (CH); Lisa Davis 99, 276, 434. The memorial lesson was conducted by Lisa Geist and Amber Davis. Amber and Lisa led 199 (CB) in honor of the sick and shut-ins. Lisa and Amber then led 559 (CB) in memory of the following deceased: Daphne Causey, Glenda Hopper, Marion Grant, Elder Lowell McLain, Eloise Wootten, Floy Wilder, Darrell Swarens, Steve Helwig, Lily Hopper, Edith Owen, and Caleb Allred. Mark Davis closed the memorial lesson with prayer.

    Lunch.

    Leaders: Henry McGuire 492 (WB); Chris Nicholson 30b (CB), 264t (CB), 264b (CB); Carol Selman 277, 46; Bentley Rose and Nicholas Thompson 569b; Darlene Reynolds 486t (WB), 145t, 454; Nicholas Thompson 328, 216; Amber Davis 234; Lisa Geist 542; Will McGuire, Henry McGuire, and Charlie McGuire 236; Hugh McGuire 499t (WB); Chris Nicholson 546t (WB); Jamira Jackson 85; Lisa Davis 189. Mark Davis, Henry McGuire, and Hugh McGuire led “The Drone” as the closing song. The closing prayer was offered by Nicholas Thompson.

    Chairman - Henry McGuire
    Vice Chairman - Mark Davis
    Secretary - Darlene Reynolds

    Sherman

    Calhoun County, Mississippi

    June 3, 2018

    The sixty-ninth annual Hill Roane memorial Sacred Harp Singing was held at Sherman Baptist Church. The class was called to order by Mark Davis leading song on page 338. He then led the morning prayer and led 29b and 70b. He called the following leaders: John Van Horn 209, 182, 201; Arlon Gardner 183, 225t, 224; David Jackson 68b, 569b, 39b; Warren Steel 141, 142, 320, 89; Andy Davis 222, 297, 198.

    Recess.

    Regina Derstine reassembled the class with songs on page 230, 121, 177 and 50t. Leaders: Mark Davis 50b, 154b (WB), 527 (WB), 406, John Van Horn 155, 137, 136, 163t, 300.

    Dismissed for lunch.

    Mark Davis called the afternoon session together leading songs on page 284, 289, 497 and 464. Other leaders: Arlon Gardner 448t, 454, 49b; David Jackson 82t, 122; Judy Harrison 358, 108t; Warren Steel 82b, 453, 418; Andy Davis 236, 58, 73t, 475, 472; Regina Derstine 315, 434, 436, 430; Warren Steel 157; Arlon Gardner 102. Following announcements, Mark Davis led “The Drone” as the closing song, and Arlon Gardner dismissed the class with prayer.

    Chairman - Mark Davis
    Secretary - Warren Steel

    Calhoun County Musical Association

    Bethel Primitive Baptist Church

    August 11, 2018

    The 141st annual session of the Calhoun County Sacred Harp Musical Association convened at Bethel Primitive Baptist Church, Bruce, Mississippi. President Henry McGuire called the class to order leading 547t (WB). Earl Ballinger offered the morning prayer. Leaders: Henry McGuire 505 (WB); Nathan Stewart 171, 179; Warren Steel 272, 410b; John Lee Van Horn 273, 189; Earl Ballinger 177, 389; Darlene Reynolds 486t (WB) (in memory of Hugh Bill McGuire); Darlene Reynolds and Henry McGuire 511 (WB); Dan Brittain 148, 209; Mark Davis 205, 208; Matt Bell 468, 538; Chris Ballinger 512, 178.

    Recess.

    Leaders: Mike Hankins 384, 527; Larry Ballinger 182 (in memory of Gravis Ballinger), 217; Shelby Castillo 30b, 318; Robert Earl Alexander and Warren Steel 361, 124; Lisa Geist 120, 492; Julie Heeren 32t, 417; David Killingsworth 268, 347; Will McGuire 181, 275t; John Lee Van Horn 47b, 212 (in memory of Mark Stewart); Henry McGuire 492 (WB) (for the McGuire family women), 434 (WB); Nathan Stewart 341 (for Fred Hawkins), 419; Warren Steel 254.

    Lunch.

    President Henry McGuire restored order and led 478t (WB), 487t (WB). Leaders: Lisa Geist 269; Chris Ballinger 276; Shelby Castillo and Henry McGuire 472 (in memory of Hugh Bill McGuire); Shelby Castillo 196; Earl Ballinger 530; Andy Davis 436, 198; Dan Brittain 218; Dan Brittain and Ken Elliott 63; Larry Ballinger 540; Cayla Burns and Henry McGuire 40 (for Alice McGuire); Mark Davis 365; Matt Bell 284t (WB), 34b (WB); David Killingsworth 540 (WB); Julie Heeren 45t, 317b (WB); Mike Hankins 34b (in memory of Gravis Ballinger); Darlene Reynolds 145t, 282; Henry McGuire 328. In a business session, Drew McGuire was elected as President. Following announcements, Mark Davis led 236 as the closing song. The class was dismissed with prayer.

    Chairman - Henry McGuire
    Secretary - Nathan Stewart

    Mississippi State Sacred Harp Singing Convention

    Antioch Primitive Baptist Church

    August 25-26, 2018

    Saturday, August 25

    The 89th session of the Mississippi State Sacred Harp Singing Convention was called to order by Mark Davis leading 100. Arlon Gardner offered the opening prayer. Mark Davis welcomed everyone to the convention, and thanked Alfred Bailey and Antioch Primitive Baptist Church for hosting the convention. Leaders: Mark Davis 35; Darlene Reynolds 484 (CB), 454; Arlon Gardner 278t, 481; Regina Derstine and Todd Derstine 495, 181, 57, 85; Dennis Cranford 229, 129; Henry McGuire 503 (WB), 509 (CH); Susan Dickey 470 (CH), 507 (CH); Stephen Huffman 155, 500; Jamira Jackson 455, 168. Mark Davis appointed Hugh McGuire and Henry McGuire to the Business and Credentials Committee.

    Recess.

    Warren Steel called the class back to order leading 392 and 264 (WB). Leaders: Scott Sexton and Katelyn Kyser 159, 299; Lisa Geist 472, 528; John Hollingsworth 236; Robert Vaughn 45t, 68b; Wilma Mitchell 39t, 480; Mary Huffman 442, 86; Nicholas Thompson 317, 200; Amber Davis 192, 391.

    Lunch.

    Mark Davis brought the class back together by leading 212. Leaders: Hugh McGuire 455b (CH), 256t (CH); Nancy Van Den Akker and Daron Douglas 84, 208; Howe Pearson, Paris Achenbach, and Ben Fox 505, 288; Henry McGuire and Hugh McGuire 505 (CB), 85t (CB) (for Esther Mann); Mark Davis 201 (CH) (for Bobby Caldwell), 117 (CH) (for the people of Antioch Primitive Baptist Church); Chris Nicholson 293b (CB), 95t (CB); Warren Steel 358; Nanette Olivier 227, 300; Christine Murphy 468, 163b. A business meeting was held for the election of officers as follows: President - Mark Davis; Vice President - John Van Horn; Secretary - Darlene Reynolds; Chaplain - Arlon Gardner. Mark Davis led 198.

    Recess.

    Leaders: Stephen Huffman 172 (CH); Robert Vaughn 516 (CB); Amber Davis 189 (CH); Nicholas Thompson 203 (CH); Lisa Geist 559 (CB); Jamira Jackson and Nicholas Thompson 196; Chris Nicholson 64 (CH); Hugh McGuire 82t (CH). Announcements were made. Mark Davis, Hugh McGuire, and Henry McGuire led the Drone as the closing song. Arlon Gardner offered the closing prayer.

    Sunday, August 26

    The Sunday Session of the Mississippi State Convention was called to order by Mark Davis leading 313t. He welcomed everyone to the convention. Arlon Gardner opened the service with prayer. Mark Davis appointed Nicholas Thompson and Jane Armstrong to the Memorial Committee. Leaders: Mark Davis 361; Darlene Reynolds, Hugh McGuire, and Henry McGuire 511 (WB) (in memory of Hugh Bill McGuire); Darlene Reynolds 142 (CH); Arlon Gardner 313b, 324; Lisa Geist 269, 137 (CB); Jane Armstrong 105, 318; Nicholas Thompson 110 (CH), 439; Will McGuire 181, 374 (WB); Bentley Rose 282; Bentley Rose and Nicholas Thompson 188 (CH); Gordon Bigelow 191, 38b; Chris Nicholson 264t (CB), 264b (CH).

    Recess.

    Mark Davis brought the class back together by leading 121. Leaders: Jamira Jackson 344, 518 (CB); Charles Hughes 384, 345b; Peth Gardner and Arlon Gardner 500, 30t. The memorial lesson was conducted by Nicholas Thompson and Jane Armstrong. They led 37b for the sick and shut-ins. They then led 544 in memory of the following deceased: Glenda Hopper, Daphne Causey, Lily Hopper, Johnnie Chafin, and Willodean Barton - Alabama; T.J. Funderburk - Arkansas; Mary Ellen Schrock - New York; Darrell Swarens - Indiana; Steve Helwig - Oregon; Edith Owen - Texas. Arlon Gardner closed the memorial lesson with prayer. Leaders: Amber Davis 142, 234; Hugh McGuire 82t, 319.

    Lunch.

    Leaders: Mark Davis 28b; Henry McGuire 196 (WB), 543t (WB); Wilma Mitchell and Esther Mann 204t (CH), 569b; Regina Derstine and Todd Derstine 98 (CB), 138t (CB), 58; Ari Eisenberg 112, 120; Hugh McGuire 40, 147t, 320; Amber Davis 396; Chris Nicholson 347; Nicholas Thompson 168; Lisa Geist 304. The Business and Credentials Committee gave the financial report. The collections and disbursements were itemized and approved. The business meeting was closed. Nicholas Thompson and Charlie McGuire led 216. Announcements were made. Mark Davis, Hugh McGuire, and Henry McGuire led the Drone. The closing prayer was offered by Arlon Gardner.

    Chairman - Mark Davis
    Vice Chairman - John Van Horn
    Secretary - Darlene Reynolds

    Taylor

    Lafayette County, Mississippi

    October 13, 2018

    The thirty-first annual Sacred Harp singing at Taylor United Methodist Church (formerly held at Pilgrim's Rest Primitive Baptist Church) was called to order by Warren Steel leading songs on page 61 and 53. Elder Robert Vaughn led the morning prayer. Leaders: Warren Steel 171; Andy Davis 106, 73t; 198; Jamira Jackson 455, 282, 168; Robert Vaughn 142, 317, 445; Arlon Gardner 30t, 313b, 448t.

    Recess.

    Warren Steel reassembled the class leading 384. Other leaders: Erin Fulton 52t, 52b, 85; Anne Steel 318, 480, 203; Jan Murray 457, 285t, 31b; Alicia Canterbury 128, 159, 39b; Regina Derstine 276, 436, 410t.

    Dismissed for lunch.

    Warren Steel called the class together leading song on page 280. He then led “Hurricane Creek” in memory of T. J. Funderburk, Darrell Swarens, Elizabeth Rechenberg and Logan A. Green. Leaders: Ann Ray and Lyn Joyner 110, 118, 196; Dan and Marianne Miller 117, 63, 148; Andy Davis 297, 299; Jamira Jackson 542, 236; Robert Vaughn 569b (in memory of T. J. Funderburk), 40 (for Alice McGuire); Arlon and Peth Gardner 42, 277; Erin Fulton 80t, 334; Anne Steel 66, 67; Jan Murray 268, 270; Regina Derstine 208, 209. Following announcements of future singings Warren Steel led the closing song on page 76b and the class was dismissed with prayer by Arlon Gardiner.

    Chairman - Warren Steel
    Secretary - Anne Steel

    Calhoun County Nursing Home

    Calhoun City, Mississippi

    December 1, 2018

    The annual Sacred Harp singing at Calhoun County Nursing Home was called to order on the Saturday before the First Sunday in December at 1:30 by Robert Earl Alexander leading songs on page 30t, 31b, 61. Other leaders: Mark Tew 45t, 59, 108t; John Van Horn 65, 64, 83t; Warren Steel 101t, 106, 87; Anne Steel 378b, 48t, 186; John Van Horn 358; Warren Steel 288; Mark Tew 268; Robert Earl Alexander 354b; Anne Steel 480; Warren Steel 480. Following announcements, Robert Earl Alexander led the closing song on page 282, and John Van Horn dismissed the class with prayer.

    Chairman - Robert Earl Alexander
    Secretary - Warren Steel

    [ Sacred Harp Singing | Warren Steel | Music Dept. | UM Home ]