The twenty-ninth annual Oxford all-day Sacred Harp singing was held on Sunday, March 8, 2009, beginning at 9:45 am sharp in the choral room of the music building at the University of Mississippi. The singing, which takes place annually on the second Sunday in March, attracts singers from Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and other states, and is sponsored by the City of Oxford, the department of music, and the Center for the Study of Southern Culture. For further information, call Warren Steel at (662) 236-5356 or e-mail mudws@olemiss.edu
[ Getting to Oxford ]
[ Lodging
in Oxford ][ Minutes of the 2008 singing ]
[ Photographs
of the 2007 singing
(Martha Beverly) ]
The twenty-ninth annual Oxford Sacred Harp singing took place in the choral room of the music building at the University of Mississippi. Warren Steel called the class to order by leading song on page 48t. Mark Davis led the morning prayer. Mark Tew led song on page 108t, and the class organized by electing the following officers: Chairman, Warren Steel; Vice Chairman, Mark Tew; Secretary, John Merritt; Arranging Committee, Carolyn Thompson; Hospitality, Anne Steel and Brenda Merritt. Leaders: John Merritt, 176t; Gravis Ballinger (AL), 182; Hugh Bill McGuire, 472; Will Gilman, 268; John Wall, 338; Lena Keeton (AL), 480; Bunk Beasley (AL), 45t; Wanda Capps (AL), 430; Gary Smith (AL), 565; Nathan Zweig (IN), 34b; Lela Crowder (GA), 77t; Bea Carnathan (AL), 205; Danny Creel (AL), 498; Mark Davis, 47b; Kathy Robinson (AL), 546; Emily Creel (AL), 504; Velton Chafin (AL), 355; Henry Guthery (AL), 528; Tim Watkins (TN), 35; Jeff Corbett (AR), 125.
Warren Steel called the class together leading song on page 411. Leaders: Anne Steel, 348b; Kevin Dyess, 274t; Jan Murray, 36b; Josie Hyde (AL), 361; Chuck Howell, 569b; Larry Ballinger (AL), 133; Brenda Merritt, 542; Ken Tate (AL), 107; Arlon Gardner, 277; Dorothea Maynard (TN), 319; Jessica Burnett (AL), 282; Juanita Beasley (AL), 61; Henry McGuire, 183; Margaret Keeton (AL), 91; Faye Donaldson (AL), 225; Lee Burnett (AL), 29b; Natalie Davis, 354b; Sarah Smith (AL), 340; John Van Horn, 189; Jim Greer (TN), 135; Lisa Geist (AL), 304.
The afternoon session began with Mark Tew leading song on page 269. Other leaders: Hannah Tate (AL), 454; Chiquita Walls, 30t; Jack Barbera, 335; Marlin Beasley (AL), 318; Phil Kliewer (TN), 330b; Sr. Susan Karina, 128; Sarah Gilman, 108t; Carolyn Thompson (AL), 442; Nathan Zweig, 331; Janet Jenkins, 288; John Merritt, 400; John Wall, 236; Danny Creel, 34t; Velton Chafin, 177; Lela Crowder, 422. A memorial lesson was held at this time. Warren Steel led 163 in memory of Joe Cobb, John Etheridge, Pauline Childers, and Betty Maynard. Danny Creel led 530 in honor of homebound singers Harrison Creel and Ann Ballard. End of memorial lesson. Other leaders: Dorothea Maynard, 57; Chuck Howell, 232; Brenda Merritt, 436; Henry McGuire, 490; Arlon Gardner, 163t; Bunk and Marlin Beasley, 72b; Tim Watkins, 48b; Josie Hyde, 507; Kevin Dyess, 63; Kathy Robinson, 192; Will Gilman, 273; Hugh Bill McGuire, 396; Wanda Capps, 142; Carolyn Thompson, 383; Henry Guthery, 140; Emily Creel, 228. Following announcements, Warren Steel led the closing song on page 134, and John Van Horn dismissed the class with prayer.
Chairman - Warren Steel, mudws@olemiss.edu
Vice-Chairman - Mark Tew, eemdt@olemiss.edu
Secretary - John Merritt
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