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June 29, 2008 - Greeneville

Sunday, June 29, 2008
Cumberland Presbyterian Church
Greeneville, Tennessee

Selections from “New Harp of Columbia”

107 – Holy Manna – Don Wiley
208 – Ode on Science – Dan Huger
80b – Shawmut – Gary Poe
144A – Salutation – Sharon Kellam
38 – Bradley – Mary Baumeister
40 – Aurora – Jeff Farr
75t – Anticipation - Chris Wilhelm
52A – Evening Shade – Julianne Wiley
42 – Lenox – Don W.
52 – Ballerma – Dan H.
129t – Dublin – Gary P.
124 – The Saint’s Adieu – Sharon K.
180 – Whitestown – Mary B.
154A – Solitude in the Grove – Jeff F.
15 – Prospect – Chris W.
144 – Rowley – Julianne W
68 – Paradise - Don W.

We sang “The Wedding Hymn” and “Ruth” in preparation for the upcoming marriage of Jeremy Shipp and Sarah Baird.

We concluded with “Parting Hand” and Jeff Farr dismissed the class with prayer. There were twelve singers present, five of whom drove over from North Carolina. The day was moderately warm with scattered showers upon our dry and thirsty land.

July 20, 2008 - The Old Fields

Sunday July 20, 2008

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area

Elizabethton, Tennessee

Selections fron "The Christian Harmony"

381-D - Holy Manna

36b - Albion

67b - Dundee

141b - Detroit

289b - Happy Land

78b - New Britain

86 - Ortonville

59t - Mear

293 - Lenox

72t - Jordan

117 - Angel Band

359 - Wondrous Love

200b - Parting Hand

There were twenty present, representing three states and one foreign country (New Zealand). We welcomed some newcomers and learned that there is some "Sacred Harp" background with some of us. Possibly more to say about this later.

July 27, 2008 - Greeneville

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Cumberland Presbyterian Church

Greeneville, Tennessee

Selections from "The New Harp of Columbia". "A" indicates the appendix (back of the book).

107 - Holy Manna

62t - Peterboro

63t - Naomi

136 - The Pearl

22A - Detroit

60 - Importunity

61 - Leander

56b - Warrenton

73t - Oh, Sing Me To Heaven!

108b - Harwell

97t - Temple

115 - Northfield

206 - Western Mount Pleasant

52t - Ballerma

74 - Never Part Again

94 - Devizes

68 - Paradise

162A - David's Lamentation

174 - Oliphant

144 - Rowley

95 - Parting Hand

That's twenty one songs and a few of them are new to us. This is one thing that makes this gathering attractive and fun. (Note to file: Try again on 136.)

There were eleven singers present, including newcomers from Southwest Virginia. The day was quite warm, but there was a breeze.

August 10, 2008 - Elizabethton

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Carter Mansion

Elizabethton, Tennessee

Selections from "The Christian Harmony"

78b - New Britain

67b - Dundee

293 - Lenox

289b - Happy Land

117 - Angel Band

359 - Wondrous Love

This was our first experience of a "presentation" singing. Although we are new and learing, the class was very attentive and accomplished some good singing, using songs that we had worked on before. We still took the time to work on parts as needed. This is how we will continue to learn.

One of our observers bought a book and another took the pictures that are on the Where we go page. So, the Old Fields Singers may find events like this work for us.

The day was clear, breezy and mild. There were around fifteen in the square.

August 17, 2008 - Elizabethton

Sunday, August 17, 2008

The Old Fields

Elizabethton, Tennessee

Selections from "The Christian Harmony"

• New Britain
• Albion
• Dundee
• Windham
• Wondrous Love
• Lenox
• Northfield
• Idumea
• Angel Band
• Holy Manna
• Ninety-Third
• Parting Hand

Four of the twelve songs were new to the group as a whole. At peak there were 22 in the square. Bill Speight took some nice pictures that are posted on the "where we go" page.

The day was warm, but not too muggy.

August 31, 2008 - Greeneville

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Cumberland Presbyterian Church

Greeneville, Tennessee

Selections from "New Harp of Columbia"

107 - Holy Manna

25 - Ninety-Third

23b - Duke Street

128b - Ortonville

57 - Protection

39t - China

125b - New Haven

35 - Ninety-Fifth

94 - Devizes

56b - Warrenton

143 - Wondrous Love

42 - Lenox

64b - Fountain

65 - Texas

14 - Mear

219 - Farewell Anthem

144 - Rowley

40 - Auora

124 - The Saint's Adieu

110 - Old Hundred

There were seven singers in a small square; a tiny square. But, the sound was lovely. We welcomed a first time singer with the group who is a regular at the Old Fields. The day was sunny and hot. The days shorten as fall approaches.

September 21, 2008 - The Old Fields

Sunday, September 21, 2008

The Old Fields

Elizabethton, Tennessee

From "The Christian Harmony"

381-D - Holy Manna

81t - Maitland

36b - Albion

136 - Sherburne

67b - Dundee

293 - Lenox

55b - Idumea

214 - Hosanna

129t - Coronation

64 - The Penitent's Prayer

207t - Windham

128b - Hester

200b - Parting Hand

Don Wiley, Julianne Wiley, Alexander Garden and Chad Bogart led. There were 16 present. We began a sign up sheet for the dinner at our upcoming all day singing. The weather was sunny and mild with a cooling breeze.

September 28, 2008 - Headrick Chapel

October 3 & 4, 2008 - Natural Tunnel State Park

Natural Tunnel State Park

Duffield, Scott County, Virginia

October 3 & 4, 2008

All selections from The Christian Harmony (‘Carolina book”)

Friday evening

Joy Nihil of the Cove Ridge Arts Council welcomed the group and introduced Don Wiley who spoke briefly of other singing events in the local area. Don introduced Dan Huger who conducted a short school about the history of the tradition and the basic rudiments.

After the square was formed, Dan led the class in

78b – New Britain

Then the following songs were lead

67b – Dundee, Jane Spencer

225b – Martin,  Don Wiley

33b – Lisbon, Mike Spencer

207t – Windham, Tina Becker

59t – Mear, Ann Strange

103b – Fish Pond, Julianne Wiley

359 – Wondrous Love, Alexander Garden

55b – Idumea, Dan Huger, by request

289b – Happy Land, Don Wiley

76b – Night

Closing prayer – Don Wiley

There were around 40 in attendance.

Saturday – all day

381-D – Holy Manna, Don Wiley

Opening prayer – Don Wiley

Jane Spencer then led a brief scale practice and took various questions.

59t – Mear, Jane Spencer

129t – Coronation

128t – Ninety-Fifth, Scott Swanton

130b – Passing Away

85b – Idumea, Larry Beveridge

70b - Brown

25b – Brimmer, Dan Huger

185b – Corinth

35b – Boylston, Ann Strange

30b – Dennis, Mike Spencer

23b – Evening Hymn

36 – Albion, Don Wiley

171t – Sessions

63b – Azmon, Tina Becker

367 – David’s Lamentation

269t – Restoration, Julianne Wiley

296 – Lenox

89b – Northfield – Alexander Garden

88 – Pisgah, Jane Spencer

78t – Fountain

215 – In That Morning, Scott Swanton

214 - Hosanna

221t – Pleyel’s Hymn, Larry Beveridge

24b – Frederica, Dan Huger

24t – Volusia, Ann Strange with Jane Spencer

24b – Olean, Mike Spencer

361 – Solemn Thought

Prayer – Scott Swanton

Dinner

87t – Zerah, Tina Becker

189b – Retreat, Don Wiley

245t – Bozrah, Julianne Wiley

338b – Davis, Alexander Garden

133 – Juniata, Jane Spencer

135 – Raymond- shapes & poetry, Scott Swanton

255t – Watchman, Larry Beveridge

56t – America, Dan Huger

86 – Ortonville, Ann Strange

267 – Louisiana, Mike Spencer

136 – Sherburne, Tina Becker

199b – Vernon, Don Wiley, by request

141b – Detroit, Julianne Wiley

345b – The Shepherd’s Star, Alexander Garden

63t – Condescension, Jane Spencer

268 – Come Ye To The Waters

261t – The Good Shepherd – Dan Huger

344 – Morality, Ann Strange

64t – The Penitent’s Prayer, Mike Spencer

67b – Dundee – shapes and v3 only, Larry Beveridge

117 – Angel Band, Don Wiley by request

200b – Parting Hand

Closing prayer – Dan Huger

There were around 35 in attendance. At both sessions, newcomers participated fully, including coming to stand in the square.

 Very large and sincere thanks to the Arts Council, specifically to Jean Brown and her group of hardworking volunteers and the cheerful and helpful park staff. We were very well taken care of at this lovely place. And my personal appreciation to my singing friends who travelled to support this initial singing in SW Virginia.

We enjoyed crisp and clear autumn weather, good food, good fellowship and good singing!

October 19, 2008 - The Old Fields

Sunday, October 19, 2008

The Old Fields

Elizabethton, Tennessee

All selections from "The Christian Harmony"

78b – New Britain

68b – Arlington

269t – Restoration

250 – Realms of the Blest

259 – Wondrous Love

117 – Angel Band

293 – Lenox

289b – Happy Land

255t – Watchman

67b – Dundee

81t – Maitland

345b – The Shepherd’s Star

200b – Parting Hand

Leaders: Don Wiley, Julianne Wiley. Alexander Garden. And some in the class are beating time while singing. This is good! 345b was “sight singing” for all of us, except Alexander.

 Picture perfect fall weather. Frost is on the pumpkin.

October 26, 2008 - Greeneville

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Cumberland Presbyterian Church

Greeneville, Tennessee

All selections from "New Harp of Columbia"

107 - Holy Manna

106 - Overton

99 - Morning Trumpet

68t - Paradise

42 - Lenox

64 - Fountain

81b - Golden Hill

56b - Warrenton

206 - Western Mount Pleasant

146 - Edom

163 - New Topia

169 - Amsterdam

168A - Lena

110 - North Salem

97A - Athens

57- Protection

68b - Albany

35 - Ninety

-Fifth

69b - Middleton

111 - Hamburg

52t - Balerma

95 - Parting Hand

There were eleven singers and three listeners. And the square was rotated ninety degrees  to keep the leads from freezing to death.

November 1, 2008 - The Old Fields

Saturday, November 1, 2008
Second Annual Old Fields Singing
Elizabethton, Carter County, Tennessee

Selections from “The Christian Harmony” (1879 revision)

Jennifer Bauer, Park Manager, welcomed the class and related some of the history of the Old

Fields / Sycamore Shoals.

381-D – Holy Manna, Don Wiley
Opening prayer
240 – Morning Light
78b – New Britain, Jeff Farr
289b – Happy Land
259 – Wondrous Love, Alexander Garden
215t – In That Morning
29b – Hants, Chris Wilhelm
70b – Brown
291b – Warrenton, Dan Huger
341 – The Lone Pilgrim
33a – St. Thomas, Mary Baumeister
81t – Maitland
63b – Azmon, Tina Becker
89b – Northfield
245t – Bozrah, Randy Webber
217 – Jerusalem
293- Lenox, Leslie Booher & Julianne Wiley
117 – Angel Band
171t – Sessions, Don Wiley
170t – Refuge
269t – Restoration, Jeff Farr
148 - Leander

Blessing – Chad Bogart
Dinner

345b – The Shepherds’s Star, Alexander Garden
59b – Mear
103b – Fish Pond, Gary Poe
255a – Watchman
102b – Fleeting Days, Chris Wilhelm
99 – Pleasant Hill
64t – The Penitent’s Prayer – Dan Huger
207t – Windham
58b – Primrose, Mary Baumeister
130b – Passing Away
136 – Sherburne – Tina Becker
367 – David’s Lamentation
346 – Star In The East – Randy Webber
170b – Bohemia
159a – The Saint’s Delight – Julianne Wiley & Leslie Booher
360 - The Saint’s Bound For Heaven
381-A – Not Made With Hands, Don Wiley
248b – Union
214 – Hosanna, Jeff Farr
361 – Solemn Thought – Alexander Garden
338b – Davis
58t – Liverpool, Chris Wilhelm
208b – French Broad v 1 & 2
208b – French Broad v 3 – Dan Huger
158 – The Land of Rest
76b - Night
200 – Parting Hand – Don Wiley

Closing prayer – Dan Huger

42 were present in the morning session with listeners coming in and out throughout the day. Thanks to “Friends of Sycamore Shoals” and Sherri Hyder for the hospitality contributions. It was a fine singing with an especially memorable meal on a picture perfect late autumn day.

Minutes recorded by Cheryl Summers.

November 9, 2008 - The Old Fields

Sunday, November 9, 2008

The Old Fields

Elizabethton, Tennessee

Selections from “The Christian Harmony” (Carolina)

78 – New Britain

293 - Lenox

169b – Devotion

59t - Mear

240 – Morning Light

117 – Angel Band

103b – Fish Pond

35b – Boylston

359 -Wondrous Love

67b – Dundee

381-A – Not Made With Hands

381-C – Twilight Is Falling

55b – Idumea

215t – In That Morning

289b – Happy Land

255t – Watchman

200b – Parting Hand

Leaders: Don Wiley, Julianne Wiley. Alexander Garden and Chad Bogart. There were twelve singers present, including three first timers.