The 17th Swannanoa Shape Note Singing

Morris Pavilion, Warren Wilson College
Swannanoa, Buncombe County, North Carolina
Saturday, July 26, 2025

The 17th annual Swannanoa Shape Note Singing was held at Morris Pavilion, Warren Wilson College, in conjunction with The Swannanoa Gathering's Old Time Music and Dance Week.

Sarah Kehrberg brought the class to order with announcements, and by leading 73b, Arlington, followed by an opening prayer from Ron Pen.

The first session was from The Sacred Harp, 1991 edition.
Leaders:
47t, Primrose - Eli Snyder
497, Natick - Emma Parrish
51, My Home - Jonathan Wood
551, Jacob's Vision - Larry Hall
171, Exhortation (First) - John Plunkett
282, I'm Going Home - Brian Boris
376, Help Me to Sing - Chris Wilhelm
319, Religion is a Fortune - Leslie Booher
93, Frozen Heart - Jacob Lindler
373, Homeward Bound - Lynda Hambourger
318, Present Joys - Dave Farmer
284, Garden Hymn - Daron Douglas
39t, Detroit - Michael Archer
112, The Last Words of Copernicus - Kevin Kehrberg
291, Majesty - Judy Mincey
124, Lover of the Lord - Mary Baumeister
128, The Promised Land - Ron Pen
393, Alexander - Michael Spencer
458, Friendship - Robert Kelley
313b, Cobb - Sarah Kehrberg.

RECESS

The second session was from The Christian Harmony, 2010 edition. Maddy Mullany brought the class to order with 21, Webster.
Leaders:
54, My Trust - Clarke Williams
170, On My Way - Emma Parrish
214, Hosanna - Joe Holbert
316, This Heavy Load - Eli Snyder
426, Tappan - Jonathan Wood
257, Jubilee - Chris Wilhelm
85, Mercy Seat - Brian Boris
238, Child's Wish - Mary Baumeister.

The class entered a memorial lesson. Sarah Kehrberg and Clarke Williams read the names of the sick and shut-in, then led 400t, Christian Love.
Clarke Williams read the names of the deceased and led 111t, Fleeting Days.

John Plunkett resumed the class with 462t, Lotha.
Leaders:
223, Hallelujah! Praise The Lord - Judy Mincey
299, Green Meadows - Lynda Hambourger
431, Dungeness - Jacob Lindler
432b, Fish Pond - Dave Farmer.
Sarah Kehrberg offered a blessing for the meal.

LUNCH

The third session was “leader's choice”, with The Southern Harmony, 1854 facsimile, 1987 UofK reprint also being used.
Kevin Kehrberg brought the class to order with 89 (CH10), Northfield.
Leaders:
117 (CH10), Angel Band - Ron Pen
455b (CH10), Rockbridge - Michael Spencer
546b (CH10), Oak Grove - Sarah Kehrberg
174b (CH10), Burning Lamp - Robert Kelley
493b (CH10), Day-Star - Andy Morse
164t (CH10), Convict - Leslie Booher
171 (CH10), Sessions - Larry Hall and Jonathan Wood
295 (SoH), Glasgow - Jonathan Wood, for Will Partain
315 (SoH), Dayspring - Mary Baumeister
280b (SoH), Sherburne - John Plunkett
72t (SoH), Georgia - Judy Mincey
30 (SoH), Separation - Eli Snyder
318 (SoH), Jordan's Shore - Jacob Lindler
132 (SoH), Bruce's Address - Maddy Mullany, for Bob Richmond.

RECESS

The fourth session was also “leader's choice”. Sarah Kehrberg brough the class to order with 16 (SoH), Star in the East.
Leaders:
325 (SoH), Fount of Glory - Clarke Williams
163b (SH), China - Daron Douglas, for S.L. McTaggart
47b (SH), Idumea - Candace Burch
109 (SoH), Welch - Dave Farmer
448t (SH), Consecration - Lynda Hambourger
445 (SH), Passing Away - Michael Archer
178 (SH), Africa - Francesca Costantino and Sarah Kehrberg
280 (SH), Westford - Andy Morse
308 (SH), Parting Friends (Second) - Michael Spencer
353 (SH), McGraw - Emma Parrish
67 (SoH), Washington - Robert Kelley
89t (SoH), Dove of Peace - Milt Crotts
82b (CH10), Gospel Waves - Brian Boris
180 (CH10), The Sinless Summerland - Leslie Booher
133 (CH10), Juniata - John Plunkett
436b (CH10), It Is I - Kevin Kehrberg
242 (SH), Ode on Science - Jonathan Wood
455 (SH), Soar Away - Ron Pen
142 (SH), Stratfield - Larry Hall.

The class entered a business meeting and voted to keep the same officers and resolved to meet again in 2026. 52 singers from 8 states, Germany and the UK registered; 27 leaders led 72 songs. Following announcements the officers led 267 (SH), Parting Friends (First), and Sarah Kehrberg offered the closing prayer.

Chair—Sarah Kehrberg; Vice Chair—Ron Pen; Treasurer—Clarke Williams; Arranging—Maddy Mullany; Secretary—Eli Snyder.