The 18th Swannanoa Shape Note Singing

Morris Pavilion, Warren Wilson College
Swannanoa, Buncombe County, North Carolina
Saturday, July 18, 2026

The singing began with The Sacred Harp, 2025 edition, then continued with The Christian Harmony, 2010 edition and then The Southern Harmony, 1854 facsimile, 1987 UofK reprint.

The 18th annual Swannanoa Shape Note Singing was held in Morris Pavilion, Warren Wilson College, in conjunction with The Swannanoa Gathering's Old Time Music and Dance Week. Ron Pen brought the class to order with an offering of gratitude for Warren Wilson College and Kevin Kehrberg, and by leading 73b, Arlington.

The class led the following selections from The Sacred Harp:
531, Clayton - Sarah Kehrberg
265, Gwehelog - Jonathan Wood
492, Invocation - Emma Parrish
47t, Primrose - Chris Wilhelm (for Eli Snyder)
73t, Cusseta - Jeremiah Ledbetter
448t, Consecration - Lynda Hambourger
309, Living Lamb - Mary Baumeister
242, Revere - Judy Mincey
569b, Sacred Throne - Tom Dillon
530, A Glad New Song - Brian Boris
46, Let Us Sing - Leslie Booher
453, Newbury - Kevin Kehrberg
122, All Is Well - Will Strayer
537, Portsmouth - Clarke Williams.

RECESS

Maddy Mullany brought the class to order with 82t, Bound for Canaan.
Leaders:
115, Holbrook - Michael Spencer
473, Carmarthen - Marge Mullany
300, Calvary - Sage Hopkins and Sarah Kehrberg
39t, Detroit - Andrew Shaw
278t, Love Shall Never Die - Darlene Hoke
357, Kedar - Dave Farmer
148, Jefferson - Clarke Williams
320, Funeral Anthem - Corinne Serfass (in memory of Werner Kist)
61, Sweet Rivers - Michael Archer.

The class entered a memorial lesson. Sarah Kehrberg read the names of the sick and shut in and led 472, Akin.
Clarke Williams read the names of the deceased and led 163b, China:
Jim Tom Richardson (NC), Carol Elizabeth Jones (VA), Tyra Somers (NC), Carrie Mann (CO), A. Glenn Meerdink (OH), Werner Kist (NC), Jack Conrad (NC), Sandra Wilkinson (GA), Carl Blozan (NC), Laurie Fisher (NC), James Darr (NC), John Sullivan.

The class, now using The Christian Harmony, resumed with Mary Baumeister leading 23t, Phillippi.

The class led the following selections:
150, Salvation - Jonathan Wood
432b, Fish Pond - Lynda Hambourger
70b, Brown - Jeremiah Ledbetter
268, Come Ye to the Waters - Emma Parrish
68, Bright Mansions - Brian Boris.
Sarah Kehrberg offered a blessing for the meal.

LUNCH

Maddy Mullany brought the class to order with 281b, Palmetto.

The class led the following selections:
33, Angel Choir - Clarke Williams
109, Not Made with Hands - Sage Hopkins
304, Blue Vale of Naucoochee - Judy Mincey
255, Watchman (Second) - Leslie Booher
431, Dungeness - Graham Thomason
117, Angel Band - Ron Pen
515, Olive Shade - Corinne Serfass
54, My Trust - Anna Waleh
401b, Euphrates - Michael Spencer
168b, Sunrise - Kevin Kehrberg
493t, Kedron - Michael Archer
372, I Won't Turn Back - Sarah Kehrberg
25t, Santee - Dave Farmer
546b, Oak Grove - Andy Morse.

RECESS

Clarke Williams brought the class to order, now using The Southern Harmony with 331b, Tender Care.

The class led the following selections:
36, The Soldier's Return - Jonathan Wood
253, The Heavenly March - Mary Baumeister
128, Leander - Lynda Hambourger
8t, New Britain - Brian Boris
82, The Romish Lady - Jeremiah Ledbetter
72t, Georgia - Judy Mincey
46, Evening Shade - Dave Farmer
265, French Broad - Michael Archer
258, The Saints Bound for Heaven - Ron Pen
293b, This World is Not My Home - Sarah Kehrberg
41, The Spiritual Sailor - Michael Spencer
146, Royal Proclamation - Maddy Mullany
23b, Charlestown - Andy Morse
92t, Fiducia - Corinne Serfass
56, Redeeming Grace - Kevin Kehrberg
89t, Dove of Peace - Milt Crotts
31t, Idumea - Will Strayer.

The class entered a business meeting and voted to keep the same officers and resolved to meet again in 2027.

Sarah Kehrberg led 267 (SH), Parting Friends, as a closing song, followed by a prayer from Nathan Koontz.

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