East Texas Historical Association

We had an enjoyable time at the East Texas Historical Association spring meeting in Tyler. Session 18 --That Old Time Religion: Music of the Frontier Churches -- included “Shaped Notes and Heartfelt Praises: A History of Sacred Harp Singing,” a presentation by Margaret Rounsavall of Tyler, Texas and “Sounds of The Sacred Harp: Demonstrating an East Texas Tradition,” which was Gaylon Powell making some comments about the notes and music, some of us singing Idumea, The Hill of Zion, The Church's Desolation, Stratfield, Will You Meet Me, Song to the Lamb, Shades of Night and Amazing Grace. The presentation and songs seemed to be well-received. We had some neat comments and questions. Also I discovered that our session's organizer, Linda Cross of Tyler Junior College, is my nephew's wife's aunt. And then when she mentioned how her grandmother's pastor beat time, one of our singers said, "That was my grandfather." After the discussion and questions were ended, we had about 5 minutes left and sang I'm Going Home.

Some who were able to attend other sessions spoke highly of the program. If you're interested in history and East Texas, you might want to check out this association.

Thanks to the Tim McClain family, David Rousseau, Margaret Rounsavall, Joan Smith, Pat Parsons, Peggy Ray, Sonya Kirkham, Sherry Vaughn, Carole Watts, Charity Vaughn and Gaylon Powell for coming and singing.