John Garst

[john billnet.org]

I am sad to report that John Garst has died. John had an impact on what we do (Social Harp, ’91 rudiments, instigation and support of singings, etc.) and we will miss him.
John Hollingsworth

[j frankel]

I am very sad.

On Mon, Jun 22, 2026, 6:47 PM john billnet.org <jo...@billnet.org> wrote:

I am sad to report that John Garst has died.  John had an impact on what we do (Social Harp, ’91 rudiments, instigation and support of singings, etc.) and we will miss him.
John Hollingsworth

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[Wade Kotter]

I too am very sad. Having conversed via email with John off and on for several years, I was so excited to meet him in 2019 when the Georgia State Convention was held in Athens. Unfortunately, the anticipated meeting never took place because John was not feeling well that weekend. Then Covid hit and the opportunity to meet him never came again. Not only did John contribute to the Sacred Harp community as described by John Hollingsworth, but he also contributed to broader research in 19th century American hymnology at the same time as researching and teaching as Professor of Chemistry at the University of Georgia. Here's his obituary:

https://www.onlineathens.com/obituaries/pgsc1501029

Keep on singing, John.

Wade

Dr. Wade Kotter

Retired Librarian

Independent Hymnologist and Unrestrained Loud Treble

South Ogden, UT

"Make a Joyful Noise Unto the Lord"

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[j frankel]

I drove down years ago to the Social Harp Singing, to see what it was like.

Not very many people, was one thing it was like, & not nearly the secular songs # I was expecting, & no books for sale because there weren't any for sale, but there were to borrow & sing from.

I didn't go up & introduce myself because, you'd never guess it, I'm shy.

Mr. Garst said we'd have to wait for Charlene Wallace to show up to start because "we can't start without her".

I communicated with Mr. Garst via e-mail, probably on a blues rec.music discussion group over the article he was writing on the blues song "Stagger Lee".  I don't know if that article ever saw print or not.

He was the guy who had the guts to put "raise the 6th" (scale degree) in the 1991 Denson Rudiments of Music.

A hero in my book for sure.