Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Looking Back on Jan. 6th Chapter Meeting

Looking Back on Jan. 6th Chapter Meeting

(This message is prepared for your review if you were there, for your information if you had to miss, and as a historical record of the great things going on each week at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —Ye Ed.)

The warm up session started a little late this week so that more guys could arrive. The rain and nasty cold weather made traffic a mess and delayed guys from arriving early. There was another physical warm up to include snapping and clapping while you move.

When Director Joe took the helm, he jumped into work on songs for the New York City show on Feb. 28th. Then the section leaders took their crews into separate rooms to work on a new song that sound like it will be fun – “Always Look the Bright Side”. Ken Fess reported how it will be part of the spring show.

Most of the rest of the musical time was spent to refresh songs we will do on shows this winter. Drills on stage presence for review for the guys and so new guys can try their wings on the risers. There are a lot of new guys on the wings who are working to get into the groove. Some guys who have returned after various reasons for being away.

Before the break, Secretary Buechler announced that John Adams has renewed his membership for the 51st year. And Chris gave Steve White his renewal card for 32 years.

New Membership VP Dan O’Brien welcome guys who are back after being gone for a spell. And he introduced a line of guests.

Mark Klostermeyer is Program VP (called Operations VP now days) and he kept the meeting flowing and invited those with announcements to the mic. He reminded all that the Jan. 13th meeting will be at Durant. There will be NO meeting on Jan. 20th because Durant is closed and traffic will be a mess.

And Mark plugged guest nite for Feb. 10th.

There were a lot of goodies left over from the Heat Glow last Saturday, so guys got to chow down, and drink the rest of the hot grog.

After a busy break with guys buying tickets for the Presidents’ Banquet, Jan. 17th from Jack Cameron, there were more announcements:

Bill DePuy is coordinating ticket sales for the New York City Show. Director Joe gave a great plug for that show too and explained many details such as housing with Big Apple chapter members or hotels, travel is on your own (but be sure to check the BOLT bus), looks like chorus is due at theater about noon on 28th, then a break for dinner and back for taping and sound check, their will be a big afterglow after the show, we will sing a couple songs with the other choruses (Big Apple and Voices of Gotham), Joe’s dad is chairman of the event for Big Apple.

New Chapter President Brad Jones read a note from Shirley Bolstad who commented on the fun she had at the holiday show. She included a significant financial gift to the chapter with her note.

We wrapped up with some great singing on “Clap Your Hands” and solid work by all to truly perform it. When the Plaag and McKeever didn’t have anything to add or comment on, Joe joked that no comment from the SP team was equal to being in tune musically.

Usual 50/50 and “Keep the Whole World…” to end a fun rehearsal. It was fun to see the guests and new guys having fun, smiling and trying out in a quartet, and even trying the moves on up-tunes.

Until next time – editorjack!