Thursday, September 23, 2010

Looking Back on the September 21st Chapter Meeting

Seems parking was a problem this week – must have been back-to-school nite next door. Took us a while to get the full chorus on the risers. Hard on our director when he has to wait and cross his fingers we’ll all be there.

The set-up volunteers got things ready with full set of risers, av equipment, end caps, etc. The FRIENDS group sold drinks again this week. Dick and Carolyn Hall were back and selling scrip cards. (All of us need to buy some to use in paying for housing in Lancaster at district contest Oct. 1 and 2 at Marriott.)

YeEd had historical items out for display – Perry Como autographed items, Victor Borge autographed photo and pix and personal items from our founder Dean Snyder. All members are encouraged to be certain they give chapter historian, Bob Blair, any chapter items or barbershop items that might tell a story of our chapter’s past. This is especially true for officers and board members.

After good warm up sessions, the music team sent guys off into sectionals to work on 2011 uptune. The front row guys worked separately in the lobby at Durant.

When the singers regrouped on the risers, Director Joe worked with the guys to run thru songs for this week’s package show. (And don’t forget the 2-hour rehearsal prior to the show at the National Building Museum.) No make up for show.

Next Joe worked on the package for the contest in Oct. He promised to “continue the beating I gave you last week.” Many volunteered “give me more, give me more!”

At break and business meeting time, vp Klostermeyer, announced the many birthdays this week.

Chapter secretary Buechler presented membership renewal cards to: 11 years, Chris Yates; 15 years, Joe Sawyer; 16 years, Mike Schwartz; 20 years, Troy Hillier; and 26 years, Len Dornberger.

Membership vp, Ken White, plugged the next chapter guest nite, Oct. 26th. Steve Lingo, who is helping coordinate the event, encouraged guys to bring prospective singers, prospective fans, prospective tickets buyers, prospective FRIENDS members.

Kenny also encouraged all of us to pick up a supply of chapter business cards. He promises to check now and then on a Tues nite and see who has one in his wallet. We should all have a couple at the ready to give to someone who likes to sing!!

We had another good guest line up – a lot of them sing bass!!

Break time was fun. Hot coffee back. And a lot of goodies to share – thanks to those who brought in things to share. Please help out with that as well. The cupboard is getting empty.

Other meeting announcements included distribution by Jack Cameron of International chorus pictures; scrip sales; buy 50/50 tickets; last chance to turn in medals for engraving. Alan Wile continued the Harmo Heroes project – they sure are interesting to read. Thanks Alan.

Bob Mattes, chapter librarian, offers to help new members get Holiday show music. See him if you need to get the songs to learn. Get started now.

Tony Colosimo gave a plug for our youth chorus, CAPITOL FORCE. The group is for singers under 30 years. But we all can support them such as by attending the DC Chapter show where the CF will sing.

Back to singing, Director Joe went thru several contest sets so guys could prepare vocal and visual Make Me Better eval materials.

The air conditioner was still not working from about 9 pm on and so Joe pushed the guys to work thru it and perform. He was excited when the singers worked harder and harder. It was particularly fun to have Tony up front directing so that Joe could coach. What a team!!

As is often the case, we worked a little past 10 pm since we were making good progress. That meant getting things put away in a hurry and loading some sound equipment for this week’s show. (Nice to have the older risers to stay in the truck for shows.)

BIG NEWS --- we are gonna try a new Afterglow spot next Tuesday nite after chapter. Ernies’ Crab Shack – across street from King Street Metro and Joe Theisman’s, next door to the Hilton – AND close enough to leave your car at Durant and walk around the corner. They are staying open for us with no other noise to fight. Should be fun. Easier for us all to hear. Maybe a place for some tag singers. Guys who use the Metro can walk across the street to head home. And guys who have a long drive to get home can come over for a while and still get home before breakfast. Thanks Ken White for finding the place. Let’s all go next week to show the owner/manager we appreciate his staying open for us.

Until next time – editorjack!

(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.)

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Looking Back on the September 14th Chapter Meeting

The new floor in the main hall at Durant was bright and clean and ready for us tonite. The set up crew had things up early and ready for the big crowd of members and guests.

Assistant director Tony Colosimo conducted an extensive vocal warm up and then turned the chorus over to Director Joe. He didn’t waste a minute and had them start to work on “No More Sorrow” using some physical stepping exercises to help with rhythm and using a Harmonizer soft so the tenor glis could be heard.

Then he jumped right to work on introducing more of the 2011 uptune. He thanked Joel Golden for his dependable support in preparing learning materials for this song.

Tonite Michael Gellert was present to provide private vocal coaching.

Joe also had the guys work on some songs for next week’s show (and rehearsal) on Thursday.

After that, he had the chorus work on the ballad for district contest in Lancaster, Oct. 1 -2. He conducted extensive drills and coached many finite details to improve the number.

Before break, ops vp Mark Klostermeyer, honored the guys with birthdays this week. He reminded Philly singers that they had two more weeks to get their medals engraved.

Chapter secretary Chris Buechler announced the opportunity for all to order Harmo logo shirts from Lands End. See Chris.

Then he presented membership renewal cards: 13 years, Eric Wallen; 18, Don Thompson; 24, Chuck McKeever; 26, Ken Fess; 27, Terry Reynolds; 31, Bill Curtis; 31, Mick Stamps; 36, Randy Lazear. He presented a membership card and lapel pin to Jack Pitzer for his 45 years.

Membership vp, Ken White, introduced many guests including several barbershoppers from other parts of the nation, the guys who were at our recent audition nite; and many returnees. He welcomed former member Greg Tepe, who is a show producer for the chapter.

Greg then gave details about this week’s show.

Steve Lingo announced details for an expanded guest nite on Tues., Oct. 26th. He stressed that we would welcome prospective singers as well as prospective supports and fans.

Craig Kujawa announced that a weight loss plan for Kansas City will be rolled out soon. Watch for details.

Alan Wile continued the Harmo Heroes project.

Music vp, Terry Reynolds, asked guys to submit absentee request forms for any events from now til district, as all are mandatory.

There is a board meeting on Wednesday of this week.

Then Director Joe brought the guys back to work on the contest songs. He did offer his thoughts about the recent death of our friend and chapter member, Walter Latzko. He also was proud of the recent Harmonizer magazine article by Scipio.

The rest of the nite was work on the contest set for Lancaster. And the evening ended with the guys making vocal and visual recordings for the Make Me Better effort.

We went way past 10 pm, so there was a rush to do some auditions, put everything away, sing some tags and gear up to go to the afterglow.

Victor Hills took us out on KTWWS.

Until next time – editorjack!

(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.)