Thursday, December 2, 2010

Looking Back on the Nov. 30th Chapter Meeting

The sales tables were busy tonite when guys got to Durant – lots of guys and FRIENDS members buying scrip cards for gifts, or placing an order with Dick or Carolyn Hall for pick up. Others are buying the cards to use for their own purchases this season. All helps the chapter earn cash.

White House Ornament sales were good too.

Everyone was glad to see Alan Wile back. He is taking it a little easy for a few weeks and won’t be standing on risers all weekend for the show. He got put to work by Director Joe to take notes of things Joe wanted to remember to tell the chorus later in the evening.

After warm ups, the music team and show team started the show and we ran it from top to bottom. Joe didn’t make suggestions for singing or interp at this time. The script for the show is funny and will be great entertainment for our audiences. Thanks to actors Jack-in-the-Box (again!) - Terry Reynolds; Radio Show Producer Jacque Frost – Scipio Garling, assistant mime (Lassie), Tom Kraus; “technical director,” Mark Klostermeyer and Junior, Joe Cerutti. YeEd hears that the script was a product of Scipio and Josh Roots. Credit was also given to Joe Sawyer and Scott Kahler for preparing the radio commercials that will be used during the show.

Before Joe got too far into the songs for the show, he referred to the list of ticket salesmen he had received from ticket chair, Steve Murane. He invited all the guys whose name was on the list down front. Top salesman so far was Dick Hall, with 74 tickets. Brad Jones was second and Alan Wile was third.

Besides the chorus, there will be several Harmo ensembles on this show – a couple newly formed chapter quartets THE BLANKS and FREE AGENTS, CAMERON STATION, and TBD. All of the guys singing solos in the various songs all demonstrated for us. Thanks to them for volunteering.

The chorus was briefed about costume changes, candlelight procession while singing “Silent Night,” food serving procedures, how we do “Twelve Days of Christmas,” the operation of the candles (on loan from another singing group) was explained, and then show chairman, Bob Mattes, provided a wildly detailed handout for each man regarding the whole show weekend. Great job, Bob!! He also sent it out via email also.

The pre-break meeting time included welcoming Dana and Kirk Riffer, in town for a visit. It was noted that it is time to get in your money or buy Entertainment 2011 books before second Tues of Dec deadline.

Secretary Buechler presented a new member kit to Scott Friend and the Man of Note for his sponsor Scott Kahler. Chris also presented membership renewal cards to Lew Klinge for 9 years and Chuck Harner for 43 years. Also Chris offered some Harmo clothing items for discount prices.

Alan Wile continued the work of getting all the Harmo Hero forms submitted.

Carl Kauffmann pushed for guys to get him their room and registration plans for the International in July in Kansas City.

Chuck McKeever gave an update on the health status of John Pence. JP is making good progress, but was back in the hospital for a few days with a little snag. He expects to be home again at the end of the week. Chuck suggests we can call JP’s cell then.

Final show announcement from chairman Bob:
Sign up tonite for table crews
The uniform for the second half is caroling outfits – sweaters, scarves etc.
Thurs is a dress rehearsal but without makeup. Be at church at 7 pm, dressed in first half elf outfits.
Bob Blair sought volunteers for taking risers to the church as well as a second run to bring holiday show props and decoration. He got a good number of guys to raise hands and offer to help.
Roger Day reminded us all to bring two boxes wrapped in shinny gift wrap and to bring then on Thurs nite. He also asked again for guys to come on Fri to help decorate starting at 10 am.
Jack Pitzer reminded guys to bring 4 doz holiday cookies for the desserts platters. Bring them with you on Fri for the show and give em to Jack.

Then it was back to work on the music for the show.

Just before closing we were reminded by Eric Wallen of the chapter Put Together Quartet contest set for Dec. 14th at Durant. Also watch for details about the “B Blast” on Dec. 28th in Baltimore area. We need to all go – it was such fun last year.

Kirk Riffer took us out on the closing song. Then guys got right to work putting things away, as usual. We did get a good crowd for an afterglow at Theisman’s.


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.)

Monday, November 29, 2010

Looking Back on the Nov. 23rd Chapter Meeting

Lots of buzz in the hall Tuesday – show talk, guys looking for Saturday nite tickets from other guys who might have extras, and of course pre Thanksgiving chatter.

Some guys were already en route home to see family like Jeremy Richardson in WV. Ken White skipped the afterglow to head up to MA very early Wednesday morn. Lots of guys admitted that they would be doing a lot of the cooking for Turkey Day. And some guys got to come to the afterglow (we were back at Theisman’s again) cause they didn’t have to work on Wednesday like Steve White and Rob Korsan.

We had a little scare during the meeting when Alan Wile was helped from the risers. He sat for a while and then signaled for some guys to help him go to hospital. He was dizzy and had been told by a doctor to get help if he had that happen to him. By break time, the guys who helped him were back from the hospital and reported that his wife was with him, he is fine and that someone had taken his car on to his house. Thanks to those guys who stepped up and helped get him to the hospital.

Musically this week’s meeting and rehearsal was largely preparation for the holiday shows on Dec. 3 and 4. Tony and Will did chorus warm ups and turned the singers over to Director Joe. He took a shot at prompting guys to sell tickets to fill up Fri nite and Sat afternoon!!!

Show chair Bob Mattes asked each man to sign up on the yellow sheets he had out for table servers. A must for all.

He also reminded us all to bring 4 dozen cookies for dessert platters. Bring them to Jack Pitzer when you come to sing on Friday. Bring two wrapped large boxes in shinny paper. Bring them on Thursday when you come to the dress rehearsal at First Baptist Church, 2932 King St., Alex 22302.

He also asked guys to step up the ticket sales. And don’t forget to look for some things to contribute to the silent auction. Let Don Dillingham know of items you will offer – make a home cooked meal, a quartet appearance, a silver tray full of homemade candy, a fancy holiday decorated cake, a holiday sweatshirt or apron or t-shirt or cap, etc.

Scipio urged guys to get busy planning their costumes and hinted at some of the fun the script and actors have in store for us and our audiences.

During the break, we enjoyed left over cake from the Pride of Baltimore chorus from their party in honor of MAXX FACTOR. And many goodies guys and FRIENDS had brought in to share.

President Newton announced funeral details for Terry Jordan’s mother in WV – Sat. Nov. 27th at 11:30 at First Baptist Church in Dunbar. Viewing from 10:30 – 11:30. Donations in lieu of flowers to Harmony Foundation in the name of Madeline Jordan.

Chuck McKeever reports that John Pence will likely be coming home from the hospital t his week. He suggests we give JP and his wife a few days to adjust before calling.

Carl Kauffmann asks all the guys to fill out their survey about their plans for the International convention in Kansas City, MO, next July. Deadline is in soon for chapter to place order for tickets and rooms.

In Alan’s absence, Mark Klostermeyer reminded guys to turn in their Harmo Hero forms.

And Eric Wallen nudged all the guys to start forming quartets for the chapter’s Put Together Contest on Dec. 14th. Don’t just wait til that nite to grab four guys in the hall. Pick a new song, or write some funny lyrics or get some crazy costumes. There are awards for comedy quartets too!! No time limit but just one song.

Secretary Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Tom Kraus for 4 years; Ken White for 12 years, Bob Sutton for 27 years and Steve White for 34 years.

Ken White introduced many family members and Harmo friends in the house this week of Thanksgiving. Also good to see Jon Abel and Pete Frank.

After break it was back to work on holiday music. CAMERON STATION sang one of their holiday songs for us as they will be on the show this year. Director Joe explained the fun way we do “The 12 Days of Christmas” song with the audience.

He was also pushing things along as he was excited to work more on the 2011 contest up tune. We got in about 15 – 20 minutes of fun with it.

At 10 we wrapped it up, put the tons of stuff away and headed for the afterglow. Tho YeEd noted a lot of quartets singing in corners and other rooms of Durant. Some are chapter quartets that are singing on the show too.

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.)