Thursday, September 1, 2011

Looking Back on the August 30th Chapter Meeting

Looking Back on the August 30th Chapter Meeting

A big crowd of members, their families and guests were on hand for the presentation and information session about our chapter’s trip to China in 2012.

Representatives from a Toronto travel agency made the presentation and answered a lot of questions about the trip. They provided a specific color brochure about the Harmo trip. They explained the highlights of the trip, reviewed travel details including VISA and Passport necessities and how we could adapt the trip for personal plans.

The brochure included a form that is due Sept. 15. Members can get their form from Brad Jones or Steve Murane (or Bob Blair if those two are on travel). Brad is our chapter coordinator and will provide some very detailed email messages for all to use in making their plans. It is not too late to sign up even if you didn’t make an earlier deposit. Departure is estimated for Sept 2, 2012, depending on how many go and obtaining a flight(s) for our group.

Brad spoke briefly about our joint concert with the Toronto Northern Lights Chorus while in China.

In short, don’t delay if you are interested. See Brad and get started in making your plans.
After the hour talk, we had break time and celebrated John Pence’s 75th birthday with huge chocolate chip pizza-like cookies.

The chapter meeting was held after the break. Secretary, Chris Buechler, presented membership renewal cards to Bob Mattes for 13 years; Joe Sawyer for 16 years; Alan Wile for 24 years; Ken Fess for 27 tears; and Mike Kelly for 31 years.

Operations vp, Mark Klostermeyer, invited Bob Rhome to explain details about a different meeting location on Sept. 6 while the floor in Durant is replaced.

The Harmonizers will relocate their meeting on Sept 6 to Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School, 435 Ferdinand Day Dr., Alex 22304, just off Pickett and Cameron Station Blvd. The main entrance for the chorus will be the one on Ferdinand Day Dr. Park in the Armistead Booth Park and follow the path to the Harmonizer truck at the entrance for us to use.

Show guru, Brian Ammerman, made 5 points regarding the fall show, Sept. 24th at the Hylton Center in Manassas.

1. If you are on Facebook, use it to promote the show.
2. Call people you know to check on them after the Hurricane and then change the subject to promote the show.
3. Invite significant others to help sell tickets too.
4. Brain has some jobs to be filled for the show, and promises an email with details, especially for making or finding props for the show.
5. He has consignment tickets to sell members with him.

Bruce Lauther will be help you get engraving done on the medals you earned in Kansas City. He needs to get them in the next two weeks.

A get-well card was circulated for Bob Wachter. He is reportedly making some progress but still can’t accept calls. Keep him in your thoughts.

Membership vp, Phil Ashford, introduced a number of guests. Some had been with us before.

Then we went to work singing. Director Joe Cerutti, explained the plan to add several new holiday songs for shows and CDs. We also worked on the revival of our 1995 contest ballad.

Joe recognized Dan O’Brien and Tony Colosimo who were recently named candidate judges in the BHS Contest and Judging program

Jack Cameron was distributing the chorus photos that were taken at International. Don’t delay in getting your picture, if you ordered one.

Don’t forget to wear your (or a) name tag at all Harmonizer functions. Maybe keep it in your barbershop briefcase. It helps the guests and newer members!

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. —YeEd.)