Thursday, December 22, 2011


Looking Back on the December 20th Chapter Meeting

The gang gathered at Durant for the annual (since Joe Jr. joined us) to go into Old Towne and sing in restaurants to spread the holiday cheer (and of course let them know we exist as their local barbershop harmony chorus.

About 40 guys made it and we had a good mix of parts and plenty of tenors to blast their special lines in “Chipmonk” song.  As usual, it got a good laugh every time.  One place a guy got up and helped direct the chorus.  Plus the stage presence on “O” in “Jingle Bells” got a laugh too.

Lots of the guys wore Santa hats and colorful scarves (even tho it was pretty warm outside).  Speaking of Santa hats, YeEd credited the wrong guy for bringing the Santa hats to the Market Squaret show on Dec. 10th – it was Bob Blair.  Thanks Bob.

Operations vp Mark Klostermeyer was front man and went downtown to let the firms know we wanted to sing for their patrons.  He got good responses and so we sang at six spots.  At the Jackson 20 restaurant we were invited to crash or “flashmob” the hotel staff party and that was fun.

Before we left Durant, Tony Colosimo did the vocal warm ups.

Great to have Victor Hills and Jack Stonesifer back from college. A number of family members accompanied up on the trek thru town.  Director Joe Cerutti welcomed all the guys and encouraged them to be sure to make it to the Jan. 3rd launch for the new singing year.

Everyone was asked to make some calls to their buddies that have missed some meeting lately to get back into the habit starting on the 3rd.

There were announcements:  sign up for Singing Valentines and be sure you have Feb. 14th off from work so you can participate; Austin Cotton had Harmo CDs for those that needed em for gifts; Ian Poulin was busy selling scip cards to those who needed stocking stuffers; Mick Stamps was the White House Ornament broker helping those that still have some make contact with guys who have customers looking for ornaments; next Tuesday is the Blast MD (see below); and the first show gig in 2012 is on Sat nite, Jan. 7th at Inova Hospital in Alexandria followed by the annual Heat Glow hosted at Alan Kousen’s home – watch for email details.

Here are details about the Blast on Tues. Dec. 27th – instead of our own chapter meeting. At 7:30 pm, Michaels 8th Ave., 7220 Grayburn Dr., Glen Burnie, Md 21061.  $15 at the door for all you can drink and eat. (http://blast.dundalk.org). A good nite to go to meet and sing and celebrate with other barbershoppers from our DC Metro and Baltimore Metro areas.  (Also a good way to represent our chapter!)  Form a car pool and lets all go.  Last few years a huge crowd of us took in the fun, chow and cold drinks. 

Good luck to Joe and our guys singing in the Chorus Without Borders show at Carnegie Hall on Dec. 26th in NYC.  Tickets are going fast, so if you are gonna be up there, check it out.

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.)