Looking Back on the Feb. 12^th Chapter Meeting and Recording Session

There was a good crowd of singers and even guests who found their way to First Baptist Church on King Street for this week’s recording session. We actually met in the third floor music department of the church and operations vp Bob Rhome had good signage posted for all to find the room.  We are fortunate to have found a great room with good sound qualities and a comfortable space. There was even room for some break outs for sectionals.

 

A number of guys offered a hand to haul in recording equipment for Cameron Wiffenbach who was our recording engineer again.  Mike Kelly and Doug White helped him set up the mics and such. (And YeEd noted that they carried everything back to Cam’s van, after recording and while the rest of us worked on the new contest stage presence.)

 

The front row came to the church early and used the social hall to drill their work for the new contest package.  And later in the evening, they worked with Carlos Barillo, our in-house choreographer, on the “Anything Goes” package.

 

After a warm-up session conducted by Will Cox, director Joe Cerutti went right to work on “Hello My Baby” to start the recording process. Guests and new members sat quietly.  We had about 90 singers on hand for this session.  We also recorded “Circle of Life” (without the patter, and without the quartet intro).  Both to be added later.

 

The chapter meeting included some important announcements.  President Alan Wile spoke about the need to support our tradition of providing “angel” support for members who might need financial support to go to Toronto in July.  He spoke particularly about guys who might be able or interested in providing some materials things for the cause such as an extra registration, a ride if you are driving, a room to share, money of course, scrip cards, or airfare using extra miles or points you have.  See Alan or Joe ASAP with any offers to help.  And if you might need such help, also speak to those two guys.

 

Alan also thanked Calvin Schnure and Bruce Lauther for their many extra efforts to fulfill a large number of Singing Valentine requests the chapter has received.

 

Alan reminded his board of directors of the meeting on Wed at 7 pm at Durant.  It is an open meeting so any member may attend.  Next year’s board designates are particularly welcome.

 

Craig Kujawa (on the mend after a little back problem last week) spoke about housing in Toronto. First, if you have a reservation that you might not need, don’t cancel it.  Let Craig know, because you likely have it at a lower rate and the chapter can change it to another member.

If you don’t have a reservation, the rates go up again on Fri., Feb. 15^th.

 

And finally, our Toronto planning committee with Carl Kauffmann as head are arranging for a hospitality room on Friday and Saturday nites in our hotel.  They need someone who might like to sleep in the bedrooms of that hospitality suite.  Speak to Carl or Craig.

 

Chapter secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to several guys present: Bob Rhome for 12 years; Tom Kern for 15 years; TJ Jones for 22 years; Matt Kahn for 24 years; and Dean Rust for 33 years.

 

Guests this week included guys who have been in the que for joining for a few weeks; some here to audition and prepare to sing in Toronto; and one who was in town on a job interview.  Cross your fingers for his success. As usual we had guests from other chapters, some first time guests and some guys who have been gone for a while due to the flu and other colds and sickness of late.

 

After the business meeting and a little stretch break to buy scrip cards and pick up chorus photos, we worked on a review of the moves for the uptune.  Chuck McKeever had studied them in detail and was able to teach us the finer points of execution.  When Carlos came in with the front row, he seemed tickled with our progress.  And the front row put on quite a show of their progress too!

 

At ten pm, everyone pitched in and helped put things back to where we found them.  And a crowd went over to Laporta’s for the afterglow.

 

YeEd noted that assistant director Terry Reynolds was not in the hall, something that rarely happens.  Turns out Terry went to a family reunion in New Orleans last weekend and decided to stay for Mardi Gras! 

 

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 during the 65^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd.)