Looking Back on the May 28^th Chapter Meeting

 

Well A hard driving rain didn’t seem to reduce the attendance this week – tho some of the guys were soaked when they got into Durant.  Especially the many guys who walked from the King St. Metro Station.  (Like Ken White who shed his shoes and sox vs. sloshing around in water-clogged gear!)

 

And the usual drive and hard work attitude was in place all around.  You couldn’t help but note the orange bandanas on the Class of 13 guys – everywhere.  The funniest use of the scarf was as a sling for a pretend broken arm by Dave Hood. Two new guys got their bandanas this week– Josh DesPortes and TJ Donahue -- swelling the class to 25.  Two more prospects include Dave Ellis and Sean Devine who will get their scarves at the Retreat this coming weekend for a total class of 27.

 

Also congrats to the class president Rich Hewitt who rallied his classmates to work hard and answer the trivia questions posed to five classmates. Each of them was allowed to get a guy off the risers to help answer the questions, but the 2013 guys had worked on the questions and had their answers ready.   Good job. Chorus manager Mark Klostermeyer has given the class more challenges for the retreat weekend, so stay tuned!!  Literally.

Carlos Barillo
Lou Bergner
Dave Branstetter
David DesPortes

Josh DesPortes
TJ Donahue
Randall Eliason
Tom Frederick
Gary Fuller
John Greene
Bob Griesemer
Rich Hewitt
David Hood
Peter Hubbard
Kevin McKenzie
Stan Quick
Ben Roberts
Calvin Schnure
Dean Sherick
Steve Szyszka
Shawn Tallant
Mike Vlcej
Harold Weinberger
Doug White
Duncan Woodbury

The risers were up by six tonite (and the electric fans were out to keep the air moving) and a good crowd of guys worked on their stage moves with Chuck McKeever. We listened to our fellow chapter members in VAUDEVILLE as we took the risers to get to work for the contest. We had a good crowd of listeners too including many FRIENDS OF HARMONY who were in the building to sew new uniform parts for the contest. They are also selling a convention button for $1 each. 

 Associate director Tony Colosimo did the warm ups this week. Later in the evening Troy Hillier conducted a presentation craft session.

 For the first half of the nite we worked on the contest songs – fixing things, adding new things and even making some changes.  Lots of coaching from our director Joe Cerutti and Tony made it a challenge vs. just work.

 Operations vp Bob Rhome conducted the chapter meeting before break.  Retreat chairman Chuck McKeever reminded us that we could check in at 3 pm at McDaniel College but need to be on the risers at 6:50 pm Friday nite, May 31^st.  Everyone should get dinner before they get on the risers! Chuck promised an email with directions and many details.  (Which we all received on Wednesday.)

 President Alan Wile recognized our Operation Harold Hill membership team from last year – Steve White, Shawn Tallant and Phil Ashford –with a silver award from the BHS.

 There were reminders to get 50/50 tickets, pay Normandy fees to Mick Stamps, a bass meeting in Room 2 at break, front row meeting in the office, and get refreshments during the break.

 Chapter secretary Chris Buechler presented Man of Note (#3) to Bob Blair for bring new member Dean Sherick who received his membership certificate and other new guy papers, including the chapter’s history book.  A renewal membership card for 21 years was given to Mike Gilmore.

 Membership vp Mark Klostermeyer with help from barefoot Ken White welcomed the guests – some from other chapters in the area, an applicant and a couple first-timers.

 After break, we sang thru the songs for the Jefferson Award performance at 9 am on June 19^th at Arena Stage.

 And then back to work on the contest package.  Joe spoke a lot about our individual performance responsibilities.  We watched a Dallas Vocal Majority performance as an example of personal commitment to the song and performance.  We added more of the visual plan for the ballad. We worked a little past 10.   

 Crews worked to load the Harmo truck to take props, av equipment, risers and such to the retreat.

 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.)