Looking Back on the September 10^th Chapter Meeting

The chorus was a little late arriving this week with the increased traffic since school has started in VA, and the huge construction project around the Durant Center is a mess.   But there was lots going on at Durant with front row revamping their routine for the contest uptune in the lobby, many new members working on stage presence on the stage with Chuck McKeever along with several members who did not get to go with us to Toronto but who are going to the fall contest.

The hall was full of folks – the Friends in Harmony had a board meeting, there were lots of singing guests and many family members and fans were in the “peanut” gallery.

As usual there was a good crew of guys, including some of our new members, who pitched it for the massive amount of setup work needed each week to make our meeting flow effectively. This week the tech crew played another new holiday show song for us to listen to while we assembled on the risers at 6:58 – “FaLaLa” arranged by Tom Gentry.

Dan O’Brien took his first turn ever to lead the warm up session for the chorus before turning the riser singers over to director Joe Cerutti. And Joe didn’t waste a minute to go right to work on the contest songs for our appearance at the fall district contest in Ocean City, MD, Oct. 4^th. We used the entire first half of the nite to work on little details to make it better than Toronto.

Operations vp Bob Rhome then conducted a chapter meeting.  For starters he alerted all members that might need uniform parts for contest or shows to see Tom Kern tonite, as Tom will be on travel for the next two weeks.

President Alan Wile thanked our a cappella group, TBD, for their appearance on our behalf at the Alexandria King Street Arts Festival up and down King Street this past weekend, and he thanked Doug White for managing the sound equipment for that event too.  Alan also alerted us about a series of three appearances in the community to entertain senior citizens. Joe Cerutti Sr. is coordinating this effort. Stay tuned for more details.

Bruce Lauther continues his service to members for getting their new third place bronze medals engraved with their name.

Chuck Harner is soliciting helpers to fill the jobs for our chapter serve as the host chapter for that district contest in OC.  He particularly needs guys to help transport judges from DCA airport to the contest.  Call him if you can do that on Friday, Oct. 4^th.  (Chuck was great to have stepped up to serve as our coordinator for the hosting duties!)

Wearing his other hat as salesman for Entertainment coupon books, Chuck reminded us all to get a supply right away.

The Friends in Harmony presented a table cover with the Harmo logo embroidered on it for use when anyone is selling merchandise for the chapter at shows or events. Very nice and professional piece.  We thank them for this thoughtful contribution.

Their president Sandy Stamps presented the 2013 White House Christmas ornament for all to see and announced the kick off of our sales effort.  As a reminder, anyone can take as many as they can sell, on consignment, at $20 each.

Shawn Tallant asked for help with the task force working on raising monies for our trip to Normandy France in 2014.  Volunteers should come to the task force meeting at Durant next Tuesday at 6:15 pm. Particular skills needed are database management.

Randall Eliason gave a plug for each man to get or donate two items for the silent auction being developed online in conjunction with our holiday show.   Only a few guys have done two so far. Donations can go to Randall or TJ Jones on Tuesday nites.

Secretary Chris Buechler presented a new member name tag and Harmo history book to Jim Tarantino – our newest member.  He also presented a history book to Barbershop Harmony Foundation staffer, KJ Mcaleesejergins, who was in town this week to visit our chapter

Chris also presented membership renewal cards to Bob Mattes for 15 years and to Bob Ulibarri for 31 years.

Membership vp Mark Klostermeyer with help from Ken White welcomed this week’s “crop” of guests which included Ben Roberts’ dad, Robin; members of the GRAND OLD TIME quartet from PA; some applicants and several first time guests including some members of other chapters living in the DC area now. Mark did remind both the guests, and the members who have potential guests, about the Open Audition session on Wed. Sept 11^th at Durant.

Sean Devine welcomed his co-worker KJ to the chapter and invited him to share his story about how the Harmony Foundation investments can change lives of young men through our barbershop harmony.  Many men signed up to become Presidents’ Council members.

During the break the Harmo family grabbed a coffee or goodies, bought things, signed up for things, sang a tag or visited with their fellow Harmonizers who stand all the way across the room on the other end of the risers.  All the men tapped to fill a gig on Saturday Sept. 14^th for the DC Odd Fellows met on the risers to check details with producer Greg Tepe.

Back to work on the risers after the break, we sang the new holiday song and reviewed some other songs for that show. Plus we worked on “Miller Medley” for our shows in France.

We closed out the evening singing farewell and “A Place on the Risers for You” to Chuck Hunter who departs for his posting in Istanbul Turkey on Friday.  Joe offered kudos to Chuck for his dedication and contributions toward our musical successes and improvements.  Joe also teased that this was the sixth time we have given Chuck “the chair” to send him off to an assignment around the world as a State Department employee.  Safe travels our Friend!

After putting it all away, a good crowd of guys and some tag singers assembled at LaPortas on Duke Street.

As a reminder, our annual chapter meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 24^th, 2013, according to chapter secretary Chris Buechler. Please plan to be there - for a quorum and a great rehearsal! The main order of business for the meeting is election of our 2014 chapter board. With the recent large attendance at meetings, this should not be close to a problem, but we will need at least 70 current members in attendance. So please plan to attend on September 24.

The following slate is submitted by our nominating committee (Steve Murane, chair):
President - Terry Reynolds
VP Chapter Development - Jeremy Richardson
VP Operations - Bob Blair
VP Music & Performance - Steve White
VP Shows - Nick Leiserson
VP Marketing & PR - Noah Van Gilder
Secretary - Chris Buechler
Treasurer - Dave Welter
Member At Large 2014-2015 - Ross Felker
Member At Large 2014-2015 - Michael Gilmore
Member At Large 2013-2014* - Joshua Roots
Member At Large 2013-2014* - Greg Tepe
Immediate Past President* - Alan Wile
* - Not up for election

Thanks to Steve and the other members of the chapter nominating committee for performing the challenging task of selecting men who not only possess the skills for the various positions but also agree to serve our chapter.

Secretary Chris Buechler suggests there may be others of you who have an interest in one of the board positions.  If so, please notify him as chapter secretary no later than the September 17 chapter meeting.  Per Society rules, there can be no nominations from the floor on the night of the election.  All nominees must agree to serve if elected.  If there are additional nominations Chris will prepare written ballots. Proxy or absentee voting is not permitted in chapter elections.  These are Society rules and not local ones that can be waived. The 2014 board takes office January 1, 2014.

In other news, word came to us that former member and popular Harmonizer emcee, Jon Abel, has had a minor stroke and is currently in the hospital but is doing well. The family will keep us posted as to his progress.

 

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.)