Friday, May 13, 2016


Looking Back on the May 10th Chapter Meeting

Amidst the days and days of rain, the Harmonizers made their way to Durant ready to work on the new contest set.  A crowd of guys met with Chuck McKeever to review the presentation plan for the uptune.  The front row worked on the stage.  And the board met at 6 pm too.

Associate director Tony Colosimo did the vocal warm ups. Then director Joe Cerutti and his team of Tony and Carlos Barillo, choreographer, worked with us on the contest songs.  During the evening there was a 15-minute sectional time, and a major chunk of time for Carlos to help us expand our plan for the uptune.

At one point, executive director Terry Reynolds and membership director Rich Hewitt met with all men who plan to sing in Nashville but have never sung in an international contest with the Harmonizers before.  This was the start of the Class of 2016 and helps the men get a handle on what is expected, what will happen during convention week and what they need to do in advance.

The work sessions included time for self recordings of guys preparing for Nashville.

Chuck McKeever continued his great efforts to video us for our personal review and education.

Terry conducted the chapter meeting portion of the nite.

The call time for the Armed Forces Show is 12:30 pm. Word from Greg Tepe, package show producer, that the uniform for the Armed Forces Day performance on Saturday May 21 at the Memorial Chapel at Ft Myer will be black suit, white hidden button shirt, red/white/blue tie, black patent leather shoes, black socks, black belt. See Tom Kern if you are a new member and don’t have some of those uniform parts. 

There are also some specific requirements for admission onto the Fort.  Stay tuned and watch announcement email.

The M-AD Southern Division May 27-28 in Reston at the Hyatt.  Anyone can attend – you can buy tickets onsite.  Friday nite the quartet contest starts at 6:27 pm.  Saturday morning the chorus contest starts at 10:57 am. Looks like a couple quartets with Harmonizers will compete –HANDSOME REWARD and MISFIRE.

President Randall Eliason reported on health matters for some of our members.  Terry Jordan is home now still recovering. Rich Payton has pneumonia added to his back issues. And Ken Fess has come down with pneumonia.  Frank Fedarko is still fighting health complications. We wish them all speedy recovery.

Randall presented a Presidential Valor Award to Tom Kern for his eight years service and dedication as our uniform guy! Thanks Tom.

Randall also asked members to respond when the operations team sends out a list of jobs that need someone to do for the chapter.

Bob Wachter was in the house this week.  Great to see him.

The make-up session for vocal studios is Thursday nite May 12th from 7-9 at Durant. Members should be getting in their $100 payment for the contest retreat, June 3-4-5, to Bruce Minnick. Vocal studio sign-ups will be conducted by Terry.

Mark your calendar for the fall show called Revolution at Schlesinger on Sat. Oct. 15th.

Secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to David DesPortes for nine years; Noah Van Gilder for nine years; Steve Murane for fourteen years; Mike Fasano for 21 years; and Chris Buechler for 31 years.

Rich Hewitt welcomed applicants, new members and guests.  When we sang the ‘Harmonizer Welcome Song,’ it was taped for YouTube.

Before we went home, the chorus sang thru the songs for the Armed Forces show.

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 67th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd