Looking Back on the Mar. 31^st M-AD International Prelims and April 4^th Chapter Meeting

Several Harmonizers had a busy weekend in Reading PA, at the M-AD International Prelims Quartet contest where quartets can try to qualify to compete at the contest this summer in Vegas.  We did not have any contenders in the pack this year, but Bill Colosimo sang in SERENDIPITY and won the district Mixed Quartet contest with Sheryl Berlin, Anne Bureau and Ig Jakovac.  Both men have been district presidents and both women are chorus directors.  Their quartet will be in the mix to see which USA mixed quartet scores the most points and will get to compete in Germany next year.  Congrats to Bill.

There were a number of former Harmonizers in quartets and a long list of members working at the contest, helping with District administration, or there to cheer and support quartets and the many youth groups who sang in a youth adjudication event on Saturday afternoon.

Rick Taylor and Dennis Ritchey were emcees for contest events. Rick represented the Harmony Foundation at the convention. Dennis is also the current district president.  His executive vp is Bob Eckman.  His secretary is Keith Jones. Mike Kelly is on the district events team and did the photography and recording for contestants too.  The Pretzel City Chorus in Reading was host chapter. Our president Randall Eliason was our official delegate at the House of Delegates meeting on Sunday morning and headed up a large delegation of our leaders at that meeting.  Alan Wile was busy all weekend gathering collections for the M-AD Endowment fund which included his giving away LB records in exchange for donations.

The contest was a good one and M-AD will send six quartets to Vegas: PRATT STREET POWER, ‘ROUND MIDNIGHT, FORECAST, FRANK THE DOG, ROUTE 1 and GIMME FOUR.

Also this past weekend, other Harmonizers were busy too. Our 13-member a cappella group TBD held a retreat at Assateague near the shore. Tony Colosimo was there to coach them.

Tony and Andrew Havens, Joe Sawyer and Ricky Savage sang as a quartet and represented the chapter at this year’s University of Maryland invitational men’s sing on Saturday nite.  Great to keep up that tradition.

Tuesday nite April 4^th, was a hard working session again at Durant. Associate director Tony Colosimo was there for a tag sing at 6:50 and a large group of guys joined in the fun.

This week we were back on the risers for warm up with Tony and then with director Joe Cerutti for work on our new spiritual songs, a review of songs for Spring2ACTion, and then after break work on the “Chicago Medley.”

It was great to have Bob Wells back with us after his hip replacement (looking good Bob); and Kris Zinkievich back after a busy school concert season.  We will see some of Kris’s family members at the Youth Harmony Festival again.

Alan Wile and Walter Page worked as a team to build up participation in the 50/50 effort. This week it yielded a good sum to the winner and to the M-AD Endowment Fund.

Executive director Terry Reynolds conducted the chapter meeting. He reminded guys to sign up for the two new events this month – the community sing with Dr. Barnwell on April 19^th, and the join sing with the Alfred Street Baptist men’s choir on Wed, April 26^th.

Tim Cash gave a plug for the Fairfax Show this weekend, featuring a quartet from his former chapter in Mammoth Cave, KY, called the GUYER BOYS (a dad and his triplet sons).

President Randall Eliason reported all the latest developments regarding the chapter’s involvement in Spring2ACTion on Wed, April 5^th.  He explained two giving points – anytime all day, and then another chance between 3-4 pm to see if we could rack up the most donors in one power hour.  He explained how to do that.  Here is the link:

https://spring2action.razoo.com/story/Alexandria-Harmonizers

He also suggested members use social media to promote our efforts. 

And he relayed the details for the sing at Virtue Feed and Grain at 106 Union St, about 6 pm (come when you can if not at 6). He suggested taking the free trolley from the King Street Metro down King Street to Union Street. We will be in the room upstairs. Wear jeans and the black camp casual shirt.

AH, Inc. Chapter president Liz Birnbaum spoke briefly about the importance of this fund raising effort and encouraged guys to believe in our brand and our product in order to gain confidence in asking for donations from supporters.

Secretary Chris Buechler presented a membership renewal to Andrew Havens for 8 years, and a renewal and lapel pin to Dennis Ritchey (our district president too) for 25 years.

Terry announced that the membership team would meet during break on the risers, and the shows team would meet on the stage.  Next week, all leadership operations teams will meet.

Membership director Rich Hewitt welcomed a bunch of guests including barbershop singers from the Vocal Majority and the Ambassadors of Harmony.

Thanks to those who brought in goodies to share at break! And for the donations in the kitty that helps keep the supplies coming.

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 69^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd