Looking Back on the Oct. 7^th Alexandria festival show and Oct. 10^th  Chapter Meeting

The Art on the Avenue show on Sat. Oct. 7^th in the Del Ray area of Alexandria was fun for the chorus and our a cappela group TBD.  The roving audience was appreciative and we got in several plugs for our fall show and for recruiting singers.  Sam McFarland staffed a table near our show stage.  The materials for this table were prompted by membership director Dave Kohls with help from the communications director Steve Murane plus Robyn Murane and Liz Birnham.

Associate director Tony Colosimo was director and assistant director Terry Reynolds helped with some of the song introductions as did Randall.  The crowd really responded to an old audience favorite, “Summertime” and also to “Blow Gabriel, Blow.”

TBD sang three good songs and also got the attention of the audience.  Reed Livergood is their director.

Kudos to Mike Kelly for helping with the sound work and Matt Doniger for the Harmo truck and riser set up and reloading. Also thanks to all the men who helped with the riser move in and move out so fast.

The Tuesday nite Oct. 10^th meeting and rehearsal were packed full with fall show preparation and the annual chapter meeting. A number of family members were there to watch too.

Associate director Tony Colosimo did the warm ups after the riser crew got the room set up.  Director Joe Cerutti met with the fall show producer and then came into the rehearsal.  He was full of encouragement and responses from those who have heard us recently (including a youth quartet in CA who heard us do one of the spirituals at HU and decided to learn it too – Joe played a recording of them for us). Joe has actually been under the weather with flu symptoms but is on the mend now.

For the music working time, we went through the show songs in order (and for timing).  Joe and Tony offered some reminders.

When we stopped singing to have our chapter meeting, we took a minute to sing Happy Birthday to secretary Chris Buechler and to Rick Wagner’s brother who was visiting from NY.

Executive director Terry Reynolds conducted the usual business portion of the meeting starting with a reminder that we meet back at First Baptist next Tues, Oct. 17^th.

AND note that there will not be a tech rehearsal on Thursday, Oct. 12^th.

Anyone who didn’t sing in the fall contest and is planning to sing in the fall show, and who has not asked for a new green pocket stuffer should contact Robyn Murane.

Reminder of the fun evening Oct. 25^th at Alfred Street Baptist, hosted by the men’s choir there to bring together the Harmonizers, the Alfred Street men’s choir, the Alexandria Singers (directed by Bill Colosimo) and a Spanish choir.

For those looking ahead, the holiday show music is on the website.

The Veterans’ Day singout is at Oakton Elementary school again – Friday Nov. 11^th.  An 8:30 am chorus call – wear a suit and tie or military uniform.

Sandy Stamps is eager to issue White House holiday ornaments to the chapter members and friends – get some before we get involved in our own holiday shows. $25 each.  Get some on consignment.

Fall show producer Ken Rub issued a 5:15 pm arrival time for the Fri. nite show.  The parking garage there opens at 5 pm. Uniform – black suit, white shirt that covers buttons, thin black tie, black shoes. Riser crew at 4:30.

President Randall Eliason welcomed Don Thompson back after knee surgery, reported that Bob Mattes has a compression fracture. And Mike Edison reported talking to Kevin McKenzie who is also suffering from a compression fracture.

As many of you know, the Harmony Foundation offers a Donor Choice program for those who contribute to the Foundation. Donors have the option to designate up to 30 percent of their contributions to be returned to the chapter or district (or both) of their choice. President Randall extended appreciation for the very generous support provided by many Harmonizers and their families, which allowed the Foundation to send the chapter a check for $3,244.70 representing our 2017 Donor Choice proceeds for the six months ended last June. (Donations received in the second half of the year will be distributed to us next March.) In addition to supporting the good work of the Harmony Foundation, this program provides an important source of revenue for our chapter.

The annual chapter meeting was called to order by Randall.  Secretary Buechler declared a quorum was present. The slate was elected by acclamation.

·        President – Shawn Tallant

·        Immediate Past President – Randall Eliason (not subject to election)

·        Secretary – Christopher Buechler

·        Treasurer – Alan Herman

·        Member at Large – David Branstetter

·        Member at Large – Clyde Crusenberry

·        Member at Large – Matthew Doniger

The nominating committee included Alan Wile, chair with Clark Chesser, Bradley Jones, Mark Klostermeyer and Todd Ryktarsyk.

After adjournment, the regular business continued.

Secretary Chris explained he’d be missing the show following surgery this weekend. Take care, Chris.  He presented membership renewal cards and appropriate lapel pins to Carlos Barillo for 6 years; Tim Cash for 19 years; Phil Ashford for 40 years; Dick Dangel for 25 years; and Don Thompson for 25 years.

Membership director Dave Kohls thanked the many men who have filled out the strategic planning survey and asked the rest to do so too. He also asked for non-singers in this weekends’ shows to help staff a membership info table at the two shows. His membership team member Rick Wagner welcomed the guests: Ryan Kasperski, Carter White, Mario Sengco, Cyrus Lawyer (who saw us sing at the Sat. afternoon show in Del Ray), and Jim and Amy Deavers from NY.

We had a nice break with goodies and coffee.  Speaking of break refreshments – when we get back to First Baptist, PLEASE BE CAREFUL AND TIDY so we can leave the church clean after we leave.  We will not be fixing coffee or bringing drinks – bring you own water and such.  Thanks.

After the break, we worked mostly on “Gabriel” for the show – especially considering that the Friday nite show space is smaller and we will only be on five risers that nite.

Throughout the nite, there were requests, suggestions, pleadings for action to sell show tickets.  Here are the facts for your customers.  A major point is to speak in person to people and not count on social media.

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Harmonizer 2017 Fall Show

The Alexandria Harmonizers and Howard Gospel Choir of Howard University

Present

ROCK MY SOUL

Celebrating Barbershop’s Gospel Roots

Featuring Grammy Award Winner THE FAIRFIELD FOUR

TWO SHOWS

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Friday, Oct. 13^th  - 8 pm

At First Congregational United Church of Christ, 945 G St. NW, Washington DC 20004

General Admission - $35

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Saturday, Oct. 14^th – 2 pm

At Schlesinger Concert Hall, 4915 East Campus Dr., Alexandria VA (on NVCC Alexandria Campus at the corner of Beauregard and Braddock Rd.)

Orchestra - $45     Rear Orchestra or Box - $35      Balcony - $25

Go to harmonizers.org to order tickets

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The afterglow was at LaPortas.

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