Thursday, November 23, 2017


Looking Back on the Nov. 21st Chapter Meeting
The traffic was hectic again this week – people leaving the DC area for the Thanksgiving holiday. But we had a good sized chorus to arrive by 7 pm at First Baptist. Everyone knew we had plenty of work to do on our songs for the Dec. holiday shows.
Early arrivals found a sort-of holiday market scene – 50/50 sales, CD sales from Carnegie Hall, WHO sales, Harmo Heroes on display; and a refreshments spread. There were several meetings in break out rooms – mostly regarding for the show and up-coming events in Dec.
Tag singing fans were working in the back hallway with leadership from associate director Tony Colosimo. Director Joe Cerutti did the warm ups using segments from the show songs.Then we did run thrus of each of the 11 songs for the show.
Executive director Terry Reynolds conducted the chapter meeting. First – the Nov. 28th meeting will be back at Durant Rec Center, 1605 Cameron St. in Alexandria. Make note.
A big push was made for guys to sign up for the Dec. 8th and 9th sing-with-seniors projects. More guys need to sign up on Groupanizer so we can form two mini choruses on those days visiting senior citizen facilities.
It was confirmed that the annual holiday pub crawl sing in Old Town Alexandria, set for Tues. Dec. 12th, is another event when Sixth Row guys are welcome. Groupanizer says we will assemble at 7 pm at Durant Rec Center, then go into Old Town. We will sing holiday songs from the Society’s book “Yuletide Favorites” – extra copies will be available to use that nite for new members and others singing with us that nite. Joe has chosen the following songs from that book that we will possibly sing: “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” “Silent Night,” “O Holy Night,” “Jingle Bells,” and of course “We Wish You A Merry Christmas.” If members have a copy of Favorites, take a look at some of those songs, and bring the book along on the 12th to share.
Producer Brian Ammerman gave a few updates about the holiday show: ticket sales growing, but still lagging behind – we have 10 days to boost the number sold for the Dec. 2, 8 pm show and the Dec. 3, 2 pm show, both at TC Williams on King Street.
Correct call times for the chorus are: 6 pm for Tech Rehearsal on Dec. 1; then 5 pm for the Dec. 2 show; and 11 am for the Dec. 3 show. Note that non-singer helpers (family members, friends or chorus members not singing in the show) are needed on Friday evening for decorating the stage, also at 6 pm.
Continue collecting items for the silent auction such as gift cards. Give the items to Randall Eliason or Don Dillingham. You can even give things to them as late as Friday, Dec. 1 at the rehearsal. The committee needs bubble wrap and bags to use in sending purchases home with customers.
Chorus issued holiday sweatshirt and scarf is required for each singer on the show. If you don’t have one, quickly contact Robyn Murane.
Please use FaceBook a couple times a day to stimulate interest in the show. BUT more importantly, ask someone to buy a ticket. OR AT LEAST BUY ONE YOURSELF FOR YOUR FAMILY, SIGNIFICANT OTHER, AUNT OR YOUR CO-WORKER!
Casey Belzer did a little contest to see which section of the chorus could raise the most money in a donation jar. The basses won! And they will get a large ad in the show program.
President Randall alerted everyone to save the date for the Presidents’ Banquet which will be held on Sat. Feb. 3.
He also reported that Alexandria Chapter members were elected to head up the district’s honor club – DELASUSQUEHUDMAC (named for the four rivers in the district). Mike Kelly begins a term as president, Keith Jones a term as secretary and Mike Fasano a term as treasurer. The club’s annual meeting was in Ocean City, MD, over the Nov. 17-18 weekend.
Secretary Chris Buechler reminded folks to get their end of the year dues payments in.
Rick Wagner welcomed our guests: George from Maine (and member of the recent NED fall contest champ quartet; Carter (who has been with us the last few weeks); and LeAnn (Terry’s friend and frequent visitor with the chapter at International contests).
After the break, we were right back to work on the songs. There were auditions for a small group to sing part of one song, and a quartet to sing in a spot.
A big crowd of singers made it to the afterglow at Ramparts. Everyone is welcome to come to the afterglow which is an informal gathering most weeks. Likely next week we will be going back to LaPorta’s since rehearsal is back at Durant on Nov. 28th.
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 70th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd