Looking Back on the April 17^th 2018 Chapter Meeting 

Everyone came ready to work again this week, especially with coach Kevin Keller scheduled to work with us.  Associate director Tony Colosimo did the vocal warm up before director Joe Cerutti officially welcomed Kevin. Kevin, Joe and Tony had dinner before the meeting and so they had coordinated many aspects of the training and coaching plan for the nite even before the chorus arrived.

As usual a crew of guys set up the risers, AV equipment and break supplies early.  The board also met at 5:45 pm prior to the meeting.

So at 7 pm, Joe launched the work nite by singing our new ballad.  And Kevin went right to work at making suggestions, teaching us new techniques and offering advice to Joe. Dean Rust, who was fighting a cold, was at a table taking notes for us all – as he always does!  Thanks Dean.  It was a profitable evening.

The chapter meeting was conducted by executive director Terry Reynolds.  He again reminded the chapter that Thurs April 19^th, and Tues April 24^th rehearsals will be at Convergence and working on the Iron and Coal material.  The director and composer for that music will be with us both nites. As a reminder, any Harmonizer or family member can get a 20% discount for tickets for the Iron and Coal performance – use code “Harmonizers” when ordering tickets on the Strathmore website.

He also stressed that section leaders are eager to get all recordings from singers preparing for the contest before May 17^th so all members are approved well before the retreat in June.

He reminded guys to turn in their payment for the chorus retreat to Howard Nestlerode. The retreat will be June 8-9-10 at McDaniel College in Westminster, MD, (about 70 miles from Springfield).  Friday June 8^th will be mandatory for front row and optional for all others with special sessions for the small groups to be coached. There are many good restaurants in town and it is a good social time on Friday nite. Fees include lodging; three meals on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday; plus linens and a Saturday evening party. There are three price levels – Friday-Sunday attendees ($114); Saturday-Sunday attendees ($83); and commuters who won’t be staying any nite ($78). Non-competing members are welcome to attend. Fees are due in advance and should be given to Howard Nestlerode, or Jack Cameron if Howard is not present, before May 29^th. All requests for roommate assignments are due to retreat master, Chuck McKeever, by Tues. May 8th.

Randall Eliason spoke again as cheerleader for our participation in Spring2Action on April 25^th and reminded everyone to use their pledge form and send emails to friends and relatives and coworkers and other barbershop singers this week.  Then send them a reminder on the 25^th. .  He has sent us all sample emails to use for this project. The chapter earns extra funds for numbers of donors – even if the gift is just $5. Tho our published goal is to exceed last year’s total, Randall and Joe strongly hinted that we could make up to $100,000 if every guy did some work on this.  

AND everyone who turns in a pledge form as proof of who they emailed, will be eligible for a drawing for free housing in Orlando at the convention!

Finally, don’t forget the party at Virtue Feed and Grain in Old Town Alexandria on the 25^th.  The restaurant gives a percentage of the take that nite to the chapter as their support of our Spring2Action effort.

Uniform chairman Robyn Murane has name badge magnets for sale at $2 each.  She is still eager to collect all unused uniform parts as per her recent messages.

President Shawn Tallant expressed chapter appreciation for all the hard work from many members who helped manage the Youth Harmony Festival on Fri. April 14^th, and to manage the Aca-Challenge on Sat. April 15^th including chairmen Tony Colosimo for the YHF and Jason Lee and TBD for the Challenge.

As promised at the meeting, the president has emailed all members the latest Alexandria Harmonizer Youth Protection Policy.  All members should read and observe.

Shawn gave an update on the possible Brazil trip in 2019 – we are close to having enough singers, so chapter leaders will call some of the “no or maybe” votes to confirm (“maybe” votes were taken as a “no” vote at the time of the survey),  Stay tuned.

The funeral service for Carolyn Hall, Dick’s widow, will be Wed. April 25^th at Oxon Hill Methodist Church, 6400 Livingston Rd., Oxon Hill MD 20745 – viewing at 10 am and service at 11:30 am.  Burial will follow the service at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery and then there will be a reception at Charleston Senior Community facility at 45 St. Patrick’s Dr., Waldorf, MD 20603.

Secretary Chris Buechler presented a membership renewal to Bob Wachter for his 66 years of BHS membership.  That one earned a standing ovation from the chapter!

Membership chief Dave Kohls thanked the men who helped staff a membership table at the Aca-Challenge.  Then he welcomed returning guests David and Janagan, and first timers John and Thomas. 

After the coffee break, we worked more with our coach on the ballad and on the uptune.  Joe and the chorus members were eager to thank Kevin for his help and work to help us do our best.

Just before closing, we were able to make another recording to turn in. 

Then we closed the nite singing “Great Day” which is one of our important songs for the anniversary show- Platinum Moments.  Learning tracks for the songs on that show are coming out on the website soon.

In other news, president Shawn reports, “Thanks to the very generous support provided by many Harmonizers and their families (40 or so families), we recently received a check for $5,221.65 representing our Donor Choice proceeds for the six months ended last December.  As you can see, in addition to supporting the good work of the Harmony Foundation, this program provides an important source of revenue for our chapter.  

A good crowd got over to the afterglow to visit with Kevin – and to watch the overtime win of the CAPS!

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