Friday, November 23, 2018




Looking Back on the Nov. 20th Chapter Meeting
As you can imagine, this week we worked hard on the holiday show music; plus we got a sneak preview of the script for the first half with Jack-in-the-Box (Terry Reynolds will reprise that role) and Boris as in “Rocky and Bullwinkle” (Troy Hillier will return with his humorous accent). We even got a look at the “box” from past shows – still ready for another Harmo holiday show. Thanks Dennis Ritchey.

Warm ups were conducted by associate director Tony Colosimo and then director Joe Cerutti worked with the chorus to clean up some spots in all the songs.  A couple times he had Tony take a section out to the lobby to concentrate on a portion of the song.

Terry Reynolds conducted the chapter meeting this week.  He of course stressed the holiday show that is Dec. 8th at 7:30 pm at TC Williams Hi School on King Street.  Member need to sell tickets. Any consignment sales must be turned in on Tues Nov. 27th to Dean Sherick.  Members were also asked to gather more gift cards or prizes or the silent auction.  Those items can go to Mike Kelly.

 Other upcoming dates:

Dec. 11th – The Put Together Quartet Contest is at Scottish Rite Temple.  There will be guest judges, refreshments and lots of laughs.  Matt Doniger is still taking quartet entries – there are already quite a few.  Terry stressed that it is called a Put Together contest – so if a member wants to sing in a quartet, chairman Matt will help find other singers.

Dec. 15th  – watch for details on this Saturday sing out at local Alexandria area nursing and senior homes.

Dec. 18th – our annual Carol Crawl – singing in restaurants in Old Town, ending with an informal afterglow.

Jan 5th – another Harmonizer Heat Glow for the whole chapter and their significant others, Saturday evening, at 7 pm at Jack and Pat Pitzer’s home - 7801 Suffolk Ct., Alexandria, VA 22315. Casual dress. Everyone bring finger-food hors d' oeuvres or holiday goodies to share. Wine if you wish. (Jack promises to  make the traditional Heat Glow Grog recipe that has been served at a similar Harmonizer event for over 50 years!! The recipe has been passed down from previous generations of the Harmo family.)

President Shawn Tallant is still eager to get ideas from members for the chapter honor awards.

Secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Jon Frank for 3 years, Jim Kirkland for 9 years, Nick Murane for 12 years, and Don Harrington for 39 years.  Chris also presented Rick Taylor his 50 year renewal card this past weekend at the annual meeting of the district honor chapter at their meeting in Ocean City.

Membership chairman Calvin Schnure welcomed Dylan, Frank, and Matthew.  Both Dylan Smith and Frank Shipp passed their audition after the formal chapter meeting and will thus become members soon.

After break, it was back to work on the songs.  Prior to the meeting, there was a rehearsal for the “monks” that will do the comedy routine in the show.

In other news, the chapter has received a check for $3984.48 from the Harmony Foundation as a result of our chapter members designating the chapter in a Donor Choice program. 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. Thanks to the very generous support provided by many Harmonizers and their families, the check represents our Donor Choice proceeds for the first six months of 2018.  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.  
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