Looking Back on the May 14^th Chapter Meeting 

The Harmonizers music men –leaders and chorus singers – worked really hard again this week to make progess on their music for 2019.  And with the help of this week’s coach Cindy Hansen Ellis, they made solid progress in preparation for the performance for the US Supreme Court on June 3^rd .

Will Cox, assistant director emeritus, did the warm ups this week and then when director Joe Cerutti took over, he had the chorus welcome Cindy.  As usual, she incited energy and classy performances for “America” and “I’m The Music Man” that are considered show openers.

Joe and Cindy spent a chunk of time on “Circle of Life” including several performance aspects such as the solos, background singers, and special language section.  It was sounding and looking mighty good be the end of the nite.

Before the mid-evening break for the chapter meeting, Joe announced that plans are finalized for a road trip for the Harmonizers to sing at Seneca Land District in the Rochester NY area at the end of Sept.  We will compete as well as entertain, do a masters’ class and enjoy a great bus ride trip.  Joe asked for members to get onto Groupanizer to confirm their attendance.

Steve Murane, communications director, conducted the meeting and announced the continuation of extra voluntary rehearsals to work on the music.  The next one is this week on Thurs from 7-9 pm  at First Baptist.

The major extra rehearsal/retreat with Cy Wood(our coach and designer of the package for “Brotherhood Of Man”) will be Sunday,  May 26^th at Scottish Rite Temple. From 1:30-5:30 pm.  Make your plans to attend!

Chapter leaders announced a plan to reduce the number of emails sent to all members.  Starting this week, everything that is an announcement, learning materials, suggestions, uniform updates and the like will come out as part of the pre-meeting document prepared and sent by Dave Branstetter. We used to call this the HarmoGram.  And it sounds like it will be an important document for each member to read.  It will arrive regulary at the end of each week.  Video links will be in Groupanizer. The weekly Looking Back summaries prepared by Jack Pitzer will continue to be sent to all members and the many other readers outside the chapter.

President Shawn Tallant reported that some guys called Alan Wile at dinner time and find he is still on the mend at home.  He can take a call now and then and for sure messages.  Sandy Stamps is recovering from another surgery and she and Mick are at home. They would accept messages too. Jim Kirkland reported that members of the Mt. Vernon Chorus called on Bob Wachter today at his home and sang a couple songs with him.

Chapter secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Dave DesPortes for 12 years, Joel Golden for 14 years, and Jason Lee for 17 years.

Membership chair Calvin Schnure welcomed guests Nick Federick, Luqman Fulmer, and Robyn Leeesnyder (one of our show patrons)  and her dad from New Zealand, Barry Prior.

This time of year, a lot of our members have been working hard as quartet singers in preparation for division contests in our Mid Atlantic District. This weekend is the Central Division and we have two guys singing in quartets at the contest in Wyomissing (Reading), PA. Rick Taylor is singing in TAYLOR MADE along with Tom Halley, Douglas Beach, and Steve Kirsch.  Mike Kelly is singing in a seniors quartet, PERSUSION, with Broh Brohawn, Jon Clunies and Bob Keys.  Joe Cerutti is judging music for this contest and Tony Colosimo is judging singing. 

Here are the quartets with Harmonizers in them for the Southern Division contest which will be in Baltimore May 31st:
CLYDE’S CHORBUSTING CHORISTERS, singing 4^th, Joe Cerutti, Clyde Crusenberry, Brad Jones, Tyler Carpenter
GET IT TOGETHER, singing 5^th, Brian Ammerman, Ben Watsky, Jim Kirkland, Terry Reynolds
SILVER ALERT, singing 13^th in seniors contest, Rick Savage, Mike Edison, Will Cox, Steve Murane
SIXTH SENSE, singing 15^th, Aaron Simoneau, Brian Miller, Joe Cerutti, David DesPortes
BREAKFAST BLEND,  singing 16^th, Mike Geipel, Scott Beach, Jerry Candrilli, Vinny Capaccio
VOICES IN MY HEAD, singing 19^th, Cavan Potee, Tim Buell, Joe Chilcoat, Alex Burval
MISS OTIS REGRETS, singing 20^th, Mario Sengco, Jordan Haedtler, Chris Leyan, Ken Rub
QUIRKS OF ART, singing 22^nd, Bob Wilson, Roger Tarpy, Hardman Jones, Mike Wallen
Former member Dan Cook is singing with NEXT STEP, and Nick Aiuto is singing in a seniors quartet SYMPATICO.

Before we took down the risers to take to the division contests and adjourn for the nite, we had to bid farewell to one of our young singers – Josh DesPortes.  He has taken a new job in the Atlanta area.  We will miss his great voice for solos and as a lead in TBD for several years. AS is our tradition, we sang, “A Place on the Risers for You” with Josh in a chair facing the chorus!

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