Looking Back on the June 3^rd US Supreme Court Appearance
(Many thanks to Tyler Carpenter for taking notes and preparing a draft report for this event. YeEd.)

This was the 10^th appearance by the Harmonizers at the Supreme Court building in DC.  As usual the banquet hall was packed and we had to fit the risers into a small space.  That meant the singers were really singing close together – and our director Joe Cerutti was only a couple feet in front of the chorus standing among the banquet guests.  As has been our tradition at this venue, we did no major stage presence.  Also Joe invited a guest percussionist, Doug Carnes, a barbershopper and friend of the chapter who performed on Broadway for two and a half years in “Lion King,” to appear with us at the performance.

By 7 pm, most men had arrived, gotten their uniforms and pitch pipes thru security; and our guest percussionist was warming up the drums.

As most of the men were snacking on refreshments in the Lawyers Lounge  provided by our host, The Historical Society for the Supreme Court, Joel Golden and Bob Blair were learning their parts on additional percussion instruments.

Associate director Tony Colosimo led warm-ups that focused on listening and adapting to the condensed riser arrangements. Joe took over the warm ups to place the men in riser positions with a focus on aligning windows.

At 9:10 the group gathered back for a final few measures of warm up before lining up in the hall to be escorted for a photo-op. Minutes later the chorus was directed to the risers to perform for the large crowd of distinguished guests.

The Harmonizers opened the show with a bang with “I’m the Music Man” which seemed to capture the attendance of the guests. As expected, “America” was well received as was “We Kiss in a Shadow.” Our goal of captivating the audience and maintaining their attention through the ballad was a success! An energetic “All You Need is Love” concluded with a crowd sing along with many participants.

For our last number, the entire room was at attention from the moment Tony began his solo for “Circle of Life.” The first half of the song brought an applause from the audience as the African chant portion just began – they were definitely not expecting that twist!

Supreme Court Justices in attendance included Sonia Sotomayor, Neil Gorsuch, Samuel A. Alito, Jr., and Brett Kavanaugh. Chief Justice John Roberts departed moments before the Harmonizers took to the risers.

An afterglow crowd assembled after the performance at the Capitol Lounge and they sang for some of the show patrons who had also made it over to the lounge.

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