Friday, January 25, 2019




Looking Back on the Jan. 22nd Chapter Meeting
The music leadership jumped right into the music for 2019 this week.  After associate director Tony Colosimo did the warm up exercises, director Joe Cerutti launched work on “Anything Goes” with a major review of the song we sang for our contest package a few years ago.  Guys were prepared with pencils and sheet music to mark Joe’s notes.

Meanwhile, the large class of new guys who have joined in the last year or less met with some chapter leaders to discuss their integration into the chapter, its music program and expectations.

Joe extended his training efforts on “We Kiss” and “Blow Gabriel”  and the front row guys adjourned to review their work on “Gabriel” too.  Bruce Roehm announced that anyone interested in auditioning for the front row should speak to him ASAP.

Joe took a break for announcements from Steve Murane.  First was from Terry Reynolds asking any guys interested in being in a quartet(s) for Valentine’s Day appearances to sign up on the clip board he posted up front. Singers are needed for morning, afternoon and evening time slots,  as the chapter will dispatch quartets for marketing and publicity purposes in our community.

Steve reminded all those going on the chapter trip to Europe that payments are due to Brad Jones. There might still be openings for late sign ups if anyone has changed their mind – contact Brad.

There were some reminders about our show with The Whiffenpoofs on Feb;.9th  including a nudge to sell or buy the $30 tickets for family and friends.  Dean Sherrick has them available on consignment too.  Uniform will be the black camp shirt.  New guys should contact Robyn Murane immediately if they don’t have one of those shirts yet because she will be ordering.

President Shawn Tallant invited all members to plan on attending the annual Presidents’ Banquet and bring their significant other. It will be Sat. nite Feb. 16th at the Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson St., Alexandria. There is plenty of free parking there.  Dave Branstetter has the tickets.  (Shawn pledges that anyone being hit hard by the government shutdown should plan on attending – just speak with Dave or Shawn to make arrangements.)

This event is a good one for all members to get caught up on the Harmonizer traditions and culture, meet each other on a social basis, and this year – add a little Valentine touch!

Shawn also announced the news that Martin Banks’ sister died recently. .

Membership chairman Calvin Schnure welcomed Jordan Zimmerman, a new member back on the risers, as well as this week’s singing guests Ryan and Dennis.

After a break in the action, it was back to work on our music by performing the package of songs we will do for The Whiffenpoofs show.

Then our tech team helped the music team show us videos of some of our new songs – “Empty Tables” and “Brotherhood of Man.”  The first one will be a solo and the chorus will be only tenor, bari and bass. We did some singing on that one.  And for the second song, Joe announced that our coach Cy Wood is planning a production number visual plan for it.

At the end of the nite everyone got a kick out of singing one of our gospel songs in honor of our friends THE FAIRFIELD FOUR who will be performing at the BHS midwinter convention in Nashville this week.  (We have reporters on the scene there to fill us in on all the news from that event – stay tuned. YeEd.).
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