Friday, February 15, 2019




Looking Back on the Feb. 12th Chapter Meeting 

Yes - another good crowd of singers was on the risers.  Associate director Tony Colosimo did a good warm up session again too to kick off the work for the nite.  

When director Joe Cerutti took over, he first introduced our coach for the evening, Steve Scott from Nashville.  Steve worked with the chorus last year including the weekend retreat prior to our going to compete in Orlando.  The guys were enthusiastic in welcoming him back.

Some guys actually had private coaching sessions with Steve during the day since he had arrived early.  One student was our own Bob Wachter who wanted to keep learning. (Bob is a 60+ year barbershopper!)

Joe also thanked all those who sang on the Whiffenpoof show and he reported he had heard many good comments from friends (and family) that were there.

Joe and Steve went right to work on some of our music for 2019 starting with “We Kiss…” Steve’s major thrust for the nite with us was to take the chorus to a new level in vocal production including making it easier for guys to sing well.
 
Before the nite ended, the chorus worked on “Anything Goes,” “Empty Tables…” and “Brotherhood of Man.”

Chapter meeting time was moderated by communications director Steve Murane and began with Terry Reynolds reporting plans so far on the one-on-one interviews with the chorus director and each member. He reminded all that they should complete the online survey prior to their interview – the sooner the better.

Terry also reported that the Singing Valentines effort is underway.  Quartets are formed and will be assigned to make appearances on Feb. 14th as part of our public relations efforts in the Alexandria area. Singers will be sent out in a mid shift and an evening shift.

Our next show is March 20th with the Alexandria Singers and Vocal Collective – an a cappella group from New Zealand.  This show will also be at George Washington National Memorial n Alexandria and starts at 7 pm on Wed. eve.  Shows chairman Joe Cerutti Sr. reports that there will be an afterglow at Chadwicks.  Tickets are just $10 each but we need to increase our efforts to sell them.

Our new education director, Sheryl Berlin, reported on the developing plans for this year’s Youth Harmony Festival, scheduled for Friday April 5th at Scottish Rite Temple.  It starts at 8:30 am and members of the chapter will be needed to register, set up and help with the events and classes of the day-long event.  It ends with a show that nite at 7 pm. The YHF is for middle school and high school students.  Students related to chorus members or neighbors are also welcome even if not attending from one of the participating schools. They can register at www.harmonziers.org. The fee is $20 per student which includes a t-shirt, food, music and materials. Rob Barnovsky and Mario Sengco will help Sheryl coordinate involvement by chapter members such as bringing food, coolers, helping set up and register. Stay tuned for more details. 

Shows chairman Joe Cerutti Sr. thanked Dean Sherick who has assumed duties as our ticket chairman from Ian Poulin. 

President Shawn Tallant reports good news from Mick and Sandy Stamps – she got an all clear from the cancer doctor, and Mick is making recovery following his heart surgery in the ICU at Fairfax Hospital.

Shawn asks any members willing to help fill the Angel Fund for the chapter to use as financial assistance to members when there is an emergency.  See Shawn to donate.

Shawn reminded everyone about the Presidents’ Banquet Sat. nite and encouraged all old and new members to attend. This annual event will be Feb. 16th  at 6 pm at the Lee Memorial Rec Center, 1108 Jefferson St,  in Alexandria. Dave Branstetter has the tickets. Just $30 for banquet, gifts, dancing and award ceremony for our fellow members. There will be a bar for this event as well.  Clyde Crusenberry asked for set up help at 5 pm that nite.

Anyone interested in singing the solo for “Empty Tables” should speak to Tony right away and get details.

Joe announced that plans are coming together for our attendance and participation at the Mid Atlantic District Southern Division contest and convention in Baltimore on Sat. June 1 including a couple singing times and some social events. 

It was also suggested by our convention coordinator Craig Kujawa that anyone planning to attend the International convention this summer (June 30-July 7) in Salt Lake City should note that the early bird deadline ends on Friday Feb. 15th for ordering tickets!! There will be a good representation at that convention from our chapter even tho we are not singing.  

Membership director Calvin Schnure welcomed Jimmy, Turner, Vinny and Scott.  The son of former member Bob Fulmer attended the last part of our rehearsal 

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



Looking Back on the Feb. 9th Show with Yale Whiffenpoof 

A full-house audience was on hand for the 3pm Sunday Feb. 9th show when the Harmonizers presented The Yale Whiffenpoofs at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial.  This is the 100th year for the famous college a cappella group, and the chapter is pleased to host them again in Alexandria.

The 50-man Harmonizer chorus for the event was directed by associate director Tony Colosimo and sang a great mixture of our songs for the mostly new-to-us audience. (Although there were some groups from other local barbershop choruses in the audience such as Potomac Harmony and Vienna Falls from SAI, and the Arlingtones from BHS that YeEd noticed.)
 
The opener “Great Day” got a huge response, as did “Bring Him Home” with Tony as soloist and Chuck Hunter directing; and then as usual – “New York, New York” was a big crowd pleaser. And the audience had fun singing along with “All You Need Is Love.”  Other soloists for the chorus were Frank Fedarko, Clyde Crusenberry, and Kevin McKenzie. 

Tony did the warm up while a crew of volunteers sold tickets, welcomed guests including some folks from local senior citizen facilities, ushered and helped the guests trade in their online paperwork for tickets. Volunteers were family members and chorus members - Aideen Mannion, Rebecca Conner, Kristen Kelly, Lydia Golden, Ginny Wells, Kitty Fedarko, Jack Pitzer, Ann Rhome, Carol Dangel, Kathy Kauffmann, Tyler and Cody Carpenter, and Krissi Folsom.  Robyn Murane helped coordinate that crew.  Shows chairman Joe Cerutti Sr. helped with logistics including hosting our guest artists. As usual, there was a good crew of our guys who helped move risers and get the sound equipment in place

The Whiffenpoofs are on a tour of US cities and sang a great mix of their favorites.  Most of the fourteen singers had a solo or specialty piece to perform. 

Chuck Hunter welcomed the audience and announced several of the songs as did Randall Eliason, who also encouraged singers to come visit the chorus.  The emcees also promoted out upcoming shows.

The chorus sang about 30 minutes and the guests sang about one hour.

It was great to see several familiar faces of members in the audience including recent guest Ryan Mextorf; and members Jerry Ta Paske, Lew Klinge, Terry Jordan, Ken White, Alan Wile, Walt Page, Adam Afifi, Duncan Woodbury, and Steve Spar. There were also some of the guys who sang with us for “Harvey Milk” in the audience. 

The audience was invited to complete a survey online at the following address: https://harmonizerswithyale2019.questionpro.com/



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

Wednesday, February 13, 2019




Looking Back on the Feb. 9th Show with Yale Whiffenpoofs 

A full-house audience was on hand for the 3pm Sunday Feb. 9th show when the Harmonizers presented The Yale Whiffenpoofs at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial.  This is the 100th year for the famous college a cappella group, and the chapter is pleased to host them again in Alexandria.

The 50-man Harmonizer chorus for the event was directed by associate director Tony Colosimo and sang a great mixture of our songs for the mostly new-to-us audience. (Although there were some groups from other local barbershop choruses in the audience such as Potomac Harmony and Vienna Falls from SAI, and the Arlingtones from BHS that YeEd noticed.)

The opener “Great Day” got a huge response, as did “Bring Him Home” with Tony as soloist and Chuck Hunter directing; and then as usual – “New York, New York” was a big crowd pleaser. And the audience had fun singing along with “All You Need Is Love.”  Other soloists for the chorus were Frank Fedarko, Clyde Crusenberry, and Kevin McKenzie. 

Tony did the warm up while a crew of volunteers sold tickets, welcomed guests including some folks from local senior citizen facilities, ushered and helped the guests trade in their online paperwork for tickets. Volunteers were family members and chorus members - Aideen Mannion, Rebecca Conner, Kristen Kelly, Lydia Golden, Ginny Wells, Kitty Fedarko, Jack Pitzer, Ann Rhome, Carol Dangel, Kathy Kauffmann, Tyler and Cody Carpenter, and Krissi Folsom.  Robyn Murane helped coordinate that crew.  Shows chairman Joe Cerutti Sr. helped with logistics including hosting our guest artists. As usual, there was a good crew of our guys who helped move risers and get the sound equipment in place

The Whiffenpoofs are on a tour of US cities and sang a great mix of their favorites.  Most of the fourteen singers had a solo or specialty piece to perform. 

Chuck Hunter welcomed the audience and announced several of the songs as did Randall Eliason, who also encouraged singers to come visit the chorus.  The emcees also promoted out upcoming shows.

The chorus sang about 30 minutes and the guests sang about one hour.

It was great to see several familiar faces of members in the audience including recent guest Ryan Mextorf; and members Jerry Ta Paske, Lew Klinge, Terry Jordan, Ken White, Alan Wile, Walt Page, Adam Afifi, Duncan Woodbury, and Steve Spar. There were also some of the guys who sang with us for “Harvey Milk” in the audience. 

The audience was invited to complete a survey online at the following address: https://harmonizerswithyale2019.questionpro.com/



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