Thursday, June 13, 2019



Looking Back on the June 11th Chapter Meeting Charter Night Event

The chorus members arrived ready to work and to help themselves polish the songs for the coming year. 

Associate director Tony Colosimo did the warm ups along with help from assistant director emeritus Will Cox.  Part of the time including singing the tag taught last week – “Down by Old Point Bay.”

When director Joe Cerutti stepped up to the mic, he was excited to welcome back Noah Van Gilder, who has been away for a few months working on a personal life project.  Joe also welcomed Terry Jordan and Gary Mankin.  And when he welcomed Alan Wile back for the first time since his health issues – there was a lot of cheering.

To get to work on the music, Joe explained the plans for how the fall show will be presented and then had the guys sing and perform each song in order.  It was good feeling for the guys to test how much more work they need to do personally and to discover how well they actually are doing.
Joe’s comments included some aspects of the show including – no risers, but platforms; introductions of each Broadway song so the audience knows why we are singing and performing it for them.  The second half will be all our two guest quartets.

For the chapter meeting, it was announced that Don Thompson is taking orders for travel shirts for those going to Scotland (or anyone who wants one).  Gotta order and pay by June 26th (or by the end of the chapter meeting on June 25th). Options include polo, tee or sweatshirts.

Two reminders:  grab some chapter business cards at membership kiosk, and WEAR YOUR NAMETAG  on Tuesday nites!!

Be sure to mark your calendar to attend the fun social event on June 29th – a Karaoke nite with DJs Joe and Janet.  We will share this fun nite with Alexandria Singers.  At Convergence theater Lab. 4:30-9:30 pm. Potluck munchies and snacks. BYOB.  You can bring family and friends as guests too.  More the merrier.

Joe Cerutti Sr. also announced the start of advertising sales for the fall show.  There is a form to fill out and submit. Look for it on Tues nites.  Joe Sr. promises prizes for top sales person.
Chapter secretary Chris Buechler announced that he has sent a membership renewal to Michael Gilmore in Ohio for 27 years; and a 50 year renewal to Craig Odell.  Chris presented a card to Martin Banks this week for 36 years, and a card to Gary Mankin for 46 years!

The history committee helped the chapter celebrate our Charter nite which was June 29th, 1948 – 19 men signed the charter that nite .  (That may be the only nite when all members of the chapter were present!) Martin prepared two interesting displays for all to enjoy during the break.  Jack Pitzer shared stories about some of the founders who many of us got to know like Ted Fitch, Henry Brown, Wilbur Schmidt, Gene Barnwell, and Bill Bennett.

Before break for refreshments, Mark Klostermeyer introduced our guests this week - Luqman Fulmer, Zach Thomas, Alex Cronus , Matt Nightingale.  Mark reports that Luqman passed his audition and has applied for membership!!

Dean Sherick and Don Harrington helped Jack spread out refreshments in the meeting room on the second floor.

After the break, there were sectionals for about 30 minutes.  Then the chorus was back on the risers for some more polishing.  Joe reminded the chorus that Cy Wood will be with us next Tuesday nite to help with another song’s presentation.  Joe suggested how guys could be prepared and gain the most from the work next week.

In other news, Ben Watsky, invited guys to attend a concert he is singing in with The 18th Street Singers, Friday evening 6/21 at 8:00pm, at National City Christian Church (right on Thomas Circle in downtown DC).


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

Sunday, June 9, 2019



Looking Back on the June 4th Chapter Meeting 

The Harmonizers arrived this week excited and charged about their successful appearance on Monday nite for the US Supreme Court.

Before the chorus started, the front row was working on some of their performance routines. And everyone chipped in to set up the risers that had been taken to Baltimore for the contest weekend.
Associate director Tony Colosimo did the warm ups along with Jason Lee who taught the tag “Down by Old Point Bay.” Will Cox completed the warm up session.

Director Joe Cerutti recognized the quartets who had been in the division contest over the weekend.  He saluted third place SILVER ALERT – Rick Savage, Mike Edison, Will Cox, and Steve Murane.  

Then Joe invited guys to comment on their Supreme Court experience.  It was a Thanks for the Memories event!

The chorus welcomed coach Steve Scott who came from Nashville to help us work on the show music for 2019.  It was work indeed!

Steve Murane, chapter communications director, conducted the chapter business session. He promoted attendance and registration for Harmony College East here in our own district.

Next week, June 11th, we will celebrate the Charter Night of our chapter.

Anyone going to Salt Lake City this summer for the International BHS convention are invited to contact Dixie Kennett if they want the handbook she is preparing for convention attendees.  It is full of useful info.

Bob Rhome is offering to meet with anyone in the chapter interested in learning more about managing the chapter calendar on Groupanizer.  He is looking for an apprentice for the work he does.

Steve reports there are chapter business cards for all to use – get them off of the membership kiosk. 

Don Thompson is working up an order for shirts (polo, tee, sweat) for those going to Scotland.  He will have more details and prices and samples next week.

Mark your calendars for the chapter social event karaoke nite with the Alexandria Singers on June 29th at Convergence Theater. 

Thanks to Clark Chesser for his work to publish the quarterly ECHO publication that goes to supporters, patrons, members and fans. 

President Shawn Tallant thanked Joe and his team for their extra efforts to make the Supreme Court show a success. He also recognized Robyn Murane for her efforts as well.

And Shawn reports that a few more singers are needed to sign up for the 2010 trip to Hawaii for the 75th anniversary of VJ Day.

Chapter secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Scott Beach for nine years; Al Herman for 36 years; and Howard Nestlerode for 44 years.

After a break time, MISS OTIS REGRETS quartet that was fourth place this past weekend sang a song for the chapter. Quartet includes Mario Sengco, tenor; Jordan Haedtler, lead; Chris Leyen, bari;  and Ken Rub, bass. 

Then it was back to work on 2019 show music with Steve Scott.

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