Friday, October 18, 2019



Looking Back on the Oct. 15th Chapter Meeting and Manassas Chorale Gig

Amazing how many men we had at this week’s meeting and rehearsal since (1) the music team gave guys permission to skip this one if it meant they couldn’t attend the gig on Wed. eve; (2) the Nationals were playing (and won a spot for the World Series); and (3) the presidential debates were on TV!

Ken Rub started the nite with exercise - he got the chorus into a circle on the stage and had them work thru several physical exercises.  Then associate director Tony Colosimo did the vocal warm ups. We didn’t use risers again this week, but stood in the theater seat area. 

Director Joe Cerutti thanked all the guys who sang in Manassas on Saturday and complimented them on an awesome job. 

He alerted the chorus about three extra optional rehearsals (note he stressed optional – but he pointed out that he first holiday show is Nov. 30th and only a few regular rehearsals away).  The extra sessions are Thurs. Oct. 24th, Wed., Oct. 30th and Wed. Nov. 6th.  

Joe again invited all Harmonizers, guests and former members to attend the Men’s Sing Wednesday nite at Alfred Street Baptist in Alexandria. Get there early and be warmed up to sing. Parking is a challenge, so be prepared. Wear the Harmo black casual outfit. We will teach the other men “One More Song.” 

Then the work began on holiday music for the Harmonizer shows on Nov. 30th at Strathmore and on Dec. 21st at Schlesinger.  Some songs were done in sectionals for 15 minutes and then the chorus regrouped to sing the whole song. 

Communications director Steve Murane conducted the chapter meeting.  Speaking of extra rehearsals, there will not be a meeting on Tues. Nov. 26th before Thanksgiving, but there will be a meeting on Thursday, Nov. 21st.

President Shawn Tallant will be sending out a request for nominations from the members for major chapter awards to be presented at the end of the year. 

Shawn invited Dennis Ritchey to present a certificate of appreciation from the M-AD for Joe Cerutti and his 15 years of directing in our district – two for Five Towns and thirteen for Alexandria. He was honored at the district convention recently and Dennis accepted on Joe’s behalf.

Calvin Schnure welcomed our returning guests this week including Peter, Tesa, John, and JoYo, plus first time guest Matt.

After a break, it was back to work on the holiday songs.  

In other news:  (Thanks to Jerry Jayjohn for this report. - YeEd) On October 12, an ensemble of 27 guys met at the Hylton Performing Arts Center, to perform with the Manassas Chorale. Our guys took the risers and did a very quick run through of the Harmonizer's songs, with Joe singing the solo in “Circle of Life/Heart and Music” and “For Good;” and with Ben Roberts singing the solo for “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables.”

The guys moved to their places and performed a run through with the Manassas Chorale and the Manassas Park High School Chamber Singers, singing an SATB arrangement of “Try to Remember” and “Impossible Dream.” After the run through, we were free to sit in the audience and watch the first half the of the Chorale's performance.

At intermission, our guys met backstage for a quick touch up on some spots, and then we moved into position backstage, taking the stage right after the high school group.  Once the guys took to the risers, they owned the stage giving a great performance, where even the drummer of the orchestra gave the guys a standing ovation. 

Once we were done singing our songs, we joined the Chorale and sang the two songs they had picked for us to join them on.

Members of the chorale thanked us for joining them in song, and also thanked us for an outstanding performance.

All in all, we took a little bit of the Harmonizers to a fairly new audience and hopefully created a new fan base.

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