Looking Back on the Feb 18^th, 2020 Chapter Meeting

This week’s meeting was another busy nite with emphasis on small group learning. 

Before the meeting, the Ops Team that functions as operational directors met at 6 pm to kick off their work year.

The chorus assembled on the risers at 7 pm with associate director Tony Colosimo leading a strong warm up session for all.

Then director Joe Cerutti announced when judges will be with the chorus in the months ahead – Steve Scott on Mar. 3^rd (anyone who wants a voice lesion should contact Terry Reynolds and see if there are any spaces left in his schedule – lessons will be given at the chapter meeting place); Kevin Keller will be here on May 5^th, and Cy Wood will be here on May 9^th.  All three coaching sessions will be to work on “42^nd Street.”

Joe reminded singers that next week, those who have been approved will be singing “42^nd Street” on the risers.  Those who have not been cleared to do that yet, are encouraged to attend and absorb the work session with the chorus.

Joe also reports that the new pilot plan for chorus meetings will be evaluated next week as to its success, effectiveness, and acceptance. Early indications have been good, but the music team will assess the plan and announce their intentions of using it or adapting it for the next cycle.
Any member who has feedback for the music team regarding the pilot is urged to offer their ideas and suggestions to Joe or Tony this week.

The next song to feed into the learning process for 2020 is “Defying Gravity” from Wicked.  Soon after that will be the finale from The Producers, and then “Sweet, Sweet Roses of Morn.”

Then it was time to form into small groups – at least two and  not more than 7 guys.  Terry added a helpful admin touch to this with a map and directions inside the meeting place for every small group.  These groups were asked to follow the instructions and training points given to the singers in the weekly “HarmoGram” published on the previous weekend by Dave Branstetter.

At 8 pm all singers assembled back into the main hall for the chapter meeting conducted by communications director Steve Murane.

The first of monthly social events organized by chapter  membership director Jacob Broude for Harmonizers and  their friends and family will happen on Friday, Feb. 21^st from 6 pm until 8:30ish at Caboose Commons (Brewing Co.) 2918 Eskridge Rd, Fairfax VA 22031.  Check out their website for food and drink menus: https://www.caboosebrewing.com/fairfax-va.  This event is open to everyone, active and inactive or former members, significant others, friends and family. Please come out for a night of socializing, talking, and yes, maybe some singing.

A Night at the Theater is also being organized - Tyson's 1st Stage is putting on a production of the infrequently staged off-Broadway musical "A New Brain".  This may be familiar to the some among us, because "A New Brain" was the musical that our uptune "Heart and Music" was in.  Clark Chesser is organizing a theater night to see this on Friday, Mar. 27th, the show starts at 8pm.  It’s a fairly small venue, and tickets start at $42.  However, 1st Stage of Tysons offers group discounts as follows: Group 10-15 - $33 ea, Group 16-20 - $30 ea, Group 21+ - $25 per ticket. If you are interested, contact Clark at gyr8or@gmail.com.  Deadline is Fri. Mar. 6^th, so we can get the tickets ordered.
President Stan Quick presented a thank you gavel and plaque to Shawn Tallant for his leadership and service as chapter president the last two years. And he thanked Matt Doniger for his work in organizing the fun Put Together Quartet contest last week. And he recognized the men who sang in the Singing Valentine quartets and represented our chapter in the Greater Alexandria area which included Steve Szyszka, Rob Barnovsky, Matt Doniger, Brian Ammerman, Mario Sengco, Chuck Hunter, Ken Rub,  Dean Rust, Aaron Simoneau, and Brian Miller.
Chapter secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Ryan Mextorf for 2 years, and Walt Page for 26 years.
Ben Watsky welcomed Michael Berkson back.  And we also welcomed Doug White who is in the area as he prepares to relocate.
The second half of the nite was divided into 40-minute sessions (each repeated twice) where guys could attend their choices. Options included choreo review with Joe using the mirror video; vocal pedagogy with Tony; tag singing with Chuck Hunter, Ken Ives and SILVER ALERT quartet; and office hours with the section leaders.  Our ensemble TBD also practiced during one of the periods.
Then everyone reassembled to sing a song, to select the 50/50 winner,  and to adjourn. 

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 71^st year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd