Looking Back on the August 9th 2022 Harmonizer Hybrid Chapter Meeting
The singing was terrific this week as the chorus prepared for a possible show on Wednesday night this week. However, the weather was not looking good. The chapter announced a plan to alert the singers at 5 pm on Aug. 10th if there would be a show at Lee District Park.
(At about 4:30 pm on Aug. 10th, the chorus was notified that the show was indeed cancelled.)
All attendees wore masks this week, but the Zoom link didn’t work. Music team admin guy Terry Reynolds sent an email to all members about 6:45 pm alerting them that “we will Facebook live the rehearsal to the private Facebook group.”
Associate director Tony Colosimo provided a vocal and physical warm up routine for the chorus on the risers.
Then Tony and artistic director Joe Cerutti took the chorus through the thirteen songs for the Wednesday evening show. Joe was very pleased with the singing and performance level. Although there was no formal choreo planned for the show, Tony asked the men to move their bodies and animate.
Joe went over some details for the Aug. 10th outdoor concert at Lee District Park at 6601 Telegraph Road, (just north of Hayfield High School where we have done shows). It is an open-air stage with plenty of bench seating, lots of convenient parking, and even picnic tables for those who might want to come early with family and friends. This concert is part of the Fairfax County summer series – each of the county supervisors hosts a concert series in their District. Call time is 6:15 pm and uniform is black camp shirts with jeans and black shoes and no t-shirt showing.
Just before the chorus sang “I’ll Be Seeing You,” Joe recorded a message of condolence to Marjorie Latzko, widow of former member and arranger Walter, who recently lost her daughter to cancer. Joe will send the message and song to her.
Great to hear Frank Fedarko sing his great rendition of the solo verses for “There Must Be a City,” and then have Bob Blair providing the rhythm for “Circle of Life.”
For the fall show on September 10th, take note that we are honoring First Responders/Front Line Workers who served early in the COVID outbreak. They will receive free tickets to the show and be recognized. If you know of any folks who should be so honored, get their names to Dean Rust or Randall Eliason ASAP. That show will be at Schlesinger Hall and will include some performing guests to join us. It is important for members to push ticket sales for this show now and not wait. Folks will get busy in September and so now is the time to alert them about the show.
As was announced recently, the Harmonizers Chorus has been invited to sing in the evening on Sept. 18th at Wolf Trap with other major choral groups from the DC area. A Wolf Trap promotional brochure calls it a “community powered singing celebration.” The show organizers asked us to sing “Circle of Life” and “Chorus Line Medley” which they chose from a list we submitted at the time of being invited. Then all the singers will perform two numbers as a group – stay tuned for details. The organizers expect a crowd of over 8,000 in the audience. It has been a number of years since we sang at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts.
The Harmonizers will also be attending the Mid Atlantic District (M-AD) contest and convention in Lancaster, PA, Oct 7 and 8. Although we will not be competing in the contest, we will sing on the Saturday night show and will be hosting a masters’ class. Harmonizers need to indicate their participation via Groupanizer ASAP so chapter leaders can confirm with the District leaders.
No doubt we will have several quartets from the chapter in the quartet contest on Friday night, Oct. 7th. Plus, some of the great quartets from our M-AD that were in Charlotte will be singing. Some of them are eager to take a shot at being named district champ!
The chapter’s business meeting was conducted by communications director, Sam Whiteoak. Tickets are on sale now for the Sept. 10th fall show.
Jack Pitzer welcomed guests this week. Great to see Chuck Powell on the risers this week. We also welcomed chorus friends Rob Langeston, often a photographer for our shows who sings with the Patapsco, MD, Chorus, and Krissi Folsom, who volunteers for us often and sings with the Heart of Maryland Women’s Chorus.
Recent guest David Hillinck was singing baritone again this week and brought his son, BJ, to sing with us too. BJ is a director for Gotham and lives in Brooklyn. (Joe was teasing during the singing that we wanted to tie him to the risers and keep him here with us for our tenor section.) Terry directed the “Harmonizer Welcome Song.”
Joe announced that past chapter board member, Marie Muscella (who did so much to help us with recent strategic planning), is getting married Sept. 17th. An ensemble is being formed to sing for that event. Those interested can sign up on Groupanizer.
Chapter executive director Randall Eliason announced that there will be a show program for the fall show, with advertisements. Frank Shipp will manage that project and details about selling ads will be sent to members soon.
Randall also made this appeal to members on behalf of chapter development director, Ken Rub: “by eliminating mandatory chapter dues, our goal was to make membership in the Harmonizers more accessible to all. At the same time, our hope and expectation were that those who could comfortably afford the chapter dues in the past would make an annual donation to the Harmonizers of that amount or more to replace their dues – thus supporting the Harmonizers through a donation that is also tax-deductible (unlike the dues payments).
“We have not hit our 2022 fiscal year fundraising goals, so we ask you to give before August 31st, if you are able. You can donate by giving a check to Randall or Carl Kauffmann at rehearsal, or by PayPal to Alexandia.Harmonizers@gmail.com. If donating by PayPal, please add a note that it is for the "Replace my Dues" campaign.
“2022 is going to be a standout year for the chorus, with our recent third place finish in Charlotte and wonderful performance opportunities planned to the end of the year. $100 is less than the price of a cup of coffee per week. Please think about what your Harmonizer experience is worth to you, and give accordingly if you are able.”
President Noah Van Gilder announced an extensive new membership policy, approved by the board, related to voicing and gender. More details will be coming soon.
After the business session, Joe worked with the chorus to tighten up a few spots in the show songs.
There was the usual afterglow at the Harmo House with pizza and goodies and cold beverages, plus Jim Henry from the Ambassadors to sing tags with. He and his family are on vacation in the DC area.
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 for the great things going on each week during the 74th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. - YeEd)
