Looking Back on the June 14, 2023 Alexandria Hybrid Chapter Meeting After the City Council Appearance; Funeral for Royall Geis
It was an especially busy week for the Alexandria Chapter.
The chapter started the Tuesday , June 13, evening with an appearance at Alexandria City Hall at 7 pm to sing in the City Council Chambers. Mayor Justin Wilson issued a proclamation recognizing June as Harmonizer Anniversary Month. The proclamation honored the chapter’s commitment to represent the City of Alexandria around the world and especially in the Greater Washington DC Metro Area. It also recognized the addition of Metro Voices to the Alexandria Chapter. A large chorus of Harmonizers and Metro Voices filled the Chamber to sing “Why We Sing.”
It was not a surprise that the song touched the emotions of the Council members. Sarah Bagley read the proclamation for all to hear and Mayor Wilson called for the vote and it was “so ordered.” Chapter president Noah Van Gilderaccepted the honor and expressed appreciation for the recognition. Artistic director Joe Cerutti thanked the Council too and directed the chorus. (He mentioned that we have had Council members sing with the chapter – one of the first was past chapter president Frank E. Mann, who was president in 1951-52.)
Chapter general manager, Susan Fitzpatrick, was key to organizing this event including welcoming local media to cover this important part of the chapter’s 75 Anniversary Year Celebration.
In respect for the Council’s busy schedule, the singers left the Chamber immediately and then gathered on the steps outside at Market Square to the sing for crowds of people there. Artistic director Joe Cerutti led “Why We Sing” and Tessa Walker from Metro Voices directed “Keep the Whole World Singing.”
At this point everyone returned to the chapter meeting space at Scottish Rite Temple (SRT) to continue work on the current repertoire. Metro Voices met in the library to work on “It Don’t Mean a Thing,” “If I Were a Bell,” and “I Can See the Light.” Tessa and assistant director Maggie McAlexander were at the helm for them.
The Harmonizers met in the auditorium and went right to work on “Calling Dream.” Joe thanked the chorus for their retention and continued work on this new song for our anniversary. Associate director Tony helped coach this material.
Next the chorus worked to review the visual plan that was created and taught at the retreat by David McEachern for “Something’s Comin.” Turner Arndt stepped up to help with this review in a team with Joe. A recording of the retreat session is on FaceBook – the Sunday session.
The work on visuals prompted Joe to announce that Cy Wood would be in Alexandria soon to teach the plan for “Sit Down You’re Rockin the Boat.”
Joe and Tony tag-teamed leadership for work on “Wee Small Hours” to capture the improvements made at the retreat.
After Metro Voices joined the Harmonizers on the risers, Joe confirmed that the Class of 2023 had a leader – it was unanimous that Chad Ross was their president. So Joe asked Chad if the class could have a bandana check – they earned a pretty good report (only one person failed and so he didn’t get any pizza at the afterglow – just kidding.) But there were two new members to add and they were given their red bandanas to wear every time the chapter meets – Nic Petersen and Sylvia Skelty. That boosts the class to 22!
The chapter business meeting was coordinated by communications director Steve Murane. The first item was from the chapter historian, Don Harrington. He formally thanked Kaj Vaisanen for his work as a chapter intern and especially in scanning boxes of documents from the chapter’s history storage. As a token of appreciation, the history committee provided financial support for Kaj to attend Harmony College East in Westminster, MD, this coming weekend.
Membership director Jacob Broude welcomed five new members to Metro Voices – Charlyne Chuck Miller, Sylvia Skelty, Carey Fagerstrom, Lenna Jawdat and Elisabeth Cosh. Two singing guests with Metro Voices returned from last week – Dana Richardson and Ashley Merryman. Terry Reynolds sister Karen was welcomed too. Will Coxdirected the chapter “Welcome Song.”
Joe took a count for afterglow pizza before “Keep the Whole World Singing.” There was another lively session of story-telling outside on the patio at the Harmo House.
In other major chapter news, on Monday, June 12, the Harmonizers were proud to have sung at the funeral for Royall Geis at Arlington National Cemetery. The chorus gathered at the Old Post Chapel on Fort Myer just outside the gates of the cemetery for the service and sang “I’ll Walk with God.”
There was a large number of singers that came to honor 1987 chapter president Geis and support his wife, Geri, who was a long-time artistic coach for the Harmonizers – especially during the gold medal years.
After the service, the military ceremonial units walked to the gravesite and were followed by friends and family in their cars. To conclude the gravesite service, Bruce Reahm read a scripture passage and then the chorus sang “I’ll Be Seeing You.” It was threatening rain the whole time, but it did not really rain until we were back in our cars.
In addition to the many current members who came to sing, there were a number of familiar faces who came to join the chorus and pay tribute too – Ken Fess, Bob Wilson, Al Hanenbaum, Mike Geipel, Bob Bates, Dave Ermlick, Bill Conway, Sam Brothers, Geoff Berman, Chuck Hunter, Bob Wells and Doug Smith.
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 Chapter. - YeEd)
The Chapter Mission Statement Enriching lives through vocal harmony in the greater DC area.
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