Looking Back on the July 11, 2023 Alexandria Hybrid Chapter Meeting
There was a good number of members and guests at this week’s chapter meeting right after the big International contest and convention in Louisville. Members were eager to extend personal congratulations to the chapter members who were in the contests and events representing our chapter.
Associate director Tony Colosimo did the warm up session for the combined chorus of the Harmonizers and Metro Voices.
Artistic director Joe Cerutti was quick to take the microphone and recognize the many active Harmonizers who competed and performed at International! Starting with the powerful performances by Tony Colosimo and Andrew Havens quartet, FIRST TAKE, who placed third in the quartet contest. Lance Fisher and David Breen competed with PRAXIS. Samantha Tramack competed with SWEET AND SOUR with her brother and sister and husband. Kevin Mendez competed with WILDFIRE. Maggie McAlexander competed with ADRENALINE in the Festival portion of the convention.
Lance sang with the Hershey chorus and earned a silver medal. He and Josh Myers sang with the East Coast Sound chorus. Sophie Clarke sang with Parkside Melody chorus.
Many members watched all or part of the convention and contest from their home on Live Stream. A more complete Looking Back report from International will be released soon with lots of other news of the Alexandria chapter family.
Joe also thanked all the members who hosted and provided tours for the Heavy Medal Chorus who visited us prior to their trip to Louisville. Those singers were profoundly grateful for the hospitality and support. They placed 12th in the chorus contest.
Great to see Ryan Mextorf and Mike Fasano on the risers this week.
Samantha Tramack and her husband, Mert, are due to arrive Wednesday, July 12, and a crew of our members was organized to help them unload and move into a home in Reston.
Here are calendar highlights for the next few months. Members should post on their personal calendars:
July 18 – Cy Wood here to teach choreo for “Sit Down You’re Rockin the Boat”
July 25 – possible sing in Old Town starting at Market Square Stay tuned for details
Aug 9 – performance at a Fairfax County Park – Franconia Park on Telegraph Road
Sept 9 – 75th Anniversary Fall Show at Schlesinger
Sept 10 – launch of Capital Force seasonal youth chorus – a third ensemble for the chapter
Sept 29-30 – Mid Atlantic District (MAD) contest and convention in York, PA
Dec 16-17 – Holiday Show
At this point, the two ensembles began work on their respective repertoire. Metro Voices spent their work time in sectionals. The Harmonizers worked first on “San Francisco” and then on “Calling Dreams.”
The chapter business meeting was coordinated by communications director Steve Murane.
Chapter executive director Randall Eliason alerted all members to go to the district web site to reserve rooms for the fall contest in York. And to get tickets. Both ensembles will be singing there. It’s at midatlanticdistrict.com.
He also is seeking ideas for an afterglow location for the fall show.
President Noah Van Gilder reports that Rob Barnovsky is recovering at home and that he needs a ride to chapter. (YeEd noticed on SLACK that Tony has offered to bring him.)
Chapter secretary David DesPortes presented a membership renewal to Steve Murane for 21 years.
Frank Fedarko spoke to members about selling ads for the show program, and Randy Lazear spoke about ticket sales. Steve reports that a show flyer will be sent to members soon for their promotion to patrons and family.
Ben Watsky welcomed guests this week. There were four singing guests present: EJ Harold and Jeff Lau who sing with the West Point Alumni Chorus; John Cooper and his wife Ellen from the Erie, PA, chapter; and Lea Musicovisiting Metro Voices. Terry Reynolds directed the chapter welcome song.
At this point in the meeting, both ensembles went back to work on their songs. Joe reminded both ensembles that there is one more new song to work on for the finale of the show – “Defying Gravity.”
Mike Fasano had the winning 50/50 ticket this week. The meeting ended after the two ensembles sang “Keep the Whole World Singing” together directed by Sophie Clarke. Joe took the pizza count and invited folks to the afterglow at the Harmo House.
In other chapter news, the recent passing of former member Steve Guy prompted Allen Hanenbaum, to pen this note to YeEd: “When Steve Guy was active with the Harmonizers, there were four dentists in the chorus – Will Cox, Randy Lazear, Steve and Al. But none of us sang baritone, so we couldn’t form a quartet!”
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 75th year of the Alexandria Chapter. - YeEd)
The Chapter Mission Statement Enriching lives through vocal harmony in the greater DC area.
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