Looking Back on the May 30, 2023 Alexandria Chapter 2022 Distinguished Service Awards Ceremony

 Looking Back on the May 30, 2023 Alexandria Chapter 2022 Distinguished Service Awards Ceremony 

 

The Alexandria Chapter has seven Distinguished Service Awards to present each year.  In addition, some Meritorious Service Awards are often presented by the president. The 2022 chapter president, Noah Van Gilder, conducted the annual awards ceremony as part of the May 30, 2023 chapter meeting at Scottish Rite Temple. 

 

Traditionally the awards were at the start of the new year. These awards recognize the service and dedication of the awardees for 2022. Award candidates are nominated by any member of the chapter, and are voted on by the chapter Board of Directors.

 

Noah chose to award these four Meritorious Service Awards:

 

Our first award is given to a new member – although not a new barbershopper – he has been exceptionally generous with his time and energy in his time with us so far. He has been unfailingly warm, supportive, and willing to help however needed. His spirit of  dedication has even extended to service as secretary of the chapter. board of directors, where he is an unfailingly active and engaged presence. I present this Meritorious Service Award to Cy Shuster.

 

The next award is given jointly to two members who've made a big impact in their time with us. They have done outstanding work as soloists on our shows and as members of the music team. They have also reinvigorated the culture of tag-singing in the chapter, reliably staying up late at afterglows and conventions to keep the spirit of extemporaneous barbershop singing alive. I am pleased to present this Meritorious Service Award to Lance Fisher and David Breen.

 

The fourth award is given to a stalwart member of the chapter who has been key to our successes for over 40 years. He served as long-time tenor section leader, guiding that section to new heights. He also served as uniform chair, helping to refine our visual style and polish our image. He has been a successful competitive quartet singer and dedicated, reliable member of the chorus. It is my distinct honor to present this Meritorious Service Award to Rick Savage.

 

Next Noah announced the seven Distinguished Service Awards:

 

New Note of the Year Award: given to a member who has contributed outstanding service to the Chapter in their first year of membership.

 

This new member jumped in with both feet. He began leaving an impression almost immediately, joining our front row dancers shortly after he joined the chorus, making a big contribution to the successful visual package for "42nd Street" that won a medal at the convention in Charlotte. He was 2022 Class President at that convention too. He also gave a memorable performance as "The Grinch" at our recent holiday show. Perhaps most importantly, he has been a dedicated performer and a warm, ebullient presence on the risers. Unfortunately, his time with us was cut short as work and family obligations took him to Atlanta, but in that time he served as a model for enthusiasm, commitment and the joy of performance. This year's New Note of the Year Award is presented to Michael Pugh.

 

Harmonizer Honor Award: Given for service above and beyond the usual service expected during the past year.

 

This award is given to a member who rose to a major challenge. Last year, as we prepared for the International convention in Charlotte, he stepped in to serve as our visual coach and provided other support to the contest effort. He mastered the visual plans, provided support and feedback in rehearsals, and led additional sessions for those who needed extra work. This effort contributed to one of our highest contest scores in history, and more importantly, made an extraordinary impact on the audience. He has brought his signature brand of focus and dedication to everything he does, and we hope he will continue to do so for years to come. This year's Harmonizer Honor Award is presented to Turner Arndt.

 

Dick Hall Spirit of Harmony Award: Presented to the member who during the past year best exemplified the qualities of congeniality and good character, and worked hardest to encourage participation in vocal harmony.

 

Our next awardee has worked extremely hard--perhaps harder than anyone in recent memory--to build community within our chapter. He has striven relentlessly to make new singers feel welcome, encourage their participation, and to prepare them for both the commitment and the fun of being a member. This has been especially important given our recent influx of new members, the launch of Metro Voices last year, and the upcoming launch of our youth and seniors choruses. This work has been essential to making our chapter experience fun and rewarding for everyone, and to creating the relationships that keep members coming back for years to come. I am pleased to present this year's Dick Hall Spirit of Harmony Award to Jacob Broude.

 

Ibbianne and Wilbur Sparks Award: Given to a family team of two or more people, to recognize their contributions to the success and well-being of the chapter.

 

Our next awardees exemplify what it means to be dedicated teammates, both for the chapter and for each other. One has performed years of service as our audio-visual technician and a key member of our IT team, ensuring our voices are heard far and wide. The other has lent extensive support to our shows on the day-of-event, and coordinated our holiday silent auction fundraiser. Both have been generous with their time and effort, and many a show would not have been possible without their help. This year's Ibbianne and Wilbur Sparks Award is presented to Kristin and Mike Kelly.

 

Oz Newgard Award: Given to the member who has made a significant contribution to the musical program of the chapter during the past year.  The contribution need not be highly visible or of a technical musical character, but it must be related directly to the musical program.

 

Our next awardee has been a key member of our music team for almost his entire time with us. He distinguished himself as bass section leader, ensuring that our largest section has remained the rock-solid foundation on which our sound is built. He has also been a stalwart presence at music team meetings, and a friendly, accessible source of musical support and leadership. While his growing family has led him to step down as section leader, I have every confidence that he will continue to make important contributions to our sound and musical direction. This year's Oz Newgard Memorial Award is presented to Ryan Mextorf.

 

Sandy Stamps "Open Arms" Award: Recognizes an individual who promoted the value of a welcoming and inclusive environment for all singers.

 

Our next awardee has been a welcoming presence at just about every Harmonizer rehearsal and other event I can remember. While much has been said about his long and distinguished history of service, not nearly enough has been said about his equally extensive efforts to build community in our chapter. For example, he has hosted our annual winter "Heat Glow" social event at his home for many years. He convened an informal "brain trust" of our most experienced members to make sure their voices are heard by chapter leadership. He has added a birthday recognition event to the chapter program and bakes a cake to celebrate members’ birthdays. He never hesitates to introduce himself to a new member and helps to make certain all are welcome into the Harmonizer community. For all these reasons, and many more, I proudly present the Sandy Stamps "Open Arms" Award to Jack Pitzer.

 

Memorial Award: Given to the member who, during their entire period of membership, has devoted themself most unselfishly in rendering outstanding service to the chapter. It is the highest recognition which the chapter can bestow on a member.

 

I've said a lot this evening about leadership, dedication, service, and hard work. Everyone we've honored here today has exhibited those qualities, as have many others we were not able to honor. But this member has exemplified those values, to such a great degree and over such an extended period of time, that we would simply not be where we are without him. As chapter president, he provided steady, thoughtful, and decisive leadership. As executive director, he shepherded our operations team through more accomplishments than I can count: meeting the challenges of COVID-19, the hiring of our first paid executive staff, and enormous increases in our charitable fundraising, to name just a few. So many of our recent successes would simply not have been possible without his dedicated efforts. Between his service as chapter president and executive director, he has been in a leadership position continuously for more than seven years. I can say without hesitation that we are immeasurably better for his extraordinary service. It is my great pleasure to present the chapter's highest honor, the Memorial Award, to Randall Eliason.

 

Each award recipient was presented a plaque or a silver tray as recognition and the chapter members present for the ceremony gave each one a standing ovation in tribute.

 

Noah thanked Alan Wile for his help in ordering the awards and for helping make the presentations.

 

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 74^th year of the Alexandria Chapter. - YeEd)

 

The Chapter Mission Statement Enriching lives through vocal harmony in the greater DC area.

 

Looking Back on the May 30, 2023 Alexandria Put Together Quartet Contest

 Looking Back on the May 30, 2023 Alexandria Put Together Quartet Contest 

 

Members of the Alexandria Chapter had a fun time at this week’s meeting with the Put Together Quartet Contest and Chapter Awards presentation.

 

To get things started, associate director of the Harmonizers, Tony Colosimo, conducted a warm up session for the combined ensembles in the auditorium on the risers – to get all the singers ready for the contest.

 

Administrator Terry Reynolds made a few announcements with details about next week’s music work plan and an outline of how this week’s schedule would work.  He also reported that Michael Berkson will conduct Slack webinars/office hours over the next week! Michael sent out a follow-up email with details on how to sign up. 

 

Chapter president Noah Van Gilder then presented the annual service awards for 2022 (he did acknowledge that this presentation was a little later than normal).  A complete report of the award recipients will follow this report in a day or two.

 

After the awards ceremony, there was an extended break so quartets could warm up and be ready to perform.

 

Chairman for this year’s Put Together Quartet Contest was Tyler Carpenter who announced the order of appearance before the break started and the contest stage was set up.

 

Emcee for the contest was Kevin Mendez.  Jack Pitzer was secretary for the judging panel and introduced this year’s panel of five members we don’t see often.  Sam Brothers was in the front row for ten years.  FOUR MAN VOCAL BAND quartet filled the rest of the judging panel spots. The quartet name was first established in about 1975 with Randy Lazear, Rick Savage, Alan Durick and Rick Loveland.  The name was created one night at a Geno’s afterglow. (Rick brought the paper napkin that was used to note the new quartet name.). Randy still sings tenor. Bob Bates sings lead. Larry Walker is baritone and Dave Cureton is bass. The quartet meets weekly and has continued to meet and sing for over 20 years.   

 

After the contest ended and while the scores were tabulated, FOUR MAN VOCAL BAND sang two songs including one called “New Math” to explain how they had created their scores!

 

This year’s contest had seventeen quartets! There were combinations of singers from the Harmonizers and from Metro Voices.  There were three categories of performances – regular or traditional song, a comedy number, or a tag – which was a new category for this contest. Winning quartet singers were each presented a medal with a red, white and blue neck strap. Tyler announced the winners and presented the medals.

 

First place quartet for comedy was DOOT WHOPPERS with Cy Shuster, Calvin Schnure, Joel Golden and Rob Barnovsky.  Second place was JOE, RICK AND THE NELLIES with Joe Cerutti, Rick Savage, Ken Rub and Matt Ambler.

 

First place tag quartet was FOUNDING FATHERS with Tessa Walker, Kaj Vaisanen, Maggie McAlexander andJason Lee.  Second place was FOUR STAND INS with Maggie McAlexander, Josh Myers, David Breen and Kevin Mendez. Third place was ONE HIT WONDER with Elisabeth Cosh, Sheryl Berlin, Sophie Clarke and Mary Cooper. 

 

First place traditional quartet was ILLUMINATED NOCHES with Josh Myers, Devin Gerzof, Lance Fisher andDavid Breen.  Second place was THIRD TAKE with Jason Lee, Lance Fisher, Josh Myers and David Breen. Third place was WHY WE SING with Michael Berkson, Jason Lee, Maggie McAlexander and Turner Arndt.  

 

Tyler presented a ribbon to David Breen who sang in the most quartets in the contest!

 

After the winners were announced, artistic director Joe Cerutti thanked Tyler and all the contestants. After the 50/50 drawing, Joe welcomed everyone to come to the afterglow at the Harmo House for pizza and more tag singing.  He wrapped up the fun evening with “Keep the Whole World Singing.” 

 

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 74^th year of the Alexandria Chapter. - YeEd)

 

The Chapter Mission Statement Enriching lives through vocal harmony in the greater DC area.

 

Looking Back on the May 28, 2023 Community Sing and Harmonizer Recognition of Military Appreciation Month

 Looking Back on the May 28, 2023 Community Sing and Harmonizer Recognition of Military Appreciation Month

The Alexandria Chapter held a community sing in recognition of Military Appreciation Month on Sunday, May 28, 2023, at The Bike Club in Alexandria from 3-5 pm. Special guests were Mo Field and Amelia Charnock of Beatles-A-Day pandemic fame. When the Pandemic hit, they came up with the idea to record and post a Beatles song every day.  It was a success and they continued to post 600 times!

Members, families and music friends filled the space and cheered and sang on Sunday. 

Emcee was Joe Cerutti, chapter artistic director.  He welcomed the crowd and introduced the guest singers who had driven to Alexandria from Toronto. Amelia and Mo (with her guitar) coaxed everyone to get into singing and playing their “instruments” that were issued to everyone – sticks, kazoos, egg shakers, tambourines. 

Singers who needed lyrics looked them up on Google as needed.  

There were trivia questions and some of those in the crowd were Beatles fans and knew answers about album covers, songs released on which album, or details about the individual Beatles. Some Harmonizers knew most of the answers!

After the first sing-along set, the chapter did a tribute to veterans during this special month.  An ensemble of Harmonizers sang “Armed Forces Medley” – Rick Savage, Kellen Hertz, Gary Cregan, Carl Kauffmann, Frank Fedarko, David Welter, Terry Reynolds, Ken Rub, Frank Shipp, Howard Nestlerode, Dean Rust, and Clyde Crusenberry.  All attendees were welcome to stand or wave when “their song” was sung.

Joe shared the moving story of the chapter’s trip to Normandy, France, and to Les Ventes, France, to honor Billie Harris and meet his widow, Peggy.

Dean Rust was the major organizer for the event with help from general manager, Susan Fitzpatrick and Joe.  Kaj Vaisanen, the chapter’s summer intern and Susan staffed the complimentary bar.  There were cheese and meat platters for refreshments too. The staff at The Bike Club helped with audio visual issues. 

The Alexandria chapter gratefully acknowledges the program support it receives from the Commission for the Arts of Alexandria, Virginia. Partial funding for performances is provided by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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 74^th year of the Alexandria Chapter. - YeEd)

 

The Chapter Mission Statement Enriching lives through vocal harmony in the greater DC area.