Looking Back on the September 19, 2023 Alexandria Hybrid Chapter Meeting
The chapter was back in action after the great anniversary show with serious work to do for the Mid Atlantic District (MA-D) contest and convention coming up in York, PA, Sept.29 and 30. Several members are also competing with their quartets that week end.
Our chapter contests chairman, Craig Kujawa, reminds all singers that they must have a contest convention registration in order to go on stage. Get them at midatlanticdistrict.com right away in advance or pay a higher price when you get to the convention.
Associate director Tony Colosimo did the warm up sessions for both ensembles on the risers. Prior to the start of the meeting, a crew unloaded the Harmonizer truck with equipment we had used for the show.
Jason Lee served as admin staffer to coordinate the flow of the evening.
Artistic director Joe Cerutti was out of town on a judging assignment at the Pan Pacific Barbershop convention in Auckland, NZ.
Tony thanked all of the singers for their preparedness for the Sept. 9 show and for their enthusiasm that weekend. He also complimented the Metro Voices singers for their great job on their first big show.
This week’s chapter meeting helped the two ensembles maintain their standard of quality for their appearances at the convention. That event also is a way for our chapter members to engage with the larger barbershop harmony community. Tony asked for hands of first-timers at a contest – terrific number of new singers will get the thrill of the contest stage.
The chapter is having an open-to-all singers guest night on Oct. 10 at Scottish Rite Temple (SRT). Current singers were encouraged by our membership chairman, Jacob Broude, to each bring a prospect – for either ensemble.
Tessa Walker, director of the future Capital Force youth chorus, announced plans for the kick off of that new ensemble on Sun. Oct. 8 at Clarendon Presbyterian Church, 1308 North Irving Street, Arlington, VA 22201, from 1-4:30 pm. She had flyers for all singers to distribute in order to alert parents and youth in grades 8-12 about the event.
Samantha Tramack, director of Metro Voices and a relative new chapter member, got the singers to do an ice breaker designed to help everyone get to know the other singers’ names. It was fun and lots of laughs, and certainly helped the two ensembles know the fellow chapter members.
President Noah Van Gilder also thanked show participants for their good job. Then he announced that Randall Eliason is stepping down as executive director of the chapter. Randall served two terms as president, and then six terms as executive director. The chapter members honored his dedication and hard work and many hours of time with a huge round of applause.
The new executive director will be Stan Quick, who served as president and will assume the new duties right away.
Mark Klostermeyer made a presentation to Tessa and Samantha of a framed color photo of Metro Voices at their first show. Any members who want one of those should contact Mark.
Jacob welcomed four guests this week and assistant director emeritus, Will Cox, directed the chapter welcome song.
At this point in the meeting, Metro Voices adjourned to the cafeteria to work on “It Don’t Mean a Thing” and “I See the Light.”
The Harmonizers worked on “Wee Small Hours” and “New York, New York.” Tony started the session with a review of focal point changes that occur in “Wee Small Hours” with help from Bruce Roehm. There were sectionals on this song too with section leaders Randy Lazear for tenors, Lance Fisher for leads, Jason Lee for baritones and David Breen for basses.
Another upcoming event for the Harmonizers is the annual sing with Alfred Street Baptist Men’s choir. Tony took a poll of how many would attend – the number was high – for this annual fun exchange of musical fellowship. It’s scheduled for Wed. Oct. 11, at their church.
To end the evening, the two ensembles gathered to sing “Keep the Whole World Singing” with Samantha as director. The afterglow was at Rampart’s this week.
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.
