Looking Back on the Jan. 2, 2024 Alexandria Hybrid Chapter Meeting
The chapter started the new year with a rehearsal at AlexRenew to prepare for the appearances by the Harmonizers and Metro Voices at the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) MidWinter convention in NYC on January 11.
This was a follow-up session after a work time on Saturday, Dec. 30, that concentrated on the songs for NYC. At both rehearsals, many singers arrived early to have their uniform options checked by the task force of Tony Colosimo, Maggie McAlexander and Tessa Walker. (All uniforms for the NYC appearance must be approved by the task force – members can bring or wear their uniform or take a picture of themselves wearing it.)
A riser crew brought in the risers to store inside the AlexRenew building on Tuesday. Other singers helped set up chairs in the main room for the combined rehearsal of the two ensembles.
Associate director of the Harmonizers, Tony Colosimo, conducted the warm up session for the combined chorus before they concentrated work on “Defying Gravity.” Artistic director, Joe Cerutti, announced that Samantha Tramack will be the soloist for “Defying Gravity.” Then the combined chorus worked on “Why We Sing.”
After the combined session, each ensemble worked on the two songs they will do on the MidWinter show. The Alexandria groups will be appearing on a special show featuring Mid Atlantic District (M-AD) quartets and choruses.
Joe explained to all that the annual chapter personal interviews will be held again this year (this will be the eighth year the chapter has done the interview process to gain input, ideas and suggestions from the singers). This year Metro Voices singers will meet with Joe and Samantha. New Harmonizers will each meet with Joe, and the other Harmonizers will meet with their section leader. Just prior to these interviews, each member of the Alexandria A Cappella Collective (AACC) will be asked to respond to a survey.
The annual kick off session for the year will be Tuesday, Jan. 16 – it may be virtual if a meeting location cannot be found since AlexRenew is not available on the third Tuesday of each month. The annual kick off session is when the music team presents all the plans for 2024 – what will be the contest songs; who will be coaches for the year; who will be section leaders; what major shows or performance events are already on the calendar; what are the plans for kicking off our third ensemble, Capital Force,; and what the details about our first Gala fundraiser event.
The celebration of life for Geri Geis will be on Jan. 26 at Arlington Cemetery. Chapter members will sing “I’ll Be Seeing You” and “I’ll Walk with God.” Current and former members are welcome to join and attend. Watch for more details as to reporting time and location. Geri was a major force in the gold medal years of the Harmonizers.
Joe also announced that David Breen’s father died unexpectedly in recent days. He was 69. All members send their thoughts to David.
There was a business session during the meeting. President Noah Van Gilder asked for members to provide their nominations for the annual chapter awards. He sent a message recently and asked for a prompt turn-around of responses.
During this week’s meeting, there was a transition to a new chapter secretary – David DesPortes is moving out of the area, and Heidi Krukowski has been named to fill the position. She and David presented three membership renewals: Stephen Gudauskas for two years; Cy Shuster for eleven years; and Tessa Walker for twelve years. The chapter thanked David for his years of service as chapter secretary.
Tessa reported activities for her youth chorus from the school where she teaches.
There was a guest singer present for Metro Voices – Christina. The Terry Reynolds directed the chapter’s welcome song.
Alan Wile and Walt Page managed the 50/50 event this week. Half of the monies collected become our chapter donation to the M-AD Endowment Fund, and the winner each week gets the other half.
The meeting ended a little early after the ensembles worked on their songs. A small crowd made it to the afterglow at the Harmo House on a really cold night.
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.
