Looking Back on the Feb. 6, 2024 Alexandria Hybrid Chapter Meeting
This week’s rehearsal at AlexRenew continued work by both the Harmonizers and Metro Voices on preparing songs for 2024 shows and events.
The opening warm up session for the combined ensembles was conducted by associate director of the Harmonizers, Tony Colosimo.
Artistic director, Joe Cerutti, shared that the interview process is underway. Schedules and location charts were posted around the meeting place. New members will meet with Joe; Metro Voices singers will meet with their director, Samantha Tramack; and others will meet with their section leaders. It is important that each member complete the survey prior to their interview which will be scheduled by Terry Reynolds.
Joe also shared that there is a need for more volunteers to sing in quartets to deliver Singing Valentine messages on Wednesday, February 1. Our organization does not charge for these appearances, but sings to spread cheer and messages of the day in the Alexandria Metro area. Anyone interested should be sure Terry Reynolds knows what part of that day they are available and what part they sing.
The location of the February 20 meeting for Alexandria A Cappella Collective (AACC) will not be at AlexRenew and that location will be announced soon.
Joe was able to confirm that the choruses would not be expected to sing at the March 8 program introducing barbershop to students and parents from DC Public Schools. He did suggest that it would be a positive showing if some members were in the audience. Past gold medal barbershop quartet, SIGNATURE, will be singing after they and an Alexandria team work with students during the day. Tessa Walker will be clinician. The event will be at Capital Turnaround at 4 pm in SE Washington, DC.
At this point in the evening, Metro Voices adjourned to the board room to work on “Happy Together,” “Fight Song,” and “Sing/Swing Medley.” In other news from Metro Voices, they had fun social time at the Harmo House on Saturday evening, February 3. During this week’s meeting, they introduced two Harmonizers, Tyler Carpenter and Chad Ross, as part of an effort to help their members get to know members of the other ensemble.
The Harmonizers worked on “Calling Dreams,” “Sit Down You’re Rockin the Boat” along with a reminder session for the choreography for that song, and “Wee Small Hours.”
Joe had just received the learning tracks for the Harmonizers’ new contest package and he was eager to were play them for the singers. Tony DeRosa created the tracks. The ballad, “But The World Goes Round,” was arranged by Kevin Keller. It was often used by Liza Minnelli to close her shows. The uptune, “Lullaby of Broadway,” is a classic Broadway number used by Ella Fitzgerald. It was arranged by David Wright.
Tony did a couple craft sessions to strengthen the skills of the singers during the rehearsal.
Midway during the evening, there was a business meeting for the combined ensembles conducted by communications director, Steve Murane. Randall Eliason prompted everyone to turn in any silent auction item they have collected for the fundraising GALA. They should be turned during the next two weeks.
Kathy Kauffman was on hand to collect empty liquor bottles that she and the decoration committee will use for the Gala on March 2.
Metro Voices director, Samantha Tramack, reported the recent passing of a founding member of their ensemble, Elaine Cooper, who died from complications of surgery. The family plans a celebration of life in the future. Joe spoke to share that Elaine was a stronger leader of the Pride of Baltimore chapter.
Membership director, Jacob Broude, welcomed six returning guests –Alex Radt, Routa Mesfin, Charley Rothermel, Shane Lawson, Jared Liscinsky, and William Vesline.
First time guests were Tyler Greene, a guest of Turner Arndt; Ker Medero, a guest of Ben Watsky; and Jamie Brazen, a guest of Sheryl Berlin.
We sang our “Welcome Song” for all of our guests, with Will Cox as director.
The evening wrapped up about 9 pm with the 50/50 drawing (Joe was shocked to have finally won the drawing for the first time!), an invitation to guests and members to come to the Harmo House for an afterglow, and then singing of “Keep the Whole World Singing” directed by Lance Fisher.
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.
