Looking Back on the Sept. 20, 2025 Alexandria A Cappella Collective Chapter Fall Show
The fall show on Sept. 20 was at Bishop Ireton High School auditorium in Alexandria. Theme for the show was “Follow The Song” – a journey through song that defies gravity, crosses oceans and dares the impossible.
Call times were pushed 15 minutes later than previously scheduled so that the riser crew reported at 1:15 pm, with Harmonizer front row reporting at 1:30 pm. Harmonizer singers reported at 1:45 pm to the Band Room, with a warm-up led by assistant director Jason Lee. After warm-up, the Harmonizers moved to riser positions for some touch-ups of choreography and music for “Come Follow the Band” and “But the World Goes Round,” run by associate director, Tony Colosimo.
Artistic director, Joe Cerutti, then took over the rehearsal for Harmonizers to run the rest of the concert set, including: “Africa,” “Calling Dreams,” “Impossible Dream,” and “What a Wonderful World.” For the warm-up, David Breen, Tony Colosimo, and Jason Lee performed the opening of “Impossible Dream.”
Metro Voices call time was at 2:30 pm, reporting to the Band Room backstage where their assistant director, Maggie McAlexander, and their music director, Samantha Tramack, led a brief warm-up. Afterwards, Metro Voices joined the Harmonizers on the risers to finalize riser positions and run the combined songs: “I'm Still Standing,” “Defying Gravity,” and “The Parting Glass.” The same trio from the Ireland trip, David Breen, Lance Fisher, and Sophie Clark, sang for “Parting Glass.”
Throughout the rehearsal, fall show producer, Catherine LaValley, ran sound and light checks to ensure quartets and trios could be heard and seen over the ensemble. Thanks for back stage help from Greg Tepe, sound and light help from Mike Kelly, and the tech crew of Bishop Ireton students. Other volunteers helped with ticket sales and welcoming patrons.
At 4:00 pm, Harmonizers were dismissed from the risers for a brief touch-up in the Band Room led by Tony. Section leader, Matt Ambler, ran a brief lead sectional for “But the World Goes Round.” After this, Harmonizers were dismissed for dinner and to prepare for pictures before the show.
Metro Voices, meanwhile, stayed on the risers to run their show set, directed by Samantha. The set included “Happy Together,” “Where You Lead - Together We Can” medley, “Somewhere,” “How Far I'll Go,” and “World Here I Am.” Afterwards, Metro Voices briefly returned to the Band Room to touch up a couple of sections, before getting dinner.
The guest quartets then went through sound check and stage time for their songs. All of the quartets featured in the show included members of AACC: HARMOHAUS with John Gabriel Sifuentes, Lance Fisher, David Breen, and Kevin Mendez; BELTWAY featured members Robert Santine, Suranjan Sen, Josh Myers, and Ryan Mextorf; and finally, SUPERNOVA featured AACC's Maggie McAlexander and Tessa Walker, as well as Amanda Pitts and Serena Davis.
After everyone finished getting into show attire (everyone looked fabulous in their teal and black!), photos were taken on the risers for each ensemble, as well as the combined Collective.
The show started a few minutes after 7:00 pm, kicked off by emcee Julie Donaldson from Fox 5 DC. When the curtains opened, 430 audience members were greeted with the combined AACC singing “I'm Still Standing,” directed by Joe Cerutti. The contest set of “Come Follow the Band” and “But the World Goes Round” was directed by Tony Colosimo, and all other Harmonizer numbers were directed by Joe. Metro Voices kicked off their set with “Happy Together,” directed by Samantha Tramack, which they followed with “Somewhere,” directed by Maggie McAlexander. All remaining Metro Voices pieces were directed by Samantha. Joe directed all of the remaining combined numbers.
The show was a rousing success with many rave reviews from audience members. Halfway through the show, it was decided to add “Hey Jude” as an encore. This featured soloist, Matt Ambler.
Special shout out to HARMOHAUS that was the featured quartet during the Harmonizer run of “Impossible Dream.” And also for the solos by Samantha and Tony in “Defying Gravity.”
During the show, artistic director, Joe Cerutti, recognized music educators from DC Public Schools as a thank you for supporting the Capital Force youth ensemble and helping with a concert space for the group earlier in the year. Mary Lambert, Robert Battle, and Yan Colón were presented the AACC Harmony Award. Their dedication has set a new standard for collaboration between arts organizations and public education, and their legacy will continue to inspire future generations of students and educators alike.
As key music leaders within DC Public Schools, they have worked together to establish a formal partnership with AACC, creating an annual festival/workshop that introduces DCPS students to the art of barbershop harmony. Their belief in the value of this unique musical style—an art form often overlooked in public school music programs—has resulted in an opportunity that is as rare as it is impactful. Over the past two years, their efforts have not only sustained this initiative but have significantly expanded its reach, increasing student and school participation while enhancing the reputation of AACC and the barbershop harmony community.
For the show finale, Steve White presented a touching and sentimental tribute to Marjorie Latzko and highlighted for the audience, the Harmonizers’ longtime relationship with her husband, Walter, as a famed arranger and coach, and with Margie, who recently passed away at the age of 96.
She was the last remaining singer in one of the most well know women’s quartets in American pop music history, THE CHORDETTES, who had numerous Billboard top-10 hits including “Mr. Sandman” and “Lollipop;” were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Famer among other accolades; and were featured on major TV shows of the day including Arthur Godfrey, Andy Williams, Dick Clark’s Bandstand, and Ed Sullivan.
In tribute to Margie, the chorus sang “Parting Glass” and the recoding of the performance was sent to her family for inclusion at an upcoming memorial service.
The fall show afterglow was held at Astro Beer Hall in Shirlington. Many members of the Collective and the audience attended for beverages, mini donuts, and tag singing late into the evening. Thanks to everyone who made this show possible,
(Thank you to Robert Stark and Christine Pan for their report to create this issue of ‘Looking Back!’)
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 77th year of the Alexandria Chapter. - YeEd)
The Chapter Mission Statement: Enriching lives through vocal harmony in the greater DC area.
No comments:
Post a Comment