Looking Back on the Sept. 23, 2025 Alexandria A Cappella Collective Chapter Meeting
AACC members gathered this week to rehearse for the fall Mid Atlantic District (M-AD) contest and celebrated their successful fall show that was Sat., Sept. 20, at Bishop Ireton High School. During this week’s business session, artistic director, Joe Cerutti, thanked the singers for making it a GREAT SHOW, and he thanked the crews who did the behind the scenes work including Ashley Merryman and Catherine LaValley. Then Joe invited members to share stories or comments that their show patrons had shared – there were some terrific reflections.
To get this week’s important rehearsal started, assistant director of Metro Voices, Maggie McAlexander, lead a beginning warm up session for the AACC chorus, and then assistant director of the Harmonizers, Jason Lee, continued vocal warm ups for the two ensembles.
Admin leader, Terry Reynolds, invited Metro Voices to use the smaller rooms for sectionals and the Harmonizers headed for the risers after a riser crew was called to get the equipment off of the chapter’s truck and set them up for the evening. A crew of volunteers from both groups stepped up to help. At the halfway point of the evening, the two ensembles switched locations.
Terry also gave some details about the fall contest weekend. First, all members must be a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) to appear on the contest stage. Members who are not sure should contact membership director, Jacob Broude. Second, singers must have a convention
registration too. Call time for the Harmonizers, who will sing 10th in the Saturday, Oct. 4 chorus contest, will be 9:20 am. Call time for Metro Voices will be 9:40 am. Several quartets with AACC members will be competing on Friday evening, Oct. 3 (that contest starts at 4:30 pm) including: MENTAL NOTE, BELTWAY, FANTATIC 4, BETTER TOGETHER, GQ, and INSTAGRAMPS.
Looking ahead, the AACC Sept. 30 meeting prior to the fall contest will be at AlexRenew. On Oct. 7, the AACC chorus will sing in Old Town Alexandria. On Wed., Oct. 8, the Harmonizers will attend another men’s fellowship and sing with Alfred Street Baptist Men’s Gospel Choir. Joe encourages all Harmonizers to attend this fun and meaningful musical sharing event, and if a member can’t do both Tuesday and Wednesday night chorus events of that week, then choose the Wednesday night event at 301 S. Alfred St., Alexandria, VA 22314. On Oct. 14, AACC will meet at AlexRenew and launch their musical work on holiday show music.
Holiday music is on Groupanizer so members can get a start on reviewing or learning the songs that have been used in the past for the holiday shows. New holiday songs will be added soon including an arrangement of “Welcome Christmas” for the AACC chorus.
Membership director, Jacob Broude, welcomed two guests this week, including Devante Lucas and Crystal Goodman. Jason Lee lead the chapter welcome song.
Both ensembles had sectional rehearsal time this week, and both took part of the evening to do choreo on the risers in order to be prepared for the contest.
Rehearsal ended close to 10 pm this week with “Keep the Whole World Singing” directed by Leah Musico.
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.
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