Looking Back on the Sept. 9, 2025 Alexandria A Cappella Collective Chapter Meeting
Singers came prepared for an important preshow rehearsal at AlexRenew on Sept. 9. Attendance was good.
Metro Voices had a successful extra rehearsal this past weekend with Steve Tramack as their coach who helped them grow and improve. This week’s meeting for them was a continuation of work on contest and show materials including a time on the risers at AlexRenew with Tessa Walker to practice line up and choreo. Their contest songs will be “How Far I’ll Go,” with the uptune a medley of “World, Here I Am.” Assistant director, Maggie McAlexander, lead their warm up session. Director, Samantha Tramack, lead the learning and rehearsal to incorporate the important techniques learned during their Sunday coaching session.
The Harmonizers worked on “Come Follow the Band” and “But the World Goes ‘Round” after the warm up session with assistant director, Jason Lee. Turner Arndt prompted choreo points, and there were sectionals with Lance Fisherhelping the tenors, Matt Ambler helping the leads, Jared Liscinsky helping the baritones, and Jason Lee helping the basses.
Looking ahead, the AACC Sept. 16 meeting with be at the Beth El Synagogue and will be the final rehearsal before the show. Then the Sept. 23 and Sept. 30 meetings prior to the fall Mid Atlantic District (M-AD) contest will be at AlexRenew. It was announced that holiday music was up on Groupanizer so members could 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.
The first in the series of ‘new member orientation’ sessions began this week covering the history or background of the BHS and AACC. Terry Reynolds coordinates these sessions.
The fall show is Sept. 20 at Bishop Ireton High School, 201 Cambridge Rd., Alexandria, VA 22314, in the 750-aeat auditorium. Theme for the show is “Follow The Song” – a journey through song that defies gravity, crosses oceans and dares the impossible.
Here are call times for the fall show announced recently: riser crew at 1pm; Harmonizer front row at 1:15; Harmonizers on the risers at 1:30 pm, and Metro Voices on the risers at 2:30 pm. For those members new to the venue, there will be dressing room space at the school. Catherine LaValley, fall show producer, thanked the members for stepping up ticket sales (alto more tickets need to be sold – director Joe says “you gotta invite people to come!”); and for the several volunteers to help with the other aspects of the show to include ticket sales – there will be tickets sold at the door now that there are volunteers.
Uniform reminder: the plan is to use the formal attire outfits for both the fall show, Sept. 20, and for the district contest, Oct 3-4. Contact Becca Williams if there are questions.
The AACC chorus will be singing for Honor Flights on Sat. Sept. 13 from 7-11 am; and Sat. Nov. 1 from 8-10 am, both at Reagan National Airport. There was a run-through of the songs after this week’s chapter meeting from 9:30-9:50 pm. Honor Flights bring US Veterans to the nation’s capital to honor their sacrifice and take them to their memorials. Uniform will be the AACC t-shirt. Music will be provided in folders for singers to use for “Armed Forces Medley,” “God Bless America,” “This is My Country,” “America the Beautiful,” and “You’re a Grand Old Flag.”
Tyler Carpenter filled in for membership director, Jacob Broude, and introduced returning guests, Devante Lucas, Cooper Schwartz and Lisa Venbrux. Matt Darouse was given his new member name tag – welcome aboard. Maggie McAlexander directed the chapter welcome song.
Both ensembles used the risers to wrap up the night with artistic director, Joe Cerutti, directing the AACC chorus on “Parting Glass” with the trio of Lance Fisher, David Breen and Sophie Clark; “Defying Gravity” with soloists Samantha Tramack and Lance Fisher; and “I’m Still Standing.”
Rehearsal ended at 9:30 with “Keep the Whole World Singing” directed by Matt Ambler; then those singers planning to do the Honor Flight stayed a while to run over the songs.
In other news, congratulations to Jackson Byrd who was recently selected for the part of Billy Flynn in the “Chicago” musical to be presented at Thomas Edison High School in November.
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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