Looking Back on the Nov. 4, 2025 Alexandria A Cappella Collective Chapter Meeting
This week’s meeting was at the Fairlington Presbyterian Church, 3846 King Street in Alexandria. The chapter was allowed to enter right at 7:30 pm so that an earlier church event would not be interrupted. The Harmonizers and Metro Voices continued their hard work in preparation for the chapter’s holiday show weekend, Friday and Saturday evenings, December 12 and 13, also at the church.
Parking was a bit of a challenge and Catherine LaValley worked in the parking lot of the church to help some members find the handicapped spaces.
The AACC singers gathered in the sanctuary for warm up led by assistant director of the Harmonizers, Jason Lee. Then both ensembles combined to work on AACC chorus songs with artistic director, Joe Cerutti after working out a line up in the front of the sanctuary based on height. Next Tuesday when AACC meets at the church again, a riser crew will set up risers early so the chorus can decide if risers or no risers works best.
The chapter business meeting included reminders about the busy end-if-year activities: The Tuesday Nov. 11 meeting will be at the Presbyterian church again from 7:30 – 10 pm – don’t arrive until 7:25 pm – riser crews watch for report time. Also on Nov. 11, the Harmonizers will work with Steve Armstrong, coach and arranger, to learn about their dynamic new contest package. Joe asked members to reach out and invite any previous or new singers to attend that night to consider participation in this major musical experience for the Harmonizers.
On Tuesday, Nov. 18, AACC will sing in Old Town to promote attendance at the holiday show which will be Fri. Dec. 12 and Sat. Dec. 13 at Fairlington Presbyterian. Terry Reynolds announced times for the shows – 8 pm on Friday with a call time of 5:30 pm; 7:30 pm on Saturday with a 5:30 pm call time. Tickets will go on sale soon for the show themed ‘Follow the Season.” Details about dress code for the holiday show will be announced soon.
On Nov. 25 the meeting will be back at AlexRenew. AACC will have their traditional holiday carol sing again in Old Town on Tues. Dec. 16. There will be no rehearsals on Dec. 23 and 30. The Jan. 6 meeting will be the traditional kickoff session for the 2026 year and also the chapter’s next Put Together Quartet Contest – as the name implies, members are encouraged to “put together” a quartet and enter the fun. Usually some BHS friends are the judges. Rules and details to come soon.
There is a call for another sing – Sunday, Dec. 7 for Blue Star Families in Falls Church, call time is 11:45 am. The group will sing songs from the holiday show repertoire in the lobby as guests arrive. Sign up was done by Groupanizer.
Chapter secretary, Cy Shuster, presented membership renewal cards for two AACC members: 10 years for Michael Berkson; and 40 years for Chris Buechler.
Membership director, Jacob Broude, welcomed four returning guests: Billy Ermlick, Cooper Schwartz, Devante Lucas, Susan Friel, and Catalina Buitrago Torres. Two first-time guests for Metro Voices were Sam Rosky andSami Smalling. Two long-distance guests included coach and arranger, Steve Tramack; and Norbert Hammas, director of the Heavy Medal Chorus from Barbershop in Germany (BinG!).
During the separate rehearsal period for Metro Voices, they presented Steve Tramack a framed photo of him and all of Metro Voices at a previous coaching session – proud with director/daughter, Samantha, at his side. He will work with Metro Voices again on Dec. 2 to help the ensemble with voice placements. He was coach for the rest of this week’s meeting time on their holiday music.
Associate director of the Harmonizers, Tony Colosimo, led their work session on some new holiday music after sectionals.
Thanks to Frank Fedarko for reporting on the recent Honor Flight sing: – on Saturday, November 1, a group of 20 AACC members gathered at Reagan-National Airport to welcome the Southeast Honor Flight of American veterans arriving from Florida to have their service and sacrifices recognized during a day of activities in DC. Jason Lee was the director for this event. Terry Reynolds and Frank Fedarko coordinated attendance in the absence of E. J. Herold, who was on business in Europe. Terry also brought the folders of sheet music for the five songs sung in the round for these survivors of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. The singers sang joyfully, inspired by the great morning for singing. The weather was cool, but bright. Of note that morning was the eldest of the arriving vets who survived WWII and reached the age of 101. He was very emotional when his handler parked his wheelchair before the chorus as a one-man audience. As the singers closed the event, they received many thanks from veterans, organizers, and the listening audience. All in all, another great day to be in AACC!
In other chapter news, congratulations to Heidi Suckow and Norm Barth who were married in Old Town Alexandria on Sunday, November 2. Members of AACC were on hand for the event and participated in the ceremony and celebration.
The two ensembles gathered for the close of the evening’s activities to sing “Keep the Whole World Singing” directed by Norbert, our guest from Germany.
The afterglows continue each Tuesday night at Joe’s home, 3916 Stevens St, Alexandria 22311, right after the chapter meeting. It’s fun and there is a space for tag singing, and goodies like pizza and chips and drinks. All AACC members are welcome.
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.
