Looking Back on the Oct. 27, 2026 Alexandria A Cappella Collective Chapter Meeting

 Looking Back on the Oct. 27, 2026 Alexandria A Cappella Collective Chapter Meeting 

This week the ensembles of AACC met back at Fairlington Presbyterian Church. The attendance was great and the hall was really full. 

Metro Voices members seemed to get the word and many were wearing fun Halloween costumes. The Culture team provided Halloween candy for all to enjoy during the evening. ‘

Associate director of the Harmonizers, Tony Colosimo, led warm-up exercises for the AACC singers. After the warm-ups session, Tony led a new member orientation session in the library.

Then artistic director, Joe Cerutti, worked with the AACC chorus for “Welcome Christmas,” and  then for “Tribute to World Peace.” Also they worked on “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” with Joe in the center of the hall and the singers in a large circle around the room. 

Joe took a few minutes to remind members of some upcoming schedule details including the next Honor Flight on Nov. 7 early at DCA Airport - call time at 8 am.

Then a performance on Nov. 11 from noon to 2 pm as part of a Veterans Day ceremony in Alexandria (songs from the repertoire used on the Honor Flight sing), with singers wearing professional work attire. Joe plans to do a review of the songs at 9:30 pm on Nov. 3.

The chorus will sing carols for Blue Star Families Sunday, Dec. 6 from noon to 2 pm using songs from the holiday repertoire. 

Note that the chapter meetings will be at Fairlington Presbyterian on Nov. 3, 10 and 17 – then back to AlexRenew.  Joealerts singers that the Nov. 10 and 17 meetings will go until 10 pm – mark calendars. 

Chapter secretary, Cy Shuster, presented membership renewal cards to Cooper Schwartz for 2 years; Turner Arndtfor 13 years; and Rick Savage for 53 years.  

Culture Triad team members Matt Darouse  and Kellen Hertz reminded members about the activity at Cox Farm on Sunday, Nov. 1 from 10-5 pm.  Members interested in attending should contact Culture Team members and make a reservation/payment of $30 to one of them.  Don’t pay or register with Cox Farm but with a Culture Team person.  The chapter will have the pavilion there as part of the fall festival for friends and family of AACC - at 15621 Braddock Rd., Centreville, VA 20120, at the corner of Braddock Rd., and Pleasant Valley Rd. 

Matt Ambler from the Community Triad spoke to the chapter about Valentine’s Day planning to include formation of quartets or ensembles to make appearances around the Alexandria community on Feb. 13 (or maybe some on Feb. 14). There will be three new arrangements for songs this year

The Membership Triad welcomed guests this week – Katie Raimondo welcomed them at the sign-in table and Devin Turner introduced them to the chapter. Returning guest included Carl Parkin, John Ferri, Matt Balfour, Ethan Hattingh, and Andy Zang. First time guests were Leann Jackson, Ellen Goodman, and Gus Ferro. Newest AACC members include Amanda Ridlington, David Strasser, Ben Bugajski,  and Serena Davis. 

Assistant Harmonizer director, Terry Reynolds, directed the chapter welcome song for all the guests this week. 

 Looking ahead: there will be caroling for Blue Star Families on Dec. 6 from 12 -2.

The Dec. 12 holiday shows are scheduled for 3:30 pm and 7 pm at Fairlington United Methodist Church (across the street from our weekly meeting place). Good news – GQ will be featured quartet for that show!! ALERT: Singers will need to make plans to stay at the church between the two shows – the chapter will order in some dinner foods. Then everyone will need to be out of the church by 9:30 pm.

There are a number of soloists needed for several of the songs on the holiday show for both ensembles. Interested singers should note the deadline to submit recordings by Wed. Nov. 4 at midnight. Singers who have sung one of the solos before, and who might want to do it again, should alert Tony Colosimo that you’d like to be considered. 

Tickets for the holiday show are on sale now with a 20% early discount until Nov. 1 – Code: EARLY.

The chapter will sing carols in Old Town on Tues. Dec. 15.

Joe also alerted members of a work session on Jan. 19^th totally dedicated to “Barber of Seville.”

Both ensembles used the rest of the meeting to practice their holiday repertoire. 

Hurray for the great Sept.-Oct. 2026 edition of the BHS Harmonizer magazine – great tributes and comments to honor GQ; and a mention about the Harmonizers in the Fun Facts with PMac – a fun new feature starting in this issue = contributed by Maggie’s brother, Patrick McAlexander.

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 78th year of the Alexandria Chapter. - YeEd)

The Chapter Mission Statement Enriching lives through vocal harmony in the greater DC area.