The Harmoblog

2012-02-10T15:49:00.001-05:00

LookingBack on the February 7^th Chapter Meeting

The set up crew was hard at work at 6 pm tonite and Bob Blair wascrawling under the stage with work tools and flashlite to fix a pesky wire thatkeeps coming loose and blocking the risers when we put them away – in oursecret-almost-hidden storage area.

ChuckMcKeever conducted a review session on top of the stage for moves in one of oursongs. Music vp Dan O’Brien andsome fellows gathered in meeting room 5 for a Polecat Song session.

Meanwhile the music team was comparing notes for the final details andplans for the evening with Joe back from England just an hour before. Ata minute or so before 7, the music team and sound guys played a barbershop tuneand we had to guess the name of the quartet. (gold medalists, VOCAL SPECTRUM).

WillCox did vocaland physical warm ups. He passed thechorus on to director Joe Cerutti who proclaimed he was glad to be backand was proud of have read about the good solid work last week.

He jumped right in to work on “Jersey Boys” – in fact without music forthe first three songs of the medley. He admonished guys that didn’t know itwell to at least have the printed music in their hands! And many went running to their briefcases! Hepulled out eight guys to sing it and then alternated having them sing and thechorus.

After that workout, we worked on the opera piece – La Vergine degliAngeli” -- we are singing with soprano Alessandra Marc at the show onFeb. 22^nd for the George Washington history buffs convention. She will also sing “Battle Hymn” withus. The chorus will use music for theVerde piece and there will be piano accompaniment. She will be with us on Tues. Feb. 14^thand 21^st, YeEd thinks.

ScottKahler, chapter ops vp, conducted the chapter meeting session. Secretary Chris Buechler presented a23-year renewal card to Matt Kahn. Gerry Fuller was presented his new member kit from the BHSincluding his framed membership certificate. YeEd just saw a report fromChris that our membership remains at 204.

DickNewton was given his past president’s pin by current president, Steve Murane,for Dick’s service in 2010. Dick also received a past president’sgavel plaque.

Membership vp Phil Ashford welcome guests Tom Frederick, anapplicant; and Niel Johnson, a frequent guest from Ft. Bragg and theResearch Triangle Chorus where John Adams is tenor section leader; and OswaldoSilio, from Brazil and a house guest with Lew Klinge.

The chorus was given a15-minute break to work on quartet formation, getsome coffee and make purchases as needed. YeEd (and coffee guru) urges anyone who can, to bring in somedecaf coffee, some goodies, or at least to drop a buck or three in the kittynext week.)

Scott continuedthe meeting after the break. He announced that he would be taking orders forguys to reorder or replace lost nametags. Stay tuned.

CraigKujawa encouraged guys to come cheer for our buddies in TBD who will be singingin the Harmony Sweepstakes, Feb. 25^th, at the Birchmere inAlexandria. Get your $30 to Craignext week or so and he will get you a ticket. DA CAPO, who won it all lastyear, will be the hosts. So should be a great time. Go cheer and have some fun.

BTW, there will be chapter meeting on Tues., Feb. 14^th atDurant. Only a few guys will be missingfor the early part of the evening delivering Valentines.

And speaking of Singing Valentines, everyone needs to take action!!!Don’t just hope people will find it online. Give them a flyer or card, collect the money and have them call in theirorder. The time is now.

There is a chapter board meeting on Wed of this week at Durant at 7 pm.Thanks to all the board members who make the effort to attend two events thisweek and work behind the scenes.

BradJones, our coordinator for the trip to China, reminded all about the URGENTneed to get him a copy of the photo page of your passport if you plan to singin the concerts on the trip.

Steve White asked for a minute of announcement time to honor ourchapter’s newest member elected to the M-AD Honor Club (DELA) – TonyColosimo. Steve and all the fellow DELA members present wereassembled up front and welcomed Tony with handshakes and cheers, as didthe chorus. Tony is the 43^rdHarmonizer elected to that group in recognition of leadership contributions atchapter, district and Intl levels.

Then it was back to singing and Tony was up to conduct abarbershop craft session. This week’s topic was “proper singing demands properposture” and he demonstrated that himself as well as had the chorus practiceusing good poster. It was easy for allto see the difference.

Next, the music team formed us all into small choruses with our ownassistant director in charge. Each group adjourned to a break-out room to workon “Sweet Georgia Brown” before we reconvened on the risers and sang for eachother. It was fun and seems like a goodway to work on a song.

Director Joe also announced that the small chorus will be themethod of qualifying for contests.

The rest of the nite the chorus worked on songs for the Feb. 22 show atthe Masonic Temple including stage presence review.

Lucky winner of the 50/50 this week got $50. And Joe took us outwith KTWWS and our cheer, “It’s Great to Be a Harmonizer.” The gang chipped into get the risers down fast and put away with all of the other gear. And then some guys made it over to the Hiltonfor an afterglow.

Untilnext time – editorjack!

(Thismessage is prepared for your review if you were there, for your information ifyou had to miss, and as a historical record of the great things going on eachweek at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —YeEd.)

2012-02-02T15:24:00.001-05:00

LookingBack on the January 31^st Chapter Meeting

There were a lot of Harmonizers at this week’s meeting and rehearsal thatwe have not seen for a while. Everyonewas happy to see them.

Usual set up and equipment made the meeting go smoothly. Associate director Tony Colosimo conductedthe vocal warm ups. Director Joe Cerutti was en route to England tocoach there and staff a director training event. Assistant director MikeKelly worked thru “Great Day” with Chuck McKeever coaching andrefreshing the chorus on the moves. Assistant director Terry Reynoldsmanaged the admin details for the music team including operator of theprojector and computer! The music team worked with us on the “Jersey Boys”medley including time in sectionals.

Operations vp Scott Kahler called the evening’s meeting toorder. Secretary Chris Buechlerpresented Joe Wagovich his second Man of Note pin for bringing a newmember. Bruce Roehm was presentedhis 11-year membership renewal card and Brian Miller presented his15-year card.

President Steve Murane reported on the Chapter Awards event heldlast Saturday and announced the two remaining award winners since those two guyswho were not able to attend. See theprevious Looking Back column for complete results.

Membership vp Phil Ashford welcomed a lot of guys we have not seenfor a while at meetings: Bruce Roehm who was in town from his dutystation in MT; Brian Miller; Will Mudd Simmons; Andrew Plocher;Dean Rust; Bob Eckman who lives now near Charlottesville; TomKraus; and Tom Berkey who lives now near Williamsburg.

Guests this week were applicants Doug White, Bob Griesemer andTom Frederick. A first-time guest, friend of Mike Kelly, was JonClunies. Jon directed KTWWS at the end of the nite.

Scott releasedthe chapter for a 15-minute break. Hethen used the chimes like we used in the holiday show to get folks back on therisers.

CraigKujawa announced that our small group TBD will appear at the Regional HarmonySweepstakes at the Birchmere in Alexandria on Feb. 25^th, 7:30pm. Tickets are $29.50. Craig offered to get tickets foranyone who gives him $30 in advance. DA CAPO will be hosting the contest as thepast champs and will sing after the contestants to wrap up the evening.

Show vp Brian Ammerman provided important info about some upcomingshows and events. Our Singing Valentines effort has launched sales materialsfor the Feb. 14^th event. All members are encouraged to sell some –at least a couple (don’t forget your own family, friends, office or hangout). ClarkChesser volunteered to help take orders off the phone lines. More help is needed. Watch for emails about quartet assignments.

The patriotic show at the Masonic Temple is Wed., Feb. 22. Tux uniform. Watch for an early chorus callat 5:30 or 5:45. We will be singing with opera singer Alessandra Marc.She will sing with us on “Battle Hymn” and we will sing Verdi’s “La Fortza”with her (in Italian, YeEd heard). Rest assured we will use music for that one!

Brian announcedthat we will not be asked to sing/march in the Cherry Blossom parade,therefore, the whole chorus can help with the youth festival that sameday. The chorus will sing that nite atDurant, April 14^th.

NickLieserson has stepped up to be producer for the spring show at George Mason.

ScottKahler ended the meeting with notice of the board meeting next Wednesday atDurant.

Tony restartedour singing with another major craft session. The theme this week was“Champions Are Made at the End of Phrases.”

Terry worked onthe contest ballad. Scipio Garling worked with the chorus to add the visualpart of the performance – feelings, faces, focals. Progress was great! We also did some work on the uptune.

Mike reviewedand helped us on two more songs for the Feb. 22^nd show – “No MoreSorrows” and “Summertime.”

The good singing ended right at 10 and the crew worked to see if theycould set a record on how fast the risers and “stuff” could be put away.

Untilnext time – editorjack!

2012-02-02T15:23:00.001-05:00

Looking Back on the ChapterAward Banquet for 2010 and 2011

A good crowd of Harmonziers andtheir guests attended the Award Banquet at Durant Center on Jan. 28, 2011. This year’s banquet was used to present boththe 2010 and 2011 major chapter awards. (The 2010 banquet was not held.)

President Steve Murane and his team organized the event. The chapter provided the main course, bar b qchicken breasts, as well as stocked an open bar. The rest of the meal was potluck and thusgood homemade goodies and plenty of it.

Steveenlisted a crew of volunteers to set up early that afternoon. Immediate past president Brad Jones helped with many of the details. BrianAmmerman and Clyde Crusenberry helpeddecorate and set up. Robyn McQueen was bartender. Chapter secretaryChris Buechler helped with orderingthe awards. Bob Rhome made arrangements with the Rec Dept. for use of the halland obtained the proper permits for our usage. Scott Kahler had the sound set up for the evening. Alan Wile was official photographer.The FRIENDS of HARMONY helped too. Socialhour began at 6, dinner at 7 and awards at 8.

Steve’sthree nephews helped check in all the guests, collected $20 each, and waited ontables as needed. The hall was decorated with balloons and table decorations. Barbershop music was playing in thebackground.

There were some quartets formedduring the social time and after the program, as you might expect. The guys also sang tags with Steve’s nephews too. Before the programgot underway, the chorus guys stood in place and sang “Heart of My Heart” with Terry Reynolds directing.

Stevewas emcee for the nite and started the program with an installation ceremonyfor the 2012 board. Executive VicePresident for the M-AD, Bill Colosimo,conducted the ceremony. He shared thatthis was a great opportunity for a district leader to ensure the continuationof the grand traditions going of the Alexandria Harmonizers. Billand several of our guys had hurried back from a district meeting in PA in orderto attend the banquet.

Stevethanked the past presidents for their service to the chapter and recognizedthose present: Jack Pitzer, 1973; ChrisBuechler, 1995; Alan Wile,1997-98; Ken Fess, 2004; Ric Wagner represented by his wife Peggy, 2005; Mike Stamps, 2008; and BradJones, 2009.

Here are the major Harmonizerawards and who received them for 2010 and 2011:

New Note of the Year Award

(Nominated by the President,VP-Membership/Chapter Development, and VP-Operations; selected by the Board ofDirectors). Given to a Harmonizer who has contributed outstanding serviceto the Chapter in his first year of membership. All new members for theprevious 18 months prior to October 31 of the current year will beconsidered. Attendance, attitude, and accomplishments of duties, bothvolunteer and assigned, shall be considered.

2010 recipient –Steve Lingo

The 2010 recipient arrived with a bundle of energy anda willingness to dive in and help whenever and wherever he could even going sofar as to host the Harmo Hospitality Suite at International followed byaccepting the nomination to be the VP Marketing.

2011 recipient –Clark Chesser (presented on Tues. Jan. 31^st)

The 2011recipient also was eager to help and was there his first week to help with therisers, new member programs and became editor of THE ECHO, our chapter bulletin and important document sent to allfriends and customers and members.

Spirit of Harmony Award

(Selected by the Board of Directors). Presented to the Harmonizer who during the past year best exemplified thefundamental Society membership qualities of congeniality and good character andworked hardest to encourage participation in vocal harmony by Chapter visitorsand members. The awardee must reflect the spirit and ideals of O.C. Cash (Societyfounder) by his enthusiasm for good fellowship and good harmony and by hisunselfish dedication to and obvious joy in barbershopping.

2010 recipient –Jack Pitzer

The 2010recipient is an obvious choice given his untiring behind the scene efforts tomake every member of the Chapter feel welcomed, while constantly seeking to getevery member, new and old, involved in Chapter activities. He has also been anever ending source of information and assistance to me personally.

2011 recipient –Bob Blair

The 2011 recipient is also a behind the scenes kind ofguy. Always smiling and givingencouragement. Always willing to help and above all always ensuring that allthe tools and resources the Chapter needs to practice our wonderful hobbyarrive safely in the Harmo Truck.

Ibbianne and Wilbur Sparks Award

(Selected by the Board of Directors). Given to recognize the important contribution of Harmonizer family teams to thesuccess and well-being of the Chapter. The award will be made only to atruly outstanding team which has contributed greatly both in volume and qualityof services over a period of time. The team can be a Harmonizer and anyfamily member or significant other.

2010 recipient –Bob and Maggie Eckman

The 2010recipients worked tirelessly and consistently over a very extended period totime to support almost every facet of our Chapter’s and the Friends In Harmonyfinancial activities, Scrip sales, and running the Usher program for ourperformances

2011 recipient –the Colosimo family – Bill and hiswife Linda, daughter Catherine, and Tony and his wife Elizabeth

The 2011 recipients could replace the definition weuse to determine who will receive this award. They are truly a family teamhelping out through all aspects of Harmonizer activities. Directing thechapter, coaching, assisting in production of shows and afterglows and shows.

Harmonizer Honor Award

(Selected by the Board of Directors). Given to a Harmonizer for service which is above and beyond the usual serviceexpected of members during the past year. It is not intended as a rewardfor discharging a single specific duty, but for continuous service in severalactivities.

2010 recipient –Brad Jones

Our 2010 recipient is another obvious choice among allthe obvious choices we’ve presented awards to so far. It seems that no matter what the Harmonizersare doing this individual has his fingers involved in it. Probably though, the most important activityhe is known for is his nearly single handed running our annual Youth Festival.

2011 – Scott Kahler

Our 2011 recipient is also a guy who is alwayseverywhere when it comes to Harmonizer activities. Helping out in running our weekly rehearsals,involvement in show production, hosting extracurricular social activities,ensuring that our Chapter leaders can be heard at all times and evenoccasionally singing a solo at our Holiday show.

Oz Newgard Memorial Award

(Nominatedby the President, VP-Music & Performance, and Musical Director; Selectedby the Board of Directors). Presented in memory of Oz Newgard(Musical Director 1962-70). It is given to the Harmonizer who hasmade a significant contribution to the musical program of the Chapter duringthe past year. The awardee's contribution need not be highly visible orof a technical musical character, but it must be related directly to themusical program. It should show the intent to make the musical programsuperior and enjoyable for all members. The awardee should be a dedicatedHarmonizer who has endeavored to improve the Chapter image in the Society andin the Alexandria community through musical excellence. Any Harmonizerwho has been a chapter member for more than one year shall be eligible for theaward.

2010 recipient –Tony Colosimo

The 2010 recipient came to the Chapter somewhatrecently and has grown to be an integral part of the Chapter’s music team. Fromfilling in as director when needed, leading the chapter through technical warmups to improve our overall sound and always imparting his knowledge of goodvocal technique.

2011 recipient –Ken Ives (presented on Tues. Jan. 31^st)

The 2011recipient is a long time baritone section leader, advocate for learning yourpart, learning quartet and audition quartet singer, and often a member of aregistered quartet representing the chapter.

Harmonizer Memorial Award

(Selectedby the Board of Directors). Presented in memory of those men who diedwhile members of the Chapter. It is the highest recognition which theChapter can bestow on a member. It is given to the Harmonizer who, duringhis entire period of chapter membership, has devoted himself most unselfishlyin rendering outstanding service to the Chapter. The award is made onlyto a truly outstanding member who has regularly attended Chapter activities andwho has contributed greatly both in volume and quality of services over a longperiod of time.

2010 – Mark Klostermeyer (presented on Tues. Jan 24^th)

The 2010 awardwas presented to the recipient at our Chapter meeting last Tuesday because hewas not going to be able to make this evening’s festivities. For those of youwho were not in attendance and did not get a chance to hear who that was I ampleased to tell you that it was a very obvious choice for a guy who kept thewheels of the chapter oiled and everything moving forward in lockstep.

2011 – Bob Rhome

Our 2011 award recipient is also somebody who plays avery key role in keeping this organization moving forward. I know that once I start listing hisaccomplishments you will probably guess immediately who I’m talking about soI’ll try to do this quickly and hopefully some of you will have had enough todrink tonight that I can get through them before you catch on. Our 2011 recipient is known for hisadministrative skills and attention to detail in the tasks he does for thechapter. And at times although he mightsound a bit gruff when reminding folks when he needs to get certain informationfrom them in order to get everything done on time he always ends up smiling aboutit. He is good at ensuring the HarmonizersBoard always has a place to meet, the Harmonizers always have a place torehearse not only in our own backyard but also during our competitions and alsokeeping the liaison with the city of Alexandria cordial when we start worryingabout air conditioning in the summer.

Thisyear’s banquet ended early enough for a good bit of tag singing and still timeto pack up and be gone by the 10:30 closing. Everyone pitched in to help.

Until next time – editorjack!

(This message is prepared foryour review if you were there, for your information if you had to miss, and asa historical record of the great things going on each week at as part of the AlexandriaHarmonizer Chapter. —Ye Ed.)

2012-01-29T13:43:00.001-05:00

Looking Back on the 2012Mid-Winter Convention in Tucson

(Thanks to reporters DixieKennett, Chris Buechler and Alan Wile for this news.)

A great time was had by thefifteen current and several former members of the Harmonizers family. JoeCerutti was there for board meetings, as was Gary Plaag.

Joealso emceed both the Friday and Saturday night shows, (he did do some costumechanges, but reporters tell YeEdnothing crazy like last year’s shocking costumes!) featuring the top fiveInternational medalists from Kansas City, along with current collegiate quartetwinner and the Association of International Seniors Quartet Champs chorus andquartets. Chris Buechler attended as the board's assistant parliamentarian. Chuck Harner attended as HarmonyFoundation board member.

The judging panel for the seniorsquartet contest had three members of the Harmonizer family with Dwain Chambers serving as contestadministrator and Mike Louque and Richard Lewellen judging presentationand singing respectively.

It was nice to see long-timemembers Darryl Flinn, Tom Gannon, LarryDeters (interim Society CEO) and Fr.Joe Witmer, who no longer live in this district. This was Darryl'sfirst trip since his recent heart surgery. It is always great to see friends we don't see weekly in the relaxedatmosphere of a midwinter convention.

The weather in Tucson was aperfect 74 during the day and a few of us arrived early to do some sightseeing.

LEGACY and YOUTH RECLAMATIONPROJECT (with Mike Wallen) represented our Mid-Atlantic District in the Seniorsquartet contest. LEGACY was the fifthplace bronze medalist quartet and YOUTH RECLAMATION PROJECT finished eighth.

There were fifteen youth choruses with 420youth singing on Saturday, providing an exciting day. All received either superior or excellentratings -- with at least one standing ovation per chorus. If you haven't experienced a youth chorusfestival, you have missed one of the best events the Society offers. President Alan Lamson hosted a reception Saturday night following the show towhich all attendees were invited.

Next year's Midwinter conventionwill be held in Orlando at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort, which has a ballroomholding 3,500 seats. All attendees willstay at the resort, which boasts fourteen restaurants. Go early and experience Disney World orUniversal Studios during the season of smallest crowds. Convention dates are January 8-13, 2013.

Others in the Harmonizer familynot mentioned above who were at the convention were Ryan Killeen, Harmony Foundation staffer; Bill Colosimo, district vp; RossJohnson; Sam McFarland; Ray Kahler, Scott’s dad; Bob Hirsch; Paul Wietlisbach, BHS staffer; WillWinder; Lee Hanson, in outgoingseniors quartet champ; and Ellen Dellert.

Until next time – editorjack!

2012-01-29T13:42:00.001-05:00

LookingBack on the January 24^th Chapter Meeting

Amidst the great singing on Tuesday nite, there was a lot of new newsabout plans and events coming up.

Associate director Tony Colosimo led the vocal warm ups and somefun hand clapping and foot stomping routines. Director Joe Cerutti, back from Tucson, went right to work on the“Jersey Boy” medley to pick up on our work from last week. He also invited some guys down front as anoctet, had them sing about 8 bars and then surprised everyone by asking thoseguys (who he figured would know their music anyway) to go up on the risers andtap someone else to come down front.

We are moving into the third song of the medley but the av screen wasuseful for all to be more accurate and to expand upon their work at home.

Joe alsobroke the fun news about the patriotic show at the Masonic Temple inAlexandria, Wed. Feb. 22^nd. We are the entertainment for a large conference of General GeorgeWashington scholars. AND we will be singing with a leading opera singer fromthe DC area. Tentative plans suggest shewill sing “Battle Hymn” with us and we might do an opera piece with her. Stay tuned for final details.

So we worked on “Battle Hymn” and then worked on the visuals for “GreatDay” with Joe up front and Chuck McKeever coaching and remindingus. Joe and Chuck drilledthe moves so the many new guys on the risers could catch up. Chuck is doing his 6 pm reviewsessions on the stage on Tuesdays now with emphasis on these songs for thepatriotic show.

Tony taughtanother barbershop craft session – a repeat of “tall on the inside and small onthe outside” with some new facts and details.

Operations vp Scot Kahler conducted the weekly chapter meeting. First up was secretary Chris Buechlerwho invited Tom Kraus, who was back this week to say hi, to help presenta pile of plaques and awards.

First, Ross Felker got his new member packet. Randy Elliasongot his new member packet and dual member card. Michael Vlcej got hisnew member materials and Joe Wagovich, who brought Michael, willget a Man of Note award later. Shawn Tallant got a new member packet last week, with Brian Ammerman getting his first Man of Note pin.

Chris also presented Mark Klostermeyer his 31 yearmembership renewal card. Then as asurprise, Chris and chapterpresident Steve Murane, presented Mark a plaque as 2010 recipient of theChapter Memorial Award. The men of the chaptergave Mark the traditional standingovation for recipients of the major chapter awards. (Chrisexplained that the 2010 awards are being given now in addition to the 2011awards on Sat nite, Jan 28^th. Markis unable to attend.)

Chris and Steve also gave Joe Ceruttithe traditional framed photo of the chorus appearance as the past internationalcontest. Joe will be coaching in Ohio at their district event and was unableto change that date to be at the awards banquet on the 28^th.

Next up was membership vp Phil Ashford who welcome more guests –two guys who were first timers and three applicants who are back and working ontheir auditions. (YeEd heard one ofthem rehearing in the chapter store room before the meeting.)

Ops vp Scott declared a 15 minute intermission which was used by the guysto meet and greet, sing tags or songs, grab some goodies and buy things.

Scott gathered the troops back onthe risers to continue the meeting.

First he reminded all to bring in olduniforms in the next couple weeks. Special emphasis isbeing placed on recall of the following items: Brocade vests / bowties/ armbands; White / Ivory tux coat; White / ivory tux trousers; Red / black vests; and Gray tearaways. Give them to TomKern. Be sure to include your name on them.

Speakingof uniforms – all those who plan to do Singing Valentines need to see Tom for the black tux outfits and allof the parts to that uniform.

SingingValentine chair Ken Henderson haddisplay materials for all to take, and info sheets for quartets to know what toexpect on that day. He promises adetailed email for other matters for the Feb. 14^th event. Be sure you have taken off for that day soyou can sing, help drive quartets, take messages or deliver materials. President Steve also alerts us that the chapter needs someone to take phoneorders.

You should also sell some SingingValentines – at the office, yourcarpool, your neighbors, your golf buddies who need to make amends for beinggone so much, for your mom or sister or aunt or secretary or waitress or nurseor dental assistant or Starbuck’s worker. Here is what we are offering – all to be delivered some time on Tues.,Feb. 14^th:

Love on the Line -- $30 SingingValentine sent by telephone

The Heartthrob -- $60 Singing Valentinewith a personalized card and a single rose

The Romeo -- $75 Singing Valentine witha personalized card and a dozen roses

The Be-My-Valentine -- $90 SingingValentine with a personalized card, a dozen roses and a box of chocolates.

Valentine hotline is 571-969-1379 or www.alexandriaharmonizerspresent.com

Scott reminded guys aboutputting quartets together for the Southern Division contest in Roanoke May 26and 27. YeEd knows of three new quartets formed for this purpose in thelast week or so – one was a finalist in our put together contest lastmonth. Contact Eric Wallen or your section leader if you wanna sing. See TomKern to be sure you have uniform parts. And be sure to see music vp DanO’Brien or secretary Buechlerabout getting those quartets registered and entered. There are forms and stuff to submit.

Scott also followed up on thetest of the emergency notification system that sends an email to each member ofthe chapter. If you did not get one theother day, you need to be sure you are signed up on Groupanizer. It is a safety net if we have a seriousemergency or cancellation to alert all members about.

Brad Jones gave a brief update onthe China trip and announced the good news that more folks can sign up –friends, family and all the new guys who have joined recently. Up to March 1^st.

Membershipvp Ashford launched his membershipdrive for the year. He announced thatSteve White is our lead in the Operation Harold Hill campaign – we participatein the BHS program. “I SING” buttonswere given to each guy to wear as a method of grabbing attention of others andgiving Harmonizer members a chance to tell their 30-second elevator talk aboutbeing a member of this chapter and the fun and experiences. Shawn Tallant ishelping Steve and Phil and he spoke briefly about the passion and attitude ofOne Heart, One Mind and One Voice. Our goal is to add members to the roster andreunite former singers with the chorus.

Ournext guest nite is Tues. March 6^th.

PresidentSteve shared how he told a friendabout barbershop and after a few years of staying in touch, that man isstarting a chapter in Nevada.

Steve also reported on hismeeting a Chinese delegation in town and how they received his message aboutour trip there.

FinallySteve reminded all about the awardbanquet on Sat nite, Jan. 28^th at Durantstarting at 6 pm. There will be drinksfrom 6 -7 then a potluck with the chapter providing the main dish. Members are to bring dishes to pass that willserve about 10: basses and baris bring sides like veggies, potatoes, mac andcheese, rolls, etc; leads bring salads; tenors and Friends of Harmony bringdesserts. If you have not told Steve you’d like to come, email him and comejoin us to honor our fellow Harmonizers for their work and extra effort.

After this meeting period, director Joe went to work on the contest packagefor Southern Division, and mostly on “Sweet Georgia Brown” to help us own it both musically andemotionally.

In other news, the Barberpole Cat Programis off to a rousing start and after the first couple weeks of meeting beforechapter, a bunch of guys have qualified on singing various parts to thosesongs. Come out to meet with Dan O’Brien and crew to get some songsunder your belt to sing when you are around other barbershoppers. We now have learning tracks for all the songs,courtesy of Tim Waurick.

Weended on time and got the hall cleared so guys could go to the afterglow at theHilton.

Untilnext time – editorjack!

2012-01-19T14:21:00.002-05:00

LookingBack on the January 17^th Chapter Meeting

It was really fun to see the surprisedlook on the faces of the guys when they arrived last nite and saw the risersbacked up to the stage.

Just part of the More Fun’r campaign.

Director Joe Cerutti was at the BHS midwinter convention in Tucson. He is a member of the Society’s board andthey needed to meet in advance of the convention to interview finalists for theBHS executive director position.

Assistant director Will Cox did the vocal warm ups and had us sing one of theValentine songs – as a drill for guys to prepare for their big day on Feb. 14^th.

Assistant director Terry Reynolds announced the plans for the evening and introduced Geri and Royall Geis. She developedthe visual package and creative approach to how we presented our contestpackage in 1995 and won our third gold medal. She also explained how the package came about and how we had broken newground in presentation.

Since the men have done well in learning“I’ll Be Seeing You” and “Sweet Georgia Brown” they were able in incorporateher instruction into their performance. Geri also met with all the new men whohad not worked with Geri before sothey could catch up easier.

After the contest refresher, Will directed “Battle Hymn” which weare “dusting off” to use in a package show that has a patriotic theme. Assistant director Mike Kelly directed “Stars and Stripes” and “Great Day” which willalso be on that show.

Operations vp Scott Kahler conducted the weekly business meeting. PhilAshford introduced our guests for the evening which included about 5applicants and one first-timer who was driving from FL to Canada.

Ken Henderson promoted sales ofSinging Valentines and offered handout materials including business cards and adisplay rack for the cards on counters and desks. EricWallen has offered to help guys form quartets to sing the jobs thatday. And members have been asked to takethe day off from work so we can fill all the jobs.

You should also sell some Singing Valentines – at the office, your carpool, yourneighbors, your golf buddies who need to make amends for being gone so much, foryour mom or sister or aunt or secretary or waitress or nurse or dentalassistant or Starbuck’s worker. Here iswhat we are offering – all to be delivered some time on Tues., Feb. 14^th:

Love on the Line -- $30 SingingValentine sent by telephone

The Heartthrob -- $60 Singing Valentinewith a personalized card and a single rose

The Romeo -- $75 Singing Valentine witha personalized card and a dozen roses

The Be-My-Valentine -- $90 SingingValentine with a personalized card, a dozen roses and a box of chocolates.

Valentine hotline is 571-969-1379 or www.alexandriaharmonizerspresent.com

Chapter IT chairman Scott Kahler alerted the chapter that he would be using theemergency notification message system soon as a test. If you have not signed up, do so.

President Steve Murane asked guys to turn in their skills survey by nextTues, Jan. 24^th.

Steve also extended invites forthe Chapter Awards Banquet beingheld on Sat. nite, Jan. 28^th, at Durant starting at 6 pm. He promised a detailed email on Wed. whichwas sent. Many have already sent him an RSVP that they would attend, but moreare welcome to do so. There will bedrinks from 6 -7 then a potluck with the chapter providing the main dish. Members are to bring dishes to pass that willserve about 10: basses and baris bring sides like veggies, potatoes, mac andcheese, rolls, etc; leads bring salads; tenors and Friends of Harmony bringdesserts.

The chorus took a 15-minute coffee breakand there were quartets singing, business being conducted, and guys turning intheir old uniform parts to Tom Kern. MartinBanks brought an interesting display board of past chorus pictures.

Associate director Tony Colosimo conducted our weekly barbershop craft session. This week we revisited the topic – awesomebreath mean awesome tone. After his instruction, he invited the chorus todemonstrate using those techniques on the contest songs.

Tony and the musical team thenhelped the chorus work on the new “Jersey Boys” medley.

During the evening, our chorus directorswere filmed for their personal review of technique.

Next week, guys can meet on the stage at6 pm to drill moves for the contest package with Chuck McKeever.

Also mark your calendar – we are hostinga candidate nite on Tues March 6 to gain some new members.

Untilnext time – editorjack!

(This messageis prepared for your review if you were there, for your information if you hadto miss, and as a historical record of the great things going on each week atan Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —YeEd.)

2012-01-19T14:19:00.002-05:00

LookingBack on the January 10^th Chapter Meeting and Hospital Sing Report

Happy New Year continues and the singing and funrolls on for 2012.

YeEdwas on travel and so thanks to JeremyRichardson for taking some notes this week.

“Rehearsal began at 7 this week with “Lazybones” byFOUR VOICES playing over the sound system. (This was a suggestion from the previous week’s talk session.) Therecording will be used to invite men to the risers and warm up which will beginwhen the music ends. The section withthe highest percentage of men on the risers at 7 was the bari gang.

New Associate Director Tony Colosimo did the vocal warm ups and then turned the chorusover to Director Joe Cerutti. He worked on “Music of the Night” and quicklyswitched to “Stars and Stripes” which gave the singers little or no chance tostart talking!

Tonyalso conducted another craft session. This week’s topic, as preannounced in Steve White’s thorough weekly invite to chapter, was “tall in theback and small in the front.” Sectionalsfollowed the craft session so the chorus could work on “Sweet Georgia Brown.”

Secretary ChrisBuechler presented membership renewal cards to Jacob George for 2 years; EricWallen for 14 years; JeremyRichardson for 15 years; Drew Fullerfor 22 years; Keith Jones for 34years; Rick Savage for 38 years.

Membership vp PhilAshford introduced the line of guests – a couple first timers, severalapplicants, a former BHS singer who has moved here, and one guest broughtanother guest.

Operations vp ScottKahler conducted the meeting period. Major announcements included a report from shows vp Brian Ammerman who gave an overview of events planned so far in2012. He asked the members to be looking for chorus show gig opportunities.

President SteveMurane reminded board members of their meeting on Wednesday nite at Durant.

The chorus was given a nice long 20-minute break toget coffee and take care of business matters AND to visit with other guys,especially all the new members. Don Thompson was coffee master thisweek.

After break, the chorus worked on “Jersey Boys” and“I’ll Be Seeing You.”

New member ShawnTallant won the 50/50 and got to direct the chorus for KTWWS.

Over the weekend, on Jan. 7, the chorus did itsannual holiday sing at the INOVA Alexandria Hospital. About 20 singers made the show with assistantdirectors Terry Reynolds and Will Cox doing the arm waving. The group sang at nurses stations around thehospital for about one hour. Since Dan O’Brien was the only tenor, he gotto step out and take a bow after doing the tenor “bit” in the “Chipmunk” song.

The guys wore scarves and/or the Santa hats. This event is one of the importantappearances the Harmonizers do in support of the community and is a way toexpress our appreciation for support received.

After the hospital sing, the guys and theirsignificant others were invited to the home of Alan Kousen and Carlos Correafor our annual Heat Glow, a long-time traditional get together. As usual therewas a ton of good food, a nice crowd of the Harmo family, some tag singingbefore the nite ended and the traditional grog to keep warm. Thanks to Alan and Carlos forsharing the holiday decorated home.

(YeEd hearsthat their home will be Valentine Central for our Feb. 14^th SingingValentine program in the Metro area.)

Untilnext time – editorjack!

2012-01-19T14:18:00.001-05:00

LookingBack on the January 3^rd Chapter Meeting

Happy New Year! This week’s meeting was theHarmonizers kick-off for 2012 with somenew opportunities, new adventures, and a new approach. The music team and the boardhave put their heads together to develop a strategy for moving forward. In-comingmusic vp Dan O’Brien promises thatthe strategy involves steady improvement between now and Toronto 2013, andplenty of MOR FUN'R.

A large crowd was on hand for this kick-offmeeting. Dan did a thorough and upbeat presentation about plans for 2012. Hetalked of goals for the year and how we will get there. In short we are gearingup for an 18-month run toward Toronto International, with a solid work plan tomake Tuesday rehearsals compelling and more fun. Key to it all, the MOR part equals “men onthe risers.”

The musical and admin leaders all took a shot atrevealing their plans including membership vp Phil Ashford. We will be using the BHS plan called Operation HaroldHill to build our numbers (Steve Whitewill be heading up this drive), along with “I Sing” buttons for each guy towear in order to attract singers. President Steve Murane spokebriefly about the efforts to get more of us involved as volunteers for the variousjobs off the risers. The kick off sessionconcluded with a chance for input from the guys on the risers. A talent surveywill be coming out via email to all soon from Scipio Garling.

News emerging from this session includedannouncement that Tony Colosimo hasbeen named the fourth associate chorus director in the history of thechapter. Terry Reynolds will become an assistant chorus director with Mike Kelly and Will Cox. Chuck McKeever, on behalf of the visualteam, announced that instead of quad leaders there will be row chiefs includingTroy Hillier, Ian Poulin, NickLeiserson, Bob Blair, Don Thompson, Tom Griffith, Carl Kauffmann and Chuck Powell.

In addition, there will be a much easier to use evalsystem for the year. The music team hasextended invites to three coaches for the next year including Geri Geis who will help us revive thevisual plan for our 1995 gold medal package, which we will use in Roanoke forthe Southern Division contest. Director Joe hopes we will have a large numberof chorus singers in quartets at that contest too.

The chorus rehearsal began with warm ups lead by Will Cox. Then Tony conducted a craft session. Joe helped us review a couple old songs from the rep that will beused more now.

New operations vp Scott Kahler invited the guys to take a 15 minute break to conductbusiness and meet new guys. After thebreak he conducted the chapter meeting.

Shows vp Brian Ammermanannounced details about the Hospital Sing on Jan. 7^th and Heat Glowto follow. GatherSaturday evening at 5 pm at INOVA Alexandria Hospital - 4320 Seminary Rd.Alexandria, VA 22304 in the lobby. (Note:This is a different time than Groupanizer.) Wear caroling attiresince we will be singing Christmas songs. Park in the visitor's lot on yourright as you pull in; if the gate is operating, take your ticket and bring itinto the lobby with you to have it validated.

Immediately after the sing, singers and their guestswill adjourn to the home of Alan Kousenand Carlos Correa for our annual Heat Glow, a long-timetraditional get together. At 412 Cedar Ridge Dr. Ft. Washington, MD 20745-1411(note: this is not far over the Woodrow Wilson Bridge from Alexandria - whencrossing over the bridge stay in the495 local lanes). Alan says there is plenty ofparking. Bring an appetizer or dessertto share please, and your own wine or beer of choice (Alan will make the traditional grog with the time honored recipe hereceived from Jack Pitzer)

Scottalerted all members to an email about signing up for the emergency notificationplan.And he also mentioned the email from TomKern about uniform turn in of old and excess parts. President Steve reminded that board that theirnext meeting is Jan 11^th and all budget requests need to besubmitted to Dave Welter bytomorrow. Secretary Chris Buechlerpresented an 18-year membership renewal card to Chuck Powell.

Membership vp Philintroduced four guests – two applicants and two first timers.

When Joeresumed the singing work, he welcomed ChuckHunter who is in the USA for a short visit.

Joeand the audio team also played a new song we will be doing – a several-song“Jersey Boys” medley arranged by SteveDelehanty. The learning materialswere prepared by Tim Waurick.

Then we had 15-minute sectionals to work on thespring contest songs.

After that we did the wrap- up and a good crowdheaded for the afterglow.

Untilnext time – editorjack!

2011-12-31T10:48:00.003-05:00

LookingBack on the December 26^th and 27^th Events With HarmonizerParticipation

Tuesdaythe 27^th was the 40^th annual Blast hosted by a MDchapter. It was a long-time event hostedby Bowie, now managed by Dundalk guys. They did a good job of promoting it and setting up the hall and managinga put-together-type quartet contest for the evening.

Since ourchapter did not have a meeting that nite, there was a large crowd of our guysup in Glen Burnie – YeEd counted27. Three of our new guys were there andKellen Hertz was there from college.

ManyHarmonizers formed quartets and entered the contest – especially Phil Ashford, Sam McFarland, Tim Buell,Brad Jones. Phil and Tim was in thefirst place quartet and Kellen, Sam,Brad and Phil were thirdplace. Way to go guys.

Severalquartets sang made guest appearances during the evening, including LIMELIGHT thatwas third last fall at district; SteveWhite and the guys from MAD HATTERS who were first in the fall; and CAPRIwho were judges for the contest. Mary Ann Cleaveland’s quartet sang too.

A surpriseguest quartet was a reunion appearance of ARCADE with Mike Kelly filling as their bass. Rick Taylor was the ARCADE baritone.

Rick also was emcee for the contest.

Plenty of hotdogsand chips and cold drinks were available to all.

OnDecember 26^th, the No Borders Youth Chorus sang at CarnegieHall. The 150+ young men’s chorus wasorganized by Joe Cerutti who wasdirector, with major admin support from ScottKahler as chorus manager. Several other folks from our chapter helpedmanage the event such as Greg Tepeas producer, Mike Kelly to do video,and Craig Kujawa, Ian Poulin, Mary AnnCleaveland.

Singersfrom the chapter included Eric Wallen,Andrew Havens, Victor Hills, Ben Nelson, Kellen Hertz, Edris Qarghah, PatrickKim and Kyle Blomgren. Singers were provided learning materials inadvance for five songs the chorus did.

Two guestquartets sang including GOOD TIMES and PRESTIGE, last year’s collegiate champs.

Alan Wile, proudgrandparent of one of the chorus members, reports, “The youth chorus did a great job, complete withsome remarkable solos and quartets ... and CindyHansen's "enhancements" in the form of gymnastic flips.

“The Japanese youth(high school) "orchestra" they appeared with was really a band ... avery large band. When you see 13 French horns, an English horn and an e-flatclarinet, 11-13 clarinets, trumpets, saxophones, four bass violins, a host ofpercussionists and four tubas ... you knew it was going to be something special... and it was.

“Nice afterglow atMcGee's Irish Pub with lots of old friends. Saw several from the Big AppleChorus and other Harmonizer supporters like Chris Buechler and DixieKennett, Joe’s parents, andfamily members of our guys who were in the chorus.

“Sure glad we werethere!!!

Director Joe tells YeEd the whole show in on YouTube. So check it out.

Untilnext time – editorjack!

2011-12-22T16:33:00.001-05:00

LookingBack on the December 20^th Chapter Meeting

The gang gathered at Durant forthe annual (since Joe Jr. joined us) to go into Old Towne and sing inrestaurants to spread the holiday cheer (and of course let them know we existas their local barbershop harmony chorus.

About 40 guys made it and we had agood mix of parts and plenty of tenors to blast their special lines in“Chipmonk” song. As usual, it got a goodlaugh every time. One place a guy got upand helped direct the chorus. Plus thestage presence on “O” in “Jingle Bells” got a laugh too.

Lots of the guys wore Santa hatsand colorful scarves (even tho it was pretty warm outside). Speaking of Santa hats, YeEd creditedthe wrong guy for bringing the Santa hats to the Market Squaret show on Dec. 10^th– it was Bob Blair. Thanks Bob.

Operations vp Mark Klostermeyerwas front man and went downtown to let the firms know we wanted to sing fortheir patrons. He got good responses andso we sang at six spots. At the Jackson20 restaurant we were invited to crash or “flashmob” the hotel staff party andthat was fun.

Before we left Durant, TonyColosimo did the vocal warm ups.

Great to have Victor Hills andJack Stonesifer back from college. A number of family members accompaniedup on the trek thru town. Director JoeCerutti welcomed all the guys and encouraged them to be sure to make it tothe Jan. 3^rd launch for the new singing year.

Everyone was asked to make somecalls to their buddies that have missed some meeting lately to get back intothe habit starting on the 3^rd.

There were announcements: sign up for Singing Valentines and be sureyou have Feb. 14^th off from work so you can participate; AustinCotton had Harmo CDs for those that needed em for gifts; Ian Poulinwas busy selling scip cards to those who needed stocking stuffers; MickStamps was the White House Ornament broker helping those that still havesome make contact with guys who have customers looking for ornaments; next Tuesdayis the Blast MD (see below); and the first show gig in 2012 is on Sat nite,Jan. 7^th at Inova Hospital in Alexandria followed by the annual HeatGlow hosted at Alan Kousen’s home – watch for email details.

Here aredetails about the Blast on Tues. Dec. 27^th – instead of our ownchapter meeting. At 7:30 pm, Michaels 8^th Ave., 7220 Grayburn Dr.,Glen Burnie, Md 21061. $15 at the doorfor all you can drink and eat. (http://blast.dundalk.org). A good nite to go to meet andsing and celebrate with other barbershoppers from our DC Metro and BaltimoreMetro areas. (Also a good way torepresent our chapter!) Form a car pooland lets all go. Last few years a hugecrowd of us took in the fun, chow and cold drinks.

Good luckto Joe and our guys singing in theChorus Without Borders show at Carnegie Hall on Dec. 26^th inNYC. Tickets are going fast, so if youare gonna be up there, check it out.

Untilnext time – editorjack!

2011-12-16T06:46:00.002-05:00

LookingBack on the December 13^th Chapter Meeting

First off, YeEd offers afew notes about the caroling sing on Saturday, Dec. 10^th in Old TownAlexandria. The chorus gathered on asunny but cold busy shopping day around Market Square. We sang all the holiday songs we knew, basedon what the 4 or 5 baris new! But thecrowds loved us – seemed to really react to the “Hallelujah” and “Drummer Boy.” Thanks to the soloists and emcees who did usproud. Jeremy Richardson had his first time as emcee. Glad that weinvited any men in the audience who like to sing to come join us. This is one of the gigs we do as payback toCity Dept. of Rec for their support. Joe and Will weredirectors. A quartet sang “Grinch” and BobRhome brought the box of Santa hats for guys to wear. Greg Tepe was show producer.

When you arrived on Tuesday nite,you wondered where everyone was. Wellthey were in every breakout room and office and store room in the Rec Centerpracticing for the Put Together Contest.

The usual set up work was doneearly and sales operations continued as usual. Ian Poulin had a lively business selling scrip cards to guys whoneed them for gifts for family members or office crew, stocking stuffers, or tobuy holiday groceries and treats.

Will Cox conducted the vocal warm ups and got the guyssinging well. Director Joe Ceruttiwas full of excitement to help the guys discover the contest songs we will singin Roanoke for the 2012 Southern Division contest. We have to compete there in order to qualifyto sing in the district contest in the fall and earn the right to go to theInternational contest in Toronto in 2013.

Joe worked hard on introducing the chorus to vowelsounds, taught new guys how to detect an overtone, revealed some of his musicalgoals for 2012, and helped us to understand the slogan, “I give my best, not myall.”

Music vp Terry Reynoldsused the projector to have the music on the screen so Joe could coachwith it. Scott Kahler had thesound system set up too.

Joe also stressed how singers will benefit from quartetsinging. Why not form a quartet for thedivision, since we are all gonna be down there that weekend.

We ended chorus rehearsal a littleearly in prep for the quartet contest.

Ops vp Mark Klostermeyerconducted the chapter meeting period. Chapter secretary Chris Buechlergave out new names tags to newest guys – TJ Donahue, Randal Eliason, RossFelker and Gerry Fuller.

The chapter’s musical sectionleaders make up a registered quartet with the BHS. This is the 25^th year for ourchapter’s HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES – Rick Savage, Tony Colosimo, Ken Ives andMike Kelly.

Chris presented membership renewals to Lew Klingefor 10 years, Brian Ammerman for 18 years, Troy Hillier for 21years, Bob Sutton for 28 years (great to have Bob visit tonite),and Chuck Harner for 44 years. Ken White was given his card for13 years last week.

Dr. Put, Eric Wallen,offered any last many quartet entries to sign up for tonite’s contest. He is chapter quartet promotion chair.

Terry Reynolds recognized the new guys who sangwith the chorus for their very first time on Sat at Market Square – RossFelker, TJ Donahue, Mike Vlcej. Healso announced the music and performance committee meeting this weekend.

There is a board meeting on Wed.nite this week. China trip deposits aredue this week – note the address is in Canada so use the right amount ofpostage.

Membership vp Phil Ashfordintroduced another applicant with us.

After a coffee break, we held thisWilbur Sparks Memorial Put Together Quartet Contest.

Eric had collected 16 entries forthe nite. Lew Klinge was emceeagain and made his usual “call” to talk to Ev Nau.

Judges for the contest were ErinOdell, Tony Colosimo, Wayne Adams and Joe Sawyer. They sang for us too – THIS OUGHT TO BELEGAL. Great fun to hear Erinkeep up with the guys when she sings tenor! Jack Pitzer was judgeofficial.

The judges recognized the topthree winners in two categories – comedy and regular. Trophies were presented to each guy.

Comedy Quartet winners were:

First – MASTER DIRECTORS – Savage,Wallen, Hillier, Dillingham

Second – OUR BASS IS DREAMY – Cerutti, J George, Hillier, Wallen

Third – GIVING IT OUR ALL, NOT OURBEST – Garling, Cerutti, Reynolds, Evans

Regular Quartet winners were:

First – FAST & SHARP – Garling,Roots, Richardson, C Clark

Second – OCCUPY DURANT – Savage,Kujuwa, Cameron, S White

Third – WINGIN’ IT – O’Brien, Eliason,Ives, Wallen

The chapter also had a trophy forthe guy who sang in the most quartets in the contest. The George Azzam trophy went to EricWallen who sang in five quartets and sang all parts at some point.

After the presentation oftrophies, the chapter materials put away and the hall closed.

Next week, Dec. 20^th,we meet at Durant and then will go down into Old Town to sing carols atrestaurants and bars. Always a fun nite.Wear a warm coat with scarf for this one. Everyone come out and join in the fun. There will likely be a gatheringplace after we have sung around.

K12 also passed out flyers about theBlast on Tues. Dec. 27^th – instead of our own chapter meeting. Agood nite to go to meet and sing and celebrate with other barbershoppers fromour DC Metro and Baltimore Metro areas. (Also a good way to represent our chapter!) Mark your calendar too for the BLAST in GlenBurnie. Usually some top quartets make the stage plus a bunch of put-togethertype quartets. Maybe our chapter winners will go represent us. Form a car pool and lets all go. Last few years a huge crowd of us took in thefun, chow and cold drinks. Ask Steve White or Jack Pitzer about going.

Untilnext time – editorjack!

2011-12-16T06:45:00.001-05:00

LookingBack on the December 6^th Chapter Meeting

It was arainy nite in Alexandria but the guys came out to Durant to celebrate the greatshow we had and to get a start on the new contest package for May 2012.

There wasa lot of chatter about the fun Holiday show and the guys were proud of theirhard work and musical success. Director Joe Cerutti paid tribute to a lot ofthe guys and expressed his appreciation for efforts to deliver a top-ratemusical product to our customers. He was especially complimentary about Act IIIon every show.

A bunch ofguys shared reactions from customers and family members who were at theshow. Show producer Bob Mattes thanked the long list of members and FRIENDS who workedto make it all happen. A round ofapplause erupted from the guys in the chapter to thank Bob Blair for his dedication and extra efforts to haul and move anddeliver!!

YeEd adds these notes to the article hepublished earlier this week about the show: great to have Dick Dangel and his accordion to welcome customers to the shows; Will Cox is amazing with his comedicrendition of “The Night BeforeChristmas”; and did you see how the little kids who came up on the stagereacted to his telling it wrong!. In the spirit of being green, the PotomacHarmony Sweet Adelines chorus took all the wrapped boxes for their show. No need to waste all that wrappingpaper. We also left many of thedecorations on the stage and Bob Blairwill return to the church later to get them back into our storage area. Thepremium seating table idea was a success and Lew Klinge was in charge of those special decorations. Word is the chapter netted about $1500 fromthe silent auction Drew Fuller wasable to pull together on such short notice. YeEd also learned last nite that Joe spoke to a group of Girl Scouts who were meeting in the churchon Saturday morning and told them about barbershop harmony and had a quartet ofRick Savage, Craig Kujawa, Jack Cameronand Steve White to demonstrate. Thisevent was part of class for earning a badge.

Amidst thecelebrations this week in Durant, there was the usual business activity on thesidelines of the hall. White HouseOrnament sales and CDs sold by FRIENDS (especially thanks to Sandy Stamps and Mary Ann Cleaveland). Entertainment books sold by ChuckHarner. (He tells YeEd that nextweek is the last week to settle accounts and turn in unsold books.)

TheFRIENDS group says thanks for buying sodas and such for the last couple years.They have sold out their supply and will take a vacation for selling them nextyear.

Roger Day was there smiling to all customersfor 50/50 tickets.

When thebell rang at 7, the risers filled up and TonyColosimo conducted the warm-ups. When Director Joe wasintroduced he reviewed some Christmas songs from the Society book of holidaysongs so we could use them for the show at Market Square on Saturday, Dec. 10^th. Chorus call is 1 pm. Free validated parkingunder the square, so bring your parking ticket with you to the warm up area tobe stamped. Sweaters and scarves andholiday gear like Santa hats. Greg Tepeis producer of this show.

The bulkof our singing time this week was introduction and start on work in preparationfor our contest appearance at the Southern Division contest in May, 2012, inRoanoke. We have to sing there to earn aposition in the fall district contest where we must score enough points toqualify for the International contest in Toronto in 2013. For division we arebringing back the gold medal package from 1995 with “Sweet Georgia Brown” and“I’ll Be Seeing You.”

When itwas chapter meeting time, ops vp MarkKlostermeyer kept things flowing. Secretary Chris Buechlerpresented three new members their name tags – Calvin Schnure, Mike Vlcej andShawn Tallant. Chris presented ScipioGarling his membership renewal card for 16 years; and presented jeweledpins for 25 years to Vince Cazenasand for 35 years to Steve White.

Membershipvp Phil Ashford introduced a longline of guests including a couple first-timers, and many applicants. YeEdheard before the nite was over that three of them had passed their auditions – Gerry Fuller, bari; Ross Felker, bass; and Randall Eliason, lead. Great to seeguest Carlos Barilla singing with usafter his busy weekend as a hi school music teacher who had show concerts thispast weekend and one next weekend with his student choral groups.

Eric Wallen pushed for guys to sign up for thePut Together quartet contest on Tues, Dec. 13^th on the stage inDurant. He offered to help guys findadditional singers for a quartet, suggested holiday songs would be good, hintedthat parodies are high scoring entries in the contest, and promised to come upwith a crazy name if the quartet does not.

K12 announced that while our president Steve Murane is en route to Germany, hehas sent word of a pending Presidents’ Ball Award Nite on Jan. 28^th. Time and details to follow!

About 9:15the meeting ended and guys were released to get coffee (and help eat the leftover goodies from the show), and to work on their quartets for the contest onthe 13^th.

YeEd got word of another Harmo eventlast week when TBD sang for the Alexandria City Public Schools “outreach forthe arts” event. Also president Steve Murane, community service chair Clyde Crusenberry, Don Dillingham and Alan Wileattended the evening event at TC Williams Hi School. They staffed a Harmonizer info table. We wereone of several arts groups invited to appear and to provide info at thisinaugural event about our work to provide musical experiences for youth andadults in the community.

Untilnext time – editorjack!

2011-12-07T20:24:00.001-05:00

Looking Back on the 2011Holiday Dinner Theater Show, Dec. 2^nd and 3^rd

The three sold-out performances of the Harmonizer’s 2011Holiday Show were each fantastic. Greatmusic. Good food. Enthusiastic audience. Holiday warmth. Lots of laughter.

Shows were Friday, Dec. 2 at 7:30 pm and Saturday, Dec. 2 at12:30 and 6 pm at First Baptist Church on King Street in Alexandria. The chorus wore toy or elf outfits again, andJack-in-the-Box, (Terry Reynolds)was back again. He shared the spotlights with Jingle, the Marketing Elf (Ken White), and Miss Fanny Bright,Jingle’s assistant (Amy Roots).Their lines helped explain the theme “Commercialization of Christmas.”

As usual the show managed to “fit” all of our holiday songsinto the act. YeEd believes the scriptfor the first two sets was developed by ScipioGarling and Josh Roots. Thefinal set featured the chorus performance of several classical men’s choralpieces. There were several standing ovations during the weekend --- “Do YouHear What I Hear,” “Little Drummer Boy,” and “Hallelujah Chorus.” TerryReynolds organized the non-singing “monks” who did a flip-chart routinewhile the chorus sang “Hallelujah” and brought the house down. The “monks” were applicants, FRIENDS and somechorus members.

The helicopter pilot managed to land his craft right at thefeet of Director Joe!

The traditional audience sing of “The Twelve Days ofChristmas” also was a fun time for the audience and our singing waiters. Someof our guys prepared suggested “responses” and had a list on the table, whichadded to the laughs. As usual, the chorus members served the lasagna meal andkeep the customers glasses filled and delivered a platter of holiday cookiesand treats. The serving went the best-ever. Fun to see “the ground crew” withgreen and red signal lites keep things flowing (Craig Kujawa). Phil Ashfordcoordinated the waiter sign ups. Thanks to the kitchen crew of Keith Jones, Gary Plaag and Bob Echman and the staff at thechurch.

Beside the chorus songs, our new group, TBD, sang twice andwon the audience. Some quartets composedof members from the chorus also sang to help carry the theme of the show. Joe Cerutti and Scott Kahler produced a number of pre-recorded advertising messagesand various members acted out the ads. These were all really crowd pleasers including Tenor in a Can, The UsedReindeer Lot, Sleigh Grease, Elf Retirement Home.

Some surprises for the weekend: (1) the number of kids in the audiences, (2)the success of the silent auction at each show, (3) how we turned the hall ofthe church into Santa’s workshop, (4) the amount of cookies people ate [thanks tothe guys for bringing home-made cookies].

Santa and Mrs. Claus (Bruceand Ginny Minnick) were for surea hit with the crowds.

The chapter used the show to help promote Singing Valentinestoo and collected emails in exchange for adding customer names to a drawing fora free Valentine.

Ian Poulin headedup the ticket sales. Bob Mattes was producer. YeEdsuspects he will provide a comprehensive list of thank-yous later. The techcrew ran the show smoothly. It was goodto see Max Kieba and Dennis Ritchey back to help Scott Kahler and Mike Kelly. Dixie Kennett was in charge oflighting. Bert Phillips was back in town and came to the show Friday nite wasput to work serving too! Actually, all weekend there were a lot of formerlyactive Harmonizers in the audience. Great to see them all!!

There was a good bit of work to haul in and set up for theshow. The tech rehearsal was on Wednesday nite. Earlier that day a crew helpedteam leader, Bob Blair, set uprisers and hauled a couple truck loads of holiday decorations to the church. Thena dress-rehearsal was Thursday nite with time to run thru the whole show,speaking parts and stage times. Friday more materials were hauled in like foodand paper supplies for table setting. Roger Day headed up a crew of about 15guys, and several FRIENDS including FRIENDS president, Sandy Stamps,who worked most of Friday to set the tables, decorate the stage, place all thecolorful boxes guys had wrapped and brought to the church.

The FRIENDS group offered holiday merchandise for sale tothe audience when they arrived. Drew Fuller headed up the silentauction.

Director Joe wasreally pleased with the performances all weekend including the varioussoloists, actors, assistant directors, quartets and tech crew.

Also fun to see and meet so many family members and parentsand co-workers of the chorus singers in the audience during the weekend.

Until next time – editorjack!

(This message is prepared foryour review if you were there, for your information if you had to miss, and asa historical record of the great things going on with the Alexandria HarmonizerChapter. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on the November 29th Chapter Meeting

2011-12-02T07:06:00.002-05:00

This was third busy Tuesday nite meeting in a row with concentration on preparations for the holiday shows Dec. 2 and 3 at First Baptist in Alexandria.

And again, lots of guys arrived early to get in line to buy and pick up tickets from our ticket chairman, Ian Poulin. Any readers of this column who don’t have tickets should go online and see if they can still get seats for Friday nite. The two Sat shows are sold out.

Roger Day was set up to sell raffle tickets and to remind the guys to wrap two boxes for the show. He even brought in a half dozen empty boxes for guys who didn’t have them yet. Chuck Harner was set up to sell new Entertainment coupon books. We make good money on each one we sell, so help out. Take them on consignment.

Vocal warm ups were conducted by Will Cox. Then he introduced director Joe Cerutti. Joe thanked guys for all the behind-the-scenes work on the show and music. He was pleased with the huge leap on “Drummer Boy” and “Hallelujah Chorus” which we have added to our show this year.

Before the meeting started, music vp Terry Reynolds met with a group of volunteers (many of them family members, recent guests and applicants) to work on the special card flipping routine for the show. These folks will appear as Monks in the show. They did a fantastic job for their first try at it with the chorus, and got into the fun of the act. Scott Kahler gets credit for inventing the gizmo for Nick Leiserson and Terry Reynolds to use with their foot to flip up an extra card. You gotta see it to understand!

Speaking of behind the scenes: there was continual work on gathering the many little props for this show (visual cues as introduced by Jack In The Box). Steve Lingo is coordinating that job.
Lew Klinge has received the huge pile of boxes of paper plates and napkins and such and will haul them over to the church. Another crew has ordered food and contracted with the cooks at the church for food preparation. There are tech folks at work for sound and lights. And the helicopter pilot has gotten in some extra flight time to be ready for the show.

The evening’s rehearsal included walk and talk thru of script with the actors and quartets and TBD doing their parts. Many guys remarked this was one of the smoothest last rehearsals before a holiday show ever.

Ops vp Mark Klostermeyer conducted the chapter meeting period, as usual. Sandy Stamps, FRIENDS president, reminded everyone to grab some of the White House Ornaments the chapter is selling. Get them on consignment, as well. Make some sales. We need the profit and sales are low this year, so far.

Looking ahead, the FRIENDS group will only be selling bottled water beginning in January. Thanks to all of them who worked on the sodas sale for the last year or two.

Membership vp Phil Ashford welcomed back Jacob George who made a trip to India. Also good to see Dean Rust and Martin Banks in the hall. Phil introduced a crew of guests again. Great to have them come sing – most have applied for membership.

After break, Mark reminded everyone about several show matters: sell tickets to fill out Fri nite; bring in two big boxes wrapped in shiny paper; bring 4 dozen holiday cookies; respond to Drew Fuller’s request for items for the silent auction at the shows; and offer to bring in show props that are still needed – see Steve Lingo. Phil Ashford is coordinator of the crew of waiters and needs everyone to sign up if you really wanna serve a particular table (or he will assign us to tables). Show producer Bob Mattes spoke briefly and alerted all to watch for his detailed email about times and schedules. A crew of helpers was recruited for Wed morning at 8:15 to meet Bob Blair at the church to unload risers and then go get a couple truck loads of decorations and such from our storage unit.

The annual Put Together Quartet contest is Dec. 13th – a chapter contest for fun. There will be judges and an emcee and photographer and all – just like a Society contest. You would not expect the Harmonizers to do it any other way. Key is to form a quartet now. Work up some nutty parodies or get some fun costumes or at least an outlandish quartet name. Eric Wallen is Dr. Put and thus he is ready to help guys put-together a quartet if they wish. There are even trophies for the winners! There are two Tuesdays left to snag a good lead or one of the tenors!

Music vp Terry Reynolds reported that music for “Sweet Georgia Brown” is now on the website. We will start working on it the week after the show in preparation for our return to the contest at Southern Division in Roanoke, VA, the weekend of May 25 and 26, 2012. Plan ahead to take Fri afternoon off so you can get down there in time for an early morning rehearsal and prep for the chorus contest on Saturday.

President Steve Murane invited everyone to submit nominations for the 2011 chapter awards that will be given to members at an event the last weekend in January (probably). Stay tuned for details. This will be our chance to resume the Presidents Ball that was not held last year.
After the announcements, it was back to hard work on the songs for the holiday show.

Mark your calendar too for the Tues nite BASH in Glen Burnie, Dec. 27th. It’s an annual bash to celebrate the hobby with guys from all the chapters around the DC region. Usually some top quartets make the stage plus a bunch of put-together type quartets. Maybe our chapter winners will go represent us. There’s no Harmo meeting that nite, so form a car pool and lets all go. Last few years a huge crowd of us took in the fun, chow and cold drinks. Ask Steve White or Jack Pitzer about going.

A good crowd of us went to the afterglow at the Hilton across from King Street Metro station and we laughed and laughed about some of the corny gags in the show.

For chapter history, the memorial service for Alan Durick on Sat. Nov. 26th in Charlottesville was attended by 18 Harmonizers who worked with Alan in our chapter, sang with him in quartets and knew him as a friend. 4 MAN VOCAL BAND with Randy Lazear, Bob Bates, Larry Walker and Dave Cureton, sang. ALEXANDRIA’S RAGTIME BAND sang with Barry Galloway doing the bari, with Mike Wallen, John Adams and Craig Odell. In addition the Harrisonburg Harmonizers sang as did their quartet BLARNEY BROTHERS with Mike Calhoun, Gary Bibens and Dewey Feuerhelm. To close the celebration, all the barbershop singers sang “A Place on the Risers for You.” Alan his wife Lois were married 62 years. He was 82 and joined our chapter in 1974.

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 of the great things going on each week at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on the November 22nd Chapter Meeting

2011-11-27T14:05:00.002-05:00

This was another busy Tuesday nite meeting with concentration on preparations for the holiday shows Dec. 2 and 3 at First Baptist in Alexandria.

And again, lots of guys arrived early to get in line to buy and pick up tickets from our ticket chairman, Ian Poulin.

Have you seen the new system he (the chapter) has for paying for things now? You can use a credit card and he can swipe it right there and you get a receipt via email. Makes life a lot easier that remembering a check book or bringing enough cash to buy a lot of tickets or scrip. (I did learn you can only charge scrip if the chapter’s percentage of return is adequate. Ask about it.

This is the time of year to buy cards for Honey Baked Ham stores, holiday shopping at Giant, and such.)

Before the meeting started, music vp Terry Reynolds met with a group of volunteers (many of them family members, recent guests and applicants) to work on the special card flipping routine for the show.

Great to see Dave Reyno in the house. He came from his home out in Maryland to get 100 more White House Ornaments. He has already sold 350. (Sales ideas from YeEd – get a couple yourself and have them out where relatives or co-workers or friends can see them. Let one of them just happen to be on top of your bag at choir rehearsal. Give one as a door prize at the office holiday party.)

When the 7 pm bell clanged, Tony Colosimo took the reins and conducted the vocal warm ups.

When director Joe Cerutti took over, he worked on the songs for the last set of the show.
Also we had some of the beginning sneak previews of the script and funny gags – including those the chorus is a part of. Sure hope the helicopter pilot can control his flight!!!

The chapter meeting period was conducted by operations vp Mark Klostermeyer. Membership vp Phil Ashford introduced two new members – Shawn Tallant and Mike Vlcej. Then he welcomed the line of guests – a big crew again with some first timers, a bunch of applicants (YeEd heard that a couple of them passed their auditions after chapter too), and three guests from the Germantown, MD, Chapter.

This week the cupboard was overflowing with goodies from the recent DELA barbershop weekend party hosted by the Harmonizer members of that group. The fudge was a hit!

After break, Mark reminded everyone about several show matters: sell tickets to fill out Fri nite as Sat shows are basically sold; bring in two big boxes wrapped in shiny paper; bring 4 dozen holiday cookies; respond to Drew Fuller’s request for items for the silent auction at the shows; and offer to bring in show props that are still needed – see Steve Lingo. Phil Ashford is coordinator of the crew of waiters and needs everyone to sign up if you really wanna serve a particular table (or he will assign us to tables).

Ken Henderson is chairing the Singing Valentine project for 2012. BIG CHANGE – we are only offering the service on Feb. 14th. He suggests guys put in for vacation or leave now. Also word is that we will market Singing Valentines by telephone or U-tube. Stay tuned.

The annual Put Together Quartet contest is Dec. 13th – a chapter contest for fun. There will be judges and an emcee and photographer and all – just like a Society contest. You would not expect the Harmonizers to do it any other way. Key is to form a quartet now. Work up some nutty parodies or get some fun costumes or at least an outlandish quartet name. Eric Wallen is Dr. Put and thus he is ready to help guys put-together a quartet if they wish. There are even trophies for the winners! There are two Tuesdays left to snag a good lead or one of the tenors!

After the announcements, it was back to hard work on the songs for the holiday show.

Mark your calendar too for the Tues nite BASH in Glen Burnie, Dec. 27th. It’s an annual bash to celebrate the hobby with guys from all the chapters around the DC region. Usually some top quartets make the stage plus a bunch of put-together type quartets. Maybe our chapter winners will go represent us. There’s no Harmo meeting that nite, so form a car pool and lets all go. Last few years a huge crowd of us took in the fun, chow and cold drinks. Ask Steve White or Jack Pitzer about going.

Jack told guys about the Messiah Sing-along at the Clarendon Methodist Church, Sun, eve at 7:30 pm. Bring your own score and join in the church-full-choir. There is an orchestra and soloists to do the traditional Christmas Messiah. What a treat.

Alan Wile reminded all of the Tuba Christmas event at the Kennedy Center on Dec 7 at 6 pm -- hundreds of tubas and euphoniums playing holiday music.

A good crowd of us went to the afterglow at the Hilton across from King Street Metro station.

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 of the great things going on each week at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on the November 15th Chapter Meeting

2011-11-18T08:52:00.001-05:00

Looking Back on the November 15th Chapter Meeting

This was a busy Tuesday nite meeting with concentration on preparations for the holiday shows Dec. 2 and 3 at First Baptist in Alexandria.

Lots of guys arrived early to get in line to buy and pick up tickets from our ticket chairman, Ian Poulin.

When the 7 pm bell rang, the chorus went right to work on the risers. Will Cox conducted the vocal warm ups. Director Joe Cerutti jumped right in to work on the newer holiday songs. The assistant chorus directors also conducted the rehearsals for the songs they will do in the show.

Scott Kahler filled in for ops vp Mark Klostermeyer and conducted the start of the business meeting period. He did a promotion about the sale of our new CDs and encouraged guys to get some for gifts or to sell. They can be picked up from the FRIENDS table along with the White House Christmas ornaments the chapter is also selling. Lots of guys need to get on that task soon.

Chapter secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Josh Roots for 5 years, Ken Henderson for 8 years and Len Dornberger for 27 years.

Membership vp Phil Ashford introduced the 8 guests present—six are applicants and the other two were first timers.

After the break for coffee and goodies and business matters like tickets and sales items (and audition or vocal placements for guests), it was back on the risers for the second half of our chapter meeting which K12 was back for.

Alan Wile gave his annual plug for the Tuba Christmas event at the Kennedy Center, Wed. Dec. 7th at 6 pm.

Tony Colosimo thanked all the guys who bought tickets for the Dundalk show which supported the CAPITAL FORCE. He also expressed thanks to the guys who sing in the CF.

Holiday show producer Bob Mattes reviewed a few points (that were not in his lengthy assignment sheet). Ian reported that the Sat. afternoon and evening shows are all but sold out, so switch sales to Fri. nite. (The web site will alert customers to consider Fri.)

Drew Fuller volunteered to head up a silent auction for the shows. So – that means we all need to be hunting for some items to donate, or making contact with suppliers or firms we deal with for donated items or services. In the past several members have donated services like voice lessons, piano tuning, meal preparation, picture framing, web design.

Roger Day showed us samples of wrapped boxes to bring for the show – two per member. He also needs a working crew on Friday morning, Dec. 2 between 10 and 11 am at the church.

Jack Pitzer reminded all to bring four dozen holiday cookies to use for the dessert platters.

Then it was back to work on the Christmas music. Joe used every trick in the book to get the guys fired up about learning the songs, new words/ parody for “Jingle Bells” and stage moves for a couple songs.

Earlier in the evening, Joe recognized Clyde Crusenberry who was back after a heart attack last week! He welcomed Brad Jones back. Good to see Lew Klinge back on the risers after his knee operation. Great to have John Hohl and Gary Plaag in the hall too.

Word is that the memorial service for Alan Durick will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26th, at Unity Church, 2825 Hydraulic Circle, Charlottesville, VA 29901. The “chorus” of barbershop singers present will sing “There Will Always Be a Place On The Risers for You” with members of ALEXANDRIA’S RAGTIME BAND, 4-MAN VOCAL BAND, and the Harrisonburg Chapter. Hope we’ll have a good Harmonizer presence, as well.

Reporters indicate about 25 men attended the Veteran’s Day singout at Oakton Elementary School. Their students were involved and the crowd of parents and military folks appreciated the Harmonizer presence. Greg Tepe was producer. Many of our men went out to lunch afterward and those who were retired military took advantage of the free-lunch offer at Chili’s restaurants for veterans.

Saturday nite, Nov. 12th, was the Dundalk, MD, Chapter show featuring our guys in MAD HATTERS (Steve White and Rick Taylor), and Tony Colosimo and our guys in CAPITAL FORCE. Headliner quartet was STORM FRONT who won gold at the International contest in 2010. They were a riot on stage. Rick Taylor is director of the chorus and some of our guys sang on this show – Chris Yates and Bob Hirsh. The chorus had sold a lot of tickets and the crowd was a typical cheering bunch of folks who love good singing. About a dozen Harmonizers and family members were in the seats – many had purchased their tickets in support of CF.

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 of the great things going on each week at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on the November 8th Chapter Meeting

2011-11-11T09:49:00.002-05:00

Looking Back on the November 8th Chapter Meeting

Our chapter meeting had to be held in Jeff Houston school adjacent to Durant because our meeting place was being used as a voting place this week. So the setup crew had to haul things in from our truck. And many of our regular meeting-room items were not available – no guest sign in station, no coffee pot.

But folks managed to scare up some goodies to share thanks to Kevin Kaiser for the brownies and Ellen Dellert for the donuts. The Friends group had a meeting too and they were also busy helping the chapter sell White House Ornaments, the new CDs and drinks for the guys at break.

Ian Poulin was really busy with ticket sales for the show. He reported later in the meeting that we are gaining on the unsold seats but we can’t let up.

Will Cox did the vocal warm ups. Then director Joe Cerutti took over. He shared his experiences from visiting the Dallas Vocal Majority last week while in TX for the BHS board meeting.

Musically Joe had us work on a couple of the songs we will be singing on our show for Veterans Day at Oakton Elementary. Please email producer Greg Tepe if you can sing -- gtindc13@yahoo.com. Military uniforms or suit and tie are the dress code. Call time is 8:30 am. There is a need to help Bob Blair with riser set up early.

The rest of the singing time was used to prep for the holiday show. Chuck McKeever and crew introduced some simple stage presence moves for a couple of the songs. We also drilled the new words for the parity of “Jingle Bells” for the first part of the show.

The chapter meeting period was conducted by ops vp, Mark Klostermeyer.

Tony Colosimo had tickets for the Dundalk chapter show this Sat, Nov.12th. MAD HATTERS with Steve White and Rick Taylor are on the show, plus CAPITAL FORCE. CF is selling these tickets and will earn money for each ticket sold.

Scott Kahler asks all members to sign onto the new Groupanizer and indicate your singing part. Thanks to Scott who has done all the heavy lifting to get Groupanizer up and running. A number of folks have contributed quite a bit, but Scott has put in a monumental level of effort over the past bunch of months and without all his work and direction, many of us would not have been able to do much.

Membership vp Phil Ashford introduced our seven guests – lots of applicants and guys preparing to audition. Phil needs current members to offer to help these applicants with audition songs. Contact Phil to help.

After the break, shows vp Ken White gave details for the Nov. 11 singout.

He reminded us that we will sing holiday music at Market Square in Old Town Alexandria on Sat. Dec. 10th at 2 pm.

Dec. 2 and 3 holiday show producer, Bob Mattes, recapped some details – mostly he encouraged each of us to read the emails he sent out about props needed and another one about how the show weekend will unfold. Don’t forget to bring 4 dozen holiday cookies and two big wrapped boxes. Bob needs a coordinator for a silent auction at the shows.

Eric Wallen invited all singers, even those who are not active chorus members, to prepare a quartet for the annual Put Together Quartet contest, Tues. Dec. 13th. If you wanna be in a quartet, don’t know how it works, wanna song to use – contact Eric. That is why it is called a Put Together – either the guys put something together or Dr. Put does it for you. That includes a quartet name. Let’s have some fun new comedy numbers!!

That would be a good nite to bring a friend to chapter too.

Music vp Terry Reynolds is still looking for nonsingers to help with a comedy bit for the show – guests, adult family members. Contact Terry asap to offer your help.

Chapter president Steve Murane reminded board members of their meeting next Wed at Durant. AND the annual retreat meeting for the outgoing and incoming chapter boards from 8-3 on Sat Nov. 19.

Then it was back to work on the holiday music and review of some songs we have done in a while. Joe asked Tony Colosimo to direct the treble voices and Mike Kelly to direct the bass voices for “Drummer Boy” and it seemed to help the singers do their best on this new song.

And then it was 10 pm and time for the take down work to haul everything back out to the truck and prepare to depart.

Ticket chair Ian Poulin took us out as director of our closing song.

YeEd offers these notes from reporters who attended the DC Chapter show last weekend. “The show had a clever theme, melding poetry and music. Not only the Singing Capital Chorus (directed by Bill Colosimo and associate director Sheryl Berlin); but their ensemble Capital Assets (originally directed by John Hohl); chapter quartets (SURPRISE! with Bruce Minnick and Bob Hirsh, former Harmonizer John Grant, and J C O’Codonovan, and ROLL O’ THE DICE with Bill Colosimo), a contemporary folk ensemble (Shenandoah Run), and MAD HATTERS (the featured quartet with Rick Taylor and Steve White, former Harmonizer Scott Disney, and Rob Seay). Other Harmonizers on the risers included Don Dillingham and Bob Wells. Other Harmonizers reportedly seen in the audience included Brian Ammerman, Tony Colosimo, Alan Wile, John Hohl and Terry Reynolds.”

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 of the great things going on each week at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on the November 1st Chapter Meeting

2011-11-04T05:46:00.002-04:00

This was an important rehearsal in preparation for the holiday shows on Dec. 2 and 3 at First Baptist Church. Have you gotten a ticket for your significant other and family and neighbors and co-workers who hear you talking about singing all the time? Don’t delay.

As usual, the sales tables were busy this week with Ian Poulin selling show tickets and scrip cards. Roger Day had the 50/50 sales. FRIENDS group was selling the new CDs and White House Ornaments. Chuck Harner had the entertainment books.

When the chorus took the risers at 7 pm, assistant director, Tony Colosimo, conducted the vocal warm up sessions.

Director Joe Cerutti and his music team worked on the “Hallelujah Chorus” and “Little Drummer Boy” a lot during the first half of the evening. We also separated into two rooms to work on the treble voice parts and bass cleft voice parts for the new arrangement of “Drummer Boy.”

When it was time for the chapter meeting portion of the evening, ops vp, Mark Klostermeyer, kept things flowing – with so many announcements about the show.

Chapter secretary, Chris Buechler, presented two-year renewal cards to Clark Chesser, Chris Clark and Dave Kohls.

Membership vp, Phil Ashford, introduced our guests – all four are applicants.

Craig and Linda Odell gave a tribute for Alan Durick, who died recently. They went to see Alan and his wife Lois, just before he died. Alan sent a message to the “guys in the Harmonizer family – he loved the chorus and all the guys. He spoke over and over about how much the chapter meant to him.” A service will be Saturday, Nov. 26th at 2 pm at Unity Church, 2825 Hydraulic Circle, Charlottesville, VA 22901. (There will be some additional planning about a possible chorus to sing that day.)

Alan was a Harmonizer since 1974 and earned a gold medal in the Society’s seniors quartet contest in 1995 in REMINISCE with John Adams, Scott Werner and the late Dick Whitehouse. Alan sang in 1985 M-AD champ quartet, ALEXANDRIA’S RAGTIME BAND, with Mike Wallen, Craig Odell and John Adams.

Holiday show producer, Bob Mattes, reminded all to sell tickets, talk to Ian Poulin if you have questions about tickets, get your uniform ready, call Bob if you need Holiday music to practice at home (hint!). [Bob is also chapter music librarian.] Jack Pitzer reminded each chorus member to bring 4-dozen colorful holiday cookies for the dessert trays of the dinner theater. Bring the cookies to Jack on Friday when you come to the show (or you can bring them when you come to the dress rehearsal on Thrusday or if you come to help Roger Day to decorate the hall on Friday at 11 am). Also each guy should wrap two large boxes with shiny colorful holiday paper and bring on Thursday.

Bob Blair is seeking a crew to help haul all of our supplies to the church on Wednesday. Contact him if you can help – he needs a large crew.

NOTE: the November 8th chapter meeting will be next door at Jeff Houston school since the hall at Durant will be used as an election location.

Tony Colosimo offered tickets for the Dundalk, MD, holiday show on Sat., Nov. 12th which will feature recent gold medalists, STORM FRONT; district champs, MAD HATTERS, with Steve White and Rick Taylor; and CAPITAL FORCE, the youth chorus managed by Tony and our chapter. CF earns a cut on each ticket they sell – thanks to the Dundalk Chapter! If you didn’t get your tickets for that show, see Tony next week.

Secretary Buechler spoke on behalf of president, Steve Murane, announcing that one of our members, Darryl Flinn, is undergoing a bypass operation. Keep him in your thoughts. Darryl was Society executive director and served a term as Society president and was a coach of our chorus.

Also Chris announced that the chapter board has determined to increase chapter dues for 2012 by $20. That increase will start appearing in invoices received from Society headquarters. Members over 70 or under 26 will only be increased by $10. This action by the board is prompted by a huge deficit after some low ticket sales in recent major shows.

Chris also expressed condolences for Brad and Adele Jones in the recent death of their son Brandon. And Joe alerted the chapter of the recent passing of Jim Miller, former director of the Louisville, KY, chorus, and Society icon.

Director Joe (and also director of the Carnegie Hall Youth Chorus concert) reports that the youth chorus for the Dec. 26th show up in NYC has been capped at 153 singers, ages 13-30, from 30 states, representing 64 barbershop chapters and 14 youth choruses. Youth singers will pay $50 each to sing. But we can all help support this project with cash donations to raise the operational costs. Individuals can lead the way from within our Alexandria chapter and make donations.

Back to singing … we worked on songs for the Veteran’s Day sing on Nov. 11 at Oakton Elementary School. Chorus call is 8:30 am. All military guys are welcome to wear their uniform. Rest of us will wear suit and tie. Let Greg Tepe know you will be attending.

And we worked more on the music for the holiday show, including some fun new parody words for “Jingle Bells” which will help carry out the theme of the show.

YeEd offers congrats to Mick Stamps and his team for the great packaging of the new “Choir of the World” CD. Be sure to get one for yourself and your relatives.

YeEd also offers congrats to Scott Kahler who was recently honored by the Woodbridge Dance Company for “Behind The Scenes” support and contributions. He is their tech guy.

Finally, YeEd wants to thank Don Thompson and Ken Henderson for helping with coffee and refreshments for the previous two chapter meetings.

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 of the great things going on each week at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on the October 25th Chapter Meeting

2011-10-28T17:25:00.002-04:00

Looking Back on the October 25th Chapter Meeting

(YeEd was still in Indiana this week, so thanks to Alan Wile and a new reporter who teamed up to help, Nick Leiserson.)

Members began arriving shortly after 6:00 p.m. While a crew of Carl Kauffmann, Jacob George, Chuck McKeever, Mark Klostermeyer (K_12), Steve Lingo, Joel Golden, and others put up the risers, those performing other jobs and plying their wares at the edges included Ian Poulin (show tickets and scrip gift cards), Roger Day (50-50), Chuck Harner (Entertainment Books), Sandy Stamps & Mary Anne Cleaveland (Choir of the World CDs, White House Ornaments, and beverages), Bruce Lauther (Carnegie Hall show DVDs & engraved medals), Steve White (later relieved by Phil Ashford – Membership), Chris Buechler (chapter secretary functions), Terry Reynolds (laptop/projector), Dixie Kennett (attendance), Alan Wile (Harmonizer Hero and Heroine notebooks), Mike Kelly (sound).

As the clock moved close to 7 p.m. VP-Ops K-12 called the Harmonizers to the risers and Assistant Director Will Cox warmed us up before turning us over to Director Joe Cerutti. Joe had us sing the “Hallelujah Chorus” one time through while in our normal performance positions and then moved us into sections … and continued working the same song. He first selected an octet to perform the first few bars for the chorus and then asked them to select replacements. This was repeated four more times, with each group singing a bit more of the song each time. Finally, he asked for a volunteer quartet and when no lead members answered the call, one of our guests, John Carston, came forward [BRAVO!!!]. Not quite done, Joe drilled the chorus some more on the first part of the song.

Moving on, Joe worked the chorus on “The Little Drummer Boy,” concentrating on Chorus III to the end of the song. Joe was impressed with the progress the chorus made while he was at the Sweet Adelines convention.

Then, in preparation for the Veterans Day program in which we will be participating (on Friday, November 11th), we sang the “Armed Forces Medley” and “God Bless The USA.” Librarian Bob Mattes had copies of the music for new guys that might not have seen it before; Terry
announced that it should also be available on one of the websites early this week.

Joe then turned the program over to K-12 who announced that only one member, Craig Kujawa, was celebrating his birthday this week – October 28th. K-12 urged the members to purchase scrip, show tickets, Entertainment Books, CDs, WHOs, etc. during the break and noted that a second order for Carnegie Hall show DVDs would be going in this week for those who missed out the first time or who need additional copies. Chapter Secretary Chris Buechler announced one renewal for the week: Marketing VP Steve Lingo just finished his fourth year of membership.

Ian Poulin explained the hows and whys of our scrip/gift card program (which benefits the chapter) and promised to send out a list of all the participating stores by e-mail. He also stated he would accept credit cards to pay for cards for which the chapter gets a 4% (or more) return.

Membership vp Phil Ashford called our seven guests to come down front. There were a couple first-timers, one who came as a guest of another guest, Carlos Barillo, who has been with us the last few weeks. Phil introduced them all in suitable style and noted that three of them were applicants! WOW! When introductions were complete, Will directed the “Harmonizer Welcome Song” … and then we headed off the risers for a 10-minute break.

Back on the risers, holiday show producer Bob Mattes updated us on the progress and urged us to sell-sell-sell to ensure each performance will be sold out. Ian announced that all the premium seats are sold out for the Saturday evening performance. [Good job, guys!]

Music & Performance VP Terry Reynolds introduced the show script gurus, Scipio Garling and Josh Roots. Scipio gave us a preliminary look at what to expect: three acts, with the third being the time when we’ll sing our more traditional and serious seasonal songs. The first two acts will erupt as a play in which our lovable “Jack” (in the box) [played by Terry] will be confronted by adversary “Jingle” (the marketing elf from the Federal Department of Seasons and Holidays) [played by Ken White].

Terry mentioned that there will be a couple of parody songs to learn for the show: namely, altered lyrics to “Jingle Bells” as well as “Carol Of The *Sales*.”

He also reminded the chorus that we will be performing our patriotic songs on 11/11/11, for which the uniform will be military uniform or coat & tie. Chorus call is at 8:30 am, the performance starts at 9:30, and Harmonizers should expect to be finished by 10:30. Bob Blair announced that he was looking for volunteers for a riser crew at 8 am that morning.

Finally, Terry reminded the Music Committee of their upcoming meeting this Sunday at 1 pm at the Harmo House.

President Steve Murane informed the chapter about the passing of Brad and Adele Jones’ son, Brandon. Service details have been distributed by e-mail and were in The Washington Post this morning: visitation on Sunday, Oct. 30th; service on Monday, Oct. 31st.

Steve also announced he will be handling all China trip related business while Brad is away.

Standing back up on the risers, Joe rehearsed “Jingle Bells,” “Let All Mortal Flesh,” “O Holy Night,” “Sing We Now Of Christmas,” and “We Wish You A Merry Christmas.” Just when we thought we were done, Joe reprised “The Little Drummer Boy” in an attempt to cement what we’d done (learned … mastered) earlier.

Lastly, he noted that about 130 young singers have signed up to perform at the Carnegie Hall benefit concert on December 26th and urged any youngish singers (age 30 or younger) interested in joining the group to contact him in the next day or two.

Terry reminded that we’re to be off the music from measure 55 to the end of “Little Drummer Boy” by next week and announced that except for that song, none of the holiday music will be projected (i.e., look it over and master it this week!).

Tom Griffith highlighted the run/walk for Multiple Myeloma (for John Pence) on November 13th – the $25 registration fee gets you a tee shirt and the privilege of running/walking for a much needed cause.

K-12 read off the first 50-50 number … for cash … quickly claimed by Jack Cameron. The second 50-50 number (yes, we had a dual drawing this week) … for a discount certificate for framing (donated by K12 and suitable for framing)… was won by Alan Wile.

Taking us out, Jacob George did a masterful job directing “Keep The Whole World Singing.” Magically, all the risers, chairs, tables, sound equipment, Harmonizers, etc. disappeared by 10:30 p.m. as TDB rehearsed on the stage.

YeEd adds this news sent to us from Michael Calhoun and other Staunton, VA, area barbershoppers reporting on the health situation of Alan Durick: Alan was leaving the King's Daughters nursing home in Staunton, Oct. 25 to be at their home. A hospice worker will continue to visit Alan and Lois.

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 of the great things going on each week at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on the October 18th Chapter Meeting

2011-10-27T15:44:00.002-04:00

Looking Back on the October 18th Chapter Meeting

(Thanks to Alan Wile for writing the column this week while YeEd is in Indiana.)

Bruce Lauther was the first through the door and set up to give up medals he’s had engraved and DVDs from our Carnegie Hall performance. Come on, guys – pick‘em up! Dick Hall busily worked to repair the wooden music stand used to hold the operations notebook. Steve White and Chuck Harner set up tables around the room, after which Chuck set up to sell/distribute four different Entertainment Books. Sandy and Mick Stamps set up with our new CDs (from the Choir of the World show), books by Joel Golden’s brother (Eaten By A Snake), and cold beverages.

Risers were assembled by Bob Blair, Carl Kauffmann, Bob Rhome, Chris Huber, Clyde Crusenberry, and others. The books containing all the Harmonizer Hero and Heroine forms submitted to date were set out for review. Roger Day hawked 50-50 “opportunities.” Ian Poulin sold tickets to the upcoming holiday show and scrip. Dixie Kennett took attendance and Steve White subbed for Membership VP Phil Ashford. Sound equipment was set out by Scott Kahler.

In the temporary absence of VP-OPS Mark Klostermeyer (K-12), Bob Rhome called “Harmonizers on the risers!” as the clock approached 7 p.m. and Assistant Director Will Cox warmed us up with catchy hand-clap sequences and an assortment of vocal arpeggios, after which we were directed to reassemble in sections.

Director Joe Cerutti was in Houston for the Sweet Adeline International contest and convention. A bunch of our members were there also. Joe’s SAI chorus, the Pride of Baltimore, came in 12th. Congats to our friends in POB.

Since Joe was gone, our assistant directors worked with the chorus on the show music. We rehearsed “It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year” and “Caroling, Caroling” and then changed directors to work on “The Chipmunks Christmas Song,” “Blue Christmas,” and “Do You Hear What I Hear?” while VP-Music & Performance Terry Reynolds ran the projector. Tony directed “Ave Maria” before sending us off to sectionals to work on the “Hallelujah Chorus” and “The Little Drummer Boy.” Thanks to Joel Golden for preparing a learning track for the upper basses on the latter.

K-12 announced birthdays of the week: Jack McKendree on the 20th, Jack Pitzer on the 21st, and Bill Colosimo (Tony’s dad) on the 23rd. Steve White called all the guests down and introduced them – all 8 and all repeaters! He also acknowledged Roger Day’s presence, who announced that, “I am back!” We were also pleased to see Jack Stonesifer, who just finished his freshman year at Marshall University. After Will directed the “Harmonizer Welcome Song,” all were excused for a 10 minute break.

Returning to the risers, Roger Day announced that the 50-50 has been reinstated (which he began a few years ago). Roger is our holiday show decorator extraordinaire. In this role, he asked that every member wrap two large (copy paper size) boxes with shiny paper and that he’ll be in need of a host of volunteers to come early to help bring the venue to “holiday life.”

VP-Shows Ken White reminded us about our participation in the Veterans Day program (again) at the Oakton Elementary School AND that we’ll be performing at Market Square on Saturday, December 10th.

Terry Reynolds emphasized the need to be off the music on the more traditional holiday music AND to adhere to the learning schedule for both the “Hallelujah Chorus” and “The Little Drummer Boy.”

Chapter President Steve Murane reminded members of the current and next year’s board that the annual leadership retreat will be held on Saturday, November 19th. Also, he stressed the necessity for next year’s board members to attend the Leadership Academy classes on Saturday, October 29th. [Alan’s note: LA classes are open to anyone who would like to attend; the application is on the district website.]

Attendance, taken most nights by Dixie Kennett, is on our Groupanizer site. All members were encouraged to check it weekly to ensure that it is accurate as the site will name those who have repeated absences … and none of us want to be on that list if we can help it.

Back in standing position, still in sections, Will worked the “Hallelujah Chorus,” followed by Tony on “The Little Drummer Boy,” which brought us to the end of the evening.

K-12 drew the lucky 50-50 number and although TJ Jones tried to claim the prize ($42 … not shabby at all), Scott Kahler actually had the winning ticket. Taking us out was our returning college man, Jack Stonesifer, who directed “Keep The Whole World Singing.” Risers were disassembled and placed under the stage, chairs and tables put back in their appointed places and, once the room was cleared, a few stalwarts reassembled at the Hilton for an afterglow gathering.

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 of the great things going on each week at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on the October 11th Chapter Meeting

2011-10-13T14:40:00.002-04:00

Tuesday was a hard working nite to keep the ball rolling for the Holiday Shows set for Fri. Dec. 2 and Sat. Dec. 3. There was a good crowd of singers on hand and several non-singing members in the house for the annual meeting and election.

Will Cox did warm ups and turned the singing time over to our director, Joe Cerutti. Music vp, Terry Reynolds, helped manage the music work by operating the computer/projector.

We had lots of singing guests too. Almost all of them are applicants and eager to move along in their quest to become a member. Members can lend a hand with that by offering to help the applicants practice singing an audition song in a quartet. The musical team also has approved a few holiday songs to use for audition (sorry YeEd doesn’t have the complete list but remembers “Blue Christmas” and “Jingle Bells”). Librarian, Bob Mattes, also has volunteered to help any guest get a look at some holiday music for practice for the show and for auditioning.

With so many guys in the process of joining, we all have to help them with the music, uniforms, customs and traditions, and meeting the other guys.

Speaking of guys helping, next week is the Sweet Adeline International convention in Houston. Director Joe will be there as the director of the Pride of Balitmore Chorus. The Harmonizers all wish the POB chorus well! Several of our members with be there too as Friends of the POB which includes our membership vp, Phil Ashford. So step up and help with guests next week. Ken White and Steve Lingo are gonna fill in since YeEd will also be gone on travel.

Linda Odell reported that daughter, Erin, is competing in the quartet contest in Houston in a quartet called SHADES OF JADE.

When it was time for the chapter business meeting, operations vp, Mark Klostermeyer was in charge. He made general announcements about buying Entertainment Books, Scrip, White House Ornaments, and of course tickets for the show.

Bob Mattes is also show chairman for the holiday event. He invited guests and members to check out the various segments of the show to learn the holiday music for one or two segments. You might be able to sing a couple segments and then skip the others. Also he has plenty of tasks for guys to help with that weekend too.

Don’t forget to work on costumes. And to plan to bring 4 dozen colorful holiday cookies.

Ian Poulin is the ticket guy, so make contact if you have questions. SUGGESTION: buy a table of ten and then sell the tickets. Several of us have done that already, so tables are selling fast.

There will be a silent auction again this year and Bob is eager for someone to step up and manage it.

Chapter secretary, Chris Buechler, presented membership renewal cards to Tom Griffith for 24 years, and Phil Ashford for 34 years.

Chris also announced the slate of officers and board members as presented by the nominating committee (Brad Jones, chair; Will Cox, Ken White, Bob Rhome). The slate was elected by acclamation.

Position Name
President Steve Murane
VP Chapter Development Phil Ashford
VP Operations Scott Kahler
VP Music & Performance Dan O'Brien
VP Shows Brian Ammerman
VP Marketing & PR Steve Lingo
Secretary Chris Buechler
Treasurer Dave Welter
Member At Large 2011-2012* Ken Henderson
Member At Large 2011-2012* Ian Poulin
Member At Large 2012-2013 Troy Hillier
Member At Large 2012-2013 Nick Leiserson
Immediate Past President* Bradley Jones
* - Continuing term - not up for election.

After break, chapter IT coordinator, Scott Kahler, presented the emerging plans to switch our website and operation to Groupanizer. He expressed our chapter thanks to Nick Aiuto who had launced the out-going website for the chapter. Scott’s visual presentation helped guys get a feel for what is coming this weekend. He also offered FAQ and is willing to respond to questions via email.

The new technology has a lot of useful tools for chapter leaders and for the members as well. Thanks to Scott for the tons of work he has put into this transition, and his willingness to help us learn to use it.

After the presentation, it was back to work on the risers. Often during the nite, Joe moved vocal sections to different parts of the riser. There was a lengthy sectional rehearsal on “Hallelujah Chorus” and we also got our first shot at “Little Drummer Boy.”

Reminder of holiday show details: Fri nite Dec. 2 at 7:30 pm, Sat afternoon Dec. 3 at 12:30 pm and Sat nite at 6 pm. At First Baptist Church, 2932 King St., Alexandria 22302. A dinner theater with singing waiters. Great for the whole family. Santa likely will stop by.

Tickets at 571-969-1377 or www.AlexandriaHarmonizersPresent.com

It was good to see several guys back with us like Dave Welter, Kevin Roth, John Hohl, Mike Everard, Terry Jordan and Bob Wachter. There was a FRIEND OF HARMOY dinner meeting also.

Reminder: if you are under 30 and wanna sing the show at Carnegie Hall Dec. 26th, see Joe Cerutti right away.

And also please consider contributing some goodies for the cupboard at break time. The supply is low!

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 of the great things going on each week at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on the October 4th Chapter Meeting

2011-10-07T19:47:00.002-04:00

Director Joe Cerutti was back from his coaching trip to Germany and a lot of guys were back from summer breaks. The set up crew did their usual good job – risers, screen, computer, sound stuff, guest chairs, admin tables to sell stuff.

Joe was full of funny stories about the language differences (you need to ask him the word in German for an A flat!). He also thanked Brian Ammerman again for a great fall show, and thanked his assistant directors Will Cox, Mike Kelly and Tony Colosimo for carrying the ball on the guest nite.

After the vocal warm ups, Joe got right to work on the holiday show music – especially the new songs we are adding. Music vp Terry Reynolds operated the projector and we all used the screen for music. Made it a lot easier for all members and the many guests present.

Speaking of guests – we had a huge crop of 13 visitors. Many of the guys were recent guests including returnees from the special guest nite; a few were barbershoppers from other chapters, and some new men who came with another member. Will and Tony conducted a number of vocal assessments to help the guests move along in their “joining” process. Many members also helped welcome our guests up onto the risers, sang tags with them, and helped explain what it means to be a Harmonizer.

The chapter meeting period was managed by operations vp, Mark Klostermeyer. He announced this week’s birthdays. And he filled in for chapter secretary, Chris Buechler, who could only stay at Durant a little while after having some eye work done during the day. Mark gave membership renewal cards to Bob Blair for 12 years and Terry Reynolds for 28 years.

Terry then did a wrap up of news from the fall district contest including honoring our quartets. MAD HATTERS won the quartet contest with our guys Steve White and Rick Taylor singing with Rob Seay and former Harmonizer Scott Disney. Steve White won his fifth district championship and that makes him the guy with the most M-AD champ medals.

MAYHEM with Ken White and Mike Pinto was the fourth place quartet.

The district championship trophy left Alexandria after 11 years and was presented by district officials to Voices of Gotham, this year’s district chorus champ. Funny story about that trophy – while Joe was in Germany he was visiting with some American barbershoppers who were there helping with the school where Joe was coaching and they were telling a funny story about a chapter who had lost the chorus trophy. And that made Joe stand up from his chair and run out to get a message to Scott Kahler --- the M-AD chorus trophy is at the Harmo House! Luckily, Scott got the message and Cheryl Wallen rescued the trophy and got it to Lancaster.

A previous Looking Back column reported all of the other news and more complete details from the contest in Lancaster last weekend.

President Steve Murane was back from his trip to HI and brought greetings from the barbershop chapter there. He reminded everyone that the annual chapter meeting and election is next week, Oct. 11th. Everyone needs to attend, cast a vote for the slate of board and officer nominations and make sure we have a quorum. The slate listed below was presented to the chapter by the nominating committee headed by Brad Jones.

Position Name
President Steve Murane
VP Chapter Development Phil Ashford
VP Operations Scott Kahler
VP Music & Performance Dan O'Brien
VP Shows Brian Ammerman
VP Marketing & PR Steve Lingo
Secretary Chris Buechler
Treasurer Dave Welter
Member At Large 2011-2012* Ken Henderson
Member At Large 2011-2012* Ian Poulin
Member At Large 2012-2013 Troy Hillier
Member At Large 2012-2013 Nick Leiserson
Immediate Past President* Bradley Jones
* - Continuing term - not up for election.

President Steve also reported that the chapter had received a check for just over $2,000 from Harmony Foundation during the House of Delegates meeting in Lancaster. These monies are the result of our members making contributions to Harmony Foundation and ear marking a percentage of it to be returned to their chapter.

After coffee and goodies (thanks to those who brought homemade treats) we were back on the risers to prepare for the holiday show.

Show details as YeEd knows them: Fri nite Dec. 2 at 7:30 pm, Sat afternoon Dec. 3 at 12:30 pm and Sat nite at 6 pm. At First Baptist Church, 2932 King St., Alexandria 22302. A dinner theater with singing waiters. Great for the whole family. Santa likely will stop by.

Chorus members should start working on their costumes – new members check with some of the guys who have done the show before for ideas. Plenty of free parking.

Also chorus members will be asked to bring 4 dozen homemade or extra good goodies to use to make dessert trays for the shows.

Be prepared to get a table of seats reserved for your customers as these shows will likely be sold out. Prices announced are $30 adults 15 and over, $25 seniors 66 and over, $15 kids between 5 and 14, kids under 5 free but ticket required. There will also be 30 premium seats sold up by the stage for each show at $40.

Tickets at 571-969-1377 or www.AlexandriaHarmonizersPresent.com

Work continued on the holiday music right up until 10 pm.

Before we dismissed, the chapter sang to Bert Phillips who is moving to TN. He was a great sport and we teased him a lot about his southern accent. We also presented him with a new Harmo name tag listing him as Chapter Vice President in Charge of Lamp Post Relocation (as a joke about his moving the lamp across the stage during the fall show). Bert’s wife Susan was there when we sang the traditional “There Will Always Be a Place on the Risers for You.”

Bert took us out for our last song and then a good crowd went to the afterglow at the Hilton.

Reminder: if you are under 30 and wanna sing the show at Carnegie Hall Dec. 26th, see Joe Cerutti right away.

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 of the great things going on each week at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on the 2011 M-AD Fall Convention

2011-10-05T17:06:00.000-04:00

The fall district contest weekend was in Lancaster, PA, at the Marriott and adjacent convention center. (And by the way, across the street was the Central Market with all the good eats for lunch and breakfast!)

As a little history lesson, the quartet contest started with 23 entries who had qualified at one of the division contests earlier this spring. This was the district quartet contest. All entries sang in the Friday nite session and the top 10 highest scoring quartets sang in a finals round on Saturday nite.

Our guys did great! MAD HATTERS with Rob Seay, Scott Disney, Rick Taylor and Steve White placed first and are the new district quartet champs. The popular district quartet that has helped our chapter with the youth festival, FRANK THE DOG, was second. A new quartet with Ryan Griffith’s dad on tenor, LIMELIGHT, was third. MAYHEM, with Richie Lavene, Pookie Dingle Jr., Mike Pinto and Ken White, was fourth.

YOUTH RECLAMATION PROJECT with Mike Wallen was 13th (one of their songs, “I’m Glad I’m Not Young Anymore,” was an arrangement by John Hohl); and ROLL O’ THE DICE with Bill Colosimo was 16th.

The top scoring senior’s quartet was LEGACY and they will go on to represent the district at the Mid-Winter BHS convention in January.

The district chorus contest (and concurrent International preliminary chorus contest) was on Saturday. There were 23 choruses who had scored high enough at the spring division contests to be in Lancaster. District champ and rep to the International chorus contest is Voices of Gotham from Hell’s Kitchen, NY. They had 26 on stage. Second place went to The Big Apple Chorus, Manhattan, NY, with 50 singers; third place went to the Chorus of the Chesapeake, Dundalk, MD, with 73 singers; and fourth place went to Long Island Sound, Five Towns College, NY, with 17 singers.

Several current or former Harmonizers were directors of other choruses and some guys were on stage with other choruses too: Mike Wallen directed Richmond, Mike Geipel and Paul Lensch were on the risers; Rick Taylor directed Dundalk, Sam McFarland, Bob Hirsh and Brad Jones were on the risers; Richard Lewellen directed Fairfax; Steve Guy sang with Patapsco Valley; Bill Colosimo directed Washington, DC, Don Dillingham, Bob Wells and Bob Hirsh sang on the risers; Dewey Feuerhelm, Gary Bibens and Michael Calhoun sang with Harrisonburg, VA; Bob Ulibarri sang with LaPlata, MD; Jim Herrick sang with the host chapter chorus, Lancaster.

Two Harmonizers were guest judges as candidates for the weekend – Tony Colosimo in the singing category and Dan O’Brien in the music category. Chuck Hunter’s dad, Chuck Sr., was contest administrator. Our coach, Brandon Guyton, was a singing judge.

Gary Plaag and Dennis Ritchey were emcees for contest sessions. Both did a great job of keeping the audience entertained and involved in the contest.

Eric Wallen and Joe Sawyer were hosts for the webcast of the weekend. Mike Kelly and Mary Anne Cleaveland coordinated the video filming for the contestants.

Saturday nite the evening began with a tribute to OLD SCHOOL who won the 2011 quartet championship in July and represented our district.

Other events on the program included a chorus of past district quartet champs – Mid Atlantic District Association of District Champions (MADAQC). Bill and Tony Colosimo were directors of that chorus during the presentation to name this year’s new district champs. Jay Butterfield was their emcee. Other guys at the convention representing past district champs included Mike Kelly, Joe Sawyer, Mike Pinto, Gary Plaag, Rick Taylor, John Hohl, Mike Wallen, Wayne Adams, Ryan Griffith, and Steve White.

Always important to recognize our chapter members who also serve our district as leaders: Gary Plaag, immediate past president; Bill Colosimo, executive vp; Bob Eckman, treasurer; Keith Jones, secretary; Dennis Ritchey, board member at large; Chuck Harner, vp chapter support & leadership training, and vp southern division; Gary Plaag, vp youth in harmony; Alan Wile, vp financial development; Mike Kelly, chief information officer; Carl Kauffman, district events team treasurer. Thanks for going the extra mile. They also represented our chapter at the House of Delegates meeting on Sunday in Lancaster. During the chorus contest, Chris Buechler filled in as vp contest and judging for John Santora, who was competing.

For fun, YeEd will take a chance at listing the many other “Harmonizer family” guys who were at the convention and not mentioned above: Tim Buell, Dean Martin, Arthur Louis, Lew Klinge, Terry Reynolds, Terry Jordan, Andrew Havens, Jack Pitzer, Noah Van Gilder and Bruce Minnick.

Thanks to Alan Wile our new CD was on sale this weekend in the Harmony Marketplace.

Next year’s fall convention will be in Ocean City, MD. The headquarters hotel will be The Grand Hotel, 2100 Baltimore Ave.

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 of the great things going on with the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on the September 27th Chapter Meeting

2011-09-29T11:11:00.001-04:00

First off – have you Harmonizers that are 30 years of age or younger seen this announcement about a youth chorus singing at Carnegie Hall? Our director Joe is coordinator for it. So see him or email him if you wanna do it!

For those of you 30 and under who have "a performance at Carnegie Hall" on your bucket list, getting to perform at that famous venue may be as easy as the old adage: "Practice, practice, practice!"

Carnegie Hall will be producing a free USA-Japan Goodwill Concert on Monday, December 26, which will feature a youth Barbershop Chorus comprised of male singers up to age 30 from all over the US and Canada, under the direction of Joe Cerutti of the Alexandria Harmonizers. Also performing will be Prestige, 2011 International Collegiate Quartet Champions, Tim Waurick of Vocal Spectrum fame, plus many other guests. The concert will also feature a joint performance with the youth chorus and a 3-time gold medal 100-piece youth orchestra from Japan. You will also be participating in a worthy charitable cause, since even though the concert is free, Carnegie Hall is producing this show as a fund-raiser for the victims of the earthquake and tsunamis that struck Japan this year, and donations will be accepted.

Bring your collegiate quartet or youth chorus, in part or in full; individual singers are also welcome. The chorus will prepare 5-6 songs (one of which will be back-up for a Tim Waurick solo). Participants will be expected to arrive in NYC the morning of the 26th, rehearse all day, and perform that night. Arrangements for hotel, food, and busing will be made for a nominal cost. Participants must be able to learn songs and choreography without formal rehearsals, and will be tested in random octets upon arrival in NYC (music and learning tracks can be downloaded after registration. Click HERE for details and registration or contact Joe Cerutti by EMAIL, or call 703-401-7114. Make sure your state/chapter/district is represented!

Now back to the report about the September 27th chapter meeting.

Everyone was pumped after the successful fall show the past weekend and there was a standing ovation for our fellow Harmonizer Brian Ammerman for his dedication to make it happen. In the brief time he had to thanks folks, he did recognize his wife, Chris, for her support and all his fellow Harmonizers for hanging in there and making it a good show in every way. He sent out a much more detailed thank you via email.

AND it was guest nite. A great follow up to the show weekend.

Since our director Joe Cerutti was in Germany coaching barbershop groups there, music vp, Terry Reynolds, managed the schedule for the evening. He enlisted help from the assistant directors, Will Cox, Mike Kelly and Tony Colosimo, who did warm ups, taught or ran through Holiday songs and met with the guests to teach them tags and such. Everyone worked hard to help the guests learn about the chapter and its musical program.

Ryan Killeen was in town from Nashville where he is on the staff of the Harmony Foundation. He spoke to his fellow Harmonizers about the great support the Foundation gets from our chapter as well as reported how Foundation dollars are being used to help youth learn more about singing barbershop.

The set up crew put the risers backed up to the stage and a large group of guest and audience chairs facing the risers. We used the computer and projector for all the music for the evening so guests were not without music.

Membership vp, Phil Ashford, introduced the 10 guests for the evening. As usual, some were former barbershoppers from other places and others were brand new to the hobby.

During the chapter meeting period conducted by operations vp, Mark Klostermeyer, Chuck Harner launched sales for the Entertainment books – coupons books for DC, VA and/or MD. We make a good chunk for each book we sell.

Sandy Stamps, FRIENDS group president, also launched sale of the 2011White House Christmas ornaments. They are $20 this year.

She also is helping sell the new CD produced by the chapter from the Concert of the World show in 2010.

And she also reminds us that the FRIENDS group sells sodas and water on Tuesday nite to go with the refreshments.

We did get a 15-minute break this week and so everyone had time to dig in and get some goodies. Thanks to those who brought things. And thanks to those who drop a dollar or two in the jar every now and then to help pay for the cups, creamer and coffee. If you wanna bring some goodies, that would be good too.

After the break, the guests adjourned to another room with Tony, Phil, Steve White and Jeremy Richardson. This was an opportunity for chapter leaders to tell about our history, explain the membership and audition process, help them discover how much fun it is to sing barbershop harmony and to teach them a tag to sing for the chorus.

While they were out, K12 conducted more of the business meeting. Bruce Lauther reported on Bob Wachter health condition indicating he is making some progress but it is slow. Cards and letters to Bob would be great.

Steve White, filling in for quartet promotion chairman,
, recognized the guys who will be competing in the fall contest this weekend in Lancaster and representing our chapter.
Mike Wallen in YOUTH RECLAMATION PROJECT
Bill Colosimo in ROLL O’ THE DICE
Kenny White and Mike Pinto in MAYHEM
Steve White and Rick Taylor in MAD HATTERS

It is not too late for you to consider going up. Always plenty of tickets at the door. Semifinals round of quartets is Friday evening at 6 pm in Lancaster Marriott. Chorus contest starts at 9 am on Saturday.

Steve also reports that Joe Sawyer and Eric Wallen will be hosts on the webcast of the weekend contest. You can find out about that cast from the district website – www.harmonize.com/MAD/

When the guests came back, they sang for us. And then we did a little show for them singing “Great Day” and “Summertime” with TBD doing a spot before the chorus sang “Stars and Stripes.”

Tony invited the guests to the risers to sing with the chorus on the tag of “Great Day” and then we taught them the stage presence for the tag.

Brian Ammerman took us out on “Keep the Whole World Singing.”

We adjourned and put things away with plenty of time for auditions, tag singing and then a big crowd went over to the Hilton for an afterglow. Since we were outside, there was plenty of space for more tag singing.

YeEd reports it was great to see Chris Clark, Andrew Havens and Andrew Plocher up on the risers. As a reminder, the chapter annual meeting and election officers is October 11th. Be sure to attend and cast your vote. See the recent email from chapter secretary, Chris Buechler, with the slate submitted by the nominating committee, and details about self nomination or further nominations.

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 of the great things going on each week at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on the Fall Show Road to Harmony Sept 24th 2011

2011-09-29T11:02:00.001-04:00

This one has gotten go down as one of the best shows in years for the Harmonizers. Huge credit goes to Brian Ammerman, who seemed to be working for months on every detail to make it a success. Besides the admin and planning tho, the singing and performing was great by the chorus and the quartets were a big WOW!

Thanks to Brian for his comprehensive thank you email to all.

What treat for all of us to hear and see CROSSROADS, the 2009 BHS gold medal winners. It was especially fun for us since we had worked with baritone Brandon Guyton as our coach, and most of us knew bass singer, Jim Henry, as director of the Ambassadors of Harmony. Their show set was awesome and their afterglow set was even better. Again – WOW.

YeEd was proud of our own quartet guys who also had terrific hits for our audiences. MAYHEM (with Ken White and Mike Pinto) was fun and had a good bit with Joe Cerutti. We wish them well next weekend at the district contest. And DA CAPO (with Ryan Griffith, Tony Colosimo, Joe Sawyer, Wayne Adams) keeps getting better. Also fun to have all four of them in the chorus and on the risers for shows, and to help with musical leadership and front row duties.

Can’t believe all the uniform changes the chorus made! Looked good tho and all made sense and added to the entertainment and surprises. As usual, it was funny to watch the email exchanges about missing uniform parts and watch guys meeting family members or friends who brought out a missing shirt!! Kudos to Tom Kern, unsung hero as Harmo uniform chairman.

The script was just corny enough to bring a laugh and for sure, it allowed us to work in some really diverse songs. Sure fun to see the audience get into “That’s Amore” every show. Terry Reynolds makes it happen.

Big thanks to Scott Kahler who was stage manager and did a lot of voice over emcee work. Good amount of humor for those of us in the audience. Thanks to Craig Odell who worked most of Saturday morning with a steamer to take the wrinkles out of that huge American flag we fly during “Stars and Stripes.” He was assistant stage manager and had his own walk on part as maitre d’ for the restaurant scene. Appreciated the classy emcee intros by Scipio Garling for two special numbers during the show.

Also great to have such fine props for the show. Thanks to Tom Griffith, props manager and the many Harmonizers who contributed.

Actors Mike Kelly and Mary Anne Cleaveland were great at carrying off the theme of the scripted part of the show. Fun when Bob Blair’s grandsons, Cavin and Jackson Collins, came running on stage to be the children of Dez and Molly.

As usual it takes a lot of helpers to pull off a big show like this. The staff at the new venue, Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas were great including the tech folks and the ushers and the box office. Seems the audience liked being able to get a coffee or beer in the lobby too.

Our FRIENDS group was pressed into service to sell the CDs for CROSSROADS as well as the new Harmonizer CD. Be sure to get your copy on Tuesday nite from the FRIENDS table. (ASLO their president, Sandy Stamps tells YeEd she will be selling sodas and 2011 White House Christmas ornaments too.)

Chorus manager, Mark Klostermeyer, kept the troops in line and provided classy signage for the guest quartet rooms. There was also a room for Master Director, Joe Cerutti. He and his musical team did good work to keep us singing well and having fun. Nice to see the assistant directors, Tony Colosimo, Mike Kelly and Will Cox, out front for songs during the show. Gotta also give credit to the visual team and the way they helped the chorus keep the performance level so high. Music vp, Terry Reynolds, helped show producer Brian keep the songs and script flowing during warm ups and rehearsal/stage time. You knew things were clicking along when he had his clip board out!

Emcee for the show was Bill Colosimo who handled important announcements including a couple plugs for our guest nite, Tuesday, Sept. 2th at Durant. All the singers need to be on hand for this one, as we expect a big turnout of guests in response to our recent membership drive. Actually YeEd recognized a number of recent guests in the audiences at the show. Also fun to see our fellow barbershoppers from neighboring chapters in VA and MD and DC.

Thanks to the riser crew who put up and took down and loaded back on the truck - Bob Blair was truck captain; John Pence for making the song boards for the stage; Sam McFarland and Keith Jones for getting the water and snacks for the cast backstage. The printed program for the show and its collection of advertisements was the work of Nick Leiserson. Great job on that task for one of our new guys.

The afterglow was a huge success. Thanks to Cheryl Wallen for her hard work getting the great bar-b-q meal for us along with desserts and drinks. The room right there in the Hylton Center made it easy for everyone to get there. Ken White, Eric Wallen, Jack Pitzer, Kevin Kaiser, Patrick Kim, Catherine Colosimo and Scott Kahler helped too. Noah Van Gilder was emcee for the glow and got us all laughing.

There were a number of familiar faces in the audience from the Harmonizer family – present and past (these are just the ones YeEd saw – no doubt there were others): Chuck Botts, Martin Banks, Don Harrington, Edris Qarghah Larry Silva, Tom Yengling, Bede Bender, Gary Mankin, Jim Shoenhard, Tom Griffith, Dean Martin, Royall and Geri Geis, Doug Smith, Bill Sowers, Glenn Williamson, Mike Schwartz, Brian Miller, Mike Geipel, Jerry TePaske, Terry Jordan, Jack McKendree, Bruce Minnick, Chuck Harner, Bob Caldwell and Larry Fagley.

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 of the great things going on with the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on the September 20th Chapter Meeting

2011-09-22T12:47:00.001-04:00

Busy rehearsal for the show and lots going on in the hall at Durant.

Show chairman/producer/ticket sales guru/props collector/and guy with the most positive attitude and cheerful approach anywhere, Brian Ammerman, had tickets for sale before the meeting. Don Dillingham and Chuck Powell helped staff the sales tables for the afternoon and evening shows.

After the musical warm ups, Director Joe Cerutti went right to work on the fall show music. Music vp, Terry Reynolds, and Brian helped things move along with some pointers on how the show will flow, and what the actors will do (sort of staging plans) and what the script will be like. (Never fear – it is a corny as any show we have ever done! Our audiences will love it.)

Good to see Chuck McKeever back. (He is back after a health incident (blacked out at home in his kitchen a couple weeks ago) but has gotten all-clear results from a huge list of tests.) He helped with reminders of the chorus choreography for the show songs. And he was thankful for the help from TJ Jones and Chuck Powell at previous rehearsals.

Operations vp, Mark Klostermeyer, conducted the chapter meeting portion of the evening. He encouraged the guys to take care of ticket sales, afterglow ticket purchases, picking up International chorus photos and medals.

Chapter secretary, Chris Buechler, presented a 25-year pin and renewal card to Chuck McKeever, and a 46-year renewal card to Jack Pitzer (YeEd).

Membership vp, Phil Ashford, introduced us to six guests – four are applicants.

Brian just had a few items t: reminder of the 10:30 am chorus call on Saturday; there will be time to get out of the theater for dinner, watch for email from Keith Jones and Sam McFarland about nearby eateries; the chapter could use the names of a bunch more students to give tickets to and fill the seats.

Scipio Garling reminded everyone of the special guest nite on Sept. 27th. There will be special events to welcome them and not overwhelm them. He suggested we should all follow up with the names of prospects we submitted earlier. Be there! Bring some goodies to share too – the cupboard is a little empty.

Brad Jones spoke about filling out the forms for those going to China. He sent out an email with the details. He reports about 143 going from our chapter with about 70 of them being singers. A good number are also coming from Toronto Northern Lights.

After the break it was back to show run-thru. The assistant directors also worked with the chorus on their songs.

We worked hard right up til the 10 pm bell. TJ Jones took us out for the nite and then everyone pitched in to take down and put away or load onto the truck for this weekend.

A good crowd gathered on the outside patio of the Hilton across from the Metro.

It was good to see some guys in the hall that we have missed recently – Dean Rust, Terry Jordan, Martin Banks, Mick Stamps and Craig Odell.

Busy weekend. AND then we need everyone back into the routine of regular Tuesday nite rehearsal as we dig into a bunch of new holiday music for the show.

Great to hear than Dean Martin has resumed his HarmoCast with a new one with Brandon Guyton. Dean hopes to be down to the show from his home in PA.

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 of the great things going on each week at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on the September 13th Chapter Meeting

2011-09-20T08:26:00.002-04:00

(Many thanks to Jacob George and Alan Wile for taking notes for this report. YeEd)

While the risers were retrieved from under the stage and set up, a number of Harmonizers were seated behind tables for the following purposes: Show Producer Brian Ammerman – hawking fall show tickets; Bruce Lauther – returning engraved medals; Ian Poulin – scrip and fall show afterglow ticket sales; Jack Cameron distributed chorus pictures from the Kansas City contest; Bob Blair collected registration forms for the China trip [deadline is 9/15 so get ‘em in if you intend to go!]; and Dan O’Brien, filling in as VP-Membership, greeted guests. Attendance was taken by .

At 7:00 p.m., sharp, VP-Operations Mark Klostermeyer (K-12) called “Harmonizers on the Risers” and Assistant Director Will Cox warmed us up. Immediately afterwards the chorus dispersed for sectionals on page 2-3 of the “Hallelujah Chorus.”

Turning to the songs to be performed on our fall show, Master Director Joe Cerutti first tackled “If I Loved You.” Next, it was “New York, New York.” “What Shall We Do With The Drunken Sailor” followed … during which Joe invited the basses to leave the room to work out a couple of sections.

Then it was “Summertime.” Just prior to the break we rehearsed “I’ll Be Seeing You.” VP-M&P Terry Reynolds was “out front” for several songs, as was TJ Jones who coached us on the choreography.

K-12 announced the following birthdays for this week. Secretary Chris Buechler presented our newest member, Paul Douglas, with the symbols of membership. Chris also presented Joe Wagovich with his 30-year membership card and lapel pin. Other members receiving membership renewal cards were Don Thompson (19 years), Bob Wilson (34 years), and Randy Lazear (with a whopping 37 years).

VP-Shows Ken White asked all members to sign up on the paper lists for the two performances on the 24th and Brian Ammerman asked that the members do the same for the afterglow, together with the number of tickets purchased/needed.

K-12 noted that Chris Buechler had Harmonizer logo shirts for those who ordered them.
Substitute VP-Membership Dan O’Brien introduced our six guests, after which Will Cox directed the “Harmonizer Welcome song.”

In addition, it was GREAT to see some members who returned from summer vacations, etc., and the following members who are not often present were in evidence: Terry Jordan, Bob Wilson, Al Herman, and Tom Kraus, and package show producer Greg Tepe.

Following the break (yes, there were goodies in the kitchen for the taking thanks to Bob Wilson), Brian Ammerman briefed us on the status of the fall show (not all good news):
o Sign up to perform – on both performances
o Riser crew needed at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 23rd, to help Harmo-Van Driver Bob Blair set up and dress the risers
o Catering Team – Sam McFarland and Keith Jones
o Uniform requirements: yellow and blue shirts; yellow, blue & black ties; black suit, white tie/tails
o Ticket Sales: We need to sell about 500 tickets to break even. Currently less than 400 have been sold. Use your Facebook accounts to “like” and “share” news about the show … and do it more than once. Call friends to remind them about the show and encourage them to get tickets if they’ve not done so already. There will be an ad in The Washington Post and 3,200 postcards will be sent out to our patrons. Less than 2 weeks to go.

Directors Joe and Tony worked on “Hello, My Baby” and TJ Jones and Chuck Powell helped with the choreo. Joe returned to work “What Do I Need With Love” (with and without the Front Row, which was dismissed to work in the lobby). He briefly revisited some sections of “Hello, My Baby” before turning to “O Holy Night” – which brought us to 10:00 p.m.

K-12 urged all to sell tickets to the show one more time before asking Lew Klinge to “take us out” by directing “Keep The Whole World Singing.”

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 of the great things going on each week at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on the September 6th Chapter Meeting

2011-09-08T08:00:00.002-04:00

(Many thanks to Alan Wile for taking notes for this report. YeEd)

We met tonight at the Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School (in the development that once was Cameron Station) because of scheduled work on the floor of the Durant Center. We met in a mini-auditorium … and it got a bit “humid” over the course of the evening. Although the Harmo-truck was there, the risers were unnecessary, given the fact that the room had built-in “terraced steps.”

At 7:00 p.m. VP-Operations Mark Klostermeyer (K-12) called the (30+) Harmonizers to take their places. Assistant Director Tony Colosimo conducted the warm-up as our numbers increased, before relinquishing his position “out front” to Master Director Joe Cerutti.

Keith Jones quietly took attendance, while our ever-faithful Ellen Dellert spent the evening with us, as did Mary Anne Cleaveland.

Director Joe spent nearly half an hour working us in sections on the “Hallelujah Chorus,” followed by a few minutes on “Most Wonderful Time Of The Year.” Next, he worked the chorus on “Ob La Di, Ob La Da,” “No More Sorrow,” and “Stars And Stripes Forever.” Leads and basses were “invited” to leave to get portions of “S&S” right.

The opening chords of “That’s Amore” were less than pleasing to Joe, and he asked Tony to take over on that one. And Tony did … for about 20 minutes … really working out the musical elements … with help from Chuck McKeever and TJ Jones on the choreography. Joe then rehearsed the chorus on “Great Day.”

VP-M&P Terry Reynolds stressed the need to be at our next two rehearsals on time and ready to perform as we have a lot of ground to cover (and perfect) before our show on September 24th.

Chapter Secretary Chris Buechler presented Jack Cameron with his new membership card … celebrating his 42 years in the Society.

Ian Poulin announced that members will shortly be able to pay for tickets, etc., electronically, that he’s taking over scrip sales (for which we’ll be able to use credit cards), and that he has show afterglow tickets available for $20 each.

Fall show producer Brian Ammerman noted:
• The Hylton fall calendar lists only three shows, only one of which features great singing – ours! He’s designed the show to include themes of love, romance, and heartache … but also has a happy ending.
• Tickets – Need to get those seats filled!!!! Last chance to get your ticket requirements met by Brian: get your needs to him by this Friday at 2:00 p.m. if you want him to get them for you (for delivery next Tuesday night) … or deal directly with the box office.
• See Ian for afterglow tickets.
• Nick Leisersen is taking ad requests for the show program book up to this Saturday!
• Props: Still some needs – e.g., a park bench; two small “café” type tables; two children (about 10-12 years old).
• Uniforms: blue and yellow shirts; blue, yellow, & black ties; black suit; white tie, vest, tails, etc. Be sure all are clean, bright, and ready. Possibly tear-away vests. More to come.
• Chorus call: 10:30 sharp on Saturday, 9/24 ‘cause we have a lot to do before getting dressed/made-up.

For the last time Bruce Lauther took medals for engraving and orders for DVDs of the Carnegie Hall performance. President Steve Murane reminded that the Board will meet Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. at the Durant Center and announced that he would be taking reservation forms for the China trip tonight and that Bob Blair would be doing so next week – all checks are to be made out to “Alexandria Harmonizers.” Jack Cameron distributed international contest pictures to members of the chorus.

Terry Reynolds asked that EVERYONE bring their tear-away vests next week to practice using them … and to see if it will be feasible to use them in the show. Those without them need to see Uniform Coordinator Tom Kern.

VP-Membership Phil Ashford introduced three first-time guests (amazing that they actually found us at this rather remote and unique meeting venue): Joe (whose mother and grandmother both sing with Pride of Baltimore Sweet Adeline Chorus); Dave (who sings with and is the membership VP for the Arlington Good Times Chorus of Arlington, TX); and Ross (who is with the Air Force and just assigned to the area). Tony Colosimo directed the Harmonizer Welcome Song … followed by a very brief break.

Returning to the pseudo-risers, Joe directed “I’ll Be Seeing You,” “What Do I Need With Love,” and “Hello My Baby” (with emphasis on the choreography and help from Chuck McKeever and TJ Jones).

Finally, Noah Van Gilder “took us out” as he directed “Keep The Whole World Singing.”

YeEd says thanks for news about a put-together quartet that sang for a retired choir friend of Randy Lazear’s birthday. Randy got the call and since his quartet, FOUR MAN VOCAL BAND, was not available, he asked Bob Blair, Mike Swartz and Mike Kelly to join him to do the gig. Even tho the honoree has lost his voice and speaks only with a synthetic voice box, he mouthed the words to a couple songs the foursome sang. Great to have guys out representing our chapter and the barbershop society. They sang some barberpole cat songs and a couple current chorus numbers.

Fun to sing the new holiday song arranged by Jay Giallombardo. FYI he has returned as director for the New Tradition Chorus in Chicago.

Our guys in TBD sang a gig with the DC Chapter as guest for the Alexandria Singers on their show at Market Square on Sept. 10th. Bill Collosimo directs the DC Chapter and the Singers.

Don’t forget to wear your (or a) name tag at all Harmonizer functions. Maybe keep it in your barbershop briefcase. It helps the guests and newer members!

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 of the great things going on each week at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on the August 30th Chapter Meeting

2011-09-01T14:13:00.001-04:00

Looking Back on the August 30th Chapter Meeting

A big crowd of members, their families and guests were on hand for the presentation and information session about our chapter’s trip to China in 2012.

Representatives from a Toronto travel agency made the presentation and answered a lot of questions about the trip. They provided a specific color brochure about the Harmo trip. They explained the highlights of the trip, reviewed travel details including VISA and Passport necessities and how we could adapt the trip for personal plans.

The brochure included a form that is due Sept. 15. Members can get their form from Brad Jones or Steve Murane (or Bob Blair if those two are on travel). Brad is our chapter coordinator and will provide some very detailed email messages for all to use in making their plans. It is not too late to sign up even if you didn’t make an earlier deposit. Departure is estimated for Sept 2, 2012, depending on how many go and obtaining a flight(s) for our group.

Brad spoke briefly about our joint concert with the Toronto Northern Lights Chorus while in China.

In short, don’t delay if you are interested. See Brad and get started in making your plans.
After the hour talk, we had break time and celebrated John Pence’s 75th birthday with huge chocolate chip pizza-like cookies.

The chapter meeting was held after the break. Secretary, Chris Buechler, presented membership renewal cards to Bob Mattes for 13 years; Joe Sawyer for 16 years; Alan Wile for 24 years; Ken Fess for 27 tears; and Mike Kelly for 31 years.

Operations vp, Mark Klostermeyer, invited Bob Rhome to explain details about a different meeting location on Sept. 6 while the floor in Durant is replaced.

The Harmonizers will relocate their meeting on Sept 6 to Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School, 435 Ferdinand Day Dr., Alex 22304, just off Pickett and Cameron Station Blvd. The main entrance for the chorus will be the one on Ferdinand Day Dr. Park in the Armistead Booth Park and follow the path to the Harmonizer truck at the entrance for us to use.

Show guru, Brian Ammerman, made 5 points regarding the fall show, Sept. 24th at the Hylton Center in Manassas.

1. If you are on Facebook, use it to promote the show.
2. Call people you know to check on them after the Hurricane and then change the subject to promote the show.
3. Invite significant others to help sell tickets too.
4. Brain has some jobs to be filled for the show, and promises an email with details, especially for making or finding props for the show.
5. He has consignment tickets to sell members with him.

Bruce Lauther will be help you get engraving done on the medals you earned in Kansas City. He needs to get them in the next two weeks.

A get-well card was circulated for Bob Wachter. He is reportedly making some progress but still can’t accept calls. Keep him in your thoughts.

Membership vp, Phil Ashford, introduced a number of guests. Some had been with us before.

Then we went to work singing. Director Joe Cerutti, explained the plan to add several new holiday songs for shows and CDs. We also worked on the revival of our 1995 contest ballad.

Joe recognized Dan O’Brien and Tony Colosimo who were recently named candidate judges in the BHS Contest and Judging program

Jack Cameron was distributing the chorus photos that were taken at International. Don’t delay in getting your picture, if you ordered one.

Don’t forget to wear your (or a) name tag at all Harmonizer functions. Maybe keep it in your barbershop briefcase. It helps the guests and newer members!

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 of the great things going on each week at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on the Dog Days Event on August 23rd

2011-08-25T15:44:00.002-04:00

Wow, what a challenge for all to attend this year’s Dog Days event – the 5.8 earthquake that hit the area.

But a good audience crowd made it for the 7 pm start, and just under 50 Harmonizers were there to sing at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manassas.

The host chapter, Prince William County, Bull Run Troubadours, set the date for the 23rd to help our chapter to not have to find a meeting place since Durant was being used as a polling place. It is also a tradition to have it on a Tuesday so we could attend.

There were some wild stories about guys’ challenges to get there – one to three hours were the average. Some guys from downtown DC just gave up and texted word that they were gonna give in!

The hosts thanked our riser crew for providing the risers and for Scott Kahler’s help with the sound for the event. The warm up act was group singing led by Dick Dangel and his accordion.

Our neighbor chapter, Mount Vernon - Harmony Heritage Singers, was the first chorus to sing. Always good to see the seven or eight of our members who also sing with HHS on stage. Chris Buechler was their director. Their set included a couple songs by SLIDERS quartet – with the same old Mike Everard “corn” from the past days with the FRIENDSHIP FIRE COMPANY. Mike also reported to the audience that BobWachter is in the hospital with pneumonia in an isolation ward.

The second act was relatively new Loudon County Chorus of the Old Dominion. They then sang a few songs with Fairfax. And then Fairfax had its own set.

Special guests were KINGS CHORDERS from the Fredrick MD area.

Our host chapter sang next. They, like the other groups, invited chapter quartets to sing as part of their set.

The Harmonizers took the risers to great cheers from our brothers in harmony. Mike Kelly directed “Great Day” and Tony Colosimo directed “Hello My Baby.” For the evening, chorus manager, Mark Klostermeyer, lined up the guys with many guys who don’t normally stand in the front row. But the visual presentation and excitement for the whole package was great.

Our first emcee, Don Dillingham, thanked our hosts and then introduced HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (Savage, Colosimo, Ives, Kelly) who sang “Blue Skies” and “It’s Almost Like Being In Love.”

Mike directed “No More Sorrow” and it was great to hear the four tenors come thru!

Tony was emcee to set up our “classical music” number. Will Cox directed “That’s Amore” and Terry Reynolds did the solo comedy bit. Again it was a hit!

Steve White was emcee to set up our finale number, “Start and Stripes Forever,” directed by Tony.

YeEd was glad to see some other familiar faces in the audience or on stage – Larry and Cathy Silva, Terry Jordan, Paul Grimes, Keith Jones, and Chuck Botts. Our show producer, Greg Tepe, was also on hand to help. John Pence brought his trusty “song board” to put up-stage so the guys on the risers would know the order of the songs.

The evening ended with Tony directing all the barbershoppers present in singing “Keep the Whole World Singing.”

The host chapter provided cookies and chips and lots of snacks and plenty of water and sodas for all.

Brian Ammerman and Steve Murane staffed a table selling tickets for our fall show.

As a wrap up to last week’s chapter meeting, note that secretary Buechler presented renewal cards to the following: Carl Kauffmann (39 years) and Mick Stamps (32 years).

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 of the great things going on each week at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on the Aug 12th Market Square Show and Aug 16th Chapter Meeting

2011-08-20T14:39:00.001-04:00

A good sized audience was at Alexandria’s Market Square to hear the Harmonizers free concert. It is another of our shows to repay the City of Alexandria for its support of our chapter.

Directors were Joe Cerutti, Tony Colosimo, Will Cox and Mike Kelly.

The HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (a quartet composed of our musical section leaders) sang for us on this show.

Great to have our coach, Cindy Hansen Ellis, in the audience.

Don Dillingham and Scipio Garling did the emcee work for the gig and Scott Kahler helped make sure the sound was right for barbershop singers.

“That’s Amore” with Terry Reynolds as soloist went well again.

After the show, there was some effort to recruit singers; and a crew of guys passed out flyers for the fall show. (YeEd was in Illinois on the 12th, so thanks to those who answered phone calls for details for this reporter. Hope they “remembered” everyone!)

(On Tuesday nite, August 16th, Jacob George, took notes and prepared this report on the chapter rehearsal and meeting. Many thanks to Jacob from YeEd.)

Volunteers put up the risers and meeting equipment for yet another evening of rehearsal and chapter meeting on this Tuesday night. Tony Colosimo led the voice-brain tune up time.

Director Joe Cerutti was received with applause after summer camp and the long break after the international. Joe started with comments about our performance at the international contest including inputs he gleaned from coaches and judges at Harmony University.

Former Harmonizer, Mike Louque, and one of the presentation judges in Kansas City, was with us on the risers this week, and he was invited to make his personal remarks about the Harmonizer’s performance.

It was most exciting to see many new faces (new comers, applicants) on the risers with us.

When the singing started, Joe began a review of the choreo for “Hello My Baby” with the help from Chuck McKeever.

Operations vp, Mark Klostermeyer, conducted the chapter meeting starting with announcement of birthdays of several Harmonizers coming up next week. He also reminded all that orders for engraving the recently earned 5th place medals will be accepted for 2 more weeks – see Bruce Lauther.

Shows vp, Ken White, plugged participation at the Dog Days singout in Manassas next Tuesday, August 23rd. All are expected to attend. Please look for an email from Greg Tepe regarding the revised dress code – Harmo teal shirt with khaki pants.

Everyone was reminded of the planning meeting for the China trip with the travel agent on Tuesday nite, Aug. 3oth.

Scott Kahler announced news from the chapter IT committee that we are about to launch an improved website and membership portal. Certainly more details are to come, but Scott wanted folks to know the work is underway.

Brian Ammerman made a power-point presentation about the fall show with major emphasis on ticket sales. His major point was that each member needs to sell some tickets. And we all need to expand our contact lists of possible ticket buyers by calling or contacting friends, co-workers, neighbors, church members or Metro riders. Each Harmonizer was given a special pin “2011 campaign” as a reminder.

Membership vp, Phil Ashford, introduced nine guest – three are applicants. Will Cox conducted music evaluations of the new prospects during the break.

After the break, the 1995 gold medal ballad from our contest package, “I’ll Be Seeing You” was rehearsed. We will be singing it for our next contest appearance at Southern Division.

Joe gave a brief taste of the new holiday songs with a quick run-through of two new charts. Music vp, Terry Reynolds, indicated that there are several other fun, new holiday pieces in the works.

Since this was the last week for our summer guest, Josh Ehrlich from the Voices of Gotham, he was invited to direct “Keep the Whole World Singing” to wrap up the evening. After putting everything away or onto the truck for next week’s show, the gang adjourned to the Hilton for our weekly afterglow.

YeEd extends congrats (or maybe our sympathies) to Alan Wile who was recently named to the BHS search committee for a new chief executive officer. Society President Alan Lamson appointed the five-member Task Force created to assist the Board of Directors in the search.

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 of the great things going on each week at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on the August 9th “Summer Camp” Chapter Meeting

2011-08-11T07:06:00.001-04:00

The second week of Harmo Summer Camp was fun and relaxing and educational. Camp Director Terry Reynolds had things well organized and used several of the music team to help conduct classes. One session was “Ask The Music Committee” which prompted some good questions.

Mike Kelly kicked of the singing with work “Shine On Me” for the new guys (and even some of the guys who have been members a while). Then we had a push out quartet event using the same song. It was fun to see guys singing other parts than they usually sing in the chorus.

Tony Colosimo worked on the Harmonizer song, “Place on the Risers for You” which we sing to any member who departs the chapter, relocates or perhaps even at a funeral. YeEd related the history of why the song was written by Bob Bates with music and arrangement by John Hohl, in 1987.

During the evening there were two periods when the gang had a choice of three breakout sessions. With help from Will Cox, Tony, Mike, Bob Blair, Joe and Terry, these sessions were offered: wood shedding; building a barbershop chord; tag singing; a talk about the “barbershop umbrella” or what makes it barbershop with recorded examples or excerpts; watching contest videos of past Harmonizer and Dallas gold medal performances; and singing polecat songs. The guys from the tag singing session sang one of their sweet new tags they learned for the rest of us to enjoy. (YeEd suspects it was brought back by our guys who went to Harmony University last week.)

In last week’s column, YeEd reported that we sang polecat songs too. And that prompted this response from Bob Caldwell: please refer to those old songs we sing by their complete name, the barberpole cat songs. A polecat is a skunk. Yes, I know, many people refer to them as polecats. but it's a personal pet peeve of mine. Thanks for your indulgence.”

Before break there was the usual meeting of “campers” with important announcements.

NOTE: this Friday, Aug. 12th is our annual singout at Market Square in Old Town Alexandria. It is another of our concerts for the City of Alexandria in appreciation for their support, and honestly it is a good way to recruit singers. See the 8/9/11 email from producer, Greg Tepe, for more details but a few important ones are (1) the 6:30 call, (2) wear the teal shirt with black pants and shoes, (3) if you park in the lot under Market Square bring your parking receipt to be stamped for free parking, (4) if your family comes suggest they bring lawn chairs, (5) plan to go out after the singing to enjoy Old Town, and (6) if you are a new singer you can plan to come and go from the risers in this setting.

Secretary Buechler offered to help members get Harmo shirts. See him if you need some new casual gear.

President, Steve Murane, pleaded with all members to sell tickets for the Sept. 24th show!!!!!!
There is a board meeting next Wednesday at Durant.

Membership vp, Phil Ashford, introduced a big crop of guests. As you might expect, some were barbershoppers from other chapters in town on vacation, tho a couple are here as part of relocation for work. There were a couple applicants too!

The refreshment crew had ice cream bars for the campers this week.

After break, Terry taught everyone the “MICKEY MOUSE” tag; and we watched the video of the 1995 gold medal performance of the Harmonizers singing “I’ll Be Seeing You” and “Sweet Georgia Brown.” Director Joe Cerutti has already announced that the chapter will be singing those songs for Southern Division when we next compete. Seeing the performance got the current front row guys talking about learning those dance steps!!

Last week’s recap column also prompted this fun email note from George Azzam; “Tell Eric Wallen congrats! One of these days I’m going to make it down there for the put together contest or tag contest and surprise everyone by winning my own award (and sing all four parts in a bunch of quartets). Hope all is well in Virginia. Thanks again for YeEd’s weekly updates…I enjoy reading them and keeping up with my Harmonizer family. All is well up here in the Seneca Land District in beautiful central New York. Chords are ringing. Cheers!” George.

Martin Banks prepared another display for camp this week helping guys see what songs the Harmonizers have sung in the contests over the years. AND accepting this challenge, he not only listed our international contest songs since 1978, but every song the Harmonizers ever sang, with the year we introduced them and the year they were written.

Late breaking chapter news from President Steve: Clyde Crusenberry has agreed to take over from Tom Berkey as Community Service vp for the chapter. Tom and his wife, Ina, are relocating to another state.

YeEd has also gotten news from Victor Hills at West Point. He has competed his first 12-week training for new cadets and is now gearing up to start classes. He is planning to audition for the glee club too. His parents are going up this weekend to see him and celebrate his accomplishment. He can now get mail at Cadet Victor Hills, PO Box 1924, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY 10997-1924.

As a reminder, Harmonizers should also begin planning to attend the singout on Tues. Aug. 23rd in Manassas for Dog Days. It is a late-summer event hosted by the chapter there and includes a sing by all the Virginia chapters in the area. We sing last. But plan your travel (it is at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 12975 Purcell Rd., Manassas, 20112). A great kick off for our fall season.
Also a good opportunity for former Harmonizers to come and see everyone. Starts at 7 pm.

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 of the great things going on each week at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on the Chapter’s Participation at the August 2011 Harmony University

2011-08-10T13:29:00.002-04:00

As usual, the Harmonizers were on the top of the heap at Harmony University with our guys everywhere.

Chris Buechler was kind to send a list of names of the 15 guys there and what they were up to during this special week when barbershoppers can add to their musical and leadership knowledge.

Several of our guys were on the faculty. Dr. Jay Butterfield taught Directing techniques II, Sight Singing I, and How To Analyze Voices.

Our own chorus director, Joe Cerutti was the director for the Directors Chorus (guys taking choral directing training) and he also taught two classes of Choral Methods.

This was the first year for Mike Kelly to be on the faculty at HU. He taught Website Design For Your Ensemble, Webcast Production, and was also editor of the HU newsletter, the Harmissiourian.

Gary Plaag was director of the Coaching Apprentice Program and taught a class on Barbershop Butterflies Bite The Dust, and did Coaching 2 – PRS.

Other friends of the chapter were on the faculty as well: Richard Lewellen, David Wright, Steve Tramack, Kirk Young and Cindy Hansen Ellis.

One aspect of the week is to provide coaching for quartets who come as a foursome to sing and get the benefit of the top coaches in the BHS. Our guys from DA CAPO - Ryan Griffith, Tony Colosimo, Joe Sawyer and Wayne Adams – had a busy week. YeEd hears they were a huge hit on both the Friday nite quartet show with their “Blue Moon of Kentucky” and as a featured act on the Saturday nite finale with “Help from My Friends,” “Ebb Tide” and “Stars and Stripes.”

Ryan Killeen is a member of our chapter and is also on the Barbershop Harmony Foundation staff and he was there to help and work. Former member, Larry Deters and currently Acting BHS CEO, was on campus too.

Another group of our members were at HU as students. Jorge Acevedo was there to attend Directors College which is part of the educational schedule. Jorge directs the El Paso Border Chorders.

Other guys from our chapter attending classes include Chris Buechler, Tom Gannon, Kellen Hertz, Ray Kahler and Dan O'Brien. Kellen sang in the NEXT GENERATION chorus – all of the guys were 26 or younger! It was directed by Justin Miller from the gold medal Westminster Chorus and now the director for our M-AD friends in NYC in the Big Apple Chorus. Erin Odell was a student in the Directors College. She has recently been named director for a Sweet Adeline chorus near where she will be teaching in Richmond this fall. Congrats.

Prior to the start of HU, there was a training session to help guys qualify as candidate judges in the BHS Contest and Judging program. Dan O’Brien (music category) and Tony Colosimo (singing category) are both candidates now in . Former Harmonizer, Paul Wietlisbach (presentation category), is now a candidate, too. He is a on the BHS staff and worked as HU Dean. Our own Chris Buechler was faculty for the candidates who wanted to get into the contest administration category.

The Alexandria chapter provided scholarships for Dan, Kellen and DA CAPO this year. If it sounds like fun and something you wanna do next year, be sure to let the music and performance vp know next spring. And ask some of this year’s crew more about the classes and things they learned.

YeEd figures we will get true confessions soon from our brother Harmonizers about who ate the most ice cream (a special attraction at HU), who stayed up the most hours singing tags, who had the biggest steak in Kansas City before they came back to VA, and who can’t wait to tell other guys in our chapter about the great experience they had.

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 of the great things going on with the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on the August 2nd “Summer Camp” Chapter Meeting

2011-08-04T15:22:00.002-04:00

Camp Director Terry Reynolds and his counselors were ready for the Harmonizer Campers who came out for this summer break event. It was fun for all with a lot of variety.

There were no risers, nor a chorus rehearsal. Thanks to Scott Kahler for getting us sound for the evening. Warm up time was singing a “Pole Cat” directed by Bob Wachter. Music vp and camp director, Terry, did a part-by-part review of “Keep The Whole World Singing” and the “Harmonizer Welcome Song” which we sing each week to welcome visitors to our chapter. Words and music for this song were created by former director, John Hohl.

Dr. Jeremy Richardson conducted a class on the physics of sound with av, demonstrations using glasses filled with water and a thorough printed handout. There was a great student/teacher Q&A period.

The evening also included a period of Ask The Music Committee which brought out some good topics about repertoire, voice parts, etc.

YeEd inserted trivia questions between program items. One item was “Which quartet was disqualified by judges at International and then announced at that moment by the contest emcee?” The quartet was the POTOMA CHORDS with our director then, Oz Newgard. But YeEd didn’t know what they were given a zero score. So while the chapter meeting was going on, he called former director Scott Werner in FL. (Scott says hi to all!) He also recalls the incident well, as his quartet, the NOVA CHORDS were next to sing in that contest and it shook them up a lot to have heard the emcee announce the DQ. No quartet has likely had that happen since. Scott says the DQ was given by the arrangement judges for inappropriate song selection.

Another Summer Camp session was about truly woodshedding. Bob Blair sang the melody to a song and then the guys tried their hand at finding their parts to sing along.

The campers were then given a chance to attend one of three breakout sessions – building a barbershop chord; learning other “Pole Cat” songs; or watching contest videos of Harmonizer performances in the past and one of the Midwest Vocal Express from WI and their “fishes in a glass fish tank” package.

For break, there was lots of tasty watermelon.

After break, quartet promo guy, Eric Wallen, conducted a tag singing contest. There were 9 entries – mostly put together earlier in the evening. Lew Klinge was emcee (and he did not disappoint – he made a “call” to his friend at BHS headquarters, Ev Nau).

Judges were Ellen Dellert, one of our fans from the FRIENDS group; Adams Bradley, a member of the Class of 2011; and Chuck Harmer, a member of the Class of 1976, YeEd was secretary for the judging event.

Third place was won by THE MIGHTY WA-WA’s – Drew Fuller, Brian Ammerman, Eric Wallen and Steve Murane.

Second place was won by TAGS AND SWIPES FOREVER – Rick Savage, Bob Blair, Chuck Hunter and Eric Wallen.

First place was won by EVIL COMPANIONS – Scipio Garling, Noah Van Gilder, Jeremy Richardson and Terry Reynolds. They sang a tag to “Old Kentucky Home” and “Evil Companions.”

Eric Wallen was declared winner of the George-Azzam-Who-Could-Sing-in-The-Most-Quartets Award! He showed up in three.

There were a number of guests present for Camp and a some of them sang in tag quartets in the contest. Welcome to all – great to have you singing with us. Some were in the DC area for summer internships, for special work assignments or on vacation. Congrats to Josh and Amy Roots who were married this past weekend. Josh’s uncle, Chuck, was a guest. He officiated at the wedding ceremony – and was the guy who talked Josh into joining our chorus a few years ago – and thus earned the Man of Note for sponsoring Josh.

Great to have Chuck Hunter in town one more time before his trip to Bagdad.

Martin Banks brought a great display for guests to see about the chapter’s participation in International chorus contests.

There was a little business session with announcements conducted by Camp Life Guard, Mark Klostermeyer. Brian Ammerman reminded guys to work on ticket sales for the fall show and word that a new show flyer is out which includes a direct phone number for customers to use in ordering tickets.

Bruce Lauther will be gone for a couple weeks to Europe so will suspend medal engraving and Carnegie Hall CD sales til he returns.

Scipio Garling stressed the Membership 125 Drive.

After the quartet contest, we closed shop and a big crowd went to the Hilton for an afterglow. We were outside since it was cooler, and thus there was some tag singing. The guys wanted to be sure to get in one more tagging session with Chuck before he leaves us again. He was using his famous teaching method of using his fingers to create the lines and spaces of a musical staff.

Guest Cameron Bolt directed KTWWS.

YeEd has heard a little news from our Harmonizer pals at Harmony University in MO. Stay tuned for a special report.

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 of the great things going on each week at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on the 2011 Ft. Ward Show, July 28th

2011-08-01T15:34:00.000-04:00

This year’s show at Ft. Ward Park was really a success – good sized chorus for almost 200 folks seated in the amphitheater. It was hot, but no rain!

The blue shirts with black looked good. Scott Kahler helped the city-provided sound guy. Other Harmo helpers include a riser crew that had to set things up in the heat; John Pence for the song board; Keith Jones taking attendance; and YeEd.

Tony Colosimo did vocal warm ups on the hill beyond the show venue. The show was completely directed by the chorus assistant directors – Will Cox, Tony Colosimo and Mike Kelly. Director Joe Cerutti was in MI as faculty for a youth vocal camp.

Our debut of “That’s Amore” was a hit – lots of audience interaction, great job by Terry “Terrance” Reynolds as singing waiter, and “Guido” played by Don Dillingham. Scipio Garling set up the song so the audience was willing to get in on the fun.

We did the same to set up the contest package for the audience to understand the theme of the two-song package. New emcees this show did a great job – Don Dillingham, Steve White, and Andrew Plocher!

The HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES quartet did a great job entertaining – Rick Savage, Tony Colosimo, Ken Ives and Mike Kelly.

From the stage, our emcee crew invited men to come sing with us. We thanked the Alexandria Dept. of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities for their support. We also thanked the Alexandria Commission for the Arts and the Alexandria Arts Forum for attending the show.

Chapter shows vp, Ken White, announced the details about the fall show at the Hylton Center, Sept. 24th. Brian Ammermann set up a table at the edge of the stage after the show to sell tickets.

All the guys came off the stage to meet and greet and thanks folks for coming and to suggest guys come sing with us.

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 of the great things going on with the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —Ye Ed.)

Looking Back on the July 26th Chapter Meeting

2011-07-31T13:12:00.002-04:00

YeEd was in New Orleans Tuesday, so a big thanks to Alan Wile for taking the following notes for this week’s column.

Summer continues as the Harmonizers prepare for the usual July and August shows AND for Summer Camp on Tuesday, Aug. 2 and Aug. 9. Visitors welcome for those fun summer meeting nites.

This week’s meeting and rehearsal was a busy one.

Will Cox conducted the warm-up. There were sectionals to work on “That’s Amore” and “No More Sorrows.” As Director Joe Cerutti will not be here for the Fort Ward show, the assistant directors will be out front. With that in mind, and when all sections returned, Mike Kelly directed “No More Sorrows.”

Will directed “That’s Amore” and Joe announced that if we sing this song at the “A” level at Fort Ward that will be the first and last time we sing it. Great cheers erupted.

Mike did “Great Day.” Tony Colosimo did “Hello My Baby,” Mike did “Ob La Di, Ob La Da” with a slight shortening of the song. Joe did a lot of coaching on this one. Will did “Summertime.”

There was a buzz in the hall about all of our Harmonizer buddies going to Harmony University, Director’s College and Candidate School for future judges. Joe was leaving Wednesday for a youth chorus festival in Michigan and then to Harmony University where he will be on the faculty again. Others on the faculty are Gary Plaag, Mike Kelly and Jay Butterfield. Dan O’Brien and Tony Colosimo will be going a bit early to attend candidate school to determine whether they may become candidates in the music and singing categories, respectively. Chris Buechler will be teaching at the candidate school. DA CAPO will attend Harmony U as a quartet for coaching. The quartet, Dan and Kellen Hertz are attending on scholarships from the chapter.

(YeEd figures there might be other Harmonizers and former Harmonizers in St. Joseph, MO, so he has asked some reporters to keep us posted. Stay tuned.)

Joe announced that he’s selected the up-tune for the 2013 contest and then taught the tag.

Mark Klostermeyer conducted the chapter meeting portion of the evening.
• Show tickets on sale – see Brian Ammerman.
• Bruce Lauther reminded about medal engraving – give him yours and pick it up the next week. Small fee.
• Bruce encouraged the members to sign a large card for Dean Rust who is taking an extended sabbatical from the active chorus.
• And Bruce noted that Mike Shirota arranged for a DVD of the entire Carnegie Hall Show to be produced – sign up with Bruce; cost is $20/each.

• Phil Ashford announced/introduced guests:
o Paul Douglas (an applicant)
o Alex Kuessa from Munich but who sports a gold medal won with the Ambassadors of Harmony in KC – visited once before (some time ago).
o Larry Goodfried – also wearing a AoH gold medal too.
o Josh Ehrlich – from the Voices of Gotham (Hell’s Kitchen Chapter) AND he brought a guest (next).
o Aaron Wiener – Josh’s guest … who lives in DC.
o Long-time member, Terry Jordan, was in house for this week’s meeting.

When back on the risers, Fort Ward Show Producer, Greg Tepe, brought us up-to-date on show details (riser crew at 6:00 p.m.; chorus call at 6:30 p.m. In case of inclement weather stay alert for cancellation. Uniform: short-sleeve teal travel shirt and everything else in black!
• Alan Wile urged members to take a brochure on one of the “after international” barbershop cruises to Alaska being offered next year with Jo and Ron Black.
• M&P VP Terry Reynolds hyped “summer camp” which will take place the next two Tuesdays. Next week will include a tag contest (each contesting quartet will sing two tags; prizes will be awarded).
• Shows VP, Ken White, hyped three shows: Fort Ward Park, Market Square, and our Dog Days … and our fall show. With lots on our plate, he urged the members NOT to miss. Noted again that Brian Ammerman had tickets for the fall show and encouraged all to sell, sell, sell. Tickets will also be sold at Fort Ward Park.
• President Steve Murane reported that he’d sung in a large mixed ensemble it the Hylton (venue in Manassas for our fall show) and it is an excellent performance hall.
• Steve also displayed a photo portfolio of pictures taken at the Carnegie Hall show and presented to him by a Japanese attendee at the Kansas City convention. Evidently the pictures are also on a CD. The point is that our performance at that benefit show had and continues to have great impact on the Japanese people.
• Joe highlighted the significant aspects of the upcoming fall show and suggested that IF we sell out the hall, we may be in line for a place in the facility’s concert series … which would be awfully beneficial financially. If you can’t sell a ticket, buy an ad – Nick Leisersen is our “ad guy” for this show.
• Joe insists that there be 125 guys on the international stage when next we compete (2013); said the third Tuesday is important because of the upcoming major show; and expects everyone to come up with two viable candidates for membership.

Back to singing, Tony directed “Stars and Stripes” (front row out to lobby to drill their routine) and then “What Shall We Do With A Drunken Sailor?” (who ever heard of such a thing? Must be Army propaganda!) and the front row returned.

Will directed “NY, NY” and “If I Loved You.”

KTWWS was directed by Chuck Hunter in town before returning to his new post with the State Department. And then the night was over, save for putting away the risers, et al, and an afterglow at the Hilton.

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 of the great things going on each week at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on the July 19th Chapter Meeting

2011-07-21T08:22:00.002-04:00

Even in the hot and humid DC weather, we had a decent crowd, but we missed some of the guys on the risers. It was a catch up night after our being gone from Durant since June. There were a lot of guys still hacking and coughing – don’t know what has hit us!

But no one was discouraged. And we were all eager to hear Music VP, Terry Reynolds, annual analysis of scores and contest results by the numbers.

After great warm ups by Will Cox, Director Joe Cerutti took the reins and welcomed guys “home” from the battle. And he went right to work on songs for the upcoming shows we have to do for the City of Alexandria. First is Thurs, July 28th at the Ft. Ward Park amphitheater, 4301 W. Braddock, Alex 22304. Second is Aug. 12 at Market Square near the fountain at the town hall market area. This is our chance to promote the chorus, recruit new singers AND to thank the city for their support of the chapter (our meeting space and financial grants).

Joe also had the assistant directors lined up to direct various numbers on those shows too. Joe promises to use the pull-guys-out-front and have them sing the songs next week again. So that is the warning. (Tho the octet he pulled out this week did a good job on “No More Sorrows.”

There was a good crowd of FRIENDS and family and singing guests. Great to see Carolyn Hall back! The meeting hall was set by the usual crew plus YeEd noted some new helpers this week – thanks to all.

Operations vp, Mark Klostermeyer, conducted the weekly chapter meeting and announced this week’s birthdays. He reported that Bruce Lauther is set up to accept the new medals we earned in Kansas City and have them engraved with the singer’s name and the Harmo logo. Only $7. Bring your medals next week. Bruce has envelopes for you to put them in.

Secretary Chris Buechler presented, on behalf of the chapter president, medals to guys who didn’t get theirs at convention. He also has a supply of name tag lanyards that were given to us by Westminster.

Membership vp, Phil Ashford, welcome a good group of guests – two barbershoppers from other countries: Jon from Australia (he sang in a chorus at International in Kansas City and was invited to attend a choral workshop in Alexandria), and Chris from Bremen, Germany (he was visited the USA and DC with his parents – he sings in the chorus that Director Joe will be coaching this fall). The other three guests were barbershop singers from other chapters – a couple having relocated to this area and looking to sing again, others in DC for summer jobs and eager to sing while they are away from their chapter. Did you know you can go on the BHS website and find info about other chapter meetings—locations, times, and contacts. Useful when you are on travel and need to hear a 7th chord.

Break time and the guys raided the kitchen and took a breather.

Then back to meeting announcements: fall show ticket sales news from Brian Ammerman; thanks from Carl Kauffmann for ALL those who did the admin and physical work to make our convention week go smoothly; reminder of chapter board meeting Wed. eve, July 20th at 7 pm at Durant – any member is welcome to attend.

Music and performance vp, Terry, suggested that new guys should learn as many of the songs for the upcoming shows as possible, but both venues allow for easy exit and return to the risers if you need to skip a song. He also announced the plans for this year’s SUMMERCAMP 2011 – Tuesday Aug. 2 and 9, usual time, at Durant. No formal rehearsal, but plenty of singing – tags, push out quartet events, likely a movie or video clip, good snacks, FAQ sessions, and a contest or two. Don’t miss this chance to relax and have fun with your singing buddies. Bring a friend that likes to sing.

While the guys were seated on the risers, Joe took some time to give his reactions and thanks for the hard work and dedication to excellence by our chorus. He shared his pride of the 5th place medal we earned this summer. He endorsed the contributions of the Special Forces troops and the nearly 20 newbies in the Class of 2011. He gave his sincere appreciation to Carl Kauffmann for solving the rehearsal room problem in the Hyatt.

Joe reflected that no chorus had done so much performance and work during their prep for International. He thanked the guys for accepting his contest-week major change of the visual and interpt – which brought applause from all.

Then Joe let Terry take the mic and share the details – charts and numbers to show where we did great, how we are doing in the big picture, how much our singing has improved, how the contest system worked.

Joe then talked about the future. First off – we are NOT TAKING A YEAR OFF. We will be working hard on our music and singing and performance. The hugely important fall show with CROSSROADS is coming up fast. We need to sing well and match the level of our guest quartet. Plus we need to sell tickets and spread the word for the Sept. 24th how at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas.

The holiday show is on track too with a plan to introduce five new tunes for our audiences who love this show and help us sell it out each year.

We are gonna do something especially fun and bring back our 1995 gold medal package of “I’ll Be Seeing You” and “Sweet Georgia Brown” for our package in the Southern Division contest.

Big news also that we are headed to China, AND that Toronto Northern Lights Chorus will go with us. Amazing that two medalist choruses are traveling together to another nation! Joe and their director have been talking and discussing possible joint songs we will work on for our shows there. It is not too late to sign up – a speaker will be at the Harmo meeting on Aug. 30th with specifics. If money is a challenge, Joe figures a guy could put away $5 a week to cover the major cost.

Then finally, we will be working to build up and continue our climb in better singing and performing, for the International contest in Toronto in 2013.

Joe is looking for each man’s dedication and commitment for the growth period ahead.

He also invited comments from all and there were some good ones about audience reaction, about the dead stage. A ground-swell of appreciation and applause went out to Joe for his willingness to help us improve.

There was a reminder to plan ahead to make personal arrangement to attend the fall M-AD contest Sept. 31-Oct. 1 in Lancaster. We will help the host chapter escort choruses, if needed. And we will have a number of chapter reps in quartets in the contest Fri nite. So save the weekend. Make plans to order tickets and get a room via the district website – www.harmonize.com/MAD/.

And similarly, make plans to go to the International in Portland. YeEd figures we will also have some quartets in the battle that week. And we will be able to have some fun during the week. Won’t hurt to be seen as a chapter supporting others and reminding folks we will be back. (The last time we sat out of International competition in Detroit, we took a huge 50-ft. banner that said “The Harmonizers will be back” and held it up outside the contest venue for folks to see after they came out of the chorus contest. We did what we promised too!)

Back to singing, Joe and his team worked on a few more of the songs for the shows.

We finished a little early and the crew put all of the equipment away.

Our guest from Australia took us out with “Keep The Whole World Singing” and it had a special meaning to have our fellow barbershopper from “down under” to lead us in our singing.

A big crowd found its way to the Hilton for afterglow. The usual Metro riders headed out just in time to catch the last train – thanks to cell phones that give exact times of trains.

YeEd has other news about members.

Did you know Bill Colosimo was in Rome a week before we went to Kansas City. The church choir he directs sang for the Pope and attended the usual events at the Vatican.

Craig Kujawa sent word that he would be gone a couple weeks to be with his family after his step father died on Sunday.

Jim Lucey sent word that his wife, Ruthanne, is still in Kansas City after breaking her hip at International. She will be there for therapy for a week or so more before they return to CO. Cards could go to her at North KS City Hospital, 2800 Clay Edwards Dr. Rm. 1028, N. Kansas City, MO 64116.

Thanks to Catherine Colosimo for her help with flyers for the fall show.

And YeEd also needs to add here a couple items regarding the report of International week – forgot to recognize our own Harmo dog – Tango, who was with us all week to cheer and support the chorus. He was with his family, the Brian Millers. (And not to be out done by FRANK THE DOG!) Also we hear he provided a good bit of doggy therapy to weary Harmonizers in the hideaway!

Plus YeEd wanted to thank contributors/reporters for last week’s column – Dixie Kennett, Chris Buechler, Steve Lingo, Clark Chesser, and Alan Wile. Appreciate the input.

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 of the great things going on each week at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on the 2011 International Contest and Convention, Kansas City

2011-07-16T15:26:00.002-04:00

The Alexandria Harmonizers came to the 73rd annual BHS International contest battleground and earned another 5th place medal. The months of work paid off! Our score was 2,663 out of 3,000. Our 99 guys filled the risers and performed “If I Loved You” and “What Do I Need With Love?”

This was the 17th medal earned by the Alexandria Harmonizers, including the four golds. We have competed at 23 International chorus contests since our first one in 1978.

Director Joe Cerutti used the many rehearsals in Kansas City to hone the performance. We actually relocated our rehearsal site after Tuesday nite since the hotel ballroom was like an echo chamber. Thanks to our convention chairman, Carl Kauffmann, for working the phone with Society convention planners and other chorus contacts to find a place we could work. We moved to the convention center on Wednesday morning – about a mile from our Hyatt hotel where most of the chorus and their family was staying. It was close to the Marriott headquarters hotel and the Sprint contest stage. So that was good. It did mean we had to move the props early in the week to this new location.

The contest package uniform was bright blue shirts with black slacks and such, including shiny black patent leather shoes, suspenders for the riser singers, and sunglasses for the front row. Props for the show included huge wooden blocks that were used to create height and energy for the uptune. Two of the boxes actually included trampolines which guys jumped onto in the tag and bounced high into the air with bright colored streamers in their hands. Thanks to Dennis Ritchey for construction, Bob Blair and other guys for hauling them on Tuesday nites, and he and his painting crew for frequent touch-up. Thanks to Joel Golden and Bert Phillips who “pulled the tabs” on the streamer gizmos our trampoline jumpers tossed.

This year we were fortunate to have our major coaches with us all week – Geri Geis, Kirk Young (who arranged the uptune), Cindy Hansen, and Steve Tramack (who arranged the ballad). They helped Joe keep the chorus on target and offered advice and ideas.

Before going into details about the chorus work sessions all week, YeEd needs to recognize our quartet guys who did us proud in the contest too. DA CAPO made the cut for the top 20 semi-finals round. They ended up 14th for their first time at the International level! Each time they sang, the Harmonizer crowd led the cheering and clapping routine to get the audience ready and to send a signal backstage that we were proud of Ryan Griffith, Tony Colosimo, Joe Sawyer and Wayne Adams. Fun to see their family members with the da capo musical symbol on their tee shirts. Our guys also were named winners of the International Dealer’s Choice Award for the highest placing first-time quartet in the contest.

OLD SCHOOL, also from the Mid-Atlantic District, won the quartet contest gold with 8,090 points – 121 points over MUSICAL ISLAND BOYS. MASTERPIECE, who sang on our show last summer, was third. Our retreat coach, Tony De Rosa, sang in a new quartet called MAIN STREET and they took 5th. All three of their performances featured an old-time quartet look with huge “skimmers” and tap dancing. The popular and funny quartet, LUNCH BREAK, was the mic tester quartet on Saturday nite and pulled off some great bits. Last years’ quartet champs, STORM FRONT, also used their comedic skills to entertain while the finals scores were calculated that nite.

Our M-AD friends, ‘ROUND MIDNIGHT, came in 12th and FRANK THE DOG came in 26th.. Several former Harmonizers sang in quartets that competed: Dennis Malone in IGNITION!, 15th; Mike Louque in SKYLINE, 20th; Harold Nantz in FLASHBACK, 32nd; Ron Rogers in RACKETEERS, 44th. Our M-AD collegiate quartet, THE FRAT PACK, was 21st.

Now back to coverage of the chorus contest. As was expected, the Masters of Harmony from CA won with 2,829 points at 94.3%. Great Northern Union earned second after taking a year out of contest with 2,824 points at 94.1%. There was a tie for third – The Northern Lights from Toronto and Sound of the Rockies from Denver earned 2,733 points at 91.1%. Alexandria then was fifth. We earned 88.8%.

The other M-AD chorus, Brothers in Harmony from Hamilton Square, NJ, was 27th at 76%. They were directed by Jack Pinto, the bari of OLD SCHOOL. The chorus contest mic testers were also from our district – Voices in Gotham, Hell’s Kitchen, NY, directed by Larry Bombeck.

This was the second 5th place medal for the Harmonizers. The 2011 medals were distributed right after the contest results were announced, back at the Hyatt. President Steve Murane presented each Harmonizer his medal and shook his hand.

The chorus had arrived early in the week for the first rehearsal on Tuesday eve, July 5th (a couple guys had to stay at their jobs until Wed. and Thurs.). Our chorus was at the Hyatt and most of our guys had used the chapter fundraising plan and bought scrip to use in paying for their hotel room. Great way to help the chapter raise some much needed funds.

There was a huge buzz in the air when we started gathering at the Hyatt Tuesday eve with news that Joe Cerutti and Gary Plaag had been elected to three-year terms on the BHS board of directors earlier in the day. Another former president of our chapter, Dwain Chambers from the Dixie District now, was also a candidate.

Joe and Gary were introduced with the other board members during an evening convention session. The Society Board of Directors met early in the week. Chris Buechler serves the board as assistant parliamentarian.

Another former Harmonizer, Larry Deters, has been named Acting Executive Director for the BHS. He will serve during the search for a new executive director. Ed Watson retired July 15th.

The kick off rehearsal for the chorus was exciting. As usual we had sound equipment thanks to Scott Kahler and Dennis Ritchey. It came with our risers and props on a rental truck which Howard Nestlerode and Drew Fuller drove to Kansas City – a 2,200-mile round trip. The chapter board also invited chorus members to send luggage on the truck, space available, for a modest fee. It saved guys from paying luggage fees to the airlines and helped the chapter pay for the rental. Thanks to all the guys who came to help unload. (YeEd learned that we didn’t drive our own Harmo van as it is getting some “age” on it and the air conditioning doesn’t work these days.)

YeEd also heard about several fun pre-convention trips by chorus families such as Yellowstone, family reunions in KS and MO.

Every one of our rehearsals drew a crowd of Society VIPs and always a good number of our own FRIENDS IN HARMONY. Bob Cearnal, who was our emcee for the East Coast Harmony Show, stopped in on Tues, as did FRANK THE DOG quartet. Great to have Chuck Hunter and John Hohl on site with us. Our coaches were there from the start.

Tony Colosimo and Will Cox did the vocal warm ups. Chorus manager, Mark Klostermeyer, did a blue bandana check for the Class of 2011. This is one of our largest classes: Adam Bradley, Jay Butterfield, Clark Chesser, Chris Clark, Bill Colosimo, Clyde Crusenberry, Thom Faircloth, Jacob George, Michael Gilmore, Kevin Kaiser, Dave Kohls and Nick Leiserson. (These are current singers who have not previously sung with the Alexandria Harmonizers on an International stage.) We also added guys who now live out of town who came to sing with us: Mike Wallen, Bob Wilson and Pete Frank. They all had sung with the Harmonizers before.

The first rehearsal included time for the chapter visual team to review and drill moves and focals with Chuck McKeever, Scipio Garling and Craig Kujawa in charge.

Before we adjourned Tuesday nite, Joe recognized DA CAPO and we all wished them the best for their performance in the quartet contest.

There were morning and afternoon/evening rehearsals both Wed. and Thurs. All of them included hard work, solid input from our coaches Geri, Cindy, Kirk and Steve. Our coach from Harmony College East, Rik Johnson, stopped by to give a cheer. The schedule varied with front row extra rehearsals, or with work sessions with props or with the riser chorus coming early.

Many times the rehearsal room audience included former members who came to see their Harmonizer friends. And often guests from around the BHS came to check us out. M-AD president, Dick Powell and his wife Roxanne, came to wish us the best on behalf of all of the members of our district. He also reported that our own Chuck Harner has been elected to the Harmony Foundation International Board of Trustees. (Later, YeEd learned that Chuck Hunter’s Dad, Chuck Sr., was also elected to that body.) Congrats to both.

Our friends from Westminster, CA, chapter – last year’s chorus champs and our guests in July 2010 – sent a messenger to wish us well and bring each guy a nametag lanyard.

We held our traditional Togetherness Breakfast early Friday. President Murane was emcee. He thanked the FRIENDS group for the nifty decorations (ducks in a row and Tootsie rolls – all a play on the words to our song.) Andrew Plocher gave the invocation. Keith Jones was coordinator having organized ticket for all well in advance and coordinating with the hotel and Friends group. He reports we had 175 attendees – 99 competing members; 15 non competing members; 51 guests such as significant others, family members and friends; and 10 VIPs which included our coaches and M-AD officials – Cindy Hansen and David Ellis, Geri and Royall Geis, Dick and Roxanne Powell, Bill and Linda Colosimo, Steve Tramack and Kirk Young.)

The program included remarks by Class of 2011 President, Thom Faircloth; remarks from Bob Wachter who spoke about the lifetime of relationships in our hobby; remarks from one of our youngest member, Kellen Hertz; and a poetic response by Ina Berkey on behalf of the FRIENDS group, who presented inspirational gifts for all the contest chorus to take on stage with them.

Each of the coaches spoke and brought important messages about the work ethic, chapter brand, tradition and reputation and talent pool of the Alexandria Chapter. Joe Cerutti was the final speaker and he inspired us with a story of how our singing influences and changes lives of others.
Following the breakfast, fans and family headed to the contest site. The Harmonizers were in the queue to prepare for their performance. They rested, they got uniform and make up ready, they practiced more and they lined up to take command from our chorus manager. Our contest guide this year happened to be Brad Cox, Will’s brother.

At the contest venue, the Harmonizer fans were ready and started a huge cheering and clapping routine to send a signal to our guys back stage. Greg Tepe was drafted to call the camera cues backstage for our chapter. Someone reminded us that this is the 25th anniversary of our first gold medal in 1986 and that we got our second medal in Kansas City in 1989.

There were a number of guys from the Harmonizer family in other choruses in the contest: Ryan Killeen, Larry Deters and Paul Wietlisback in Nashville, TN; John Adams, Research Triangle Park, NC; Jack Stevens, San Marcos, TX; Terry Traylor and Ray Kahler, Phoenix, AZ; Bob Thames and Lynn Hineman, Tampa, FL; Bill Power and Ray Johnson, Santa Fe Springs, CA; and Dennis Malone, Denver, CO.

There were some familiar names among the list of judges for the contests at the convention: David Wright, Mike Louque, Richard Lewellen and Dwain Chambers. Steve Tramack judged the collegiate contest. Bob Cearnal was emcee for one quartet contest session.

And three of our chapter friends made major presentations of awards during the convention: John Hohl, who is vice chair of the BHS chorus development committee; Bill Colosimo, who is chair of the BHS music and performance committee; and Steve Tramack, who is chair of the same committee as John. John presented Master Director recognition to the director of the New Zealand chorus. Bill recognized Ev Nau as recipient of the Dave LaBar Award for emcees. Steve gave the Joe Liles Lifetime achievement Award to Ray Danley, first gold medal director of a Canadian chorus.

When the chorus results were about to be announced, most Harmonizers gathered in the section where we were assigned to sit so we could support each other as the results were announced. We waited patiently for Westminster, last year’s champs to sing. Then the contest officials started the countdown. Fifth place and we erupted with cheers.

YeEd was proud to see our guys stand and cheer and face the area where the Masters of Harmony, 2011 chorus champs, were seated.

Our gang rushed back for the medal ceremony (our chapter was given the supply of medals immediately after the results were released). Everyone tried to get some dinner and found the Harmo Hideaway, which Steve and Lise Lingo managed. The hospitality room had been open often and long all during the week. Steve thanked Drew Fuller and Thom Faircloth for helping with shopping, Clark Chesser and Clyde Crusenberry for volunteering to cover one nite. Lise was the housemother, though, and the guys all say thanks.

Friday nite, the hideaway was moved to a ballroom so everyone could celebrate. Many guys helped with that move. The highlight of the nite was the “balloon tags” which Steve organized. He salvaged the helium-filled balloons from the Togetherness breakfast. Tag singers inhaled the helium and sang some high pitched tags. It was really funny and guys were literally rolling on the floor, they laughed so much.

One of our members, Ron Rich, was recognized as a new 50th year member of the BHS. He joined our chapter in 1962. He was in our front row once upon a time and was a dedicated tag singer. Another member, Darryl Flinn, was named judge emeritus by the BHS contest and judging community.

Saturday before the finals quartet round, there was a chorus of fathers/sons/grandsons. We had several of our folks on the riser for that: Ray and Scott Kahler; Alan Wile and his grandson Thomas who sings in CAPITOL FORCE; Chuck Hunter and his dad, Chuck; and Jay Butterfield and his dad, Gene.

Two of our guys, Edris Qarghah and Bert Phillips, even were captured by the media and found themselves in a video clip, which has found its way to Facebook fame!

It is amazing how many Harmonizers come to convention. Here is YeEd’s attempt to list all the others not mentioned above in this article. (Thanks to Dixie Kennett, our attendance taker all week, for keeping a list). YeEd lists current and/or former Harmonizers in this list: Ross Johnson, Martin Banks, Bob Hirsh, Tom Gannon, Joe Wagovich, Lew Klinge, Jack Pitzer, John Rettenmayer, Joe Kane, Jim Lucey, Jim Shoenhard, Bill Sowers, Norm Richards, Bill Ward, Larry Shelton, Ron Dionne, JT Price, Rich Garodnick, Will Winder and Ed Allen. If we missed anyone, it would be fun to hear about it.

As is Harmonizer tradition, there was a major administrative team that worked for months behind the scenes to organize our chapter appearance in the contest. Carl Kauffmann was committee chair and he started a year ago with his trip to Kansas City along with other chorus reps. Carl put together a coordinated rehearsal schedule for the eight choruses staying at the Hyatt, including the foreign affiliate representatives from New Zealand and Great Britain. Mike Schwartz was housing chair. Bob Rhome coordinated registrations. Keith Jones managed the myriad details of the contest day Togetherness Breakfast. Bob Blair managed a lot of logistics including taking care of the props as we moved to and from the different rehearsal rooms and the Sprint Center. Jack Cameron is handling the ordering and distribution of chorus photographs. A very useful handbook was prepared by Dixie to help every guy know what to expect, when to be places, what to bring, where to eat, when our quartet friends would sing, and more. And when it comes to food, the Harmonizer gang didn’t miss the chance for some great BBQ and a big Kansas City steak.

YeEd will report that several members of the Harmo family were injured or got sick in Kansas City. Jim Lucey’s wife, Ruthanne, broke her hip (she is on the mend and they will stay in Kansas City for a week or so for therapy after a successful operation). Thom Faircloth fell and badly scraped his knees. Vince Cazenas fell and cut his arm and needed stitches. Craig Kujawa fell in the auditorium and smashed a finger. Carol Dangel stumbled getting down the ramp of the airplane. John Hohl had a mild ankle sprain. And who can count all the colds and coughs and congestion attacks.

On Monday night, July 11th, Howard and Drew returned with the rental truck to the Lee Center back in Alexandria for transfer of equipment back to the Harmo truck. Again there was a contingent of dedicated Harmonizers on hand to do the transfer and off-load luggage for transport to the Harmo house.

Even with all the success and accomplishment by Harmonizers, there is no time to rest and celebrate. We are already at work on our next show, our future plans to go to China and our new music for future audiences.

There is no doubt, “It’s Great To Be A Harmonizer!”

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 of the great things going on with the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on the July 12th Chapter Meeting

2011-07-14T11:25:00.001-04:00

The Harmonizers continued a long-standing tradition of singing at Alexandria INOVA Hospital on the Tuesday after International.

It began when chapter leaders realized many guys were not back from the convention and/or had to tend to other person matters – or maybe just rest up.

About 25 guys made it this year to the Seminary Road facility and warmed up with Will Cox in the hospital lobby. There were adequate singers for all four parts and Director Joe and his assistant directors took the chorus from ward to ward with the aid of a hospital host. Joe chose several songs from the repertoire to sing to patients and staff. The hospital also provided free parking for the Harmonizers.

It was really hot – over 100 degrees – so the show producers allowed shorts. Most guys had some kinda Harmo shirt. The gig lasted about 1 hour.

YeEd is working on his report from International, so stay tuned.

Also YeEd reports that our friends in the Harmony Heritage Singers Chorus of the Mount Vernon, VA, Chapter celebrated their 15th anniversary recently. They met at the Sherwood Hall Regional Library. The chorus sang, as did several of their quartets.

Chapter leader, Mike Everard, inducted the new members who have joined the chapter this year.

Associate director, Chris Buechler, was at the helm for the meeting. Director Bob Wachter was there for the cake cutting ceremony.

Congrats to our brothers in HHS.

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 of the great things going on each week at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on the June 30th Extra Rehearsal

2011-07-02T17:52:00.001-04:00

We had our only special pre-International rehearsal at the school next door to Durant on Thursday eve. Almost all of the 99 contest chorus members were there – as is tradition, we probably won’t have all 99 until mid-contest-week. (The price we pay for having so many government and military guys who travel all over the world for their jobs.)

Director Joe Cerutti was ready to take over after Tony Colosimo got the singers voices warmed up and ready. The set-up crew had to bring in the risers and props from Cameron Street (with the Harmo van out in the street while it was unloaded) since those were the only doors things could come thru.

But we started on time and Joe worked hard. He revisited the ballad and then launched a push on the uptune. He used the same techniques from Tuesday nite to help the guys go beyond just good or great: sometimes he had them just stand and sing, and then he had them go back to total performance. He had his section leaders for basses and leads to take their guys out for some touch up – and it made a huge change.

The hall was full of guests who wanted to see our package and won’t get to the convention. A big crowd of the guys from Mount Vernon Harmony Heritage Singers were with us. Bill Clark and his two young sons came down from NJ (and for the boys to see Chris on the front row). Jay Butterfield’s sister and her family came in to see us too.

Geri Geis was on hand to help with the polish and of course, her partner Royall, was on hand to lead the cheering section.

At break we had lemonade and some snacks left from the recent show. Ellen Dellert brought chocolate donuts for all to enjoy.

Admin work continued: uniform part swaps and make up kits – thanks to Tom Kern; Scott Kahler and Steve Lingo gave details on how guys could get luggage onto the truck we are driving out to KC; Steve also gathered up coolers guys brought in so he could put them on the truck – they will be used to keep drinks and snacks cold in the Harmo Hideaway at the Hyatt all week; Brian Ammerman launched brief details about the Sept. 24th fall show.

Reminders for all: review the convention handbook for details about uniform parts, especially casual uniform, as well as to have a handle on the Harmonizer schedule as it fits around the convention schedule. Also a suggestion to go to the convention headquarters hotel, the Marriott, on Tuesday to pick up a name tag and holder to wear, plus to get a printed program which you will want all week. That is a good time to check out the Harmony Marketplace for CDs, clothes and often some good sales! Plus that is where you would get tickets for other events during the week. Might be a good time to try out the shuttle bus service from our hotel to the headquarters hotel and to the contest site.

Don’t forget to bring a pen to jot notes – and see how close you can come to picking the quartet winner.

Be sure to bring some other Harmo clothing to wear during the week. About 30 guys got in on the huge order of shirts that Chris Buechler made after our retreat and distributed one Tuesday nite recently.

YeEd got a great note from Victor Hills after his first day of hard training at West Point. He is hanging in there and looks forward to hearing good news about the convention. As soon as things calm down for him at school, he plans to audition for the glee club.

Congrats to former director, Scott Werner, for his 49-year membership renewal recently.

YeEd has more follow up from the East Coast Harmony Show. Thanks to Mike Kelly for his work on a video shot at the show. Mike Everard is another name we left out of our coverage of that event.

Great to have DA CAPO sing for us last Tuesday as a preview of their shot in KCMO. We will all be there to cheer and applaud. Good luck to Ryan, Tony, Joe C and Wayne!!

Thanks to new Echo editor Clark Chesser for taking on the task. He just published his second edition online. He has invited a crew of folks to help him with reviewing the copy since he is a brand new Harmonizer.

Well – it feels like the Harmonizers are ready for a week of fun and further expansion of their performance during the chorus contest on Friday, July 8th.

See you there. And if you are a former member and plan to attend the convention, be sure to come by the Hyatt and see us. If you won’t be in MO, check into watching the contest on the Internet. Go to the Society website.

Keep an eye on your email box, as we continue to organize luggage details and sharing rides from the airport to the hotel.

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 of the great things going on each week at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on the June 28th Chapter Meeting

2011-06-30T08:01:00.001-04:00

This week’s rehearsal was one of the best sessions ever! After a fantastic warm up conducted by Will Cox, which got the guys ready to work and excited, Director Joe took over and he was prepared (as he is every week!). His lessons plan was clear to the chorus and it ran smoothly.

Joe teased the chorus with potential great news or really great news – which to share first? Potential news – the AC was due to remain on all evening! Hurray. It did actually go off about 10:15.

Good news – the Harmonizers will appear on the “America Sings” show – likely July 13th at 9 pm on the Gospel Music Channel. Stay tuned for details. Many other barbershop groups will appear as well.

Joe expressed appreciation to Brad Jones for his leadership for the East Coast Harmony show. And Joe thanked Tony Colosimo for helping with the director duties while Joe was working with his Sweet Adeline chorus. (YeEd will add some details about the ECH further in this week’s Looking Back column.)

Joe conducted a huge “SIGH” for the chorus to put aside the months of hard work on the major performances we have had already this year. Now we can concentrate on contest preparation.

And Joe and his music team, including Geri Geis, worked hard until break.

Chapter vp, Mark Klostermeyer, conducted this week’s chapter meeting session. He led a moment of silence – so you could hear the AC unit!!

Chapter secretary, Chris Buechler, presented membership renewal cards to the following: Jay Butterfield for 38 years; Don Dillingham for 2 years; Will Mudd Simmons for 5 years; Tony Colosimo for 18 years; Ken Rub for 20 years. Bill Colosimo was given his 35 year renewal card and a 35-year pin.

K12 did a bandana check for the Class of 2011!

Membership vp, Phil Ashford, introduced guests including Ian Poulin’s parents and their family friends. It was great to see some other Harmonizer friends in the hall this week – Martin Banks, Geoff Bermen, and Al Hanenbaum. Dick Hall reports that Carolyn is home now and doing her therapy each day to mend the broken leg.

Guys got a break and enjoyed the goodies which included orange slices and grapes which Dean Rust had brought from this past weekend (goodies for the performers). He even bagged them so guys could grab a supply and move along.

After break, the meeting continued. As is normal the week before International convention, there were a bunch of announcements.

There is a mandatory rehearsal on Thursday evening at the school next to Durant. We need a riser crew to unload props and risers for that location.

Also there is a need for a work crew to transfer things we need in Kansas City from the Harmo van to a larger rental truck (that has working AC!!). Watch for detail emails. Bob Blair is heading up this project. “And you ain’t seen nothin, til you see how he can squeeze a full load of our props and stuff into a truck!”

Related to this is an offer from chapter leaders to allow members to put a bag on the truck, subject to left over space. $10 a bag. Details also to come out via email. Fees will help cover rental cost of the truck for the chapter, and save the member from paying airline baggage fees. (Thanks for the idea, Scott Kahler.)

Music vp, Terry Reynolds, suggested everyone review the convention week schedule now, so they know when we are having our extra rehearsals out there in MO. He reminded all of the singers of Joe’s plea for guys to work on their own so when they get on the risers, it is “Joe’s time.”

Terry also stressed the uniform code of patent leather shoes for the stage.

President Steven Murane presented cash support to Kellen Hertz, Dan O’Brien and DA CAPO guys, Ryan, Tony, Joe S and Wayne, so they can all attend Harmony University in MO later in the summer. Kellen and Dan will attend classes as individuals and the others will be a quartet enrolled in classes. The chapter has budgeted scholarships like this over the years and we have benefitted from the many men who have attended this intense, week-long, barbershop school. YeEd hopes those guys will write up a little something when they get back to share with us.

Quartet promotion chair, Eric Wallen, recognized DA CAPO also as one of the four representatives in the quartet contest at International from our Mid Atlantic District. And of course we are darn proud that all of them are from our chapter. The other quartets are OLD SCHOOL, FRANK THE DOG and ‘ROUND MIDNIGHT.

Then back to singing. As it turned out, we worked the whole nite on the ballad. And what progress – wonderful softs, word emphasis, theater performances by every man, hi energy entertainment.

Joe had a meeting with the basses about some spots and Tony worked with the guys on the risers. When the basses returned, Tony directed so Joe could coach. Joe also asked the section leaders to stand out front to check on some points he was working on. Team work at its best!

At the end of the nite, Joe thanked the guys for the tons of hours and hard work and willingness to “stand there and take it” week after week. He was grateful for each guy – we are the third largest chorus in the contest this summer at 99. Masters of Harmony from CA have like 120 and Denver has just over 100.

Just like clockwork, the AC went off and our guys jumped in and took things down and put things away.

After KTWWS directed by Jay Butterfield, many guys headed over to the Hilton for a relaxing afterglow. As is often the case, a few of the guys had to jump up and run from the afterglow to catch the Metro into the city.

Reminder – if you offered the use of a cooler for the Harmo Hideway (hospitality room at International where our “family” hangs out), bring it on Thurs. nite to the rehearsal so it can go on the truck.

And here is more follow up for the East Coast Harmony show. Brad thanked several folks which YeEd did not include in his report on Monday: Joe Cerutti and Scott Kahler for sponsoring and hosting the emcee for the show; Ken White as afterglow emcee; Catherine Colosimo for developing the show flyer; Steve Lingo for Facebook promotion; the riser crews and script writing crews, and Sam McFarland for hosting CAPRI. Brad also reported that Ken Fess has purchased the huge American flag for our chapter to use on shows like was used during “Stars and Stripes” on Sunday. A huge audience pleaser. Thanks Ken.

YeEd learned last nite that Bruce and Connie Lauther hosted 14 friends from the Carnegie Hall event who came to see our show this past weekend. Mike Shirota and folks from the New York City Japan Choral Harmony group rented a bus to come down to see us all again. They wrote glowing reports about the show to Bruce.

YeEd also missed a few names of folks who were in the audience for the show – Bob Caldwell and John and Sara Thompson.

Our chorus fans were sending news from all around the world – we got the traditional “break a leg “message from Rick Wagner, now deployed as a contractor in Afghanistan.; and a note from Chuck Hunter in Syria wishing he could be here in person to hear the great singing.

Just a sneak preview—here are the Harmonizer quartets who have qualified to sing in the MAD fall contest in Lancaster:

DOWTOWN (Frank Fedarko, Arthur Louis, Drew Fuller)
MAD HATTERS (Steve White, Rick Taylor)
MAYHEM (Kenny White, Mike Pinto)
ROLL O’ THE DICE (Bill Colosimo)
YOUTH RECLAMATION PROEJCT (Mike Wallen)

TOUCHSTONE (Steve White) are the outgoing 2011 District Champs

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 of the great things going on each week at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on the East Coast Harmony Show, June 26

2011-06-29T12:38:00.001-04:00

What a show!!! Another great success organized by the Harmonizers to share our hobby with other barbershoppers, introduce our music to our patons and friends and a lot of new barbershop harmony fans, and to present our exciting 2011 contest package for local fans who won’t get to see it on stage in Kansas City.

Our performance was at the George Mason University Concert Hall in Fairfax at 2 pm on Sunday, June 26, 2011. The auditorium is great, the back stage is easy to use, and it handles a large crowd of singers.

Brad Jones did yeoman work to pull this one off. YeEd thinks it might have been his idea and he made it happen – with a lot of help from fellow chapter members and FRIENDS.

Here is the run-down on acts for the show. The Harmonizers wowed the audience with the opening set including crowd pleasers “Great Day” and “Stars and Stripes.” Our buddies from down Richmond way, Soundworks chorus, brought a whole new sound and style to the audience. DA CAPO is a new quartet for many of our fans and you could hear the excitement in the crowd response after they sang their first song. (No wonder they won “audience favorite” in the Harmony Sweepstakes contests they won earlier this spring!)

‘ROUND MIDNIGHT is so much fun and the audience loved their energy and fun style. The cheers showed it.

Director Joe Ceruitti had a busy weekend as director of both the Harmonizers and the really successful Pride of Baltimore Sweet Adeline chorus. The POB sang a great set and entertained in classy style.

It was fun to have the Chorus of the Chesapeake from Dundalk, MD, on the show with us. Altho our choruses are only about 50 miles apart, we don’t get to sing together that often (especially since the M-AD took Dundalk out of the southern division years ago) Their director, Rick Taylor and fellow Harmonizer, was a fun emcee for them and used some of his best stories on the show’s incredible audience.

CAPRI warmed the hearts of all of the audience with their fun style and intimate story-telling-thru-music technique. The Harmonizers surprised them with special recognition as our 2011 recipients of the Harmony Award, given to non-Harmonizers for the things they do to bring real harmony into the lives of others. President Steve Murane made the presentations to each of the quartet members. They have been a key factor in the success of the Harmonizer’s youth harmony festival every year. The Alexandria chapter also will send a contribution to the SAI foundation for youth programs in the name of CAPRI. Thanks ladies.

Keeping all these acts going for the audience was guest emcee, Bob Cearnal, past BHS president and a frequent emcee for the Society’s International contests. Bob was fun and helped the audience provide support and enthusiastic responses to the entertainers. Bob and his wife spent the weekend in DC with us. He is also a member of the Ambassadors in Harmony near St. Louis, MO.

The afterglow, headed by Ken White and Cheryl Wallen, was a great success. It was at the Kena Shriners Ballroom on Rte. 50, which is a great location. And Cheryl and her crew of family and friends (including brother Eric!) made us all welcome. The taco-bar idea was fun too. As you can imagine, she practically had to use a snow plow to get us out of the hall! It was fun.

As you can imagine, there were lots of Harmonizers asked to help with the tasks needed to pull off the show. YeEd will take a stab at recognition of workers for the show:
Dean Rust – snacks backstage for the performers
Bob Blair and Dennis Ricthey – prop repair and re-painting
Mark Klostermeyer – chorus manager
Tony Colosimo and Will Cox – chorus warm ups as assistant directors
Dixie Kennett and Scott Kahler – tech support for lighting and sound
Ian Poulin – afterglow ticket sales
FRIENDS – sales of CDs and other materials for guest quartets and all of the choruses including our materials
Greg Tepe and Craig Odell –stage escorts for the many performers
Keith Jones – host for ‘ROUND MIDNIGHT

Other news YeEd can report. Paul Greiner and his wife brought a guest from the Greensprings residence, where they live – Walter Latzko’s brother. They met him recently at the cafeteria there during meal time.

Many guys from the Harmony Heritage Singers chapter were at the show.

Many familiar faces from the Harmonizer ranks were spotted in the lobby before the show – Bob Braunstein, Barry Galloway, Ross Johnson, Dale Houser, Jeff and Randy and Cecil Ashford, Larry Fagley, Eric Hughes, Terry Jordan, Scott Disney, Royall and Geri Geis.

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 of the great things going on with the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on the June 21st Chapter Meeting

2011-06-23T11:35:00.001-04:00

The Harmonizers were busy over the weekend again as reported earlier. But the guys came “back for more” and worked hard all nite.

Usual set up was done in time, including hauling in the prop boxes – what a task each week! Chuck McKeever did his class to help guys refresh details of the moves for show and contest songs. Ian Poulin sold afterglow tickets for this weekend. Bob and Maggie Eckman distributed scrip cards that guys had bought to use in paying their Hyatt hotel bills in KC. Bob Rhome passed out the very thorough and complete Intl. Week Harmo Handbook with a special envelope to hold each person’s convention registration/ticket. Thanks to Dixie Kennett for the hard work in making the booklet so complete. Carl Kauffmann passed out BHS Convention t-shirts guys ordered. The FRIENDS group sold cold drinks. Jack Cameron took orders for contest chorus photos. Keith Jones was issuing tickets for the convention week Togetherness Breakfast.

It was great to see Tom and Emily Kraus and new son, Ben, who got his first-time visitor pin! He had on his “My Dad Is a Barbershopper” t-shirt. Great to have Thom Faircloth back and on the risers after the weekend health scare. Bill Sowers and Eric Hughes stopped by to check out the contest package. And Bert Szabo came to see us after being at HCE as a coach. Bert is a long-time friend of Bob Wachter. Bert has done hundreds of contestable arrangements, was a Society staffer and a leading advocate of “keep it barbershop” over the years.

Tony Colosimo did the warm ups and when Director Joe took over, he was quick to thank the guys for their truly hard work on Saturday, “It was a truly beneficial day for us in preparation for International.”

Singing period included songs for the East Coast Harmony Show this coming weekend – “In Harmony” which we will sing with other performers, and a drill of “Stars and Stripes” which we will use in our portion of the show.

For work on the contest songs, Joe invited the section leaders to use a few minutes to spot clean some things. Then everyone worked to retain all they had learned over the weekend.

Before break, Steve White conducted the chapter meeting time as he was substituting for K12. He recognized special forces guys Bob Wilson and Pete Frank with us tonite. Membership guy, Phil Ashford, introduced the guests (as listed above).

The goodies supply this week was a class project of the Class of 2011 -- including the homemade cherry pie by Nick Leiserson. Other guys in the chapter also responded to the “empty cupboard” plea. Thanks to all.

Our meeting time resumed after the break. Secretary Buechler presented Edris Qarghah his three year membership renewal.

After the break, Geri Geis was on hand to help recapture the visual points made over the weekend. She offered just a couple suggestions to make things look better or work easier. Steve White thanked her publicly for her very sincere letter after HCE. Music and performance vp, Terry Reynolds, also thanked all the work crew it took to pull off the HCE class, coaching event, and show.

Shows vp, Ken White, and producer, Brad Jones, provided many details for Sunday’s show. For sure, we need to sell a lot of tickets – including for the afterglow! Watch for a complete email with reporting times, parking info, and uniform plan. SELL TICKETS.

Then back to work on the contest songs. We used the closed eye drill that Geri is famous for to get more of the emotion to come out in the ballad. It also helped the guys know themselves and their feelings for the song.

Then work, work, work til 10 pm. The electric fans helped a little after the 9 pm shut off for the AC!

YeEd or the Mother Hen offers more ideas for planning your trip to Kansas City in July. Take a swim suit – the Hyatt has a nice outdoor pool on a deck area. Plan ahead for travel into the city on July 4th – some huge firework displays will be going on. In fact, some places will be closed on the 4th around town.

Then just as we put it all up before the meeting, we had to take it all down. Bob Blair managed to grab some strong guys to load the props. And a good crowd came over to the Hilton for the afterglow.

See you at George Mason Concert Hall on Sunday.

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 of the great things going on each week at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —YeEd.)