Looking Back on the Sept 6^th Chapter Meeting

This week’s rehearsal was in the round again. Associate director Tony Colosimo did the warm ups and got the large summer chorus ready for director Joe Cerutti. Joe used several techniques to make it fun including a wholesale quartet formation scheme. Then he had those quartets learn a tag. Later he had another quartet formation exercise and those quartets each sang part of one song and then the rest of us voted with applause for the best one.  One “ringer” quartet was disqualified for starting in the wrong place.  And 6^th grader Mickey held up the tenor part in his quartet.  The winners got a huge cheer from all – sorry YeEd didn’t write down their names!

 

Musically we worked on the songs for the fall show.

 

Chapter executive director made announcements before break:  Ike Evans is taking member photos tonite; holiday show music will be coming online soon; it is important that every member take the survey coming to the membership on Wednesday.

 

President Randall Eliason explained the purpose of the Activities Survey. This is an effort by chapter administrators to build a strong infrastructure for operation, management and leadership for the huge efforts being planned for the next few years.  Randall labeled it a need for each member to “Step Down n Step Up” – step down off the risers and step up to help. Significant others and family members may also sign on to help.

 

Saturday Sept 10^th the chapter is doing a 30-minute show at Market Square for the city 9/11 event. A riser crew will report at 3:30; chorus call is 4:15.  Parking in the garage under the Square will be validated. Uniform is black chorus suit pants, the black camp shirt (no t-shirts showing) and black shoes sox and belt. Songs will be “Star Spangled Banner’ and “God Bless America.”

 

Mark your calendar – our next recording session will be Tues. Sept 20^th at First Baptist on King St.  We won’t be meeting at Durant that nite. We will record the three Beatles songs.

 

Chapter secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Bob Mattes for 18 years; Troy Hillier for 26 years; Chuck McKeever for 30 years (plus he got his lapel pin too); and Jack Cameron for 47 years.

 

As well left the main room at Durant for break, there were fall show flyers for each guy to take – two sizes.

 

After break, Joe played two new holiday songs for us to hear that we will learn for the Dec. show. And we reviewed two songs we will sing again this year.

 

Then we launched into this week’s work on Harvey Milk music for the fall show.  We also auditioned guys who wanted to do solos in “Friday.”  Thanks to Tom Jackson for piano accompaniment.

 

Kudos and thanks to FOUR FROM THE HEART quartet with Bob Blair, Bruce Lauther, Drew Fuller and Alan Wile that sang for several of our brothers who are having health issues. They went to Waldorf to sing for Dick Hall in the rehab center where he is currently.  Dick was so thrilled to see guys from the chapter. The quartet also sang for the other residents and staff there.

 

Then they also sang for Bob Wachter and his wife Jean who both in Mt. Vernon Hospital in Alexandria – in two different rooms.

 

And the quartet sang via telephone for Terry Jordan, Bob Wilson and Lou Manfre.

 

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 during the 68^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd

Looking Back on the Aug 30^th Dog Days Event in Manassas

The hosts from the Prince William County Chapter at last night's annual gathering of BHS chapters to sing for each other during the August summer Dog Days welcomed another huge crowd! This year there was a new seating arrangement in the hall that allowed for more seats and better access.  The refreshment table was full tho and everyone enjoyed that. The sale of 50/50 tickets was part of the nite and guess who won – Terry Reynolds!!!

 

The Harmonizers brought our risers which the hosts helped set up and we brought our sound equipment which Mike Kelly and Joe Cerutti Sr. managed for the nite.

 

The evening started with a warm up act of Dick Dangel playing his accordion for a sing-along. Those of us who came from the Alexandria area fought some tough traffic delays but a good crowd made it.  This was the first time Larry Dennis has sung a show with the chapter.

 

The opening chorus was the Harmony Heritage singers with Drew Fuller as director.  Eight other Harmonizers sang with them too – Chuck Harner, JT Price, Paul Greiner, Miker Everard, Bruce Minnick, Bob Wachter, Jim Kirkland. They did a package about gals with various members doing the song intro.

 

The next chorus was Fairfax Jubilaires directed by Richard Lewellen.  The did a show package using various wigs which each guy changed into for some rock n roll songs like Elvis. 

That included Sam McFarland who did look nice is his various wigs for the songs!!

 

Next the Chorus of the Old Dominion from Loudon County sang, with John David Maybury as their director.  They came to the risers singing with an island drum beat.

 

Our host chapter Bull Run Troubadours from Manassas sang next. 

 

Then it was our turn. There were about 65 Harmonizers there to sing. Director Joe Cerutti did the warm ups for us and then did some quick reviews in preparation for our appearance. We sang America, Lullaby, Stars and Stripes and the three new Beatles songs.  All were a big success.  Joe created a great patter with the audience had them laughing and singing along.  Kevin McKenzie did one solo and Clyde Crusenberry did another solo spot.

 

There were about a half dozen other Harmonizers there who did not sing including Walt Page, Geoff Berman, Austin Cotton, and Joe Sr.  Great to see Larry Silva there as usual. 

 

Thanks to Al Litchfield, president of Prince William chapter, the Bull Run Troubadours, for hosting another great event. Joe Cerutti directed an overflowing risers in singing “Keep The Whole World Singing” as a finale for the nite.

 

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 during the 67^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd.

Looking Back on the Aug. 23^rd Chapter Meeting

This week’s rehearsal was in the round again. Associate director Tony Colosimo did the warm ups and got the large summer chorus ready for director Joe Cerutti. Part of the time, Joe invited quartets or octets to the center of the circle to sing the songs or alternated them and the full chorus to sing parts. 

 

We worked on the new fall show music, patriotic music for Dog Days and the second half we worked on Harvey Milk music also for the fall show.  Joe expressed excitement for the fall show and hopes everyone is working to get the patrons lined up to attend.  Tickets are on sale now on the web site. We will be featuring our own DA CAPO quartet (perhaps after a district championship in Sept.).  We also will have a guest piano artist to lead the audience in a Beatles sing-a-long. Joe reminded us that we actually have all the music learned for the show (we will not be adding another Beatles song as originally announced.) The fall show is Oct 15^th at  Schlesinger Hall on campus of NVCC in Alexandria.

 

That leaves us time to learn five new songs for the holiday show Dec. 16 and 17 at GMU Harris Theater.

 

Executive director Terry Reynolds announced that Drew Fuller volunteered to drive the Harmo truck to NY to drop off our risers recently purchased by our friends at West Chester County NY Chapter.  It was quite a trip driving the truck that far.  Their chapter provided labor to unload.  Bob Blair helped coordinate a crew of guys to sort and load things on this end – Steve Szyszka, Mike Moncibaiz, Harold Weinberger, Carl Kauffmann and  Dean Rust.

 

Terry reminded guys about the meeting on Thursday nite at Durant at 7 pm to discuss educational plans for next year.

 

He reminded guys about the plans for the Dog Days event in Manassas at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 12975 Purcell Rd, Manassas.  We sing last but all of us that can make it at the 7 pm start should be there to meet and greet other barbershoppers in the area. There are refreshments.  Our guys actually provide sound support and the host chapter, Prince William County, will unload our Harmo van and set up the risers.

 

Uniforms are the black logo shirt and jeans. Planned song list: “America, Stars and Stripes, Lullaby, Hey Jude, Ob La Di, All You Need is Love.”  New members and guests are welcome and encouraged to attend. This is a great chance for your family and friends to come hear us too.  There are lots of seats in this air conditioned hall at the church. And there is plenty of parking.  Plan ahead to combat a little traffic if you can leave the city til after work.  Or plan a ride with some other guys.

 

Terry asked the chorus how many guys could sing at a City of Alexandria 9/11 event on Sat. Sept 10^th at 5 pm at Market Square.  The numbers seemed good, so stay tuned for an invite via Groupanizer.

 

Members should mark their calendar for the show on Sat nite Sept. 24^th.

 

President Randall Eliason gave an update on some member issues – Michael Gilmore’s wife is in the hospital; Lew Klinge is making progress after his partial knee replacement; Dick Hall is recovering from his heart operation at Washington Hospital Center as of Tues nite; Bob Wilson continues with his chemo treatments.

 

Bob Blair has stepped up to be acting operations director for the chapter since Doug White left for his new duty station in Korea (good to have learned Doug and his family have arrived safely).

 

Secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Randall Eliason for 21 years; Dick Dangel for 24 years and Mick Stamps for 37 years.

 

Rich Hewitt welcome guests and applicants.

 

After break we worked more on show music.

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 during the 68^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd

Looking Back on the Aug. 16th Chapter Meeting

This week’s rehearsal was in the round again.  No one up front knows where to look!!

 

Director Joe Cerutti did the warm ups and pushed us to use the things he taught in our songs too.

 

We worked on the new fall show music and the second half we worked on Harvey Milk music also for the fall show.

 

Chuck Hunter arrived early in the evening and that created a happy moment for all to have him back safe and in the area to sing with us. He directed KTWWS at the end.

 

Executive director Terry Reynolds announced that Burt Stueve memorial service plans are pending which might include the chorus singing.

 

Terry gave an update on Terry Jordan’s health regarding his foot issues after a fall on the ice two winters ago, as well as kidney issues and a battle with shingles.

 

Dick Hall is in Washington Hospital Center having had at least two stents put in for his heart and a pacemaker installed.  As of Wed Aug. 17^th, his room there is 4 NE 10. His daughter Christie will keep us posted.

 

The chapter’s director of education Vickie Dennis has announced a meeting on Aug 25^th  at 7 pm at Durant to further develop our youth harmony camp events.

 

Terry reminded everyone that Dog Days is on Tuesday Aug 30^th. Watch for details. It will be casual uniform.

 

There was good response to the chapter logo survey.

 

Fall show tickets are available online for the Oct. 15 event.

 

Secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Antony Takahashi for 14 years and Alan Wile for 35 years.

 

Rich Hewitt welcomed our guests and newest applicants.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In other news, on August 3rd six Harmonizers (Chris Buechler, Clark Chesser, Scipio Garling, Kellen Hertz, Dave Kohls and Nate Vomocil) joined over 70 other singers from around the Washington area in an informal "Summer Sing" of men's a cappella favorites in the college glee club tradition. The event was hosted by the Washington Men's Camerata and was directed by Frank Albinder, Camerata's conductor and Grammy award-winning former director of Chanticleer. Participating singers represented not only the Camerata and the Harmonizers (contributing mightily to the bass and 1st tenor sections!), but also the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, the Choral Arts Society, and a number of other organizations from around the Washington area. Everyone had a great time and it was such a resounding success that it's likely to become an annual tradition. (Thanks for Dave Kohls sending us this 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 during the 68^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd

Looking Back on the Aug. 5 Market Square Show and Aug. 9th Chapter Meeting

The annual performance on Market Square in Old Town Alexandria, Friday nite, Aug. 5^th, drew a large audience and a good sized chorus was out for this gig.  Risers were up early and Mike Kelly and crew had good sound set up for us. Lots of folks had brought folding chairs for the comfortable summer evening. 

 

Associate director Tony Colosimo did the warm up inside city hall.  Brian Ammerman was our pitch man for the nite. 

 

Our small group, TBD, did two songs as part of the show featuring a couple soloists – Noah Van Gilder and Jeff Burkey.

 

We did a mix of patriotic music and our contest songs. We invited audience participation on some too.

 

Chorus manager Mark Klostermeyer got everyone’s parking slip approved for free parking!

 

Mikey Robertson sang his first show with the chorus!! Welcome aboard.

 

Director Joe Cerutti was emcee along with Mike and Jeremy Richardson who plugged our fall show and invited singers to come join us. As usual we competed with jets from National Airport – usual on the soft passages!

 

Several former Harmonizers were in the audience and many family members.

 

Tuesday nite, the hall was full of Harmonizers.  We formed a huge circle standing in the main hall at Durant for warm up and for the rehearsal time (we almost needed to push the walls of the building out to get the circle large enough). 

 

Tony did the warm ups and then Joe came to the center of the room to direct and work with us for the songs for the fall show. There was a significant time set aside for sectionals, then after break we worked on a review of songs from “Milk” that will be in the fall show too.

 

Executive director Terry Reynolds reported that Doug White is still in country visiting family before going overseas.  He thanks all for their notes.  The chapter is happy to report that Doug sold one of our riser sets and the new ones will arrive next week. 

 

 

Terry reminded us all about the all sectionals on Sat 13^th at First Baptist at 9 am.

 

Stay tuned for details about the meeting call Dog Days in Manassas – we will sing all the new songs.

 

Chapter secretary Chris Buechler reminded all members to alert him if there is any change in our contact info, especially if moving.  He needs to get it from us directly.

 

He presented the following renewal cards to members: Steve Szyszk for 5 years; Rusty Orvik for 12 years; Mike Kelly for 36 years; Carl Kauffmann for 44 years; and Jack Pitzer for 51 years.  Chris also has mailed a card to Scott Werner for his 54 years.

 

Terry reported the good work by Dennis Ritchey as part of the BHS leadership forum in Nashville recently to get a new piano for a nursing home the barbershoppers visited there.  Congrats for taking the leadership Dennis.

 

Actually here is a report on the three major events in Nashville in mid-July that several of our guys attended. Those who attended the category school for judges included Joe as music judge, Tony as singing judge, and John Santora, Chris Buechler, Chuck Harner and Alan Lamson as administrators.

 

Besides Dennis attending the leadership form as M-AD president there was Shawn Tallant as

M-AD membership chairman, and Terry Reynolds recently named to a special team of leadership experts for BHS.

 

The following guys participated in the actual Harmony University events: Joe on staff of directors’ college; Terry on staff of leadership college; Mike Kelly ran AV programs for HU; Casey Belzer attended as a music educator; Chris Buechler was a HU student; and Alan Lamson was a facilitator trainee.

 

Membership chairman Rich Hewitt welcomed our guests and applicants for the nite.  The section leaders had an audition after the meeting.

 

 Great to have TJ Jones with us this week!

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 during the 68^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd

Looking Back on the August 2^nd Chapter Meeting

(Many thanks to Clark Chesser for taking notes this week, and Ian Poulin and Walt Page managing refreshments while YeEd was traveling.)

The chorus arrived and found that instead of the normal risers, we had chairs arranged in two circles surrounding director Joe Cerutti at the conductor stand. Joe warmed us up.

 

We had several chapter friends, some of whom we hadn't seen in a while Rick Taylor, Chuck Harner, Chuck Roots and Lou Bergner. Good to see them back!

 

We drilled "Ob la Di" focusing on pitch, shape and style. Then we ran "Hey Jude", and announced that we would not use the overhead projector in the near future - if you need the music, then bring it. Then Joe ran "All You Need is Love" and had volunteer quartets come up and sing some parts of it.

 

At the half time, it was announced that the Harmonizers were invited to a Men’s Night Out Summer Sing on Aug. 3^rd hosted by the Washington Men’s Camerata at St. John’s Episcopal Church in DC. Dave Kohls sings with that group as well. 

 

The Market Square concert has a call time of 6:30 pm on Friday - Show starts at 7:30pm.

 

President Randall Eliason announced that Bob Wilson just started chemo and would appreciate notes from guys in the chapter (bobw23229@gmail.com). Also, Alan Kousen has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, but that it's been caught early and he's about to start treatment.

 

Randall presented the Presidents Valor Award to Stan Quick for his help with finding places for our various guests that have come to visit us over the past year - he has the nickname Sheraton Stan.

 

Next Rick Taylor (a new staff member of the Harmony Foundation and a long-time Harmonizser), spoke to the members about the Foundation. Joe chimed in with encouragement to join and support this organization.

 

Secretary Chris Beuchler announced the renewals of Jeff Burkey ( 2yrs), Elliot Roseman (4 yrs) and of our newest members Jason Lee (14 yrs!!). \

 

Jeremy Richardson was acting membership VP, as Rich Hewitt had just come back from his adventure in Egypt and Turkey and was recuperating from jetlag. We had lots of potential singing guests this week too.

 

After a quick break we rehearsed music that we're going to sing on Friday at the Market Square concert.

 

Finally we had to say good bye to Doug White, and sang "A Place on the Risers." Doug and his family are moving to Korea for an extended duty assignment. We will miss Doug a lot!

 

Jason Lee won 50/50 so he directed “Keep The Whole World Singing.”

 

In other news, we did our hospital sing on Tuesday, July 26^th. (These notes from the Hospital sing were taken by Alan Wile.)  About 30 singers gathered in the lobby of Alexandria Inova Hospital about 7 p.m. Associate director Tony Colosimo directed and warmed up the group on some songs to sing in the hospital wards. This is an annual event for the Harmonizers. Our group sang in five wards before departing about 8:30 pm.

Late word that Burt Stueve is in Inova Fairfax Hospital with inoperable cancer.  Our thoughts are with he and his wife Beryl.

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 during the 68^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd

Looking Back on the July 19^th Chapter Meeting

(For history geeks, there was not chapter meeting on July 12^th – cancelled so folks could rest up and get things done at work and home after International.)

This week was a busy one as usual and a large crowd of family and friends were on hand to hear about Nashville and to see the contest video.

Associate director Tony Colosimo did the warm ups and then director Joe Cerutti started the chorus on the new Beatles songs for the fall show. He put the men in sections on the risers.

Chapter executive director Terry Reynolds made a number of important announcements about the schedule of events in the near future.  Next Tuesday nite the chapter will sing at Alexandria’s Inova Hospital and not meet at Durant. Many chapter leaders will be at Harmony University in Nashville.

Our annual Market Square appearance is Aug. 5^th in Old Town.  We did some review of songs for that show too.

This Sat. July 23^rd there will be all sectionals at First Baptist Church.

President Randall Eliason reported that Terry Jordan is in the hospital with kidney stones. Bob Wilson sent word to all of his Harmo friends reporting that he has learned this month that he has Stage III cancer.  He is being given radiation and chemo treatments.  Our thoughts are with both of these men.

Alan Wile welcomed John Smith and Jack Pitzer back after their gall bladder surgeries.  Alan then presented Jack his 50-year membership pin that he and Joe had gotten on Jack’s behalf at the convention in Nashville. (Many thanks to all!!)

Washington Men’s Camerata has invited us to an informal men’s night out to sing some choral arrangements for fun and then do an afterglow – Aug. 3^rd  at 7:30 pm at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 3240 O St NW.  The invite came from Dave Kohls who sings with at group in addition to singing with us.

Terry reported progress on the chapter’s logo with word that members will get to respond to the three final versions. He also reports that he will be sending out vacancies that need to be filled in the operations team.

After break, Joe spoke about our Nashville appearance and emphasized that we had a reason to do our music for the BHS audience – to honor Scott Werner. Then we watched the video and then some men offered reactions from friends. Terry did his usual “geek” analysis and reported with lots of charts and graphs!

Then as promised, Joe spoke about some major shows and events for the next couple years, so guys and their families can be expecting the fun things planned for the year ahead. Joe took questions and comments.

After the closing, we took the newer black risers off the Harmo truck and stored them under the stage in Durant, and put the other gray set on the truck.  Operations director Doug White has managed to sell the gray set. Good job Doug.

In other chapter news, Martin Banks hand delivered our chapter donation of excess/unwanted vintage LP recordings to the BHS museum at the headquarters in Nashville. Since he drove to convention, it was a perfect way to get the materials down there.

Alan Wile heard from Chuck Hunter that he and Ramadan and the others at their workplace are fine. Thankfully, the attempted coup did not involve them.

David Jarzen is appearing in “The Last Five Years” with Madyson Hanton at West Potomac High School July 14-23.  Shows at 7 pm and a matinee on 23^rd at 2 pm.

YeEd ran into former member Sam Brothers, who extends greetings to all. If you’d like his phone or email, let me know.

BTW – there will not be a “Looking Back” report after next week’s sing out at the hospital.

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 during the 68^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd