Looking Back on the Dec. 4^th  Chapter Meeting

This nite’s work was totally on the show – mostly on the flow of the show and transitions from song to song, a chance to hear some of the small ensembles that will be on the show as well as soloists.

Associate director Tony Colosimo was our musical leader.

Show producer Jeff Burkey provided the scrip reading for the rehearsal along with others who have speaking parts in another Harmonizer “Jack In The Box themed” holiday show.

The meeting announcements were largely about the show.  The dress rehearsal for Fri. nite (entrance early about 5:30 with call at 7) means bring ALL uniforms parts but do not wear them.

Each man is asked to bring two wrapped large boxes for the stage decorations, plus large shopping bags and bubble wrap would be great for packing silent auction items when they are purchased by show patrons.

Watch emails.

Each person going on the England trip in 2019 must get their $600 fee to Brad Jones.

Watch for email from Clyde Crusenberry regarding the Dec. 15^th daytime sing at veteran or senior centers.

The carol crawl in Old Town on Tues Dec. 18^th details will be coming soon – as to where to assemble.  YeEd does know that we will end up for an afterglow fun time at Chadwicks that nite.  Bring guests, former members.

Be sure to invite friends and relatives and former members for this year’s Wilbur Sparks Memorial Put Together Quartet Contest on Tues., Dec. 11^th at Scottish Rite Temple.  Cake and goodies afterward.  Lots of quartets have signed up and there can always be more.  Matt Doniger is the contact man.

President Shawn Tallant encouraged members to consider a donation to the chapter in this year’s “Double My Dues” fundraising campaign.  Several guys have already donated.

He also reminded everyone of his request for suggestions of recipients of the major chapter awards to be announced at the annual banquet.

Mark  your calendar for the Jan. 5^th Heat Glow on Sat. Jan. 5^th at home of Jack and Pat Pitzer. This is a continuation of a traditional party for the whole chapter and their significant others. 7 pm at Jack’s house – 7801 Suffolk Ct., Alexandria VA 22315.  Casual dress. Bring finger-food hors d’oeuvres or holiday goodies to share.  Wine is you wish.  We will make the traditional Heat Glow Grog recipe that has been served at a similar event for over 50 years!

YeEd heard that Dean Rust marched on Saturday in the Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk.  He carried a huge Harmo banner in the parade Sat. Dec. 1^st promoting our show.  Thanks Dean.

Dec 27^th the annual BLAST hosted by the Dundalk Chapter will be held.  Watch for invites and details.  Plan to go for the fun to meet other singers.

This week’s 50/50 had a surprise feature when an anonymous donor bought an extra ticket for every member present.

Thanks to all those who submitted materials after the request from the chapter’s history committee.  It has yielded some important documentation about some of our past projects such as the 50^th anniversary events, the chapter-to-chapter exchanges with the Cincinnati chapter, and the farewell and roast when Scott Werner retired.  So far we have gotten materials from Geoff Berman, Rick Savage, Bob Sutton, Ken Rub, Ken Fess, and Mike Everard.

Craig Kujawa held a drawing for the winner of an incentive prize for those men who had signed up for the chapter’s scrip program.  Jason Lee was the lucky prize winner.

Membership chairman Calvin Schnure welcomed singer friend Lou Bergner from Toronto who was in the hall this week. And Calvin and Tony helped the chapter bid farewell to Jay Sorensen, who moves to MO. 

After the meeting, there was riser moving effort to prepare for our show set up later 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 70^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd

Looking Back on the Nov. 27^th Chapter Meeting

Just like last week, it was work on the show music.  But mostly, we worked on spots in some of the songs, worked on transitions inside songs and got a feel for the script and characters.

Associate director Tony Colosimo did the warm ups, and then director Joe Cerutti took over.  We also got to see the “monks” do their flip-card routine for the “Hallelujah Chorus” number. Our a cappella group, TBD, also have some parts in the first-half scripted show. We are bringing back the popular Jack in the Box from our many successful holiday dinner theaters.

Also our guest quartet for the show, BETTER TOGETHER, sang one holiday song for us.  That is Andrew and Heather Havens, and Tony and Elizabeth Colosimo. They had their hands full – literally – with the Colosimo little ones on hand to climb on dad while he sang.

Some details about the show weekend schedule were announced – 7 pm dress rehearsal on Fri. Dec. 7 at TC Williams.  Bring the costume and sweatshirt outfit so show producers can check them out. More accurate and detailed info to be released via email this week – to include call time for Saturday before the show.

Obviously everyone needs to sell more tickets so there is a full house.  Silent auction items are still needed as well – give them to Randall Eliason or Mike Kelly.

NOTE – also guys are asked to bring two wrapped empty boxes to use on the stage. Bring them to the Fri. nite rehearsal.  Bows can be added. Bring colors are best. Use large boxes like paper comes in.

Communications team leader Steve Murane conducted the actual chapter meeting.  First one was news that Dean Rust is leading a contingent of Harmonizers in the Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk.  He and those who join him will carry the Harmo banner in the parade Sat. Dec. 1^st starting at 11 am.  Contact Dean if you can join in the fun.

Bill Sowers was on hand this evening with a lot of barbershop CDs he was giving away to any happy takers.

Clyde Crusenberry has worked up a good sing out for veteran/retirement homes on Sat. Dec. 15^th.  Details also due to come out via email.

Reminder to those going on the England trip next year.  The next $600 per traveler payment is due on Dec. 4^th. Email Brad Jones for details.

Be sure to invite friends and relatives and former members for this year’s Wilbur Sparks Memorial Put Together Quartet Contest on Tues., Dec. 11^th at Scottish Rite Temple.  Cake and goodies afterward.  Lots of quartets have signed up and there can always be more.  Matt Doniger is the contact man.

President Shawn Tallant encouraged members to consider a donation to the chapter in this year’s “Double My Dues” fundraising campaign.  Several guys have already donated.

He also reminded everyone about the holiday Heat Glow on Sat. Jan. 5^th at home of Jack and Pat Pitzer.

Membership team leader Calvin Schnure introduced our newest member Dylan Smith.  He also welcomed singing guest Josh, grandson of Carl Kauffmann.

After the meeting, there was riser moving effort to prepare for a rental and to clear the auditorium stage area. 

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 70^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd

Looking Back on the Nov. 20^th Chapter Meeting

As you can imagine, this week we worked hard on the holiday show music; plus we got a sneak preview of the script for the first half with Jack-in-the-Box (Terry Reynolds will reprise that role) and Boris as in “Rocky and Bullwinkle” (Troy Hillier will return with his humorous accent). We even got a look at the “box” from past shows – still ready for another Harmo holiday show. Thanks Dennis Ritchey.

Warm ups were conducted by associate director Tony Colosimo and then director Joe Cerutti worked with the chorus to clean up some spots in all the songs.  A couple times he had Tony take a section out to the lobby to concentrate on a portion of the song.

Terry Reynolds conducted the chapter meeting this week.  He of course stressed the holiday show that is Dec. 8^th at 7:30 pm at TC Williams Hi School on King Street.  Member need to sell tickets. Any consignment sales must be turned in on Tues Nov. 27^th to Dean Sherick.  Members were also asked to gather more gift cards or prizes or the silent auction.  Those items can go to Mike Kelly.

 Other upcoming dates:

Dec. 11^th – The Put Together Quartet Contest is at Scottish Rite Temple.  There will be guest judges, refreshments and lots of laughs.  Matt Doniger is still taking quartet entries – there are already quite a few.  Terry stressed that it is called a Put Together contest – so if a member wants to sing in a quartet, chairman Matt will help find other singers.

Dec. 15^th  – watch for details on this Saturday sing out at local Alexandria area nursing and senior homes.

Dec. 18^th – our annual Carol Crawl – singing in restaurants in Old Town, ending with an informal afterglow.

Jan 5^th – another Harmonizer Heat Glow for the whole chapter and their significant others, Saturday evening, at 7 pm at Jack and Pat Pitzer’s home - 7801 Suffolk Ct., Alexandria, VA 22315. Casual dress. Everyone bring finger-food hors d' oeuvres or holiday goodies to share. Wine if you wish. (Jack promises to  make the traditional Heat Glow Grog recipe that has been served at a similar Harmonizer event for over 50 years!! The recipe has been passed down from previous generations of the Harmo family.)

President Shawn Tallant is still eager to get ideas from members for the chapter honor awards.

Secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Jon Frank for 3 years, Jim Kirkland for 9 years, Nick Murane for 12 years, and Don Harrington for 39 years.  Chris also presented Rick Taylor his 50 year renewal card this past weekend at the annual meeting of the district honor chapter at their meeting in Ocean City.

Membership chairman Calvin Schnure welcomed Dylan, Frank, and Matthew.  Both Dylan Smith and Frank Shipp passed their audition after the formal chapter meeting and will thus become members soon.

After break, it was back to work on the songs.  Prior to the meeting, there was a rehearsal for the “monks” that will do the comedy routine in the show.

In other news, the chapter has received a check for $3984.48 from the Harmony Foundation as a result of our chapter members designating the chapter in a Donor Choice program. Donors have the option to designate up to 30 percent of their contributions to be returned to the chapter or district (or both) of their choice. Thanks to the very generous support provided by many Harmonizers and their families, the check represents our Donor Choice proceeds for the first six months of 2018.  As you can see, in addition to supporting the good work of the Harmony Foundation, this program provides an important source of revenue for our chapter.  

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 70^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd

Looking Back on the Nov. 13^th Chapter Meeting

As you would expect, this week’s meeting was all about preparing for the holiday show that’s on Dec. 8^th at 7:30 pm at TC Williams High School on King St.

Reed Livergood did the vocal warm ups this week and then turned the chorus over to associate director Tony Colosimo for the nite.  Assistant director Chuck Hunter worked on a couple of the show songs as director.

For the chapter meeting, communications team leader Steve Murane was in charge.  He stressed show ticket sales – see Dean Sherick.  Consignment tickets must be paid for or turned in on Nov. 27^th.

There is a need for many more silent auction items – give them to Randall Ellison. Shows chairman Joe Cerutti Sr. reminded all that show program ad copy is due on Fri. to Casey Belzer.

The Wilbur Sparks Memorial Put Together Quartet Contest is all set for Dec. 11^th and a good number of quartets are signed up.  But more quartets are welcome.  See chairman Matt Doniger.  Trophies for regular quartets and comedy quartets.  And there will be cake after the contest!!

Chapter secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Ben Roberts for six years, Jacob Broude for 1 year (he got all the new member materials), Aaron Simoneau for five years, Bob Blair for nineteen years, Mick Stamps for 39 years, and Rick Taylor for 50 years (to be presented this weekend).

Mark Klostermeyer welcomed guests this week – Dylan Smith, Seth Speaks and Duncan Goss.  And president Shaw Tallant welcomed our newest member, Tyler Carpenter.

The second half of the nite was all work on our music for the show.

To all current and past members.  Please take some time to check through your electronic and analog stuff (computers, attics, garages, storage lockers, closets, etc.) for any and we mean any “Harmonizer” things/stuff/items/photos/documents/stage props, etc., that can be added to our history collection.  Anything is good. You needn't take the time to decide if we’d want it, nor should you sort files.  Let the history team do that.

Contact any one of us if you wanna bring stuff on a Tues nite, or if we need to come get it .  We’ll be happy to help. Martin Banks:  gaytimewhiskey7@gmail.com, Bob Rhome:  rcrhome@verizon.net, Bob Blair:  b2blair@cavtel.net, Jack Pitzer:  editorjack@aol.com, Howard Nestlerode: hnest@yahoo.com.

Craig Kujawa reminds members that there is a contest going on to encourage more of us to participate in the scrip program – a virtual way to earn free money for the chapter.  Speak with Craig if you are not “in” the program. To that end, there’s a promotion going on.  Chapter members/supporters who purchase their first $50 worth of Scrip (or more) by noon on Tuesday, November 27th, will be entered into a prize drawing for one $50 gift card of their choice.

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 70^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd