Looking Back on the August 8, 2023 Alexandria Hybrid Chapter Meeting

 Looking Back on the August 8, 2023 Alexandria Hybrid Chapter Meeting 

The singers came prepared to work on their music and choreography this week with an outdoor show on Wednesday night this week and the 75^th anniversary show coming soon on Sept. 9^th. Front row Harmonizers met early to work on their kick line for “New York, New York.”

There was a revised riser chart for the Harmonizer ensemble.

 

Associate director Tony Colosimo did a warm up exercise for the combined singers from the Metro Voices and the Harmonizers with some emphasis on body alignments.

 

Artistic director Joe Cerutti reminded singers of the 6:30 pm call time for Wednesday night’s performance at Franconia District Park (formerly Lee District Park) at 6601 Telegraph Rd., Alexandria.  When you turn off Telegraph, you will take the first right turn and park in that area of the large lot.  The stage is outside in an amphitheater.  There are picnic tables for those who might come early with family and friends. There are benches facing the stage, but your own camp chairs would be a good idea.  Maybe some bug control if you wish. This concert is part of the weekly summer concert series in the Franconia District of Fairfax County hosted by County Supervisor Rodney Lusk. The concert starts at 7:30 pm. A riser crew is needed at 6 pm. 

 

Attire is black camp shirt and jeans for the Harmonizers, and black tops and jeans for Metro Voices. 

 

Joe invited singers to audition for the solo in “Defying Gravity.”  Anyone interested should  communicate with Joe orTony before this weekend.

 

At this point in the evening, Metro Voices moved into sectionals and the Harmonizers stayed on the risers and worked with Joe on “San Francisco.”  He also outlined steps Harmonizers needed to take to be riser ready for several new songs.

 

The Harmonizers then formed three smaller groups that would rotate to different locations to work with different teachers:  Tony worked on a major section of “Calling Dreams;” Dean Rust and Jason Lee worked on choreo for “Sit Down You’re Rockin the Boat;” and Joe worked on performance for “Somethin’s Comin.” The three rotating groups were leads and tenors; baritones; and basses plus front row.  

 

After those work sessions, Joe worked with the whole ensemble on “Calling Dreams.”

 

Music team administrator Terry Reynolds conducted the chapter business meeting when Metro Voices returned to the auditorium with the Harmonizers. President Noah Van Gilder reported the new that former member Bob Caldwelldied Aug. 2.  Bob sang with the Richmond Chorus and with the Harmonizers as well.  He was always a quartet man and three quartets of note were TREASURER CHEST, CITY SLICKERS and ENCORE. CITY SLICKERS was fourth place bronze medalist International Seniors quartet in 2003. A celebration of life will be held in the near future.

 

Noah also reported that former Harmonizer Joe Eckert died recently as well.  He was a Harmonizer from 2003-05 and sang bass in NEW RELEASE quartet when it won the Mid Atlantic District quartet contest in 2008.

 

Joe reminded members that the celebration of life event for Brian Miller will be Sunday, Aug. 13, at the Dubliner in DC at 2 pm.  No formal plans for a chorus appearance will be announced, but if there are enough singers present, they might sing a song. 

 

 Chapter development coordinator, Ken Rub, prompted all members of both ensembles to sell show tickets for Sept. 9.  He also announced the plans for the afterglow for that show to be held at The Garden near Van Dorn Metro Station.  There are 200 seats and the chapter members will have first-take on those tickets – so members should take Ken’sadvice and get their afterglow tickets as soon as possible.  At some point, tickets will be made available to anyone. The afterglow tickets are $25 and include a buffet and of course the guest quartets from the show (and any other quartets that might want to appear). There will be a bar as well.

 

Joe announced a couple changes for the chapter as we grow with multi-ensembles.  The “Chapter Welcome Song” will now end with the words “in the barbershopper way – barbershopper way” instead of “Harmonizer way.”  Also the cheer after “Keep the Whole World Singing” will become “ It’s Great to Be a Barbershopper.” 

 

Operations director, Gary Cregan, is eager to hear from any Harmonizer who will not be singing on the anniversary show in order to possibly borrow their uniform for new singers.

 

Membership director Jacob Broude welcomed several returning guests (Marsha Ansel, Dana Richardson, Ashley Merryman, Mireille Kouagan, EJ Herold, James McCament, Mert Tramack) and a first-time guest, Jonah Phillipp, who is in the DC area for graduate school.  Terry Reynolds, directed the “Chapter Welcome Song.”  

 

There was a brief break and then there was a group game/mixer called Four Corners managed by Jason Lee, Tessa Walker and Samantha Tramack.  The chorus members went to one of the four corners of the room to answer the questions such as “What is your favorite vacation – the beach, the mountains, a city or stay home;” or “what is your favorite season of the year – spring, summer, winter or fall.”  The members got a chance to learn somethings about each other as we grow and add ensembles. 

 

Then everyone was back on the risers to work on “Defying Gravity.” 

 

Metro Voices adjourned at 9:30 and got a head start to the afterglow.  The Harmonizers worked until 10 pm on show songs with choreo.  Reed Livergood directed “Keep the Whole World Singing.” 

 

There was pizza and lots of visiting with the good crowd who made it to the Harmo House for the afterglow.

 

Until next time – editorjack!

 

(This message is prepared for your review if you were there, for your information if you had to miss, and as a historical record for the great things going on each week during the 75^th year of the Alexandria Chapter. - YeEd)

 

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

 

 

 

Looking Back on the August 1, 2023 Alexandria Hybrid Chapter Meeting

 Looking Back on the August 1, 2023 Alexandria Hybrid Chapter Meeting 

The music team was due back in town and members were enjoying some cooler weather and preparing for a good musical workout this week. Assistant director of Metro Voices, Maggie McAlexander, directed a warm up session for both ensembles.  The whole chorus filled the risers and had fun learning a new tag – “Back in My Hometown.”

 

Artistic director Joe Cerutti welcomed everyone and joked some about his being gone for a couple weeks. And of course the folks on the risers dished it right back to him.

 

He was fresh back from Harmony College in New Orleans and the category school where the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) certifies official judges.  Joe was recertified as a musicality judge (note the new title for that category); associate director Tony Colosimo was recertified as a singing judge; and chapter secretary emeritus, Chris Buechler, was recertified as an administrative judge. Chris has now spent ten years on the Society Contest and Judging Committee. 

 

Joe proudly reported that our newest Harmonizer member, Kevin Mendez, was newly certified as a singing judge. Our coach Cy Wood was also newly certified as a performance judge; and Erin Odell Cook, daughter of Craig, was newly certified as a musicality judge.

 

Three former members were also recertified at the category school – Jay Butterfield, Alan Lamson and Sean Devine. John Santora retired as an administrative judge after 22 years.

 

Congratulations to all of our judges!

 

Joe had some other announcements for the whole chorus. First, he reminded everyone about next week’s performance at Franconia Park on Telegraph Rd.  Call time is 6 pm for all singers. Attire is black camp shirts and jeans for Harmonizers, black tops and jeans for Metro Voices. 

 

(Here is some other background about the location of the show: Franconia Park(formerly Lee District Park) is at 6601 Telegraph Rd., Alexandria.  When you turn off Telegraph, you will take the first right turn and park in that area of the large lot.  The stage is outside in an amphitheater.  There are picnic tables for those who might come early with family and friends. There are benches facing the stage, but your own camp chairs would be a good idea.  Maybe some bug control if you wish. This concert is part of the weekly summer concert series in the Franconia District of Fairfax County hosted by County Supervisor Rodney Lusk. The concert starts at 7:30 pm.)

 

Second, Joe alerted everyone that with the fall show just six weeks away, the Tuesday night rehearsals will likely go until 10 pm.

 

Third, he announced that there will be a celebration of life for Brian Miller, a Harmonizer who died due to COVID in the early stages of the epidemic. It will be on Sunday, August 13 at the Dubliner in DC.  Joe asked for a show of hands and determined there were enough singers to accommodate the request from the family for a song or two,  Stay tuned for messages about singing on the 13^th.

 

This week’s  singing began with 20-minute sectionals to work more on the newest song for the anniversary show, “Defying Gravity.”    Sectional leaders for the work sessions were Maggie and Sheryl Berlin for tenors; Sophie Clarke for leads; Lance Fisher for baritones; and Jason Lee for basses. 

 

All sections returned to risers with Joe to work on the combined chorus for the song. The combined ensembles worked next on “Why We Sing.” 

 

Music team administrator, Terry Reynolds, conducted the chapter business meeting.  Operations director, and therefore uniform chairman, Gary Cregan, asked for names of any Harmonizers who would not be singing at the Mid Atlantic District (M-AD) contest in the fall – the chapter may need to borrow a blue suit.  And any men who don’t have a blue suit, should get with Gary ASAP.  Perhaps check with Rick Savage to determine your correct sizes too. He will be able to measure and report to Gary. 

 

Zak Sandler reported on the work he and Lenna Jawdat are doing to create a musical “Inside My Heart.”  There are possibilities for members to try out, to provide support, or participate in a reading at the Kennedy Center on Sept. 2.  See Zak for complete information.

 

Terry also reported the recently announced Mid Atlantic District (M-AD) Seniors Chorus. All gender. Must be 55 or over. They will sing at the fall contest in York, PA, and then sing at the BHS MidWinter convention in New York City in January. Directors are Keith Harris and Rick Taylor. There is a $10 fee to cover the cost of learning tracks and music.  Seniors are encouraged to sign up since we will be York anyway.  And this may be a great time for many Harmonizers to attend their first MidWinter since it is in NYC, Jan. 9-14. 2024. 

 

President Noah Van Gilder gave an update on the chapter’s policy about COVID issues with the concern that it is still around with numbers increasing in some areas. In short, be vigilant.  If you are sick, don’t attend a chapter event. Wear a mask if you wish. If you are exposed, alert the chapter via health@harmonizers.org. 

 

Chapter secretary David DesPortes presented a membership renewal card to Mike Fasano for his 29 years. Dave also won the 50/50 drawing this week.

 

Membership director Jacob Broude welcomed several guests (Marsha Ansel, Dana Richardson, Ashley Merryman, EJ Herold, James McCament, Mert Tramack) and assistant director emeritus, Will Cox, directed the chapter “Welcome Song.”  

 

There was a brief break so folks could move off the risers and then the two ensembles worked separately on their music.  The Harmonizers did a quick review of  “Calling Dreams” and then concentrated on stage presence reviews for “New York, New York” with Joe and Turner Arndt, “Sit Down You’re Rockin the Boat” with Turner.  They rounded out the singing by doing a quick run of all the songs for the Aug. 9^th show in the Park. (Joe joked that with his record of being rained out most years for the summer concerts since he has been our director, chapter members should be alert for any possible cancellation notices about 5 pm on show day.)

 

Metro Voices adjourned at 9:30 and got a head start to the afterglow at the Harmo House.  The Harmonizers worked until 10.

 

Until next time – editorjack!

 

(This message is prepared for your review if you were there, for your information if you had to miss, and as a historical record for the great things going on each week during the 75^th year of the Alexandria Chapter. - YeEd)

 

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

 

 

 

Looking Back on the July 25, 2023 Alexandria Hybrid Chapter Meeting

 Looking Back on the July 25, 2023 Alexandria Hybrid Chapter Meeting 

Despite the rain storms and severe heat wave in the area, a good crowd of members made it to the Tuesday night meeting at Scottish Rite Temple (SRT. 

 

Most of the chapter’s musical leadership team was at the BHS Harmony University in New Orleans helping other barbershoppers grow and improve - Joe Cerruti, Tony Colosimo, Tessa Walker, and Samantha Tramack.  But this week’s music work session for our chapter continued without a flaw with our strong back up team.  

 

Assistant director of Metro Voices, Maggie McAlexander, did the vocal warm up session for the combined ensembles that filled the risers.

 

After that, Metro Voices and Harmonizers worked in sectionals for “Defying Gravity” which will be the closer for the 75^th anniversary show.  This piece arranged by Steve Tramack will be performed by the combined ensembles. Sectional leaders for the work sessions were Maggie and Sheryl Berlin for tenors; Ben Watsky and Sophie Clarke for leads; Lance Fisher for baritones; and Jason Lee for basses. 

 

All singers regrouped on the risers to sing this new arrangement with the solo track playing with them – the solo recording by Drew Wheaton. 

 

As usual, music team administrator, Terry Reynolds, kept the evening rolling.  He thanked all the section leaders for their preparation and leadership.

 

The chapter business meeting was coordinated by communications director Steve Murane. He reminded all members that the 75^th anniversary book is in the lobby for anyone who didn’t get one. Also, Adam Afifi is still expecting the chorus sections to create an advertisement for the anniversary show program.  Only a couple have done it so far. 

 

Chapter membership director, Jacob Broude, welcomed back four Metro Voices singers, and one first-time singer, Ray Wenderlich in the lead section for the Harmonizers. Jacob also welcomed the newest Harmonizer member, Kevin Mendez, and gave him his black chorus camp shirt. Assistant director emeritus Will Cox directed the chapter “Welcome Song.”

 

There was a 10-minute break for folks to relax a bit, and get some water.  Those singers who were not present last week could check the riser chart.

 

After break, Terry outlined the song lists for the Aug. 9 show  at Franconia Park for both ensembles – “Gravity” and “Dream” will be saved for the fall show. 

 

Franconia Park(formerly Lee District Park) is at 6601 Telegraph Rd., Alexandria.  When you turn off Telegraph, you will take the first right turn and park in that area of the large lot.  The stage is outside in an amphitheater.  There are picnic tables for those who might come early with family and friends. There are benches facing the stage, but your own camp chairs would be a good idea.  Maybe some bug control if you wish. This concert is part of the weekly summer concert series in the Franconia District of Fairfax County hosted by County Supervisor Rodney Lusk. 

 

Both ensembles continued work on their music.  The Harmonizers worked on stage presence for “Sit Down You’re Rockin the Boat” with Jason Lee directing and Tuner Arndt coaching the choreo plan created by Cy Wood. There was lots of progress but Terry announced that the choreo will probably not be used on Aug. 9. The front row worked in the lobby on their choreo plan for this song.

 

Jason and Turner continued their team leadership helping polish the choreo plan for “Somethings Comin.”

 

Before closing, Terry alerted Harmonizers that don’t have a blue suit uniform should contact operations director Gary Cregan, operations@harmonizers.org, right away so he has enough time to fill the need.

 

The meeting ended with everyone together for “Keep the Whole World Singing”  directed by Drew Fuller who won the 50/50 this week.  The afterglow was at Rampart’s again 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 for the great things going on each week during the 75^th year of the Alexandria Chapter. - YeEd)

 

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

 

 

 

Looking Back on the July 18, 2023 Alexandria Hybrid Chapter Meeting

 Looking Back on the July 18, 2023 Alexandria Hybrid Chapter Meeting 

First off – here are more names of Harmonizers who were on the scene at the contest in Louisville in early July:  Rasmus Krigstrom directed the Northern Stars chorus from Sweden. He has arranged several songs for us over the years including the new song for our 75^th anniversary, “Calling Dreams” Others friends of the chapter were on stage with the Ambassadors of Harmony including arranger David Wright and coach Jim Henry. Former coach Tony DeRosa was in the fourth-place quartet with his son Joseph. Our recent retreat coaches David McEachern and Rick Spencer were there.  Johan Westberg sang with Sound of the Rockies. Chris Buechler and Keven Keller were involved with the judging panel for the contest. Thanks to Dixie Kennett and Keith Jones for serving as reporters for YeEd. 

 

A good crowd of members made it to the Tuesday night meeting at Scottish Rite Temple (SRT) during a really hot summer spell. After associate director Tony Colosimo conducted the warm up session for the combined Metro Voices and Harmonizers on the risers, he gave an official welcome to Samantha Tramack, and her husband Mert, who have moved to Reston in recent days. She will be the new director of Metro Voices. Tony congratulated them also for their quartet success in Louisville. SWEET & SOUR was the highest scoring mixed quartet. 

 

Then Tony welcomed Cy Wood for work session on a presentation plan for “Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat.”

 

Artistic director Joe Cerutti was already in New Orleans for this summer’s Harmony University. 

 

Music team admin coordinator Terry Reynolds welcomed members Ian Poulin, Chuck Powell, Rob Barnovsky, Doug Smith and Johan Westberg who were with us this week. 

 

A major schedule change for the chapter – the meeting on July 25 will be at SRT (and not in Old Town Alexandria as previously announced).

 

Terry also announced the July Birthdays: Matt Ambler, Bob Blair, Jacob Broude, Tyler Carpenter, Elisabeth Cosh, Bill DePuy, Ike Evans, Kellen Hertz, Ken Ives, Jerry Jayjohn, Ross Johnson, Mike Kelly, Reed Livergood, Sam McFarland, Kevin McKenzie, John Santora, John Sifuentes, Dylan Smith, Gene Swartz, Greg Tepe and Cy Wood. Marianne Reisssig, Dennis Ritchey’s Mom who attends most of our meetings and watches from the front row of the auditorium, was also recognized for her July birthday. 

 

Then the two ensembles went to work on their music. The Harmonizers worked on “Wee Small Hours” while Cyworked with the front row in the lobby.

 

All the singers gathered for the business meeting conducted by communications director Steve Murane.  Chapter secretary David DesPortes presented membership renewal cards to Lance Fisher for 7 years; Troy Hillier for 32 years; and Dave Ermlick for 43 years.

 

Chapter executive director Randall Eliason passed out business cards with the fall show information on them for members to use in selling tickets.  He also explained the importance of all members selling show ads. The deadline for sales and program copy is August 1^st. See Frank Fedarko or Adam Afifi if you want help with those sales. He also suggested that the sections of the ensembles might buy ads.

 

There will be a need for ushers and other volunteers for the show as well, so Randall or shows director Doug Whitewill collect names of family or friends who might help in that capacity.

 

Tesssa Walker helped welcome several singing visitors with Metro Voices. Ben Watsky welcomed Harmonizer guests including Elaine Cozzie and Ellen Dellert. Assistant director emeritus Will Cox directed the chapter welcome song.

 

The ensembles worked on their music with the Harmonizers concentrating on learning the choreo plan for “Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat.”  It is fantastic and will be a big crowd pleaser. Cy left the plan in the hands of the chapter team, and specifically Turner Arndt, to help everyone learn it. 

 

The meeting ended with everyone together for “Keep the Whole World Singing.”  The afterglow this week was at Rampart’s.

 

Until next time – editorjack!

 

(This message is prepared for your review if you were there, for your information if you had to miss, and as a historical record for the great things going on each week during the 75^th year of the Alexandria Chapter. - YeEd)

 

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

 

 

 

 Looking Back on the July 2-9, 2023 Alexandria Chapter at Louisville International

Even though the Alexandria chorus did not compete at the Louisville, KY, International contest and convention, a good number of members did compete and earned high marks for their work and talent.

 

FIRST TAKE with Alex Corson, Tony Colosimo, Drew Wheaton and Andrew Havens captured a third-place bronze medal out of the 60 quartets that started the quarterfinals contest.  They scored a 92.8% average for all six songs they sang during the contest.  Their performances of “Santa Fe” and “Not While I’m Around” were powerful!

 

Two other quartets with Alexandria members were in the semi-finals round of the contest. SWEET & SOUR with Christina Tramack, Samantha Tramack, Mert Tramack, and Josh Tramack placed 18^th. Samantha is incoming director of Metro Voices.

 

Placing 19^th was WILDFIRE with Andrew Lujan, Stephen Goldman, Kevin Mendez, and Harrison Cooke. Kevin is a new Harmonizer.

 

PRAXIS with Francesco Logozzo, Kevin Clark, Lance Fisher and David Breen placed 35^th.  Lance and David are an important part of the chapter’s music team and they were credited with arranging the songs their quartet sang in the contest. Cy Wood, our choreographer, sang in MIXTAPE and placed 45^th. Rick Taylor sang in LEGACY and placed 43^rd.

 

Other singers who have been part of the Harmonizer family and sang in the quartet contest included Sean Devine in THROWBACK that placed 5^th; Ed Schubel in PRATT STREET POWER that placed 9^th; Will Daniel Simmons in SECRET BEST FRIENDS that placed 12^th; and Spencer Wight in MADHATTEN that placed 49^th.

 

MIDTOWN quartet from Mid Atlantic District (M-AD) placed first with a 94.5% score which included 100% performance scores on their uptune in the finals – a very fun combination of “Spider-Man” with “Old McDonald’s Farm” with lots of comedic exchanges and even with the lead on the floor portraying a spider with restless leg syndrome. 

 

Former members Steve Tramack and Jay Butterfield were on the official judging panel for the quartet contest and the chorus contest. Chris Buechler and Kevin Keller were also involved with the panel. 

 

Maggie McAlexander sang with ADRENALINE in the quartet and chorus festival and earned a superior ranking.  Bill Colosimo and John Santora sang in a chorus representing the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) board in the Festival too.  Bill is currently chairman of the BHS nominating committee and John is president of BHS. Joe Cerutti (artistic director of the Alexandria chapter) and Chris Buechler (a member of the Society Contest and Judging Committee) were on the judging panel for the festival. 

 

Joe is also coordinator of the Next Generation Varsity Quartet Contest. Former member Donell Torres sang in TOFU CONCERN in that event.  THE QUINN-TONES, who have often been on our chapter shows, sang in that contest too. 

 

There were several Alexandria singers in the chorus contest: Lance Fisher and Chris Yates in Parkside Harmony with Sean Devine directing.  The Hershey chorus placed second.

 

Lance and Josh Myers sang with East Coast Sound chorus. Donelle Torres sang with The Recruits. TJ Donahue andJohan Westberg sang with the Sound of the Rockies. Lynn Hineman sang with Heralds of Harmony. Sophie Clarksang with Parkside Melody. Lou Bergner sang with Harbourtown Sound.  Donelle Torres and Dan Cook sang with the Ambassadors of Harmony who took first place in the contest. Longtime Harmonizer family friends, David Wright,who arranged their contest songs, and Jim Henry, their director, should be listed here too. Johan Westberg also sang in Northern Stars chorus from Sweden representing the Society of Nordic Barbershop Singers (SNOBS) – he was in their front row! Their director was Rasmus Krigstrum. Paul Wietlesbach sang with the Nashville chorus in their swan song set. 

 

Our friends from Barbershop in Germany (BinG) placed 12^th in the chorus contest.  They visited in Alexandria before going to KY and did a show with the chapter at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. 

 

Earlier in the week, four members of the chapter were announced as 50-year members: David Wilt, Carl Kauffman, Jay Butterfield and John Rettenmayer. Other Harmonizer family members at the convention included Alan Lamson, Terry Reynolds, Keith Jones, Glenn Williamson, Mike Wallen, Ken Rub, Tom Gannon, Greg Tepe, Jim Shoenhard, Jack Pitzer, Craig Kujawa, and Scott Beach. 

 

Both of this year’s Society Hall of Fame recipients had strong ties to the chapter too.  Renee Craig was a major arranger in the early years of the chapter and we sang her charts, and we did a show with her Ramapo Valley Spotlight Chorus. VOCAL SPECTRUM quartet was on our shows including the Holiday Show at Music Center Strathmore.

 

The chapter did have an advertisement on the contest venue show screen to promote the 75^th anniversary show. 

 

To wrap up the week, Joe Cerutti and Rick Taylor were hosts for Live Stream show Saturday night.

 

(Thanks to Dixie Kennett and Keith Jones for inputs for this article. YeEd)

 

Until next time – editorjack!

 

(This message is prepared for your review if you were there, for your information if you had to miss, and as a historical record for the great things going on each week during the 75^th year of the Alexandria Chapter. - YeEd)

 

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

 

 

 

Looking Back on the July 11, 2023 Alexandria Hybrid Chapter Meeting

 Looking Back on the July 11, 2023 Alexandria Hybrid Chapter Meeting 

There was a good number of members and guests at this week’s chapter meeting right after the big International contest and convention in Louisville.  Members were eager to extend personal congratulations to the chapter members who were in the contests and events representing our chapter.

 

Associate director Tony Colosimo did the warm up session for the combined chorus of the Harmonizers and Metro Voices.

 

Artistic director Joe Cerutti was quick to take the microphone and recognize the many active Harmonizers who competed and performed at International!  Starting with the powerful performances by Tony Colosimo and Andrew Havens quartet, FIRST TAKE, who placed third in the quartet contest. Lance Fisher and David Breen competed with PRAXIS. Samantha Tramack competed with SWEET AND SOUR with her brother and sister and husband. Kevin Mendez competed with WILDFIRE. Maggie McAlexander competed with ADRENALINE in the Festival portion of the convention.

 

Lance sang with the Hershey chorus and earned a silver medal.  He and Josh Myers sang with the East Coast Sound chorus.  Sophie Clarke sang with Parkside Melody chorus. 

 

Many members watched all or part of the convention and contest from their home on Live Stream. A more complete Looking Back report from International will be released soon with lots of other news of the Alexandria chapter family. 

 

Joe also thanked all the members who hosted and provided tours for the Heavy Medal Chorus who visited us prior to their trip to Louisville. Those singers were profoundly grateful for the hospitality and support. They placed 12^th in the chorus contest.

 

Great to see Ryan Mextorf and Mike Fasano on the risers this week.

 

Samantha Tramack and her husband, Mert, are due to arrive Wednesday, July 12, and a crew of our members was organized to help them unload and move into a home in Reston. 

 

Here are calendar highlights for the next few months.  Members should post on their personal calendars:

 

July 18 – Cy Wood here to teach choreo for “Sit Down You’re Rockin the Boat”

July 25 – possible sing in Old Town starting at Market Square Stay tuned for details

Aug 9 – performance at a Fairfax County Park – Franconia Park on Telegraph Road

Sept 9 – 75^th Anniversary Fall Show at Schlesinger

Sept 10 – launch of Capital Force seasonal youth chorus – a third ensemble for the chapter

Sept 29-30 – Mid Atlantic District (MAD) contest and convention in York, PA

Dec 16-17 – Holiday Show

 

At this point, the two ensembles began work on their respective repertoire. Metro Voices spent their work time in sectionals.  The Harmonizers worked first on “San Francisco” and then on “Calling Dreams.” 

 

The chapter business meeting was coordinated by communications director Steve Murane. 

 

Chapter executive director Randall Eliason alerted all members to go to the district web site to reserve rooms for the fall contest in York.  And to get tickets.  Both ensembles will be singing there. It’s at midatlanticdistrict.com.

 

He also is seeking ideas for an afterglow location for the fall show.

 

President Noah Van Gilder reports that Rob Barnovsky is recovering at home and that he needs a ride to chapter.  (YeEd noticed on SLACK that Tony has offered to bring him.) 

 

Chapter secretary David DesPortes presented a membership renewal to Steve Murane for 21 years.

 

Frank Fedarko spoke to members about selling ads for the show program, and Randy Lazear spoke about ticket sales. Steve reports that a show flyer will be sent to members soon for their promotion to patrons and family.

 

Ben Watsky welcomed guests this week.  There were four singing guests present: EJ Harold and Jeff Lau who sing with the West Point Alumni Chorus; John Cooper and his wife Ellen from the Erie, PA, chapter; and Lea Musicovisiting Metro Voices.  Terry Reynolds directed the chapter welcome song.

 

At this point in the meeting, both ensembles went back to work on their songs. Joe reminded both ensembles that there is one more new song to work on for the finale of the show – “Defying Gravity.”

 

Mike Fasano had the winning 50/50 ticket this week. The meeting ended after the two ensembles sang “Keep the Whole World Singing” together directed by Sophie Clarke.  Joe took the pizza count and invited folks  to the afterglow at the Harmo House. 

 

In other chapter news, the recent passing of former member Steve Guy prompted Allen Hanenbaum, to pen this note to YeEd: “When Steve Guy was active with the Harmonizers, there were four dentists in the chorus – Will Cox, Randy Lazear, Steve and Al.  But none of us sang baritone, so we couldn’t form a quartet!”

 

Until next time – editorjack!

 

(This message is prepared for your review if you were there, for your information if you had to miss, and as a historical record for the great things going on each week during the 75^th year of the Alexandria Chapter. - YeEd)

 

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

 

 

 

Looking Back on the July 1, 2023 Alexandria Show with BinG Chorus Heavy Medal

 Looking Back on the July 1, 2023 Alexandria Show with BinG Chorus Heavy Medal

The plans for this great weekend started months ago when artistic director Joe Cerutti was in Germany with Barbershop in Germany singers and the Heavy Medal Chorus director Norbert Hammes.   

 

And despite heavy rains and many flight delays, the chorus from BinG arrived in the DC area just in time to do the combined show with the Harmonizers and Metro Voices on Saturday night, July 1, 2023 at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial.

 

Some BinG singers arrived on Thursday or Friday, but most arrived some time on Saturday.  Many of them brought some family members as well.  They live in cities all over Germany and they meet three times per year as a chorus to work on songs for competition and shows.  All members of their chorus have won a medal as a quartet singer in the BinG contests.  Thus the name Heavy Medal.

 

Their chorus is headed to the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) convention in Louisville, KY, via a flight from National Airport on Sunday, July 3. They will compete in the International chorus contest.

 

Members of the Alexandria Chapter hosted all of the BinG guests in their homes and made sure they got from the airport to Metro area tourist places, and to the show and afterglow that was at the Harmo House on Saturday night. Because of flight delays for several, the coaching session set for Saturday morning was cancelled.

 

Therefore Joe sent out word to move up the call time to 4:30 pm at the Memorial. A large Harmonizer riser crew arrived early to set up five sections on the stage and to add chairs to the auditorium’s main floor to provide more seating.  A high response from patrons, family and friends responded to promotions. Chapter operations director Gary Cregan drove the Hamro truck and he and shows director Doug White set up a mic for the emcees. (One BinG guest, Joel Klawikowski, staying with Gary also helped set up risers and chairs – he is a behind-the-scenes helper for BinG performances and his Dad is in the chorus.)

 

Each of the three choruses had warm up time on the risers and adjusted their line up accordingly, since the stage was small. There were about 30 Heavy Medal singers and they wore bright color shirts with HM on the front.  There were about 50 Harmonizers and they wore their black camp shirts and jeans.  Metro Voices wore black tops and jeans and there were 13 of them on the risers. Warm up sessions were held in various parts of the Memorial building. 

 

Before actual show time, Joe held a combined meeting for all singers and encouraged a hearty welcome of cheers and applause for the BinG chorus. He talked briefly about the afterglow and took a pizza count!  And he introduced six Alexandria chapter members who would be hosting tours on Sunday afternoon:  Calvin Schnure hosting a bird watching tour at Huntley Meadows; Kellen Hertz hosting for a pub crawl in DC; Frank Shipp hosting a tour of Lazy Lane Farm in Upperville, VA; Tyler Carpenter hosting a tour of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the National Mall; Mary Cooper hosting a tour of Arlington Cemetery; and Noah Van Gelder hosting a walking tour of the major monuments on the Mall.

 

The Harmonizers, with Joe directing, started the show with “I’m the Music Man” followed by “Wee Small Hours/Always: and “New York, New York” – two long time favorites of the chorus that are being added to the repertoire for this 2023 75^th anniversary year for the chapter.  Randal Eliason was emcee for the Harmonizer part of the show that ended with a terrific performance of “Impossible Dream, ” A quartet of John Sifuentes, Tony Colosimo, Lance Fisher and David Breen sang the verse before the chorus joined them.

 

Metro Voices came to the risers in front of the Harmonizers and sang two songs directed by Tessa Walker – “Don’t Mean a Thing’ and “I See the Light.”

 

Then both Alexandria ensembles combined to sing “Why We Sing” which is the spark for the theme of the September 9, 75^th Anniversary show – “This Is Why We Sing.”  Tickets are on sale now for this major barbershop show featuring the two choruses and MAX Q and RINGMASTERS.

 

After the Virginia singers left the stage, the energetic Heavy Medal chorus took the risers and entertained the audience with several great arrangements that displayed their skill at mastering all genre of music such as the Stevie Wonder song, “Isn’t She Lovely.”  They presented a beautiful plaque to Joe and president Noah Van Gilder, for the chapter, expressing thanks for hosting and sharing a great barbershop weekend.

 

They did introduce their friend and the founder of Barbershop in Germany, Manfred Adams, who was traveling with them to Louisville. They also expressed appreciation to the American Embassy in Berlin and the German Embassy in Washington, DC, for their support in helping make the concert trip possible. Plus the support from Goethe-Institute – Washington. They finished their set with the two contest songs they will perform at the International directed by co-directors Norbert Hammes and Matthias Neuburger.    

 

After the show, all of the BinG singers, their local hosts and many of their new barbershop friends went to the Harmo House for lots of tag singing, lots of pizza, and lots of talk about how the hobby has spread around the world.

 

Luckily the predicted rain did not happen, although it was extremely hot for the tours.  Then there was a dinner at Joe Theismann’s in Alexandria that evening for a wrap up of the weekend.

 

The chapter did invite donations from patrons either as they left the show or online; and everyone got a promotional reminder about the fall show from general manager Susan Fitzpatrick or shows director Doug White as they exited.

 

Until next time – editorjack!

 

(This message is prepared for your review if you were there, for your information if you had to miss, and as a historical record for the great things going on each week during the 75^th year of the Alexandria Chapter. - YeEd)

 

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