Looking Back on the May 24th Chapter Meeting

The buzz at Durant was strong with that feeling of accomplishment and Harmonizer pride this week. Coming off the successful performance at Carnegie Hall, the chorus came back for more. Director Joe was beaming and said he could not begin to share all the joy. (YeEd will produce a complete Looking Back column for the Carnegie Hall weekend in NYC.) Joe gave an update on contributions for the relief fund for Japan – about $40,000 that nite and about $179,000 collected via the web and pre-show collections.

Several guys shared audience or family reactions to the show.

Joe also shared that maybe the highlight of the weekend (even over getting to sing at Carnegie Hall) might have been our singing “Keep The Whole World Singing” on Saturday to our fellow singers from Japan during the brunch. There were a lot of tears coming out at that great moment in Harmonizer history.

But everyone knew tonite was gonna be a work out on the contest package. Geri Geis was on hand to coach and help re-tool the ballad. Director Joe announced to the guys right at the start of the work period that he was making a change in the opening of the contest ballad/set and changing the scenario so it was easier to sell and believe. There was applause of support.

After even the first half hour of work, the guys were on top of the new challenge! The intro was as powerful as the verse. The revision means more work for the staging crew and carpenters. But they can do almost anything with wood and paint!!

The whole first half of the nite was used to bolster the introductions of the two contest songs.
To get things in gear tonite, Tony Colosimo did vocal and physical warm ups. Chuck McKeever held his class at 6 for guys who wanted to review their moves and focals for the package. Of course a lot of guys had to chip in to set up everything for the meeting and rehearsal. It was great to have the risers back into their normal configuration.

Before break, Mark Klostermeyer conducted our weekly chapter meeting.

Scott Kahler, who is coordinating our chapter’s hosting duties for the Southern Division contest this weekend in Reston at the Hyatt, asked for more volunteers as ushers and such. He has made assignments and published them via email. All should note those emails for arrival times.

YeEd alerts all readers that the Friday nite quartet contest starts at 6 pm. Allow for traffic and parking -- tho the parking garage at Reston Town Center is huge. And there are plenty of places to eat around the area. If you are gonna usher or escort contestants, get there plenty early.

The chorus contest starts at 10 am on Saturday. Also get there early to help. Wear Harmonizer gear and your name tag. And if you see someone needs help, chip in. That is especially true after things wrap up on Saturday nite. A show of winners starts that evening at 6:30. Our chapter is the host chapter and will earn income for our work.

Proudly, our chapter will have several contestant quartets in the contest and YeEd suspects n several will be on the show Saturday nite!

Also during last nite’s chapter meeting, secretary Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Al Herman for 28 years (he is chair of the chapter’s finance committee); and to Howard Nestlerode for 36 years. Last week YeEd had a typo in his copy – Jim Lake received his 18 year renewal card.

Phil Ashford introduced our guests which included several family members of Bert Phillips.

Thanks to Ellen and Adrianne for making the coffee and getting the goodies set out this week.

After break, announcements continued. Chuck McKeever reiterated the plans for the chorus retreat in Westminster MD, June 4 and 5 at McDaniel College. He has sent out very complete instructions for all to follow in making plans such as drive time and driving route. He reminded all to prepay for the fees – Howard Nestlerode at the admin table tonite. And Chuck asked us all to email him with any request for roommates.

Many of us who have been in the chapter a while now go up on Friday nite to get settled, have some fun with the guys and be there for the early Saturday morning start.

Show producer, Greg Tepe, reminded us about our show for the Supreme Court Historical Society on June 6. Arrival at 6:30. Be prepared for security check in – have metals easy to take out including pitch pipes!

Shows vice president, Kenny White, thanked some of the key workers that helped make the weekend trip such a success – Greg Tepe, producer; Bruce Lauther, logistics; Mark Klostermeyer, chorus manager; Ken Henderson, fund raiser for the relief fund; Brian Ammerman, Bob Blair, Bob Rhome, Bob Mattes, bus leaders. Ken also thanked the whole music team for their hard work to prepare the chorus for the show as well as the special events like singing the “Friends” tag in Japanese on Saturday and the extra songs to sing with the other choruses. Actually, when Kenny was welcomed to the mic, the chapter members thanked him with long applause for his leadership to make it a successful weekend!

Music vice president, Terry Reynolds, suggested guys get their plans made to go to Harmony College East (HCE) in Salisbury on June 18th. We will conduct a ‘masters class’ and sing on the evening show at the weekend school. Howard Nestlerode is also collecting fees for this trip too. PR vp Steve Lingo encourages guys to stay over and socialize on the quad at the campus where the HCE is held.

Chapter president, Steve Murane, was given some special gifts from our new friends from the concert. They asked him to choose the recipients and Steve chose to give the special gifts from Japan to Ken White, Greg Tepe, Bruce Lauther, Steve Lingo for their work on the show. And he also gave one each to Kyle Blomgren who is moving to CA and to Victor Hills who is headed off the US Military Academy.

Steve also received a letter from BHS president, Alan Lamson, who expressed his pride in our show representing the Society.

Then K12 called up the following 12 men. They are the Class of 2011 and were presented bright gaudy blue kerchiefs for the traditional initiation period leading up to walking onto the stage in Kansas City. The will be expected to wear their scarves in view for all to see at any and all Harmonizer gatherings. The class consists of all the guys who will be singing for the first time as a Harmonizer at International.
Adam Bradley
Jay Butterfield
Clark Chesser
Chris Clark
Bill Colosimo
Clyde Crusenberry
Thom Faircloth
Jacob George
Michael Gilmore
Kevin Kaiser
Dave Kohls
Nick Leiserson
Welcome aboard for the ride, men!!

Then it was back to the risers for more hard work on the songs.

We worked hard right up til 10 pm. Before the chapter meeting, Bob Rhome affixed a large thermometer high on the outside wall to keep track of the room temperatures (ended up at 80 degrees at the end of the night).

Last week, YeEd reported on Steve White forming a special quartet to fill a gig so that DA CAPO could go sing in the Sweepstakes. Well here is more detail from Steve. “ACES FULL” (as we called ourselves) was actually substituting for DOWN A FOURTH who have as members Wayne Adams and Joe Sawyer, so half of DA CAPO. We did the Long Island, NY chapter show for them where at one time Joe Cerutti had been the assistant director.

That chapter actually tried twice to get FOUR ACES, but could never hook up, so were pleased to get a pseudo combination of them. This is actually the area where Nick Aiuto grew up, so his mom and dad and 3 sisters all came to the show. Nick sang in his very first barbershop quartet with the chapter’s director Mo.

Good to have Kellen Hertz back from college and working to catch up for the contest. Special forces guys present this week were Pete Frank, Jay Butterfield and Bob Wilson.

Tonite we sang farewell to Kyle Blomgren. Director Joe grabbed a chair and invited Kyle to sit in front of the chorus so we could sing the traditional “There Will Always Be A Place on The Risers for You.” He is off to CA for a job and more schooling. Good luck, man!!

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 May 17th Chapter Meeting

This was a really busy nite in prep for our big gig at Carnegie Hall in NYC on Friday, May 20th. All the usual preparation was done for room set up and Will Cox gave the chorus a long steady warm up session which included physical and musical exercises.

Then Director Joe arrived with a stack of handouts – several page booklets, actually – that were designed to help the guys prepare for the show. Mostly tough musical passages, breath and inflection cues, and rhythm details. The guys appreciated the useful learning too. Thanks to Joe for another great example of how prepared he is every Tuesday nite and how he imparts learning to the guys.

Show producer, Greg Tepe, was in the house to lead the show run-thru. Shows vp, Ken White, had a ton of details to offer. Show salesman, Bruce Lauther, was busy wrapping up ticket distribution for the Saturday brunch session with our fellow singers from Japan. Uniform guy, Tom Kern, was also busy filling last minute needs of the guys – since we will be wearing casuals on Fri going, and on Sat returning, plus a couple changes or so on the stage.

Carnegie Hall is a Union shop, so that means we have to do some things differently that we might do for a show. Also the other singing groups are also large, the flow of people on and off stage will be a little challenging for their stage manager. Of course, our chorus manager, Mark Klostermeyer, will be the top sergeant for the weekend for our chorus.

We will do the “Star Spangled Banner” along with our show package which includes our contest songs for this summer. Our set will include ‘ROUND MIDNIGHT and we will have some fun with them on stage.

The chorus guys gotta get up early cause the bus is gonna head out right on time – no waiting. The MD guys will be picked up en route. And there will be brief stops too, tho Ken suggested bring your own food and don’t count on getting into a long line for something to eat.

Our chapter leaders are prepared to make a presentation to the Japan emergency relief fun and to honor our fellow singers. Ken Henderson worked on coordinating any donations. YeEd hears that BHS president, Alan Lamson, will also make remarks.

The Harmonizers learned the “Friends” tag (which we sing at retreat every year – it is arranged by David Wright) in Japanese to sing to our new friends. Thanks to Ryan Griffith who got the translation, and provided learning materials. We will sing it for them on Saturday morning at social gathering before we head home.

Our chapter operations vp, Mark Klostermeyer, conducted the weekly chapter meeting about half way thru the evening. Secretary Buechler presented renewal cards to Michael Gilmore, for 19 years, and to Jim Lake for 18 years. Membership vp, Phil Ashford, introduce a bunch of guests by having them stand or wave from their seats.

Brad Jones launched the big push for our June 26th East Coast Harmony show at George Mason. He invited Harmonizers to email him if you want some tickets on consignment to sell. We need to get pushing on ticket sales for this big event.

Chris Buechler also asked guys to see him regarding the Supreme Court show – as you can imagine the security is tight in that building and all of our singers must get in SS numbers, etc.

After the coffee break, quartet promotion chairman, Eric Wallen, presented a chapter check to each chapter quartet that will be singing in any of the division contests this spring (that lead up to the fall contest in Lancaster in early Oct. and the chance to become district champ quartet).

Each of these quartets has at least one Harmonizer member:

BLARNEY BROTHERS – Michael Calhoun and Gary Bibbens
YOUTH RECLAMATION PROJECT – Mike Wallen
ROLL OF THE DICE – Bill Colosimo
SURPRISE! – Bruce Minnick and John Grant
MAYHEM – Mike Pinto and Ken White
MAD HATTERS – Rick Taylor and Steve White
FRiDAYS! – Bob Caldwell, Ken Ives and Steve Murane
DOWNTOWN – Arthur Louis, Frank Fedarko and Drew Fuller
DOWN A FOURTH – Joe Sawyer, Joe Cerutti, Wayne Adams and Troy Hillier

Then as a special treat we got to hear the new national champs of the Harmony Sweepstakes. Our own guys, DA CAPO with Ryan Griffith, Tony Colosimo, Joe Sawyer and Wayne Adams, took top honors and were named “audience favorite” just like they did in the regional contest here in DC a month or so ago.

The Harmonizers were extending congrats all nite to the guys and it was a proud accomplishment for the chapter. The quartet thanked their fellow chapter members for the support all along and especially the electronic cheers and support day of the contest (since not too many of us could get to CA for the event.

Before chapter meeting, YeEd heard Wayne thanking Steve White for his help. Later I learned that Steve joined forces with Ed Cazenas, Nick Aiuto and Richard Lewellen to sing a show gig that DA CAPO was supposed to do in Long Island, NY. Now that is great cooperation.

Other chapter news YeEd has to report: Tom and Emily Kraus announced the birth of their son, Benjamin.

New guys need to check the chapter calendar to be sure they can attend the retreat, the Harmony College East event, of course International week and the extra rehearsals leading up to it, the East Coast Harmony Show on June 26th, volunteering to help the chapter host the Southern Division contest May 27 and 28, attend the fall contest to help support the many chapter quartets we will have in the contest and offer a hand to the host chapter for that weekend, and the Supreme Court show will be here really soon too.

Don’t forget to wear a name tag of some kind on Tues nite at chapter meeting.

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 May 10th Chapter Meeting

YeEd has gotta make this one fast, as he has to catch a plane early Wednesday morn. So here goes.

The risers were in a straight line again this week and the AC was not on at all, it didn’t seem like.
Cindy Hansen and Geri Geis were in to help with the contest package and also to add some sparkle and excitement to our songs for Carnegie Hall. There will be about 85 Harmonizers on the stage with over 150 from Japan. Director Joe reports that many of them are coming even with loss of family or friends or maybe even fellow chorus members.

The musical cultural event will also be a fund raising event for the disaster.

First treat for the nite was to watch a quick clip of a Dallas Vocal Majority gig for musical educators a few years ago. Joe wanted to share this moment in barbershop history when our form of music was given a green light from the educators.

He suggests we can do this for the classical musicians in the audience in NYC. Tho we hear a huge number of NY barbershoppers will be at the show. It is a sellout at this point.

Congrats to our team of guys who have worked hard to keep us posted, make arrangements for our travel and housing and meals and fun. Especially Ken White and Greg Tepe. Steve Lingo is doing ticket distribution for those guests going with members to the show in NYC. Ken Henderson is in charge of collections for the relief fund, if you are interested in giving.

There will likely be more emails and communications for all those going to perform and/or to attend the show. Stay tuned.

The whole nite was used for the show and contest package and working with our two visual coaches.

Mark Klostermeyer conducted the business meeting period. Chris Buechler announced membership renewal for Andrew Plocher, 2 years; Dan O’Brien, 6; Tim Buell, 7; Craig Kujawa, 8; Steve Murane, 9; Chris Buecher, 26; Bob Eckman, 27; and Austin Cotton, 36.

Steve Lingo filled in for Phil Ashford, who had a family emergency, and introduced the guests.

After our coffee break, there were announcements.

Brad Jones gave details about the June show.

Scott Kahler asked for more guys to step up to help our chapter host the Southern Division contest in Reston in a couple weeks.

Last week, YeEd goofed and didn’t report on the first of the special Director Surprise Awards (provided by a friend of the chapter) for any guy Joe thinks is giving the extra 5 %. The first honoree was Dennis Ritchey last week. Even tho Dennis lives an hour or more away, he makes it to the meetings and extra rehearsals. And he is quick to build, make, fix or take care of anything that needs doing for the chorus in the realm of audio visual.

This week Joe invited our coach, Cindy Hansen, to choose the recipient based on the person who was “in the game” all nite as a performer. She had Nick Murane in second place and the winner was new guy, Kevin Kaiser. Congrats all.

Other chapter news: the FRIENDS of HARMONY met tonite. Special Forces guys Pete Frank (who announces he and his wife are expecting a little one), Bob Wilson and Bill Colosimo.
Don’t forget to wear a name tag of some kind on Tues nite at chapter meeting.

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 May 3rd Chapter Meeting

Big crowd again tonite filling the risers set up in the straight line arrangement so we can be prepared for the Carnegie Hall stage set, as well as the Supreme Court show. Makes it hard to hear for the singers for sure. Last week, our coach David Wright mentioned to Director Joe that the chorus was sounding great even with the challenge of standing on those straight lined risers and with no AC.

The usual complete room set up was done by a crew about 6 pm. Altho we are still not using the mirror panels, we added the keyboard this week. YeEd found out the keyboard is provided by the Rec Dept from one of their classrooms.

After warm ups conducted by Will Cox, Joe launched an aggressive work session on the contest package. He used the key board to strengthen some difficult passages. He coached many intricate details of interpretation. He helped the guys discover words to emphasize. And he asked for guys to understand mood changes in the songs. Plus he stressed important spots NOT to take a breath!

The evening included some time for the chorus to make their personal self evaluation tapes.
Another big chunk of time was used to refurbish the other songs to be used for the Carnegie Hall show. Joe used the keyboard and the computer and screen to help the guys sight-read the two songs we will sing with the Japanese singers on the show – “Let The Sunshine In” and “May Each Day.” Actually we will use music in black folders for these two songs.

Joe also introduced the plans for how the chorus will perform with ‘ROUND MIDNIGHT using the song “Shout” to involve the audience. It went great and will be fun.

The front row worked really hard this week to finalize a “big” ending for “Stars and Stripes” with lots of marching. Same with going back to performing the long version of “New York New York.’
Then it was time for the chapter meeting period. Operations vp, Mark Klostermeyer conducted the session as usual and kept the announcements flowing.

Director Joe announced a change in the contest uniform that means we each will buy a shirt for the event. Stay tuned for turning in sizes and making the modest payment.

Speaking of payment, past treasurer, Howard Nestlerode, was collecting monies from guys to cover costs for Carnegie Hall box lunch or guest for Sat event; contest retreat reg and/or extra fee for coming on Fri nite (Note that this has become a popular thing to do); and Harmony College East fee and/or extra nite fees.

Secretary, Chris Buechler, reminded everyone to take action to renew their dues. Earlier in the week he sent an email reporting that some of our long-time members who live outside the area or do not sing with us these days had renewed such as Scott Werner - 49 years, Don Johnson - 43 years, Bob Hirsh - 41 year, Phil Stern - 25 years. John Jackson - 24 years.

Membership vp, Phil Ashford, introduced our guests which included two applicants.

Southern Division chairman for the chapter’s hosting plan, Scott Kahler, asked guys to mark their calendars and to be prepared to help escort quartets and choruses, help host judges, and other things we need to do in support of the district’s operations team. Friday nite, May 27 and Saturday, May 28.

Marketing vp, Steve Lingo, encouraged the guys to prepare to participate in the social period at HCE and get to know other members from other chapters who will be there. That means staying around on Saturday nite.

Music vp, Terry Reynolds, reminded everyone – basically, everything is mandatory from now til Kansas City. Be sure to get to the vocal and visual studios. They are a must. YeEd has heard several gents comment on how beneficial the studio was for them.

Terry also announced that the Alexandria Chapter will offer scholarships to the Society Harmony University in St. Joe, MO, in July/August. There is an application to get one of those scholarships, so contact Terry. If you wanna know more about the Harmony U, talk to Terry, Chris Buechler or Joe Cerutti as they can tell you about the kinds of classes and fun you will have. Quartets can go too.

After some coffee and goodies, it was back to work on Carnegie Hall show music.
Joe pleaded with the guys to work at home – please do at least 5% more!!!

We had two specialforces guys on the risers this week – Mike Wallen and Bob Wilson.

Congrats to new Air Force Colonel, Bruce Roehm, promoted last Friday. His ceremony included a great tribute to the Alexandria Harmonizers. A small ensemble sang the National Anthem. Geri Geis help pin on his new rank.

YeEd heard that Rick Taylor’s Dundalk Sweet Adeline Chorus pulled off a huge upset and won this past weekend’s Regional contest.

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 April 26th Chapter Meeting

A huge crowd was on hand for the David Wright coaching session in preparation for the International contest in July.

Here are the section stats for the active chorus according to Keith Jones, who took attendance for Dixie Kennett this week. (FYI - The attendance report each week goes via email to the section leaders, major officers, Director Joe and the music and performance team.)

Tenors – 8 of 8 were present = 100.00%
Leads - 25 of 27 were present = 92.59%
Baris - 20 of 20 were present = 100.00%
Basses – 37 of 38 were present = 97.37%
Special Forces – 2 of were 6 = 33.33%
Total 92 of 99 = 92.93%
In addition there were 5 other members present to help as needed.

No wonder that when Joe thanked our coach at the end of the evening, he added that the progress we made was not only due to David’s skill but because such a high percentage of guys were on the risers.

David managed to get out of the St. Louis airport after the tornado damage there this past weekend, and after a couple delays en route, got to DC around 6 pm. Music vp Terry Reynolds met him at the airport and hurried him to Durant with a quick stop for some fast food for dinner and a little time for a briefing of what to expect.

After vocal warm ups, Joe let David get right to work on the contest package. David offered a ton of great suggestions, another ton of reminders of things we know to do and must not forget, and another ton of ideas on what the message of the song is for the singer as presented by the arranger. As usual, David gave us a couple music lessons about the arrangement and helped us discover again the beauty of well sung harmony. Thankfully, Terry realized the need to take notes, which YeEd suspects will be shared with us next time, as well as help the music team recall them for coaching and working in the weeks ahead.

There was a very short break and a short business session. There are left over t-shirts members can buy from the Youth Harmony Festival. See Brad Jones.

Secretary Buechler presented renewal cards to the following: Ian Poulin for 8 years; Patrick Kim for 4 years; Tom Berkey for 14 years; and Dick Hall for 47 years. Chris also presented the 25-year card and lapel pin to Bruce Lauther.

Then it was back to work for the second half and Joe used every minute with David until we just had to close.

We are anticipating that the Rec Department will adjust the AC for Durant so that it stays on til 10. Bob Rhome has been working with the staff to make it happen. The guys were ringing wet when they left for home this week.

We all were glad to hear that Chuck Hunter is OK in Syria. He is looking forward to seeing us in Kansas City.

YeEd heard that a good sized crowd of guys were at the visual studio this past weekend. Chuck McKeever was happy with that. He also had a big crew on the stage at 6 before the meeting started. Terry Reynolds pushed for guys to remember the vocal studios this coming weekend.
Tho we did not have a formal introduction of guests at the meeting, there were several guys present who have been with us before.

Stay tuned next Tuesday to prepare for the Carnegie Hall show. Steve Lingo was distributing the free tickets for family or friends who will accompany singers to NYC.

A smaller crowd went over to the afterglow at the Hilton this week since many guys decided to go on home. David was there tho; and since we were outside on the patio, the tag singers were in heaven!!

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 April 19th Chapter Meeting

When you got to Durant this week, you could tell it was gonna be a musical work out. The stage was full of guys working on SP. The crowd was big and hall full early.

As usual the same guys seem to be the ones to get up the risers. So Director Joe asked the guys with young or healthy backs to pitch in and set up the 11 sections each week. There seems to be a good crowd to take things down, so now we gotta lend a hand before the meeting.

Will Cox did the warm ups this week and turned the hot chorus over to Joe Cerutti. We welcomed Special Forces guys Pete Frank (in from Erie, PA) and Bob Wilson (up from Richmond on his motorcycle) who are working to be in the contest chorus. Joe welcomed coach Geri Geis. She didn’t hesitate to jump in early to help the men build upon the work they have been doing visually and actually musically. Amazing to the listeners in the hall how much better the contest package sounds when the guys add true performance mode all the time.

Geri and the chapter visual team reviewed and worked on major moods for the songs, and refreshed and helped the guys get the feel for the focals. They also staged various floor movements and groupings.

It was hard work and the progress was apparent. The self-evaluation recordings for sound and for visual reviews are getting better.

All this is good as the chapter prepares for David Wright’s coaching visit next week.

Operations vp, Mark Klostermeyer, conducted the weekly chapter meeting. Dick Dangel, one of this week’s birthday guys, brought a huge birthday cake to share with all the gang at break. Thanks Dick and Carol. Dick Hall and Joe Cerutti were also mentioned as birthday guys this week.

Secretary Chris Buechler presented renewal cards to Michael Gilmore, 18years; Ken Ives, 26 years; and Michael Calhoun, 42 years. Chris also suggested everyone go online to do their renewals asap.

Chris also manages sending renewals to our Harmonizer member who don’t get to the chapter often for one reason or another: Dean Martin, 9 years; Lou Manfre, 18 years; Jeff Taylor, 19 year; Paul Grimes, 24 years; Michael Calhoun, 42 years; and Terry Jordan, 47 years.

Music vp, Terry Reynolds, encouraged (reminded everyone they need to go to one) guys to sign up for the vocal studio sessions. [At the end of the meeting, Chuck McKeever also gave a plug for the visual studios guys need to attend.]

Membership vp, Phil Ashford, introduced the line of guys which included two or three first-timers, a new applicant and a returning guest. Will Cox directed the “Harmonizer Welcome” song.

We broke for refreshments and business matters. Coffee and the cake were served in the kitchen area – a new way to keep things flowing.

After the break, the chapter meeting continued.

Shows vp, Ken White, asked the guys to please read the emails he sends out as so often the answers to the questions they email back to Ken are in the original message. And he gets a ton of messages from the troops. He also alerted us that there is gonna be new details as to location for the cultural reception with the Japanese singers on the Carnegie Hall show.

Ken also thanked Howard Nestlerode for collecting payments for three big events coming up soon – Carnegie Hall meal and breakfast/reception; coaching retreat; and Harmony College East (HCE) weekend. Terry Reynolds reminded guys that they can do a one-day on Saturday at HCE, or come early or stay over nite, or attend the entire school weekend. Speak to him if you want to learn more about barbershop singing, music and management. (You can learn more about HCE on the Mid-Atlantic District website – www. Harmonize.com/MAD/

President Steve Murane reminded the board of their meeting Wed April 20th at Durant. The meetings are open to any members.

Bob Blair also reminded us that the old risers (the ones we keep in the truck for transporting) are available for rental. He and Dean Rust took them to DC last week for a choral group that rented them. He presented the check for $575 to chapter treasurer, Dave Welter. Thanks for setting them up and taking them down, Bob and Dean.

Then it was back to singing and working on the contest songs as well as reviews and work on the songs for Carnegie Hall. The risers were set in a straight line again this week as the chorus will be on choral platforms in NYC. Jim Lake was pitch man this week. And did you notice the two new faces working to move into the front row – Will Daniel Mudd-Simmons and last nite, Chris Clark.

Dick Dangel was invited to direct KTWWS to close the meeting and took the opportunity, since he had the floor, to remind the leads about the notes. You can imagine how much push back that got!!

A nice crowd went over to the afterglow at the Hilton.

Don’t forget to wear your 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 Another Busy Harmo Weekend and the April 12th Chapter Meeting

Friday – Quartet Filming for BBC Saturday – Chorus Performance for TV in Cherry Blossom Parade Saturday – Harmonizers Host Youth Harmony Festival Tuesday – Another High-Octane Chapter Meeting and Chorus Rehearsal Friday – Quartet Filming for BBC. April 8, a put-together quartet of Harmonizers (Dan O'Brien, Joe Cerutti, Joe Sawyer, and Ken White) performed an original song for a documentary on the Discovery Channel. The producer and director of the film was looking to have a small audience for the filming to pull off the street to watch. YeEd, Keith Jones and Noah Van Gilder were in the audience and Noah was the cue card holder. The quartet wore the red vest and tie. Filming began at Old Ebbitt Grill and then headed to an outdoor location at Freedom Plaza with the Capitol Building in the background. Luckily filming ended before the rains came. As background, the film is about a Washington, DC, scientist Dr. Harvey W Wiley, who pioneered the safe testing of food and set up the modern day FDA. Wiley's experiments became so famous that local minstrel groups sang about them and the film producers wanted to capture one of the songs on the film. While they researched original lyrics to the song, they did not have any documentation of the melody. So, the song the quartet performed was composed and arranged, within hours of the request, by our very own John Hohl. You would have laughed as we all did at the lyrics. The quartet was great at getting a new song with all unknown words ready to sing on camera. The film will be part of a mini-series of documentaries, yet to be named, about death and different ways of dying. The episode the quartet will be featured on is all about food and food poisoning and will be aired on the BBC and the Discovery Channel in the January/February time frame. Saturday – Chorus Performance for TV in Cherry Blossom Parade. All day and nite Friday, the DC area was under the gun to hear if the government would be shut down. Then midday Friday, word came out that the Cherry Blossom Parade was gonna go, no matter what the government did. So the Harmonizers’ performance was on! Congrats and thanks to shows vp, Ken White, and producer, Greg Tepe, for all the tons of messages and details they managed in order to get this gig on the books and off the ground! Plus Mark Klostermeyer for herding the marching singers as chorus manager, Mark K and Will Cox for stepping in at the last minute to do the front row choreo, and Mike Kelly for helping with director duties. Guys got up mighty early in order to arrive at the Navy Memorial Metro stop in DC about 8:15 am on Saturday, April 9th. Chorus was to arrive in black suit, the yellow chorus shirt and black tie and some comfortable all black shoes. Anything they carried needed to fit in a pocket or be tossed. Some guys brought something to eat. The weather cooperated, sort of, in that it didn’t rain, but it was pretty chilly. Guys say it was not bad once they started walking down the parade route. YeEd talked to some guys after the parade and learned that it went well. Actually YeEd and a bunch of fellow chorus members watched the parade on ABC via tv in the lobby at Durant Rec Center where we were working on the Youth Festival event. The chapter got great coverage as the tv hosts for the parade often reminded their viewers that the Alexandria Harmonizers were coming up later. Vince Cazenas and Jacob George carried the chapter banner to lead the “marching” chorus. Director Joe Cerutti was out front where a drum major might have been for a band. Guys say we didn’t really march but walked, and sang often during the path of the parade (tho there was a bit of a challenge from the noise made by the race car vehicle just ahead of the chorus in the parade). The chorus did their tv performance before a reviewing stand and the singers were a little nervous that the tape started before they started making the first gestures. But none of that showed on tv. As reported in early editions of “Looking Back” the chorus used a recording of “New York New York” that was also the one they used for their audition for America’s Got Talent show. Frequently when the parade stopped, the chorus would face one sidewalk crowd and sing. They performed “Stars and Stripes” and “ObLaDi ObLaDa” for these mini shows. Saturday – Harmonizers Host Youth Harmony Festival. Friday evening, a crew of Harmonizers reported to our meeting place, Durant Rec Center, to set up for the Youth Harmony Festival set for Saturday starting at 9 am. Brad Jones was chair and did tons of work to pull off another successful Festival. The Friday nite crew included Dean Rust, Bob Rhome and Bob Blair who put up the risers – five sections on the stage and three sections each in the two other meeting rooms in the building. Brad and Ian Poulin set up the registration area and Roger Day delivered the bright yellow shirts each student attendee and music educator received when they signed in. Keith Jones and Jack Pitzer added finishing details to the main hall where the meals would be served, got the coffee ready to plug in first thing Saturday morning, and organized supplies in the kitchen. Several guys brought goodies for the students to have during the day. This was our largest Festival – about 80 singers and almost an even half-an-half split of boys and girls. We had participants from as far away as Tennessee and Delaware. Over the four years of the festival we have now had seven states and 56 different schools represented in the Festival. Each student was sent learning tapes for the songs they would learn – one each for boys and girls and one for the combined chorus. Music educators were eager to sign up students from their music programs including a large group of singers from a home-schooling program coordinated by Steve Murane’s sister, Cindy. Former Harmonizer, Alan Weberg, brought a bus load of students. A new high school joined us with Sandra Zinkievich bringing five boys from Blake HI School in Silver Spring, MD. Cheryl Berlin, assistant director of the DC Capital Chorus brought a large group too from Gaithersburg HS. Our chapter gets support from Sweet Adeline International with free music and materials for the girls. The Barbershop Harmony Society provides some financial support for the boys based on the survey’s we collected from the students and submit to the BHS. Brad was also able to get some financial breaks from Giant Food and Domino Pizza for the meal supplies. During the day, Kathy Kauffmann, Pat Pitzer, Lew Klinge, Keith Jones, Sam McFarland and Cheryl Wallen (Eric’s sister) helped with the food service operation too. During break time on Saturday, three of the DA CAPO guys came by to help teach tags. Michalel Gilmore was on had all day to shoot pixs of the event. Music director for the boys was Kevin King from MD. He is a former chorus director and teaches choral music at Lock Raven High School in the Balitmore area. He has sung in a number of top ranked quartets and earned medals with the popular BSQ foursome. FRANK THE DOG came down from PA to be the demo quartet and helpers with the boys. They were hosted in the home of Peggy and Rick Wagner. They taught tags, sang for the students and did a spot on the evening show. The quartet is a popular M-AD group and will be singing in Kansas City for their second International appearance. Tim Knapp, tenor; Tom Halley, lead; Ross Trube, bari; and Steve Kirsch, bass. Claire Domenick was musical director for the girls. She directs a SAI chorus in the Harrisburg, PA, area, and is a master director in the that organization. CAPRI was the demo quartet for the girls. This is their fourth time to help with the Festival. They all live in the MD area and have earned a third place medal in SAI. Nancy Disney, tenor; Jen Kuethe, lead; Kate Mannherz, bari; and Maggie Butts, bass. A choreography team of Scipio Garling and Catherine Colosimo (Tony’s sister) helped teach the students their stage presence material. Kenne Toula, who sings in CAPITAL FORCE, helped with stage presence props too. The boys’ chorus and girls’ chorus each sang one song on an evening show that was attended by parents, friends, music educators and many barbershoppers. The students were encouraged to learn a tag and enter a tag-singing-contest. There was a winner chosen from the boys and girls choruses and they were invited to perform on the show too. The Harmonizer a cappella group, TBD, opened the show and introduced some new Harmonizers on stage as part of that group. Both of the guest quartets sang too. And then a combined boys and girls chorus did the warp up slot on the show. Coordinator Brad was emcee and Dennis Ritchey did sound support for the show. Director Joe stopped by after the parade to bring greetings and encourage the students and their teachers. He scooted on to LaPlata to direct the Pride of Baltimore chorus in a show there. DA CAPO also sang on that show. Tuesday – Another High-Octane Chapter Meeting and Chorus Rehearsal. This was a week of changes for the Harmonizers. First, the risers were set up in a straight line. Second the refreshments were served in the kitchen. Third there were no mirrors up. Fourth, Dick and Carolyn Hall were in MO this week and so no 50/50 sales. Fifth there were more wooden crates and boxes brought in. And sixth, there was a huge sign on the wall behind Director Joe with big letters – CA, as an indication of where to focus for center audience. But some things were the same as almost every week. Chuck McKeever held a visual training class and review session on the stage starting at 6. He had good attendance too. Tony Colosimo did the vocal warm ups. And Director Joe Cerutti was full of excitement and ready for a hard working and profitable rehearsal. When Joe took the helm, he explained that the risers were set up in a line so we could get used to that format because for the Carnegie Hall show, the chorus will be standing on choral platforms. He also mentioned to YeEd that we would not use the mirrors for a few weeks so the singers would loosen and up and get into the song more. Joe also expressed his appreciation and that of the chapter to shows vp, Ken White, for the tons of work he did to pull off the parade appearance; and similarly, he thanked Brad Jones for his hours of work and dedication to detail in organizing the YHF. Then it was to work singing, with emphasis on songs for Carnegie Hall. And then Joe met with the section leaders and gave them last minute reminders of points he wanted reviewed in the contest songs. After the chorus reassembled on the risers they worked til break time on the contest material. Ops vp, Mark Klostermeyer, conducted the chapter meeting. Secretary Chris Buechler offered Harmonizer 50-year history books, “Breathless Moments,” to any members who had not gotten one when then joined, or anyone who needed a copy. There are plenty, so speak up if you didn’t get one. He also presented membership renewal cards to Kevin Kaiser, 11 years, and Bruce Minnick, 34 years. Membership vp, Phil Ashford, recognized the guests present for the evening which included several returning men, some applicants, a couple first-timers, and family and relatives of members. Special Forces guy present this week was Mike Wallen. The refreshments and coffee break was set up in the kitchen this week. It was an idea we got from Kevin Kaiser, who told us the Denver chapter used the kitchen for their break. So we tried it. Next week we want to get guys to enter via the door in the main hall, pick up their goodies and head out the other door into the lobby. After the break, the meeting announcements continued. Jack Pitzer launched plans for our chapter involvement at the M-AD Fall contest in Lancaster, Sept. 30-Oct. 1. Even tho we will not sing in the contest, the chapter has extended an offer to help the host chapter during the chorus contest as chorus escorts. And since we are not competing, it will be a fun weekend, free of duties and extra rehearsals. Guys should go ahead and make housing arrangements and get a ticket order. We expect to also have some kind of social event for the chapter while we are in Lancaster. Stay tuned. Shows vp, Ken White, gave a few more details about the Carnegie Hall show specifically about the cultural exchange, or Morning Glow, on Saturday. Non-singers of the Harmo family need to pay. In that regard, Ken announced that in the next few weeks, immediate past chapter treasurer, Howard Nestlerode, will be collecting for a bunch of chapter things coming up before July. So bring a check book! Items we will be paying for include: (1) the mandatory retreat, June 4-5 at McDaniel College in Westminster, MD; (2) an optional fee for coming on Fri nite to the retreat, June 3, as has become very popular with the regulars; (3) Harmony College East barbershop education weekend costs to cover our meals and such, where we will conduct an all day demonstration and sing on the evening show, June 18, in Salisbury, MD; (4) a box lunch for chorus members during Carnegie Hall prep on Fri May 20; (5) Morning Glow tickets for non-singers who attend the cultural exchange event on Sat morning after our concert at Carnegie Hall. Music and performance vp, Terry Reynolds, stressed the need for everyone to do their self evaluations. And to submit an absent slip for any of the rehearsals they might miss. Watch for emails. The mandatory requirement goes into effect in about 3 weeks. Terry also reminded all singers that they must attend at least one vocal and one visual studio session. And he also explained in more detail that Harmonizers will get a special rate if they want to attend the Friday classes of HCE on June 17th. You can get a full glance at the classes offered by going to our district’s website www.Harmonize.com/MAD/ but watch for details from Terry if you or a group of guys or your quartet wish to attend Friday. President Steve Murane reminded us all that the Barbershop Harmony Society birthday is April 12th. He also asked for volunteers to step forward to help coordinate the chapters’ efforts as hosts for the Southern Division contest in Reston, May 27 and 28. The rest of us will be asked to escort quartets and choruses, help with ushering duties, staff ticket booths, and such. Plus we will have a bunch of quartets singing that weekend to cheer for. President Steve also conducted a survey to see how many guys could do a Memorial Day gig on Monday morning, May 30th at National Harbor from 8-10 am. The numbers looked good. So watch for more details on this too. Then back to work. Mike Kelly directed “Sweet and Lovely” to get guys back to singing. The rest of the evening the chorus worked on the contest songs. The package continues to unfold with strong work on the musical portion and all the while inserting more and more of the visual. The ever-growing number of wooden crates is fun to watch! Tony directed portions of this rehearsal period and Joe coached. Then Joe invited the section leaders to take a turn and offer a couple suggestions for improvement. The chorus worked hard til closing. Then more work to put things all away and head over to 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 of the great things going on each week at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on a Busy Harmo Weekend and the April 5th Chapter Meeting

The Harmonizers were busy winning all weekend! Saturday nite, April 2nd , DA CAPO won the 27th annual mid atlantic regional Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival. The event was at the popular Birchmere club in Old Town Alexandria. There were seven competing groups from NYC, Ohio, DC and our guys. All of the other groups were 5-7 singers with at least one vocal percussion person. So our quartet’s solid vocal singing and entertaining music was a hit. The quartet (Ryan Griffith, tenor; Tony Colosimo, lead; Joe Sawyer, bari; Wayne Adams, bass) sang three songs for their 10-minute contest set – “Haven’t Met You Yet,” “Help from My Friends” and “Blue Moon of Kentucky.” In fact, they won the Audience Favorite recognition and got to sing an encore. They surprised all the singers in the house by doing “Stars and Stripes Forever” when they received the audience award. Then all the contestants were called to the stage and the winner announce. Our guys took it all. They now go on to a national finals at the Marin Center in San Rafael, CA, on Sat. May 14th. Judges for the event were Cal Sexton, a barbershop quartet singer and chorus director from the M-AD; Claire Gardiner, director of the Vienna-Falls Sweet Adeline chorus; and Kenyon Erickson, an active a cappella singer in the DC area. YeEd reports the following Harmonizers in the cheering crowd along with their families and friends: Andrew Havens, Lew Klinge, Alan Wile, Jack Pitzer, Rick Wagner, Ken Rub, Craig Kujawa, Mark Klostermeyer, Ken Fess, Bill Colosimo, Jeremy Richardson, Frank Fedarko, Bert Phillips, Gary Mankin, Ian Poulin, Scipio Garling, Noah Van Gilder and Kevin Kaiser. Also Saturday nite, a big crowd of Harmonizers went to the Pride of Baltimore Chorus Sweet Adeline show. Their Director Joe was his usual great. The show emcee was Mike Kelly. According to reporter, Tim Buell, the show was great with featured performers MAXX FACTOR– headliner – 2011 Sweet Adeline Intl. Queens of Harmony; ‘ROUND MIDNIGHT – 2010 M-AD District champs; MIRAGE – 2010 SAI Region #19 second place; and PARTY LINE – 2010 SAI Region #19 third place A good crowd of Harmonizers were there: Sam McFarland, Phil Ashford, Scott Kahler, Brad Jones, Eric Wallen, Joel Golden, Jim Lake, Jacob George, Steve Murane, Craig Odell and Chuck Harner. Also Joe Cerruti’s parents were down from NYC for the show and the ball game on Sunday. Sunday, April 3, the chorus sang the National Anthem for the Nationals vs. Atlanta baseball game at Nats Stadium. We had to be there at 10 am for a sound check. It was fun for the 60 guys who sang. Neat to see our teal blue shirts walking down the street from the Navy Yard Metro stop to our gathering spot at the Centerfield Gate. A few car loads arrived with a bunch of the guys – ie. the Maryland gang. We sang as part of the larger Cherry Blossom celebration all week and leading up to our performance during the parade on Sat. April 9th (and appearance on Network TV.) We all appreciated the free tickets to the game and parking passes for the carpool cars. Five new members sang their first ever performance as a Harmonizer – Jacob George, Clyde Crusenberry, Kevin Kaiser, Nick Leiserson, Dave Khohls. In addition to the chorus singing before the first pitch, an octet of guys sang “God Bless The USA” for the 7th inning stretch – Carl Kauffmann, Dan O’Brien, Bob Blair, Craig Kujawa, Jack Cameron, Joe Cerutti, Terry Reynolds and Steve White. Sooo – after such a busy weekend, it was back to work on Tuesday nite, April 5. Will Cox did the vocal and visual warm ups for the chorus and then turned the director reigns over to Joe Ceruitti. As usual, Joe was excited to get to work and get the singing going. He congratulated DA CAPO for their win in the Sweeps on Saturday nite. He also announced that Brandon Guyton was unable to get off work to come to DC to coach us for the evening. But Joe promised the time would be used well – and he delivered on his promise. First off, the music team and shows team worked on rehearsal of the performances for the Cherry Blossom Parade tv appearance – especially performing while lip-syncing the shortened version of “New York, New York.” Next was work on songs for the Carnegie Hall show including “Great Day” staging and “That’s Amore” comedic work. And then Director Joe launched into work on the contest package. This block of time included some self-evaluation vocal run-thrus. Mid-evening, ops vp, Mark Klostermeyer, conducted the chapter business meeting. He honored this week’s birthdays of guys. Secretary, Chris Buecher, presented new membership materials to Nick Leiserson, Clyde Crusenberry and Jacob George. And dual-membership materials to Bill Colosimo. And then he presented BHS membership renewal cards to the following members: Andrew Havens, 2 years; Noah Van Gilder, 4 years; Ian Poulin, 8 years; Joe Cerutti, 10 years; Kevin Kaiser, 11 years; Scott Kahler, 13 years; Kevin Roth, 18 years; Chris Huber, 19 years; Brad Jones, 19 years; Dennis Ritchey, 19 years; Jim Shoenhard, 23 years; Sam McFarland, 24 years; Will Cox, 33 years; Bruce Minnick, 34 years; and Jay Butterfield, 37 years. Chris presented a 30 years renewal card to Rick Wagner and the customary 30-pin (our chapter presents a membership pin at the 25-year point for all members and then every five years after that). Quad leaders were asked to meet at the break. Dick and Carolyn Hall were recognized for celebrating their 57th wedding anniversary this past weekend. Congrats from all of us!! Shows vp, Ken White, thanked all the guys who appeared at the ball game. Then he provided a ton of information about the Cherry Blossom Parade performance. YeEd will not include much detail here, as it might have changed before you see this, or details might need to be changed a little. One thing Ken worked out was to get a couple guys who did not know the stage presence but had the uniform parts and could carry our chapter banner in the parade. Cool! Ken also encouraged all the guys to be darn sure they spoke with Tom Kern before they left the hall tonite about any uniform parts they need for the weekend. Past president, Brad Jones, briefed the chorus on the Harmonizer Youth Festival which we are also conducting on Sat. April 9th, at our Durant meeting place. Here is his recent email to all. “We currently have 81 students signed up...43 girls and 38 boys...the most students and best balance of boys and girls we've ever had. (YeEd thinks this is our third Youth Festival). Should be a great day and a great show that evening! I have volunteers for all the main needs...but I am still quite short on having baked goods or snacks easily served at meals and breaks. I could use another half dozen people to donate something. You can drop it off Friday night from 5:00 - 7:30 or any time after 8am but before 10am on Saturday. For those not specifically working on the event, the Saturday evening show, which is free, is worth seeing with TBD [a Harmonizer small ensemble]; CAPRI [Sweet Adeline quartet that has helped us before at the Festival and will be working with the young women attending the Festival]; FRANK THE DOG [a popular M-AD ranked quartet from the Bryn Mawr, PA, area who will be instructors for the young men attending the Festival]; the Boys Chorus, the Girls Chorus, and the Combined Chorus. Stop by Durant at 7 pm Saturday for an enjoyable show that usually lasts between 1 - 1 ½ hours. Finally, for any of you that volunteered, please feel free to bring your camera and take pictures throughout the day! We use pictures of the event throughout the year.” Ken White also spoke briefly about the trip to NYC for the Carnegie Hall show. He asked all to confirm their housing assignment with him by email – a must. And he alerted all that he would be collecting $12 for the box lunch for that trip, starting next Tues. Jack Pitzer and Steve Lingo covered for membership vp, Phil Ashford, who went home after work to fight off a cold or flu. They signed in and issued name tags and guest books and introduced the following guys to the chapter: Pete Hasbrook – an officer in the Houston Tidelanders Chapter who was in town for work; Kevin Murphy and Rob Noffsker – who haves been with us several times and turned their applications tonite; Connor Rowell – a hi school senior who sings in choir with Jim Lake; Kevin Knapp – who has sung with Ryan Griffith in the Dundalk Chapter; Mike Rowan – a MI choral singer who had contacted MI alum, Ike Evans; and Calvin Schnure who sings bass in a quartet with Kevin Roth. It was great to have Edris Qarghah back during his college spring break too. After the brief break, we worked more on the contest package. Joe had Tony Colosimo direct so he could coach. And he had the chorus sing the uptune four times and had each section leader take a turn out front so he could listen and then offer a couple suggestions for his section. We closed the hall and put the tons of stuff away and many adjourned to the afterglow at the Hilton across from the King Street Metro. As usual, the Metro riders popped up at the exact time to catch the last train back into the city. There was also some quartet singing in the hall after rehearsal ended including some guys who are working on their qualifications. Everyone thought that since Ken Fess was not there for the 50/50 drawing at the close of the meeting, someone new would win, but Terry Reynolds won it again! Seems like he has won as often as Ken. 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. —Ye Ed.)

Looking Back for the March 29th Chapter Meeting

Another busy nite for the Harmonizers at Durant. The crew worked and had things all ready for the 7 pm call to the risers by operations vp, Mark Klostermeyer. A lot of guys were on the stage early for the stage presence review session that starts at 6 with Chuck McKeever. The admin tables were busy – especially with guys turning in their application form and $100 deposit to president, Steve Murane, for the China trip. Will Cox conducted the vocal warm ups. Michael Gellert was present to conduct more individual vocal coaching sessions for the chorus. Music vp, Terry Reynolds, orchestrated those who should leave the risers to meet with Michael. Will passed the chorus on to director, Joe Cerutti. Joe was eager to get to work and was full of excitement. He thanked Dennis Ritchey for his quick response in creating more props for the contest package – after an aside comment from Joe just last week. First off we ran thru “The National Anthem” a few times in preparation for our performance this weekend at the National baseball game. We also recorded it to submit to the team management firm. Next we ran thru “New York, New York” for our tv performance during the Cherry Blossom parade on April 9th. We did the stage presence and sang along with the recorded version which will be the same situation for the tv gig. Thirdly, Joe got the chorus to work on “Great Day” which will be our opener for the Carnegie Hall show. As promised last week, he invited octets off the risers to demo their preparedness for the words and notes. Then before starting the full chorus on the contest package, the section leaders met with their sections to work on some specifics which Joe asked them to work on. The chorus returned to the risers and sang and drilled. The chapter meeting period was conducted by K-12. He honored those guys who had birthdays. Shows vp, Ken White, briefed the guys on plans for our gig at the Nats game. A big change! We need to be there at 10 am for sound check. The small ensemble that will sing in the 7th Inning stretch will also do a sound check. We will be sitting in Section 231. We are to meet at the Centerfield Gate. We were encouraged to use the Metro – Green line to the Navy Yard Stop. Tickets for each of us and for our guests will be distributed at the park. Chorus manager, Mark Klostermeyer, will be in charge of things that day. YeEd suspects there will be an email or three before the game on Sunday. Marketing vp, Steve Lingo, thanked the guys for their efforts in earning third place recognition for the chapter as a popular performing group in DC. He also took a couple minutes to share the many hits we are getting for our Facebook page. President Murane reminded everyone to get him their China trip form and deposit. He also asked the board to be present for a brief meeting at 10 pm tonite. Terry Reynolds reminded everyone about the qualification process. Director Joe gave a good plug for the Pride of Baltimore show this weekend at 7:30 pm on Saturday. Secretary, Chris Buechler, presented a membership name tag to one of our newest, Jay Butterfield. And he gave Carl Kauffmann his replacement name tag – a way for Chris to explain that if any one of us looses his name tag, speak to Chris about ordering a new one. Membership vp, Phil Ashford, introduced a good line of guests. As usual there were some barbershoppers from other chapters, and at least one first-timer. It was back to the risers after coffee break. The bulk of the ”second half” was used as a stage presence review and drill. Everyone appreciated the good job Chuck McKeever did in coaching all the changes and final details at this point. It was looking good. The front row worked on their own for a long time and then came into the main hall to join the riser singers. Just before closing for the nite, we filmed the chorus so evaluators can review the performances. It finally happened! The front row had a complete collision and Dennis Ritchey’s glasses fell off and were stamped. He said he could see well enough to drive home to Fredericksburg!!! But before we did our final song, Joe gave a great pep talk about the benefits of being a Harmonizer. His main point was that individuals need to at least do their best to attend a higher percentage of events and rehearsals. He even said he would be easy and accept that it is hard to get on the risers by 7:30, but he hoped we would have 90+ guys on the risers every Tuesday. His point was that we can really grow faster toward our goal of excellence with a full chorus. 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 for the March 22nd Chapter Meeting

(YeEd is on vacation in TN. So thanks to Alan Wile for these notes.)

By 6:00 p.m. the players began to gather. Soon a dedicated group of guys began to prepare for the evening’s activities: Chuck McKeever was working with a number of members on the slightly revised choreography to the contest uptune; risers began to appear from under the stage; mirrors were placed on the wall; tables and chairs were assembled and distributed around the room; audio and visual equipment were set out; Adrianne Hills made the coffee and put out a selection of goodies; the pizza man made his weekly delivery; Sandy Stamps had drinks to sell; Steve Murane collected $100 down-payments from those intending to go to China; Steve Lingo readied the “welcome” materials for guests; the Harmonizer Hero and Heroine books were available for inspection; visual studio sign-up sheets were out; the “pier-side crates” were positioned at each end of the risers; Michael Gellert was on hand to conduct vocal production sessions with groups and individuals; Geri Geis was set to work refine the staging and choreography for the contest uptune; Dixie Kennett was taking attendance. WOW! Clearly it was going to be a productive evening!

By 7:00 p.m. all was in order and Assistant Director Tony Colosimo conducted the physical and vocal warm-up, while Ops VP Mark Klostermeyer (K-12) checked and adjusted riser positions. Then Master Director Joe Cerutti and our Artistic Coach Geri Geis positioned the chorus for the beginning of the uptune … and worked it from start to finish. Before moving on, a visual run-through of the two-song package was conducted for qualification.

Director Joe stated that after last week’s chapter meeting, he, Geri, Cindy Hansen, Chuck McKeever, and a couple of others reviewed the choreography for both contest songs and “locked it down” (i.e., no more changes … however, there may well be some “tweaking” between now and contest).

Before the break, Joe asked all those who will be performing on the Cherry Blossom Parade to leave the risers, stand in ranks (like a marching band) on the flat and face him as he took up a position on the risers. In this configuration he directed “New York, New York” … several times, before relinquishing his time to K-12.

K-12 invited all to return to the risers and sit for a brief set of announcements. Chapter Secretary Chris Buechler presented badges to two of the newest Harmonizers: Clyde Crusenberry and Nick Leiserson (who qualifies as a “youth” member). All were reminded to get their $100 deposit in to Steve Murane or Brad Jones BY NEXT WEEK if they intend to go with the chorus to China in the fall of 2012.

Membership VP Phil Ashford welcomed two members of our “special forces” team (Jay Butterfield and Bob Wilson) and introduced a bevy of guests.:

It was also good to see Chuck Harner back after a rather lengthy absence.

Following a brief social time break, the call went out for “Harmonizer on the risers” for the balance of the business meeting. Brian Ammerman announced that he is the producer of our fall show (September 24th). Now that the contracts are in hand and the venue secured (Hylton Performing arts Center in Manassas, VA, with CROSSROADS as our featured guest quartet), he is in need of several “volunteers” to help market the show … ‘cause we certainly want to fill the house. Particulars were sent out after the meeting.

Shows VP Ken White highlighted several upcoming performance opportunities: the second home game of the Washington Nationals on Sunday, April 3rd at 1:35 p.m. (ticket information is not yet available); the Cherry Blossom Parade (and the chapter’s Youth Festival … at which the chorus will NOT be performing) on Saturday, April 9th; and the show at Carnegie Hall on Friday, May 20th. Re the last of these, he confirmed that busses will be provided by the sponsors, with pick-ups in Alexandria and somewhere along the way in Maryland; that the hotel (Doubletree Fort Lee in Fort Lee, NJ), at about $153.10/room, will be a member expense … but could be reduced by sharing; that, due to the limited time available on Friday night, a box dinner provided at a cost of $12/person; that information on the availability of(free) tickets and whether guests will be included in the Saturday brunch/reception will be announced, when available; and that in view of the unfortunate natural disaster that has befallen Japan, the sponsors may elect to turn the show into a benefit.

M&P VP asked that all who intend to compete with the chorus in Kansas City but who have not previously gone through the qualification process meet with him briefly at the end of the meeting (and they did).

Back on our feet, Director Joe directed the National Anthem to get us ready for our performance at the Nationals game – first by parts and then (thankfully) all four parts, with the promise of more work next week (charts for those who need it were available at the end of the evening). Then it was on to “Great Day,” which will be our opening song at several upcoming performances. At the end of this session, he promised that he would call down three octets to perform this song at next week’s chapter meeting … and “kindly” recommended we all review the music!

Returning to the contest ballad, it was drill, drill, drill on troublesome parts – just singing; no choreo. Finally, Joe directed a vocal run-through of both contest songs, after which the birthday boy, Rick Wagner, took us out directing “Keep the Whole World Singing.”

White House Ornament (WHO) Guru, Sandy Stamps, advised that the chapter sold over 2650 ornaments this year, netting the chapter a healthy return. When you see them, congratulate our top 10 salesmen:
• 518 Dave Reyno
• 285 Roger Day
• 208 Ike Evans
• 167 Skip Coburn
• 98 Will Cox
• 95 Jerry Eiler
• 93 Burt Stueve
• 80 Rick Wagner
• 60 Bob Rhome
• 49 Dick Hall

Until next time, editorjack.

This weekly report is for history and to help guys who had to miss know what went on at the most recent chapter meeting and rehearsal. YeEd.

Looking Back on the March 15th Chapter Meeting

Lots going on before a chapter meeting from 6 – 7 pm. The guys were putting up all 11 sections of risers. Plus mirrors, the box of rehearsal sunglasses was out. And all of a sudden, in rolls two huge wooden crates. Dennis Ritchey had built them as show props for the contest set. On the stage was the well-attended visual review class conducted by Chuck McKeever.

Librarian Bob Mattes and some volunteers were working to update the guest books with the latest songs to be added. Great to have for our many guests each week.

The pizza guy made his delivery again. New guys many not know that you can order in and get some chow before the meeting. Look for the email from Steve Lingo each week.

There were several returning guests and one of our new Special Forces guys, was in town to work on the contest music – Ryan Killeen. He is on the staff of the Barbershop Harmony Society Foundation and works in Nashville. His territory includes the DC area. He sang with us for a few months before he joined the BHS staff and was about to join then.

After the vocal warm ups with Will Cox, Director Joe went right to singing “That’s Amore” and as promised last week, he asked an octet to come down and demonstrate it. Then just to make sure no one thought they had escaped, he had the first quartet go tap another guy from their section to form the second octet.

Next were a couple runs of “New York, New York” that we will use for our tv appearance in the Cherry Blossom parade. It is the same shortened version Alexandria used in their America’s Got Talent bid.

Shows vp, Ken White, stressed that all new members and Special Forces guys get with uniform manager, Tom Kern, right away. And YeEd noted he was busy, as the recent crop of new guys took that advice. Old timers should double check that they have all the correct uniform parts.

Ken also reports that the contacts for our Carnegie Hall show who are in Japan, report that they are safe and ok.

Then Director Joe welcomed our dynamic-duo of presentation coaches, Cindy and Geri. They worked together to improve and tighten up the moves for the uptune. It was a lot of hard work, and guys were great to let them try a couple things now and then to see what looks best or works best. There were solid advances by the singers. Visual team leaders were busy keeping notes so they can remind the chorus or teach the new plan as it has unfolded.

It was a good nite to be there and the good sized chorus all benefited from the coaching session. Also, even tho it was a visual work session, Joe didn’t let the guys forget the lessons learned last week from Brandon.

After a long first half, ops vp, Mark Klostermeyer, started the chapter meeting period. He recognized birthdays for the next week. He reminded board members of their meeting on Wed nite at Durant.

President Steve Murane offered to collect the $100 deposits and forms for guys who want to go to China, as trip coordinator, Brad Jones, was out of town.


He also recognized our four guys in DA CAPO for their great performance at Prelims last weekend, which earned them a slot in the quartet contest at the 2011 International contest in Kansas City. Ryan Griffith, tenor; Tony Colosimo, lead; Joe Sawyer, bari; and Wayne Adams, bass.

Steve also showed the chapter the Gold certificate he was presented at the House of Delegates meeting on Sunday at the prelims meeting. We were recognized as the top chapter in the district for giving to the Harmony Foundation. We gave an averaged $184.46 per member.

Shows vp White also stressed that guys need to take Friday, May 20th off from work to get to NYC for the Carnegie Hall show.

Then he had a late breaking show opportunity – Sunday, April 3 about 1 pm to sing the National Anthem at a National baseball game. Free tickets for singers. A majority of hands said they were available, so we add another cool gig to our spring calendar. Watch for details and new guys and old timers can sign up.

Director Joe plugged the Pride of Baltimore show and suggested guys talked to Mary Ann Cleaveland, as the admin counter, tonite, about tickets.

Music vp, Terry Reynolds, stressed the need for guys to sign up for visual quad sessions on the sheets, also on the admin counter. And also reminded guys of the all-sectionals event this weekend.

Membership vp, Phil Ashford, recognized the many guests with us. John Hohl was in town from FL. There were a few first timers with us, and a bunch of returnees. Will Cox, who does the vocal assessments, was kept busy helping the guests interested in singing with us determine for sure what part they should sing. As is often the case, we had a couple barbershop singers from other chapters from around the nation.

OOOPS. Before K12 announced it was time for the brief break, a lot of guys were up and about and not paying attention to the important announcement period. Please wait to leave the risers and get coffee or such until Mark announces it is “break time”.

After a quick coffee, it back to work with Cindy and Geri on the contest songs. Just before we closed, Joe used time for the visual qualification review filming. Guys should submit their self-evaluation.

To close up, guys all pitched in to put things away and into the storage places. The big crates were lifted up onto the stage and stored there til next week. The front row is getting good at using them as part of the act.

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 International Quartet Prelims

This year’s preliminary contest to choose the quartets that represent our district at the contest this summer in Kansas City was held March 11-12 in Harrisburg, PA.

Our newest quartet contender, DA CAPO, earned a slot for International! A huge crowd of Harmonizer family was there to cheer them on and watch them step up to the plate and hit a home run! Ryan Griffith, tenor; Tony Colosimo, lead; Joe Sawyer, bari; Wayne Adams, bass. The two-round contest allowed the quartet to sing for the audience twice and the judging panel rewarded their hard work and great performances. Their score was 1964 points (81.8%).

Our district also qualified two other quartets. ‘ROUND MIDNIGHT, who have sung on several of our shows in recent years, scored 1996 points (83.2%). FRANK THE DOG, who will be the clinicians for our chapter’s Youth Harmony Festival in April, scored 1851 (77.1%). Congrats to all.

The Harrisburg weekend contest also included seniors’ quartets. LEGACY ranked first in that group and according to Chuck Harner, “their score from this contest may place them as one of the five seniors’ quartets who will compete in Lancaster this fall to earn a trip to the Mid-Winter next January”. They were third in the Society senior’s contest last winter.

There was a Youth In Harmony quartet adjudication on Saturday morning. A total of five quartets competed from Bronx Hi School of Science in NY; Mills E. Godwin HS in Richmond; Gaithersburg HS in MD; and Longwood University in VA. Our chapter was pleased to see music educators Sherri Matthews from Richmond and Sheryl Berlin from Gaithersburg who have been a part of our chapter’s youth program in the past, organized entries this year. Youth quartets were ranked as excellent, outstanding or superior and were given a coaching session by the same panel of judges that served the adult contest. Gary Plaag has returned to YIH leadership for the district after retiring as district president. He was emcee for the youth event.

Dennis Ritchey was emcee for the Friday nite first round of the main quartet contest. He tried a new idea of a headset mic and was all around the auditorium talking to the audience and contestants. It brought a new aspect to the event. He took a huge dose of ribbing for trying it and keeping people guessing as to where he would be next.

On Sunday there was a House of Delegates meeting. Each chapter sends a rep who is there to hear district and Society leaders report on programs and actions. Our president, Steve Murane, attended as our official delegate. But there were a lot of other chapter members in the house too as leaders for the district. Sean Devine from the Harmony Foundation staff recognized chapters for giving to the Foundation. We were named top chapter in M-AD based on “per man average” with $184.45.

YeEd thought it was fun to see our major shows and events being advertised in the contest printed program. Both our Youth Harmony Festival and our mega show at George Mason called East Coast Harmony were promoted in advertisements in the program. Good job Harmo marketing guys.

The chapter was also saluted for agreeing to do the Master’s Class at the Harmony College-East weekend in Salisbury, MD, this coming June.

Carl Kauffmann was named to the district events team recently as treasurer. Mike Kelly is the chief information officer for that team. He and Mary Ann Cleaveland managed the av staff for the contest weekend including the webcast operation.

YeEd was happy to see a huge Harmonizer family in attendance. First off, all four of the guys who were COPYRIGHT ’86 were there – John Casey, Bill Colosimo (he was MC of the Saturday nite round), Steve White and Mike Wallen.

John Hohl had come up from Florida and was in the audience to hear a couple of his arrangements sung by contestants, including “End of the Road” which John arranged and Scott Werner, wrote.

The chapter guys who belong to DELA, the district honor club, attended a breakfast event early Saturday. Steve White is president of that group currently. They welcomed two Harmonizers, Dennis Ritchey and Mike Calhoun, into membership.

There were several of the guys who have signed on a Special Forces and will sing with our chorus in Kansas City at the contest – Jay Butterfield, Mike Wallen, Brett Thomas. Dan O’Brien was working at practicing judging in his effort to become a official candidate judge.

Fun to see some of our guys at the hotel also working at forming new quartets for the next contest round! YeEd will let them announce their formation as it happens.

Here is YeEd’s list of other names, not mentioned above, who were there: Jed Casey, Ken White, Keith Jones, Sam McFarland, Terry Reynolds, Chris Buechler, Terry Jordan, Bob Eckman, Dick Dangel, Andrew Havens, Alan Wile, Joe Cerutti, Eric Wallen, Tim Buell, and Mike Pinto.

The Harrisburg Chapter was the host chapter for the contest weekend. Our chapter will be hosting the Southern Division contest this spring in Reston for quartets and choruses. Next year’s prelims contest will be in Lancaster, 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 with the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on the March 8th Chapter Meeting

This was another evening packed full of good singing, hard work and important chapter business.

First off we welcomed the Special Forces guys who were in to sing and prepare to go to Kansas City with us – Bob Wilson, Bill Colosimo and Mike Wallen.

Then there were several major announcements about huge and important gigs the chorus has coming up this spring.

First – the producers of the Cherry Blossom Parade TV appearance decided they didn’t want “Stars and Stripes” but liked the idea of “New York, New York” shortened like we did it for America’s Got Talent contest. That was a major change and Director Joe asked them to give us a week to get it ready and recorded. Sooooo – singers need to review, and the many new members with us now can take a look too. (YeEd heard someone offer to put “NY NY” up on the website.)

Second – the Carnegie Hall Show will not be on chorus risers, but choral lifts that are very wide. So we will change songs to include “Music of the Night” – another song for guys to dig out and prepare for next week. Greg Tepe is producer for this show and was in NYC to confirm plans for the show.

NOTE TO ALL RISER SINGERS: Please help make sure – if you are next to a guest on the risers - that the guest finds the music in the guest book or maybe share your copy for the evening. Here is another tip – help them know the words to warm up exercises and help them find a good spot with some guys singing the same part as they are (note the color dots on their name tags).

Joe announced that we will be doing “That’s Amore” for the Harmony College East show in June too. And gave some hints as to the chorus members’ duties during the class we will conducting to share with other chapters in our district. It is on June 18th, tho we are all invited to attend the entire weekend. Watch for details and make some plans.

After vocal warm ups, Director Joe Cerutti took the helm and launched a hard working evening with coach Brandon Guyton. Brandon has helped us a couple times before, but again we have a lot of new barbershoppers who didn’t know of his success as a two-time gold medal quartet singer. Our coach concentrated on great improvements for singing and made a huge difference in a matter of minutes. One quote, “Discipline is a technique.” He was talking about the discipline to apply lessons and ideas grasped during the session.

After the first half of the vocal coaching session, operations vp, Mark Klostermeyer, conducted the weekly chapter meeting. There was a fun promotion for the Pride Of Baltimore show by a couple of their members who are part of our chapter FRIENDS group too.

The FRIENDS group had a planning meeting tonite and a large crowd of those who support our chapter were present.

The POB show is April 2 at 7:30 pm with MAXX FACTOR and ‘ROUND MIDNIGHT as guest quartets. Show is at Kraushaar Auditorium, Goucher College, in Townson. Watch for the flyers at the meeting, or see Mike Kelly or Phil Ashford for tickets. Joe recommended the show to all of the Harmonizers and reminded us how much support the POB chorus has given us. YeEd hears the show is gonna be really fun – and we will be surprised as the antics of their director!

This was the last nite to get in your form to Ken White for the Cherry Blossom event.

And you can also turn in your paperwork as a result of having studied the BHS video regarding working with youth—they go to Brad Jones.

Membership vp, Phil Ashford, had another good size group of singers to introduce to us. Several applicants and first timers. YeEd saw some of the applicants lined up to audition after chapter meeting too!

The first look at the flyer for our big East Coast Barbershop Harmony Show was out for all to get onto the calendar. Show is June 26th at George Mason Center for the Arts where we had the show with Westminster last summer. Everyone needs to get this on the calendar at home so family and friends can get tickets too.

Quartet promotion chairman, Eric Wallen, reminded everyone about this weekend’s International Quartet Prelims contest in which foursomes vie for the right to go to the Intl contest in Kansas City. We have a couple quartets singing in Harrisburg. The contest is at the Hilton Friday evening.

Mike Wallen is singing in DOCKSIDE HARMONY (YeEd thinks that is the name of the quartet, sorry Mike.)

And DE CAPO with Ryan Griffith, Tony Colosimo, Joe Sawyer and Wayne Adams will compete. We hope we can also cheer for them in Kansas City.

After a very brief break (hardly time to get a coffee and take a break and get back into the room), it was back to work on the risers.

Marketing vp, Steve Lingo, asked guys to vote online for the Harmonizers as “the top singing group in the DC area”.

The chapter board met during the break and a formal announcement will be made regarding their decision about plans for the China trip and 2012. Everyone should watch for details, as the deposits will need to be turned in soon.

Music vp, Terry Reynolds, reminded all about the offsite all-four-voice-part-sectionals is coming in soon. It will be at the Fairfax Unitarian Congregation Church.

After these important announcements, Joe was ready to get back to work with Brandon on the contest package. Joe did announce the good news that the chapter has signed CROSSROADS, Brandon’s most recent gold medal quartet, to appear on our fall show.

The contest song work took us right up until 10 pm and the guys came rushing off the risers to get things put 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. —Ye Ed.)

Looking Back on the March 1st Chapter Meeting

This week’s schedule was packed full of good singing, hard work and important chapter business.

Great to see Roger Day in the hall this week and a lot of guests signing in. Early in the evening when YeEd ran into Victor Hills, he was all smiles with the good news he had received word that he was accepted into West Point. Bad news is he will miss International as he has to report for early training and indoctrination in July. Congrats from all of us!

Chuck McKeever was at work early on the stage helping guys review the many details of the up tune for the contest package. His special rehearsal last Thursday eve also paid off. Many guys were using the rehearsal sunglasses we have made available for those who might forget.

Will Cox did the vocal warm ups and then Director Joe Cerutti took over. First he congratulated Victor and led a round of applause and cheers.

Next Joe, with help from chorus manager, Mark Klostermeyer, repositioned the entire chorus for the upcoming phase of performances. Some of us asked him how he made his decisions. As many guys would expect, he had quite a thorough plan that included sound, visual, how their voice blends, height, and agility for movement just to name those YeEd can remember. You might be surprised how well he knows all the names of the guys and their voice qualities too! He worked hard with Mark over the weekend to be ready to make it happy at rehearsal.

Then Joe welcomed Geri Geis who was on hand to refine the contest up tune stage presence plan. She stressed the point that individual singers need to develop their stage character for the package. She will be back and will ask guys “who are you” and is expecting them to share the details of their character.

Mark Klostermeyer conducted the chapter meeting portion of the evening.

First Steve White and all Harmonizers who are members of DELASUSQUEHUDMAC (DELA for short) welcomed two new Harmonizers into their ranks – Michael Calhoun and Dennis Ritchey. Welcome aboard guys and thanks for the hard work and leadership you have given to the BHS to be eligible. They are the 41st and 42nd Harmonizers named to the District Honor Club.

Then Joe conducted an informative session about plans for 2012 and the possible trip to China. After a detailed presentation, he invited questions. He and Brad Jones, the guy who is coordinating a possible trip to China, fielded the questions. All members were encouraged to offer their opinions to Joe, President Steve Murane or any other board members. The chapter board is destined to make a final decision in a week or so in order to get in our reservations in time, and such. If you have questions, contact Brad at BWJ@NRC.GOV.

Secretary Buechler welcomed the three newest members who passed their auditions last week. He already had their Harmonizer name tags (with the chapter logo and their name) for them – Jacob George, lead; Kevin Kaiser, bass; and Michael Gilmore, bass. Welcome aboard, guys.

Membership vp, Phil Ashford, welcome another long line of guests. There were three first timers – one fellow barbershopper from NC who had moved to the area. There were also several applicants and YeEd has chatted with some of them and know they are planning to audition in the next couple weeks. Yeah.

Then it was break time – a few minutes to get some goodies and coffee, turn in forms for the Cherry Blossom Parade, sing some tags, compare who has which aches and pains and illnesses, buy some of the left over Valentine candy and get a raffle ticket.

Right after the break, the chorus was invited to make their self-evaluation tapes to turn in.

There was more work on the contest set.

And then Joe used the last part of the evening to prepare for the Cherry Blossom Parade appearance on April 9th. The producer of the parade knew of our successful appearance on July 4th in Philly and invited us to make a tv appearance during the Parade in Washington, DC. BUT they could only have us sing for about 2 minutes live. SO, Joe taught the guys a couple changes to “Stars and Stripes” to shorten it to fit. The guys got it and drilled it a few times. Tony Colosimo directed and Joe coached.

Then Dennis Ritchey helped the directors record it since the chorus with lip sync to the recording when we are in front of the camera. It went well and we got done in time to end the chapter meeting at 10 pm on the dot.

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. —Ye Ed.)