Looking Back on the Nov. 13^th Chapter Meeting

First off – some related news from the chapter family.

First – we got a nice thank you note from dual member Bill Colosimo, who also directs the DC Chapter, expressing his appreciation for those of us who went out to the DC show right after the big storm hit the DC Metro area. ACME CHORD COMPANY was their guest quartet.

Second – we had a wonderful sing on Veterans Day at Oakton Elementary School. We have done is for a few years now and is a heart-warming event to see the youngsters so intend in listening and smiling and trying so hard to be quiet.  Producer Greg Tepe reports that there were 30 of us on the risers.  A big riser crew helped set up four sets in the gym at the school. Each class had a VIP Veteran to host and all the Veterans and active duty guys in the chorus were also introduced by the school staff.

Staff at the school shared with us that the kids have been asking since September if the Harmonizers were gonna come sing again. YeEd must report the laughs we had when even our director started singing the wrong song, even after the emcee said the title!!!! Oooops.

Bob Blair and Howard Nestlerode drove the Harmo truck. Assistant director Terry Reynolds did the warm ups. Shawn Tallant debuted as emcee – good job too.  Director Joe Cerutti was in rare form getting us to sing our best – even tho so early in the morning.  It was Gary Fuller’s first performance with the chorus.

After the risers were reloaded into the truck, Craig Kujawa helped organize a lunch outing for all that had time.  Many of us who were former or retired military or are still active took advantage of TGI Friday’s offer of free lunch for those folks.

Third – got a replay after last week’s Looking Back from Kirk and Dana Riffer: “Let everyone know that Kirk and I had a little girl in October 16. Her name us Chelsea Elizabeth. We are thinking of you all and miss you all.  Take care – Dana”

Fourth – YeEd heard that a number of our members were in Vegas for a Society leadership event.  Bob Eckman reports the following: “We were there from Friday, Nov. 9 to Sunday morning, the 11th. The Society board met during the day on Friday. The district leadership teams arrived during the day and things kicked off with dinner Friday night, followed by a general session and then each discipline had their first meeting together. Saturday was a full day of meetings until about 5 when we all got together for a wrap up session with our outgoing president Alan Lamson, incoming president Shannon Elswick and new CEO Marty Monson.”

“It was at Green Valley Ranch Resort, just outside Las Vegas. The following Harmonizers in attended – Chris Buechler,  secretary class instructor; Joe Cerutti and Gary Plaag, Society Board members; Bill Colosimo, incoming district president; Chuck Harner, district vp; Keith Jones, district secretary; and Bob Eckman, district treasurer. The Leadership Forum brings together district and society leaders once a year to help align plans for the coming year. One of the great aspects of the event is that each district officer gets to meet their counterparts from across the Society.”

 

“Some of us arrived in Vegas early and/or stayed late for a little sight-seeing. There were many jokes about district treasurers seen sitting at the slots. This one managed to break even (with his own money).”

 

Fifth – our own MAYHEM quartet sang on the Kilmarnock, VA, show this past weekend.  Lew Klinge drove them down there in his antique Cadillac, with their four bright color top hats in the back window. They were a huge hit for the packed house at the chapter show.

As you can imagine, our meeting on Tuesday nite, Nov. 13^th was totally used to prepare the chorus for their singing duties at the Holiday Shows coming up soon.

There was a lot going on in advance of the singing time.  Basses came at 6:30 to work on a new song with bass section leader Mike Kelly.  Chuck McKeever was helping new singers with the SP for “Jersey Boys” and such. Terry Reynolds was working with some volunteers who will do the comedy “monk” routine for the show. And there were long lines at the admin/sales tables for show tickets from Ian Poulin, White House Ornaments from Mick and Sandy Stamps, Entertainent (coupon)  Books from Chuck Harner, scrip sales from Ian, and raffle tickets from Dick and Carolyn Hall.

Assistant director Will Cox did the vocal warm ups. Then director Joe Cerutti took us right into songs for the show. Several times during the nite, he “invited” a section to go clean up a passage of a song.

So we worked hard on songs til mid evening break, using the screen and projector as needed during the first half.  Mark Klostermeyer conducted the chapter meeting portion of the nite.  Assistant director Terry Reynolds reminded any singers interested to be ready to audition for show solos tonite.  He also introduced chapter librarian Bob Mattes to the new guys and suggested that Bob had the caroling books if they wanted one.

Secretary Chris Buechler reminded all that he was collecting contributions to send to NJ for repair of the grand Ocean Grove auditorium after storm damage (the Harmonizers have sung there several times over the years). He then presented a Man of Note Award to Martin Banks for bringing us Stan Quick; presented a new name badge to Dave Hood; and a renewal card to Shawn Tallant for 6 years.

Membership vp Phil Ashford welcomed a group of guests including a couple first timers, an applicant, and some State Department friends of Chuck Hunter who sang with him in Bagdad.  Terry Jordan and Michael Calhoun were in the house for part of the evening too.

After a long but busy break, there were announcements about the show that guys needed to hear. Roger Day asks for two big boxes wrapped in shiny gift wrap from each guy.  Bring them on Thursday to the dress rehearsal. Jack Pitzer asks each man to bring four dozen colorful holiday cookies to the show when they arrive on Friday.  These cookies are needed for the dessert platters for the dinner shows. Tom Kern needs to get back any red ties from guys who went to China but who won’t be singing in this show.  Brad Jones thanked guys for the support of the auction, but asked for continued efforts to tell others about it being online. Bob Mattes is also coordinator for waiters and table captains for the dinner part of our shows.  Watch for important emails with details!

Co-producer of the show, Scipio Garling, asked guys to use Facebook to get more folks buying Friday nite tickets. We have about 75 to sell.  Joe stepped up to the mic and asked us to really work to sell out the show – it will mean huge demand for future years.

Speaking of numbers, Joe also reminded everyone to get in their deposit to go to France for the show in Normandy in 2014.  We need 80 singers for this one. Give your deposit of $50 per person to Ken Fess before the show.

Ben Roberts announced his high school production of “Oklahoma” and offered flyers for all.  Ben has the lead in the show and some who have seen it report he is great!! Go to www.mvcct.org for info.

Terry Reynolds clarified some important plans for the Tuesday nites after the show:

·        Dec. 4 we will meet as usual at Durant, sing some and then head into Old Town to stroll on King Street and sing in restaurants there.

·        Dec. 11 we will get some new music (hint: maybe our new contest pieces) and then second half is this year’s Chapter Put Together Quartet Contest.  Start forming quartets now. Songs can be funny, serious, chapter songs. No time limits.  There will be judges and trophies to best comedy or regular quartet and an overall prize too. Calvin Schnure is chair this year.

·        Dec. 18 we will do a show at the Masonic Temple on King Street for a children’s program.

·        Also stay tuned for a small group performance at the White House.

In answer to a question from the risers, there will NOT be a show at Market Sq in December.

President Steve Murane reminded the members of the board about their meeting on Wed nite at Durant. And he solicited nominations for chapter awards that will be given at the annual awards banquet Sat., January 26, 2013.  We will also install the officers at that event.

It was a busy nite for chapter business, but not unusual with the show so close.  So it was back to singing, but first a barbershop craft session taught again by associate director Tony Colosimo.

Nearer to 10 pm, assistant directors Will Cox, Mike Kelly and Terry Reynolds (actually he will be directing as Jack-in-the-Box) directed show carols while Joe auditioned soloists for the show.

Before we closed TJ Donahue invited guys to the Hilton for tonite’s afterglow. There is movement to relocate the afterglow, so watch or listen for details next week.

Until next time – editorjack!

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

Looking Back on the Nov. 6^th Chapter Meeting

First off – the chapter meeting on Oct. 30^th was canceled due to Hurricane Sandy that hit the east coast.  Durant was closed. We have not heard that any Harmonizers had serious damage, thankfully.  We do know, however, that some of our fellow barbershoppers in NJ and NY were hit hard.

So after missing a week, everyone was ready for some barbershop on Nov. 6^th – the election nite.  That meant Durant was a polling place, so we met in the adjoining school.  And we worked hard in preparation for the holiday shows. 

The parking lot was full behind Durant, but Howard Nestlerode got the Harmo truck in and a crew of guys jumped in to unload and set up the risers and av equipment we needed.  We used the projector and screen for all the holiday music.  And of course the mics for directors.

Will Cox did the vocal warm ups and turned over a big chorus for director Joe Cerutti to take thru the nite’s work and preparation.

First, Joe commented about the Sweet Adeline International convention with reports about some folks the chapter might know. And he stressed that we only have three Tuesday nite sessions left before the show (the extra rehearsal set for Nov. 15^th has been canceled), and a dress rehearsal on Thurs. Nov. 29^th.

Early in the evening, show producers and assistant directors met with the huge number of guys who have never sung in a Harmonizer holiday show to go over details, planning, uniforms ideas, and suggestions for that weekend.

And assistant director Terry Reynolds met with volunteers to be “monks” for this year’s show.

Our first singing work was on the new song for the show – “Sleigh Ride” – which we have sung in years past.  Sounds like there will be percussion devices used on the song too like sleigh bells and a clapping sound like a whip. 

Bruce Lauther and president Steve Murane honored special guests present with us from the George Washington Masonic Lodge group to thank them for their support of our chapter and especially our Youth Harmony Festival last spring.  We gave them framed photos and applauded their comments and pledge of future support.

Associate director Tony Colosimo did a brief barbershop craft session on breathing techniques.  It was a terrific lesson.

We then worked on more of the songs for the show.

Mark Klostermeyer conducted the weekly chapter meeting.  Secretary Chris Buechler presented new member materials to Jared Gollnitz and Carlos Correa.  Alan Kousen received a Man of Note Award for inviting Carlos to join. And then membership renewal cards to Ross Felker for two years, Clark Chesser for three years, Roger Day for 24 years, and David Welter for 36 years.

Josh Roots went over many details about the holiday shows, Fri. nite Nov. 30^th at 7:30 pm and Sat. Dec. 1^st at 1 pm and at 6 pm.  The shows are held at First Baptist Church, 2932 King St., Alexandria, VA.  There is plenty of free parking.  It is not close to a Metro station, tho. 

Saturday nite is basically SOLD OUT.  Saturday afternoon is nearly SOLD OUT.  And there are about 100 seats left for the Friday nite show. Keep selling them.

Everyone is asked to submit their costume plan to Scipio immediately.

Roger Day is coordinating the decorations for the hall.  He asked for more helpers and got some volunteers.  He also asked each member to wrap a large empty box with shiny gift wrap paper and bring them to the dress rehearsal on Thursday, Nov. 29^th at 7 pm.

Jack Pitzer reminded each singer to bring 4 dozen colorful holiday cookies to use for the dessert platters.  The cookies should go to Jack on Thursday and/or Friday nites when you first arrive.

Brad Jones reported on the online auction and silent auction for the show.  Sales have already started.  He thanked all the guys for bringing auction items to him tonite – his car was packed!

After introducing the guests, including Don Harrington who was with us to help with the show, we were on break.  Some folks had brought goodies and left over Halloween things.  And of course Ian Poulin was swamped with guys getting their actual tickets to give out to customers.

Ken Fess was busy, too, collecting $50 reservation fees for each person going to Normandy France in 2014. Those reservation fees need to be given to Ken in the next week or so.

After break Chris Buechler offered to collect donations any guys wanna make to send to help repair the Ocean Grove Auditorium damaged by the Hurricane. The Harmonizers have sung in the historic auditorium several times over the years.

Package show producer Greg Tepe reviewed details for the Veteran’s Day sing on Monday Nov., 12^th at Oakton Elementary, 3000 Chain Bridge Rd., Oakton. Chorus call is 8:30 am.  Riser crew needed at 8. Uniform is military uniform or suit and tie.

Craig Kujawa suggested that anyone who wanted to get a free lunch afterward needs to bring their military discharge DD214 or military ID. Details that day.

TJ Donahue took a head count for this week’s afterglow at Theisman’s.  We have started going there and it is working out well. We need to give them a count in advance.

Sam McFarland had handmade scarves on sale made by members of the Pride of Balitmore Sweet Adeline chorus.

After all the announcements, we worked hard til closing time on more of the show music, trying to apply the lessons learned from our craft session.

The whole chorus worked to take down and put onto the Harmo truck.

And before he let us go, Joe thanked the chorus for a great rehearsal and for doing their homework.  He suggested some important items to work on this week.  Mike Kelly asked the bass section to be at Durant at 6:30 next week for some extra work on a spot or two.

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.)

Greeting all - theses notes were prepared by Ross Felker. Thanks for
that. YeEd is in Indianapolis for FFA meeting.


Looking Back on Oct 23 Chapter Meeting and Recording

Location: First Baptist Church of Alexandria, on King Street

- Initially brought risers off the truck to set up in the fellowship
hall. However, leadership determined that the choir room on the second
floor would be a better location for recording. A team of guys helped
load the risers back on the truck.
- Will Cox directed our warm up in the fellowship hall.
- Upstairs to sing and record “Music Man,” “Summertime,” and “No More
Sorrow.”
- Mike Kelly and Cameron Weifenbach volunteerd their time and expertise
to set-up and operate the sound recording equipment.
- Joe said we sounded great; hopefully, we got some good recordings.

Announcements:
Bob Blair called for one volunteer to help with renting the risers on
Saturday at 10:00 am at the Lee Center. Someone did volunteer.

Chuck Harner was selling Entertainment Coupon books out of the back of
his car tonight.

Reminder for the Holiday Show the phone number for purchasing tickets
is on the website. Messages are checked daily by Ian Poulin.

Terry Reynolds announced that there are just 5 rehearsals left before
the Holiday Show. We need to be prepared for “Sleigh Ride” and “Santa
Baby.” Off the music in two weeks.

President Steve Murane announced that the Harmony Foundation charity,
which provides scholarships for youth educational opportunities,
presented a check to the Harmonizers for over $1800. The Harmony
Foundation presents these checks twice a year and this amount results
from contributions of Harmonizer members. Steve said we have about 30
Harmonizers in the Harmony Foundation—imagine what the checks would be
if we had 100 Harmonizers participate in the Harmony Foundation! Alan
Wile said a membership of $10 a month gets Ambassador Status, and a
percentage can be donated to our district and chapter.

Steve Murane congratulated the Harmonizers who participated in quartets
at the District Contest and presented checks to the quartets.

After announcements, we reviewed about 5 songs for the holiday show.

Afterglow was announced to be at Joe Theismans.

Looking Back on the Oct 16th Chapter Meeting

After such a successful fall contest weekend, no wonder that Durant was full of excitement and high energy. 

It was also the annual meeting nite and alumni were invited.  A good crowd of alumni joined us.  They were on the risers, as they desired, to sing holiday music and to watch the video of the 1995 gold medal package and the 2012 fall contest show. 

Allen Hanenbaum

Bob Wells

Bede Bender

Chuck Botts

Ross  Johnson

Dave Reyno

Dave Ermlick

Jon Abel

Jerry TePaske

Don Harrington

Bill Sowers

Pat Duffey

Martin Banks

Bill Aarhus

Jerry Kindred

JT Price

Royall Geis

 

At 6 pm, the work began to set up risers and av equipment, and a lot of chairs for the many guests. Plus the coffee pot was on early.

Assistant director Will Cox did vocal warm ups.  When he turned the riser full of singers over to director Joe Cerutti, there was a cheer for the successful contest weekend. Joe shared his joy again with the chorus for their dedication in recent months and the support and work by many.  He shared that he was proud of our performance by the 98 singers on the contest stage.  He shared too that we missed Ken Ives and Bruce Lauther who both had wives in the hospital. (Both men report things are progressing along now.)

And there was also a cheer for the many quartet guys who represented us so well at the contest.

First song out of the box for the nite was “Hallelujah Chorus” for the holiday show.  It went so well that Joe had time to work on a new song – “Sleigh Ride.”  Word is that we will be doing the “monks” card routine again with “Hallelujah” and there is a call for non-singers who can do it.

Associate director Tony Colosimo conducted a terrific lesson about the voice and vocal mechanism.  His maxim this week was working on “tall in the back and small in the front.”

Acting operations vp Mark Klostermeyer conducted the chapter meeting.  Chuck Harner explained briefly the Entertainment Books the chapter sells as a fund raiser.  These coupon books make us $5 per sale. Chuck can issue you books on consignment. There are books for DC, No VA, MD and Richmond regions.

Sandy Stamps is also issuing lots of White House Ornaments on consignment.  This is an easy sell as witnessed to YeEd last nite by a new guy who took some to work and discovered they were a hit.  He took 20 more in to work today.

Secretary Chris Buechler offered our 50-year history books to new members or anyone who didn’t get one. He also was selling left over teal short sleeve shirts at discount.

Then Chris presented membership renewal cards to Adam Bradley for 3 years; Edris Qarghah for 4 years; Eric Wallen for 15 years; and Jared Gollnitz for 9years altho he is a new Harmonizer having been a member of Kentucky Vocal Union.

Next the chapter secretary announced the opening of the chapter meeting; that he had received a slate of candidates; and no other nominees had been presented before the deadline.  Current president Steve Murane conducted the election.

Officers and board members for 2013 will be:

President - Alan Wile
Treasurer - Dave Welter
Secretary - Chris Buechler
VP - Operations - Bob Rhome
VP - Shows - Ken Rub
VP - Music & Performance - Brad Jones
VP - Marketing & PR - Scipio Garling
VP - Chapter Development (Membership) - Mark Klostermeyer
Member at Large (two positions) - Josh Roots, Greg Tepe (Nick Leiserson and Troy Hillier will continue on from this year)

Immediate Past President - Steve Murane

 

Klostermeyer continued the meeting then with announcement of a change in location for the weekly afterglow.  (YeEd reports: this week we returned to Theisman’s where we were well received, had our own room and waiter, and a good time for the 20 or so guys who made it.)

Josh Roots spoke on behalf of the Holiday Show management team with news that the Saturday nite show is almost sold out, Saturday matinee still has seats to fill, and Friday nite has a good number of seats to sell.  

Show team Nick Leiserson alerted all to watch for two important emails this coming week – one about the many props needed for the show; and a second one about getting non-singers signed up for the ‘monks’ project.  Nick also solicited volunteers to help on Friday of show weekend to decorate at 10 am.

Singing Valentine chair Calvin Schnure started the push for quartet sign up, as we will be selling SVs at the show.

Silent Auction chair Brad Jones suggests members start bringing in their donations for that auction.  Brad also thanked new member Carlos Correa for his work on making personal visits to  get donations from commercial firms in Alexandria.

Alan Wile reminded all the guys and the many guests to check out the notebooks of Harmo Hero

Before the break, the meeting continued and membership vp Phil Ashford welcomed all the alumni by name. Then we met the several singer applicants in house for the nite.

President Murane also announced that we have a chairman for the trip to France for the D-Day Landing Anniversary in June of 2014.  Past chapter president Ken Fess will head up the team to plan and coordinate that activity.

We had a long break to celebrate with our alums with special cakes decorated with a picture of the 1995 gold medal chorus.  Thanks to Kevin Kaiser for helping with the food and to those who brought goodies to share.

After the break, we watched the videos.  Mike Kelly reminded us that these videos are on the district website to be downloaded.

Joe made more comments about the contest work and invited the Harmo family to comment from the risers.  It was a lively and positive discussion and served as a reminder of the strengths of the chapter.

Then we reviewed three songs for next week’s recording session.  Usual time but at the First Baptist Church, 2932 King Street in Alexandria.  We will be in the sanctuary.  A new person will be helping with the technical recording work – a contact from the Pride of Baltimore chorus family, Cam Weiffenbach. Plan ahead for a new route and for rides from the Metro as it is too far to walk from King St. Metro to the church.

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 District Fall Contest and Convention 2012 Ocean City

The Alexandria Harmonizers won their 24^th Mid Atlantic District Chorus championship this past weekend in Ocean City, MD. It was particularly fun to reprise the 1995 Gold Medal contest package with “I’ll Be Seeing You” and “Sweet Georgia Brown” with a 98-member chorus. The chorus wore yellow shirts and ties with the black suits.  The front row used black hats with matching yellow trim.

This win earns the chorus the opportunity to return to International chorus competition in Toronto next summer.

In addition to the chorus contest, a number of Harmonizers were in the district quartet contest and two of our chapter quartets made it into the finals round for Saturday nite.

 MAYHEM ended up with a cumulative score that earned them second place after a fantastic hit that actually placed them first in the finals round. They surprised us all with their wildly colorful new full tux outfits – shoes, suit, ruffled shirt, vest, top hat and cane – in orange, red, yellow and green.  (They even have matching water bottles in those same colors as we saw at afterglows!)

ACME CHORD COMPANY, in their first district contest, was seventh with two good sets. 

YOUTH RECLAMATION PROJECT was the mic tester quartet for the finals placing eleventh.  Immediate past district champs MAD HATTERS was mic tester quartet for Friday nite quartet contest.

In total we had seven quartets in this contest.  A great showing.

MAYHEM  (Matt Fellows, Neil Dingle, Mike Pinto, Kenny White) was 2nd.

ACME CHORD COMPANY (Dan O’Brien, Chris Susalka, Paul Grimes, Chris Yates) was 7th.

YOUTH RECLAMATION PROJECT (seniors) (Hardman Jones, Mike Wallen, Roger Tarpy, Vic Owen) was 11^th.

MINT CONDITION (Bob Rodriguez. Jr., Kevin McKenzie, Drew Fuller, Arthur Louis) was 18^th.

WHISTLE STOP (w Dan O’Brien, Randy Eliason, Phil Ashford, Calvin Schnure) was 21^st.

 OLD TOWN SOUND (seniors) (Alan Kousen, Bob Caldwell, Bob Mattes, Dave Welter) was 22^nd.

CHORD WORX ( Doug White, Tim Buell, Don Thompson, Edris Qarghah) was 24^th.

The outgoing district Champs and mic testers was MAD HATTERS (Rob Seay V, Scott Disney, Rick Taylor, Steve White)

As pledged, the chapter was a built-in cheering section for the quartets and on Saturday nite, director Joe, was head cheerleader for our two finalist foursomes. The chorus also helped set up the political convention set for the parody songs by WHISTLE STOP on Friday nite.

The whole chapter was in town early for a big day Saturday and most made the drive from DC area without much delay.  Everyone likely managed to get some good seafood too.  One of our guys had the shortest drive ever for him to join us – Len Dornberger actually lives in Dover, DE, and commutes to Alexandria every week.  But that means Tom Berkey had an extra long drive from his home in Williamsburg, VA.  He too commutes every week to Alexandria.

Craig Kujawa did a yeomen’s job in organizing things for the chapter including getting us into a convenient hotel with a good practice area.  The truck drivers and riser crew had things all set up for our 8 am chorus call on Saturday morning. Assistant director Will Cox did the vocal warm ups.  Mark Klostermeyer, our chorus manager, kept control and helped us get from point-to-point all weekend.  And the guys respected his authority and appreciated his attention to detail. Assistant director Terry Reynolds was always on top of his game with details – including a score sheet from previous contests to tell us how our score compared!

Craig expressed thanks to Bob Rhome for doing the registrations and other detail work to help us all get there; Scott Kahler for making it possible for guys to register via Groupanizer; Jack Cameron for being chorus photo honcho; Howard Nestlerode for truck driving; and Bob Blair for helping load the truck to go to OC.

Associate director Tony Colosimo helped Will with warm ups and helped prepare the chorus for some technical aspects of their singing rehearsal.  Geri Geis was there for the morning period and back stage too and helped us keep up our performance levels. 

The chorus contest started at 9 am.  Many family and friends were at the gathering Saturday morning and then headed over to the convention center, while we continued to prepare. We recessed to put on make-up then changed to our uniforms. Presentation chairman Scipio Garling had to conduct a special training session about our use of make-up for the many new men who had never competed with the Harmonizers.

YeEd thinks this was the first contest for the following new guys: Dave Branstetter, Carlos Barillo, David DesPortes, Ross Felker, John Oswald Greene, Rich Hewitt, Peter Hubbard, Stan Quick, Ben Roberts, Steve Szyszka and Mike Vlcej. Welcome aboard!

Everyone made it to the contest site and assembled in our dressing area there. Chuck Hunter offered some useful advice just before we went on to the stage with just two words – Always New.  Earlier in the day, Craig Kujawa caused a good laugh when he suggested we disperse “like molecules.”  It got a laugh, gave Joe ammo for future jabs, but everyone remembered to do it.

Our FRIENDS OF HARMONY group took a couple minutes to present each singer a token to take on stage as support and encouragement after remarks from their president Sandy Stamps.

We took the stage in character for our ballad and did so slowly and emotionally.  The audience knew they were in for a treat. We exited the stage in cheering and excitement from both sides and out into the audience.  There were only a couple choruses left, so the results came quickly.

Alexandria earned 1573 points for 87.4%.  The second place chorus from Hamilton Square, NJ, earned 1508 points for 83.8% with 76 singers.  The third place chorus from Hell’s Kitchen, NY, earned 1494 points for 83% with 40 singers.

After the contest Director Joe Cerutti and the chorus assembled on the stage to meet with judges who represented the judging panel and gave us input about our scores and ideas for make improvements. The sessions were long enough that many of our singers were able to ask questions.

More than once over the weekend, Joe shared his joy about the months of dedication and work by the chorus and also for his musical team help in making the forward leaps in our performances.

For the Saturday nite show of champions, the top three choruses sang.  We sang “I’m The Music Man,” “Circle of Life” with MAYHEM doing the solos and TBD doing the background patter, and “Sweet Georgia Brown.”  Joe decided to do the contest uptune since there were so many really new singers in our chorus who did not know “Jersey Boys” just yet – and he didn’t want to leave them out.  We all appreciated the many new men who have worked so hard to catch up.

The MAD HATTERS sang on the champs show as did a chorus of past quartet champs. That chorus welcomed the quartet winners to the stage and sang to them.  Many men from our chapter are in that chorus as past district champs, and it was great to see them all up there on stage.  Here again, YeEd is going from memory to create the list: Wayne Adams, Joe Sawyer, Craig Odell, Jay Butterfield, Rick Savage, Rick Taylor, Mike Wallen. Plus Tony and Bill Colosimo directed the MADAQC chorus of champs; Gary Plaag was their emcee; and Steve White is the organizer of the champs and keeps in touch with all of them.

First place quartet was FRANK THE DOG – our friends from PA that have helped us with our youth harmony event.  MAYHEM was second and UP ALL NIGHT was third.

It was good to be back in Ocean City, MD, after a number of years trying other locations. The host chapter for the contest weekend was Bryn Mawr, PA.  Jack Pitzer and Matt Kahn  helped the host chapter by getting judges who had flights into National Airport over to the contest.

As usual, there were lots of Harmonizers seen all weekend.  Dick Hall helped our guys get their tickets from the will call desk at registration in the convention center.  Tony Colosimo was a practicing judge and sat with the panel for the quartet contests. The truck drivers brought the Harmo banner and it was proudly displayed in the convention hall.

The contest was webcast for those who could not attend.  Joe Cerutti and Eric Wallen were hosts for parts of the weekend.  Mike Kelly was working hard to video record the event for contestants.  Bill Colosimo was emcee for the quartet first round of the quartet contest. Dennis Ritchey was emcee for the chorus contest and helped coordinate back stage operations all weekend. He is on the district events team along with Carl Kauffmann, the team’s treasurer.

As committee chair, Mike Wallen announced this year’s MAD Honor Club members with fellow Harmonizers on the stage – Chuck Harner, Steve White, Alan Wile, Gary Plaag, Jack Pitzer, BobWachter, Terry Jordan, John Hohl and Bill Colosimo. One of our guys, Rick Taylor, was added to the Honor roll. Congrats Rick.

Many of the district board and operations team are Harmonizers and they deserve a shout out for their extra work: Gary Plaag, Bill Colosimo, Bob Eckman, Keith Jones, Dennis Ritchey, Chuck Harner, Alan Wile and Mike Kelly. In official district meetings, Bill Colosimo was elected as incoming M-AD president – a solid honor after serving the district in so many other leadership capacities.

Some current Harmonizers were part of other chorus competitors. Mike Wallen directed the Richmond chorus and Mike Geipel sang with them. Bill Colosimo directed the Washington DC chorus and Don Dillingham and Bob Wells sang with them. Bob Wilson sang with James River. Gary Plaag sang with Fairfax. Rick Taylor directed Dundalk.

It was a great Harmonizer weekend and great kick off for the Alumni Nite special event on Tues, Oct. 16^th.  All are invited to share in the fun from the weekend and to launch the next great series of events for the chapter and 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 with the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd.)