Looking Back on the June 10, 2025 Alexandria A Cappella Collective Chapter Meeting
There was another big crowd of singers on hand for the June 10 chapter meeting at AlexRenew as members prepare for the trip to Ireland, the retreat, the fall district contest, and the International contest in Denver. Many of our quartet singers are busy practicing and having coaching sessions in advance of the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) International contest and convention in Denver.
Thanks to the earl-bird crew of AACC members who pitched in to set up risers for both ensembles at 6:30 pm for the rehearsal time. The Harmonizers were given tentative riser placements on the risers.
Associate director of the Harmonizers, Tony Colosimo, conducted the vocal warmup session for members of the Harmonizers and Metro Voices. Artistic director of AACC, Joe Cerutti, made several announcements for the chapter’s upcoming events and programs.
Joe congratulated Ashley Merryman for her article in US News which included a plug for AACC and singing as a hobby. He also congratulated Maggie McAlexander and Kevin Mendez who were engaged recently.
He also recognized all the quartet members headed to Denver from the chapter – 10 percent of the quartets in the first round at that contest will have AACC member singers! He promises info about possible viewing sessions during the convention for those of us still in the DC area and unable to be in Denver. There will be no chapter meeting on July 1.
Next week the AACC will sing in Old Town Alexandria again with emphasis on recruitment during the evening. It all starts at 7 pm at Market Square.
Joe was eager to share news of a recent agreement between AACC and the Alexandria Children’s Chorus (thanks to Ken Rub who initiated the discussion after an Alexandria Arts Commission meeting). Basically, the two groups will both promote and recruit youth singers (they for sixth grade and under; we for older students).
This is key to the AACC efforts to gear up recruiting for the next Capital Force ensemble. Director Tessa Walker and Joe have announced that there must be at least 15 singers in that ensemble.
Chapter secretary, Heidi Suckow, presented a membership renewal to Patricia Chow for three years.
Chapter leadership encouraged all singers of the Collective to mark their calendars and plan to attend the annual retreat scheduled for July 18-20 at McDaniel College in Westminster, MD. Online registration began on Wed. June 4. (Registration and payment is due by July 1.)
The annual event is a great opportunity for serious work on the music, plus a chance for members to meet and socialize with each other and get to know more names to go with the faces we see each week. The two coaches for the weekend will be Darin Drown from Denver, CO, and Cy Wood, our frequent performance coach from Ohio. There will also be a ceremony to present the 2024 distinguished service awards for the Collective. Great food, relaxing housing on campus close to the meeting space, casual dress, a modest drive up into MD, and always fun. Stay tuned for signing up – talk up car pools and plans for that weekend. Plus expect a few team building surprises from the music team and chapter leadership.
Membership director, Jacob Broude, presented new member name tags to Devin Turner and Diane Morrical. First time guest this week was Regina LaValley, Catherine’s sister. Returning guest was Don Medor. Adam Afifi andJulian LeFlore were on hand this week too; and Cy Wood was at the meeting to coach the Harmonizers and present a performance plan for “Come Follow The Band.” Assistant director of the Harmonizers, Terry Reynolds, directed the chapter “Welcome Song.”
The song run-down for the Harmonizers work this week included “Africa,” and “But The World Goes Round” with review and drills of stage moves. Tony and Cy worked with the front row while the chorus worked on those too songs. Then front row returned to the risers for Cy’s coaching session for “Come Follow the Band.” It is a terrific and fun performance package that will be the Harmonizer contest uptune in the fall.
Metro Voices leadership team held another strong rehearsal with work on ”How Far I’ll Go” with a push to get new members to get used to the self-recording process in the chapter. They also continued their good work on “Somewhere” with a goal to have the music down, for the most part, by next week. They also worked on “World Here I Am,” and “Happy Together.”
We will all be on the look-out for news from the many AACC members who will be attending Harmony College East (HCE), June 12-15, 2025, at McDaniel College, Westminster, MD. Likely, many of our quartets that are going to Denver will also be at HCE to sing for fellow barbershoppers.
The AACC black t-shirts are available for pick up if you ordered one, or for purchase if you still need one. Just $10 each. Get your shirt from Terry Reynolds by contacting him so he can bring one to a meeting for you before the Old Town sing event or the chapter retreat in July.
In other chapter news from the past week or so, congrats to Bill Colosimo on his recognition as retiring director of the Alexandria Singers after about 18 years at the helm as musical director. The Singers celebrated their 50th anniversary with shows at Bishop Ireton High School, June 6 and 7. A number of AACC members attended to celebrate with fellow community performers.
After the 50/50 drawing organized by Alan Wile at this week’s Collective meeting, Cy directed “Keep the Whole World Singing” before another large crowd of members adjourned for tags and refreshments at the Harmo House. The summer weather made visiting outside on the deck especially fun.
Until next time – editorjack!
(This message is prepared for your review if you were there, for your information if you had to miss, and as a historical record for the great things going on each week during the 76th year of the Alexandria Chapter. - YeEd)
The Chapter Mission Statement: Enriching lives through vocal harmony in the greater DC area.