Looking Back on the October 18th Chapter Meeting

Looking Back on the October 18th Chapter Meeting

(Thanks to Alan Wile for writing the column this week while YeEd is in Indiana.)

Bruce Lauther was the first through the door and set up to give up medals he’s had engraved and DVDs from our Carnegie Hall performance. Come on, guys – pick‘em up! Dick Hall busily worked to repair the wooden music stand used to hold the operations notebook. Steve White and Chuck Harner set up tables around the room, after which Chuck set up to sell/distribute four different Entertainment Books. Sandy and Mick Stamps set up with our new CDs (from the Choir of the World show), books by Joel Golden’s brother (Eaten By A Snake), and cold beverages.

Risers were assembled by Bob Blair, Carl Kauffmann, Bob Rhome, Chris Huber, Clyde Crusenberry, and others. The books containing all the Harmonizer Hero and Heroine forms submitted to date were set out for review. Roger Day hawked 50-50 “opportunities.” Ian Poulin sold tickets to the upcoming holiday show and scrip. Dixie Kennett took attendance and Steve White subbed for Membership VP Phil Ashford. Sound equipment was set out by Scott Kahler.

In the temporary absence of VP-OPS Mark Klostermeyer (K-12), Bob Rhome called “Harmonizers on the risers!” as the clock approached 7 p.m. and Assistant Director Will Cox warmed us up with catchy hand-clap sequences and an assortment of vocal arpeggios, after which we were directed to reassemble in sections.

Director Joe Cerutti was in Houston for the Sweet Adeline International contest and convention. A bunch of our members were there also. Joe’s SAI chorus, the Pride of Baltimore, came in 12th. Congats to our friends in POB.

Since Joe was gone, our assistant directors worked with the chorus on the show music. We rehearsed “It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year” and “Caroling, Caroling” and then changed directors to work on “The Chipmunks Christmas Song,” “Blue Christmas,” and “Do You Hear What I Hear?” while VP-Music & Performance Terry Reynolds ran the projector. Tony directed “Ave Maria” before sending us off to sectionals to work on the “Hallelujah Chorus” and “The Little Drummer Boy.” Thanks to Joel Golden for preparing a learning track for the upper basses on the latter.

K-12 announced birthdays of the week: Jack McKendree on the 20th, Jack Pitzer on the 21st, and Bill Colosimo (Tony’s dad) on the 23rd. Steve White called all the guests down and introduced them – all 8 and all repeaters! He also acknowledged Roger Day’s presence, who announced that, “I am back!” We were also pleased to see Jack Stonesifer, who just finished his freshman year at Marshall University. After Will directed the “Harmonizer Welcome Song,” all were excused for a 10 minute break.

Returning to the risers, Roger Day announced that the 50-50 has been reinstated (which he began a few years ago). Roger is our holiday show decorator extraordinaire. In this role, he asked that every member wrap two large (copy paper size) boxes with shiny paper and that he’ll be in need of a host of volunteers to come early to help bring the venue to “holiday life.”

VP-Shows Ken White reminded us about our participation in the Veterans Day program (again) at the Oakton Elementary School AND that we’ll be performing at Market Square on Saturday, December 10th.

Terry Reynolds emphasized the need to be off the music on the more traditional holiday music AND to adhere to the learning schedule for both the “Hallelujah Chorus” and “The Little Drummer Boy.”

Chapter President Steve Murane reminded members of the current and next year’s board that the annual leadership retreat will be held on Saturday, November 19th. Also, he stressed the necessity for next year’s board members to attend the Leadership Academy classes on Saturday, October 29th. [Alan’s note: LA classes are open to anyone who would like to attend; the application is on the district website.]

Attendance, taken most nights by Dixie Kennett, is on our Groupanizer site. All members were encouraged to check it weekly to ensure that it is accurate as the site will name those who have repeated absences … and none of us want to be on that list if we can help it.

Back in standing position, still in sections, Will worked the “Hallelujah Chorus,” followed by Tony on “The Little Drummer Boy,” which brought us to the end of the evening.

K-12 drew the lucky 50-50 number and although TJ Jones tried to claim the prize ($42 … not shabby at all), Scott Kahler actually had the winning ticket. Taking us out was our returning college man, Jack Stonesifer, who directed “Keep The Whole World Singing.” Risers were disassembled and placed under the stage, chairs and tables put back in their appointed places and, once the room was cleared, a few stalwarts reassembled at the Hilton for an afterglow gathering.

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.)