Looking Back on the January 17^th Chapter Meeting

It was really fun to see the surprised look on the faces of the guys when they arrived last nite and saw the risers backed up to the stage.

Just part of the More Fun’r campaign.

Director Joe Cerutti was at the BHS midwinter convention in Tucson.  He is a member of the Society’s board and they needed to meet in advance of the convention to interview finalists for the BHS executive director position.

Assistant director Will Cox did the vocal warm ups and had us sing one of the Valentine songs – as a drill for guys to prepare for their big day on Feb. 14^th.

Assistant director Terry Reynolds announced the plans for the evening and introduced Geri and Royall Geis.  She developed the visual package and creative approach to how we presented our contest package in 1995 and won our third gold medal.  She also explained how the package came about and how we had broken new ground in presentation.

Since the men have done well in learning “I’ll Be Seeing You” and “Sweet Georgia Brown” they were able in incorporate her instruction into their performance.  Geri also met with all the new men who had not worked with Geri before so they could catch up easier.

After the contest refresher, Will directed “Battle Hymn” which we are “dusting off” to use in a package show that has a patriotic theme.  Assistant director Mike Kelly directed “Stars and Stripes” and “Great Day” which will also be on that show.

Operations vp Scott Kahler conducted the weekly business meeting.  Phil Ashford introduced our guests for the evening which included about 5 applicants and one first-timer who was driving from FL to Canada.

Ken Henderson promoted sales of Singing Valentines and offered handout materials including business cards and a display rack for the cards on counters and desks.  Eric Wallen has offered to help guys form quartets to sing the jobs that day.  And members have been asked to take the day off from work so we can fill all the jobs. 

You should also sell some Singing Valentines  – at the office, your carpool, your neighbors, your golf buddies who need to make amends for being gone so much, for your mom or sister or aunt or secretary or waitress or nurse or dental assistant or Starbuck’s worker.  Here is what we are offering – all to be delivered some time on Tues., Feb. 14^th:

Love on the Line -- $30 Singing Valentine sent by telephone

The Heartthrob -- $60 Singing Valentine with a personalized card and a single rose

The Romeo -- $75 Singing Valentine with a personalized card and a dozen roses

The Be-My-Valentine -- $90 Singing Valentine with a personalized card, a dozen roses and a box of chocolates.

Valentine hotline is 571-969-1379 or www.alexandriaharmonizerspresent.com

Chapter IT chairman Scott Kahler alerted the chapter that he would be using the emergency notification message system soon as a test.  If you have not signed up, do so.

President Steve Murane asked guys to turn in their skills survey by next Tues, Jan. 24^th.

Steve also extended invites for the Chapter Awards Banquet being held on Sat. nite, Jan. 28^th, at Durant starting at 6 pm.  He promised a detailed email on Wed. which was sent. Many have already sent him an RSVP that they would attend, but more are welcome to do so.  There will be drinks from 6 -7 then a potluck with the chapter providing the main dish.  Members are to bring dishes to pass that will serve about 10: basses and baris bring sides like veggies, potatoes, mac and cheese, rolls, etc; leads bring salads; tenors and Friends of Harmony bring desserts.

The chorus took a 15-minute coffee break and there were quartets singing, business being conducted, and guys turning in their old uniform parts to Tom Kern.   Martin Banks brought an interesting display board of past chorus pictures.

Associate director Tony Colosimo conducted our weekly barbershop craft session.  This week we revisited the topic – awesome breath mean awesome tone. After his instruction, he invited the chorus to demonstrate using those techniques on the contest songs.

Tony and the musical team then helped the chorus work on the new “Jersey Boys” medley.

During the evening, our chorus directors were filmed for their personal review of technique.

Next week, guys can meet on the stage at 6 pm to drill moves for the contest package with Chuck McKeever.

Also mark your calendar – we are hosting a candidate nite on Tues March 6 to gain some new 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.)