Looking Back on the April 3^rd Chapter Meeting

The usual work scene took place starting about 6 pm this week – set up crews at work, stage presence reviews with Chuck McKeever, coffee set up, picture board out, sound and av equipment ready to use, Barberpole Cat song reviews, and a crew of new faces greeting the large number of guests including several returnees from last week’s guest nite.

The prelude to 7 pm start of things was the full song of “I’m The Music Man.”

Assistant director Will Cox did the vocal and visual warm ups.

The musical director Joe Cerutti pulled out a couple oldies – “That’s Amore” and “Hello My Baby” with moves.

Then Joe introduced a guest quartet of college men from his alma mater, Five Towns College in NY.  THE GOOD OLD DAYS quartet was in town for some coaching and came by the chapter to sing for us. Great to see their enthusiasm.

For work on our “Jersey Boys” medley, there were sectional rehearsals in various parts of the Durant Center.

During the chapter meeting portion of the evening, chapter secretary Chris Buechler presented new member materials to Doug White and the Man of Note pin for bringing Doug to Phil Ashford.  It is Doug’s 5^th year of Society membership.

Other renewal cards presented included Joe Cerutti for 11 years; and to Jerry Kindred for 35 years including a lapel pin.  President Steve Murane joined Chris in honoring Bob Wachter for
Bob’s 60 years of membership in the Society.  The chapter has named the annual scholarship to the director’s tract at Harmony College East in Bob’s honor, as Bob has been director of several choruses over the years including one in Viet Nam during his duty there.

Membership vp Phil Ashford recognized several applicants present including three new ones tonite, several returnees from last week, a few first timer guests, and the guest quartet from NY.

Director Joe recognized Dick and Carolyn Hall who were celebrating their 58^th wedding anniversary tonite.  They received a box of chocolates from the chapter too.

Operations vp Scott Kahler gave details about the upcoming Youth Harmony Festival, April 14^th at Durant.  There are over 60 youth registered.  The chorus will sing on the evening show.

Jack Pitzer will be in charge of food operations for the event and he needs volunteers to bring in coolers (bring them to the rehearsal on April 10^th) and a few guys who can come during the day to serve and help.  See Jack on the 10^th if you can help.  ALSO, everyone is needed to contribute some cookies, treats, energy bars, packaged snacks and candies to use for the breaks during the day for the youth choruses.  Bring those items on Tues, April 10^th also.  Thanks in advance.

After the coffee break, meeting announcement continued. Guys were “encouraged” to get a registration and a room for the Southern Division contest the chapter will be singing in on the weekend of May 25 and 26 in Roanoke, VA.  Location is Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center – 540-985-5900. You can register on the M-AD website – www.harmonize.com/mad/.  Note that every guy who sings on the contest stage needs a ticket.

Since the chorus contest is at 10 am Saturday morning (with warm ups early than that), everyone needs to be down there Fri. nite.  The quartet contest starts on Fri nite at 6 pm and YeEd heard at the afterglow of 5 or 6 quartets slated to enter.  Our own guys in MAHEM will be there to pass on the trophy as last year’s So Div quartet champs to this year’s winners.

Shows vp Brian Ammerman confirmed that the chorus needs to be at Durant for the Youth Harmony Festival show at 6 pm on April 14^th. Casual uniform with medals if you earned one.

He also confirmed that the Spring Tonic will be on Saturday, June 9^th at George Mason Center for Perf Arts at 7:30 pm.  Show will feature OLD SCHOOL, TOP SHELF, TBD and GQ.  The box office opens for sales on April 23^rd. One nite only to sell.

There will be a printed show program for this year as another source of income.  See Chris Clark about placing an advertisement in it. 

On June 15^th the chorus will sing at LeisureWorld in MD too. Stay tuned for details.

If you are new on the risers and don’t have uniforms, see Tom Kern soon so he has times to get you all the parts you will need.  He knows what you need.

Terry Reynolds spoke for the music committee alerting all that the music for “I’m The Music Man” is posted on the chapter site.  He also reminded all to speak up if you wish to audition for solos in the “Jersey Boys” medley.

After all the announcements, the quads worked on the contest songs.

Good to have chapter treasurer Dave Welter back from extensive travel. Good to have Paul Grimes and Jerry Kindred with us too. Chris Yates was sporting a shiny new aluminum crutch after spraining an ankle. Bruce Minnick reports that Ginny is making progress still.

Planning ahead: in 2013 the M-AD will combine the International Quartet Preliminary contest with our Southern Division Convention and hold both of them on April 26-27, 2013 at the Hyatt Regency in Reston Town Center, Reston, VA. This shift will move the Southern Division Convention off of Memorial Day weekend. Also of note is the fact that our chapter will be hosting this larger contest for the district.

A bigger than usual crowd made it over to the Hilton for the afterglow.  Warmer weather is coming and so the gang will be out on the patio and that means lots of chances to sing tags for those into that.

Erin Odell continues to make incredible progress in her recovery from the auto accident. She was reportedly even singing a tag.  Hurray!!

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.)