Looking Back on the Aug 14^th Chapter Meeting(s)

(Thanks to Chris Clark for taking notes at the recording session in MD.  YeEd took notes at Durant where Chuck McKeever with help from Keith Jones conducted stage presence reviews for new and returning members.  YeEd)

The recording session was in the chapel at Leisure World in MD where the chapter had done a show recently. Since it was quite a drive, many members organized car pools for the trip.

Scott Kahler was technical manager for the recording operation.

It was initially not too hot in the chapel, but it did get hotter as the night went on. Scott was running the sound gear and had two microphones set up to record us. Mike Kelly was also assisting with the gear.

A good crowd had gathered by the time associate director Tony Colosimo started warmups a few minutes after 7pm (about 60 guys made it for the session!) After the warmup (which focused a lot on vowel placement) director Joe Cerutti had the chorus run through the “Armed Forces Medley” twice (this is on the Market Square show!).

We then jumped right into recording “I'm the Music Man.” Joe had us sing through the song from start to finish a few times before moving us around the altar/stage. He and Tony took turns directing and listening to the chorus through headphones fed by the mics. We tried a few different combinations of positions and Joe had us direct the song ourselves as we sang. We then jumped into “Summertime” (with each of us continuing to direct) for a few runthroughs before break.

Announcements from the chapter meeting time:

Brian Ammerman requested a riser crew for 6pm at Market Square. A number of guys volunteered. Reminder that chorus call time is 6:30pm, with the show to begin at 7:30. We WILL be wearing our new travel uniform (black shirts with jeans). Tom Kern will be there on Friday with shirts for those that still need to pick them up. Remember to have cash or check for $40! Also note that the travel uniform does NOT require you to wear your shiny black shoes. Comfortable/regular black shoes are just fine.

Family members are invited to this show and should bring a folding chair or blanket.  Also, if you park in the city lot under the fountain, bring the parking ticket with you for courtesy stamp.

Reminder of the song list:
     I'm The Music Man
     No More Sorrow
     Summertime
     Stars and Stripes
    Armed Forces Medley
    Drunken Sailor
    New York New York
    TBD  will sing with us.
    Jersey Boys
    I'll Be Seeing You
    Sweet Georgia Brown

President Steve Murane reminded us that there is a board meeting Wednesday, Aug 15^th.

Craig Kujawa reminded all that we only have one week left to purchase a registration in the Harmonizer block of seats for District in October. After that time you may not be able to get a seat in the same section. There are two methods of purchasing a registration: check to Bob Rhome for $35.00 by next Tuesday, or order online through the Harmonizer website for a cost of $36.35 (the $1.35 difference is to cover PayPal fees). Deadline for ordering online is 11:59pm Tuesday, August 21st.

Assistant director Terry Reynolds reminded us that next Tuesday, Aug. 21^st,  Geri Geis will be with us. It is also the last rehearsal before we travel to China, as we have Dog Days of Summer in Manassas, VA on Tuesday, Aug 28th.  (All members should plan to attend this event – even all the new guys, so they can see other chapters and hang out with our guys.  It is a major barbershop event in this DC region. It will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 12973 Purcell Rd., Manassas, VA 20112. Plan ahead for car pooling and/or getting rides from Metro stops.)

After break Tony and Joe meticulously placed each man on the stage to try to balance the sound of the chorus. Then it was back to work on recordings.  We ended the night with a few quick run throughs of “New York New York” with choreo to brush up for Market Square.

All in all, a successful night - and cheers to the three tenors who held more than their own (and produced a lovely unit sound): Dan O’Brien, Randy Lazear, and Carl Kauffmann!  -- Chris Clark.

At Durant, about a dozen of us made it to the SP review and teaching session.  For some guys it was a review for the contest uptune, and for most of the group, it was training on all new material for rep songs like “Hello My Baby,” “Great Day,” “Summertime” and “Jersey Boys.”  That is a lot to learn in one nite.!

We set up just three risers in the hall so guys were on appropriate rows.  And we quit at 9 before the air conditioning went off!

We all got word that anyone who needed a new uniform (camp) shirt for Friday nite should email Tom Kern and he will bring it to the Market Square show.  Bring your $40. 

Some of the Durant gang did go over to the Hilton for an afterglow since we finished an hour earlier than usual.

In other news, chapter secretary Chris Buechler reports sending a 50^th year membership card and lapel pin to former Harmonizer director Scott Werner in Florida.   Congrats Scott!

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.)