Looking Back on the July 10^th Chapter Meeting

We were all happy that so many guys made it out on this summer nite.  It was a good chance to get a running start on upcoming shows and the very important fall contest.

Will Cox did the vocal warm ups.  Prior to 7 pm, Chuck McKeever was on the stage teaching contest stage moves for a bunch of our newest members.

Director Joe Ceruitti congratulated Ken White and his MAYHEM quartet buddies for their great start up the ladder toward International quartet champ. As well, he recognized the guys from DA CAPO and TOP SHELF.

Joe also shared some of the fun events of the week in Portland. (See more details in an upcoming Looking Back column.)

Before we started singing, Will and some other leaders met with the new members this year.

And Joe went right to work on “Circle of Life” which we are learning for our shows and for the show in China. One of our guests this week, Lou Bergner from Toronto, shared with us some of the interp they use for the song and that helped us be one step closer to ready to sing with their chorus in China.

We also worked on “That’s Amore” and “Jersey Boys.”

Operations vp Scott Kahler conducted this week’s chapter meeting.  He reminded guys about the special barbershop event at Arena Stage this Saturday nite, July 14^th, for the “Music Man” performance.  You can get a huge discount by calling 202-488-4380 and mention code word Barbershop.

Jacob George, part of the membership committee, introduced our guests including some first timers and a number of applicants.

For break we had FrostyPops and other goodies.

Noah Van Gilder announced plans for the chapter’s audition nite on Wed., July 25^th at Durant from 6-9 pm.  He asked members to assist in announcing the event by using Facebook, getting out flyers and making personal contacts. The team of Noah, Scipio Garling and Chris Clark are in charge. Candidates will be auditioned and accepted on the spot.  Current chapter applicants are welcome to come and speed up their audition process.  This is not a change in our procedures, but a one-time attempt to make contact with singers who are used to having to audition to be in a group.

Assistant director Terry Reynolds reminded everyone to be off the music for “Circle” by next week. 

Then Terry shared some kudos from General Petraeus about the Harmonizers which Terry learned from some folks at work.  Similarly, Nick Leiserson also reported that his congressman boss congratulated the General, who was surprised he knew.  The congressman shared that one of his staff members sang in the Harmonizer chorus, and the General responded with good comments about the chorus.

Next Joe spoke about our plans to prepare for the contest cycle leading to Toronto starting with a very important fall contest in Ocean City.

He moved on to working on “Sweet Georgia Brown” and then had the guys work in sectionals.

We finished the singing portion of the nite with review of several songs.

Without AC, it was good to hit the 10 pm hour, pack up and move out to the afterglow.

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.)

Looking Back on the July 3rd Chapter Meeting and Hospital Sing

Reporter Ross Felkers filled in for YeEd on July 3. Thanks, Ross.

Til we get back with News from Portland.

Editorjack@aol.com

--Original Message-----
From: Ross Felker
To: EditorJack
Cc: phlash99
Sent: Wed, Jul 4, 2012 12:58 pm
Subject: Fw: [Harmonizers] Hospital Sing - Picture link

Jack,


Per your request, below are some notes on the Hospital Sing Out on 3
Jul. I pasted your questions below, and my notes are directly below
each question.


Who directed:
Dr. Will Cox

Roughly how many guys were there. Did we have enough baris or tenors,
etc.:
By my count, we had 21 singers including the director. I counted just
2 Tenors, 7 Leads, 5 Baris, 6 Basses. One guest, a student named Ben
Roberts, not sure what part he sang. It was great to have him.


What songs were sung.
After warm up, we started singing at 6:25pm in the Cafeteria. We ended
approximately 7:45pm, and sang the last three songs in the Emergency
Room.


We sang 24 songs (3 songs at 8 different stations, including 2 separate
areas in the ER--the waiting area and the actual ER station). A few of
us had to move out of the way for an incoming patient in the ER while
singing the last song! At another station, we had to clear the way for
a patient on a gurney while singing--but it was all good!


Ob La Di -- 5 times (started with this one in the Cafeteria)
Let Me Call You Sweetheart -- 2 times
God Bless America -- 6 times (ended with this one in the ER)
Georgia Brown - 4 times
Summertime - 1 time
No More Sorrow -- 3 times
The Story of the Rose (Heart of My Heart) -- 2 times
Jingle Bells -- 1 time for fun!


Any guests how or former members we don't see often, there?
Ben Roberts (His mother was there also--I did not get her name).


Did someone take the chorus from station to station?
Yes--two volunteers at the Hospital. One of them is named Chelcy
Hedgspeth (this is the correct spelling of her name)--she was very
enthusiastic and really enjoyed our performance. I'm sorry I didn't
get the other young lady's name. The volunteers were terrific!


Was parking free?


Yes--although initially, we thought we would be charged $5.50 if we
parked where the gate is (to the right as you approach the main
entrance). The hospital volunteers at the front desk went out of their
way to make special arrangements with the parking lot security
attendant and instructed us to press a call button and identify
ourselves as Harmonizers when we left. However, in the future it would
be best not to park there because there is no security attendant at the
automatic gate (the security attendant was accessible by pressing the
call button, but was out of sight).




Any other major announcements made?
Steve Murane announced Bruce Minnick's wife has gone into Hospice care.

It was great fun--we were very well received. Will was enthusiastic and
did a great job leading us, as usual. Several hospital staff members
and volunteers were clapping and dancing. A lot of smiles on patients
and staff!


Here is my unofficial list of attendees, in random order--I apologize
if I left anyone out or misspelled a name


Will Cox - director


Guest:
Ben Roberts


Tenor:
Ricky Savage
Dan O'Brien


Lead:
Craig Kujawa
Mark Klostermeyer
Nick Leiserson
Clyde Crusenberry
Bob Blair
Howard Nestlerode
Josh Roots


Bari:
Phil Ashford
Ken Rub
Joel Golden
Garry Fuller




Bass:
Austin Cotton
Ross Felker
Bob Wachter
Steve Murane
Calvin Schnure
Ken Henderson


Let me know if you have questions or need anything further. Hope
things are well with you and our fellow Harmonizers in Portland. Happy
4th!


Cheers,
Ross

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.)