Looking Back on the Nov. 20^th Chapter Meeting

No surprises this week – hard work on preparation for our Holiday dinner theater show. But it was different that other years – we were working hard to keep up the high level of musical performance on the routine songs vs. just singing thru them.

Assistant director Will Cox did warm ups and he included some fun movement on the risers. Director Joe Cerutti stepped to the front with exciting news that we have SOLD OUT all three holiday shows.

Joe thanked Carl Kauffman for his work in representing the chapter last weekend on the annual “FAM” Trip (that stands for familiarity) that allows choruses in the Toronto International contest to see the contest venue, check out the prospective hotels and such.  Alexandria will sing 23^rd in the chorus contest. Carl and our board have already reviewed the options he found on the trip and have responded to the Society as to our needs (things like a hotel with rehearsal space, close to contest venue, etc.)

YeEd learned this past weekend that our Mid Atlantic District will have four choruses in the contest – Alexandria; Hell’s Kitchen; Hamilton Square, NJ; and Dundalk, Md.  And Westchester County NY will be the mic tester chorus.

Joe also welcomed his dad, Joe Sr., who has moved to the area (and is looking for a job!).

To start us off with our best voices, associate director Tony Colosimo conducted a very effective barbershop craft session that helped the individual singers develop their personal skills.

Then we sang and reviewed and added dynamics to the songs for the show.

Before break, Mark Klostermeyer conducted the weekly chapter meeting.

Mark also announced a board meeting during the break.

Secretary Chris Buechler suggested that anyone who needed to turn in housing or registration information for Toronto to give it to Dixie Kennett during the break.  She also was accepting Harmo logo shirt or fleece orders.

Chris also presented a renewal card for Chris Clark for three years. (Congrats to Chris and Lauren – just back from their wedding.)

Jack Cameron has photo orders from the fall chorus contest. See him if you wanna confirm or change or add an order.

Brad Jones has done great work in getting the Harmo auction online and working sales are going well.  And many members have gotten us great items to sell.

This word from Brad:  Some exciting new items have been added to the now over 150 items listed on our online auction. One of the most exciting is the opportunity to sit at Joe's table at the Presidents Ball Also added recently are a laser signed 2012 Redskins Team Ball donated by the Washington Redskins, several toy items for the little ones and additional artwork pieces. Be on the lookout later this week for several watches including a Seiko Ladies Watch with Diamonds. We have already made good sales on the online and silent auction! We can make even more if we just get the word out to more people to visit www.32auctions.com/harmonybids. Thanks to all for your donations and for getting the word out to people about our auction!

Members who need a red tie for the last act of the Holiday show – see Tom Kern at break.

Membership vp Phil Ashford introduced our guests including two new applicants, including Joe Sr.!

During the break there was a lot to do such as White House Ornaments from Sandy Stamps, Entertainment books from Chuck Harner, deposits for Normandy trip in 2014, sale of scrip cards for holiday purchases from Ian Poulin and getting some goodies and coffee.

After the break, TJ Donahue invited guys to a new afterglow location tonite – Bistro LaFayette at the corner of Fayette and King. (YeEd reports it was fun, nice place, totally ours for the nite so we could sing and visit. All are invited.)

Here are the show related announcements:

Roger Day reminded all to bring two large boxes wrapped with shiny gift wrap to the dress rehearsal for the show on Thursday.

Jack Pitzer explained the need for each member to bring four dozen colorful holiday cookies. They are used to create dessert platters that are served as part of the dinner theater atmosphere of our show. They can be brought on Thursday nite or Friday nite.

Co-chair Josh Roots confirmed the show has SOLD OUT. He thanked all for making the auction a success. He reviewed that there is a tech rehearsal for principals on Wed. Nov. 28^th.  There is a chorus run-thru on Thrs. Nov. 29^th.  Then there is set up and decorating on Fri. Nov. 29^th starting at 10 am which is a good way for new guys to help and meet other members.

Calvin Schnure has organized a Put Together Quartet contest for Tues. Dec. 11^th. So start forming quartets to enter – one song, comedy or regular entries allowed, no time limit. Trophies for best comedy, regular and overall.  Also award for guy in most quartets – the George Azzam award.  Judges to be announced. Watch for a detailed email but start working on a quartet.  Invite some of our new guys to join you.

Also be looking for an email about Singing Valentine program details.

President Steve Murane reported that Bob Ulibarri had a quadruple heart operation recently and Lew Klinge had a partial knee replacement on Monday.  Both are reportedly at home and progressing well.

After all the announcements, it was back on the risers and we sang right up til 10 pm.

Then Joe announced the soloists he chose from the auditions for the show. Chuck Hunter won the 50/50 and took us out on KTWWS.

Many guys were headed out of town on Wed. to visit family and friends for Thanksgiving. Others were getting together in the DC area since they could not get home.

Just a reminder that we will go strolling in Old Town on Tues Dec. 4^th   (look for a surprise guest that nite, plus college student member should be back), the Put Together contest is on Tues Dec. 11^th, and we will sing at the Masonic Temple over on King Street on Tues Dec. 18^th. Then there will be no rehearsal on Dec. 25^th nor Jan. 1^st.

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.)