Looking Back on the Dec. 18^th Chapter Meeting

The Harmonizers were invited to sing at the George Washington National Masonic Memorial for a free holiday concert for children and families, called “Sleigh Bells Ring at the Memorial” on Dec. 18^th. 

A large number of singers squeezed onto the stage to  repeat the holiday music we had sung in our own show earlier in December. The auditorium was full and many children came down front to sit on the floor in front of the stage, at the invitation of director Joe Cerutti.

One of the young lads there came up about mid-way in the show and announced to all, “I like your songs.”

The show was sponsored by the Opera Guild of Northern Virginia.  Attendees were asked to reserve seats in advance by telephone RSVP.

Chorus singers wore bright holiday sweaters and scarves, or coat and colorful ties.  Plus we all had a Santa hat for the first part of the show. Alan Wile hauled many of the colorfully wrapped boxes we had used at our show (he retrieved them from his wife’s SAI chapter’s show) and they were arranged in front of the stage.  A big riser crew came early to help haul things. Mike Kelly worked hard to manage the sound for the show.

There were a number of former members in the audience as well as prospective singers. Emcee Shawn Tallant kept the show flowing. ACME CHORD COMPANY sang for the show too. The soloists at our dinner theater shows repeated their performances for this show too.

After warm up on the stage, we recorded a message to send via YouTube to Ben Nelson, who sang with us before his family moved to WA.  He is fighting cancer and the tough treatments for it. 

During the show the audience got to do some audience singing which they liked. Will Cox entertained all the kids (of all ages) with his humorous “Night Before Christmas” poem. There was some tag singing and ringing in the great halls of the Memorial after the show and some guys went to local spots for impromptu afterglows.

Brief announcements at the chapter meeting in the dressing room included word of a chorus sing at Inova Hospital in Alexandria on Sat. Jan 5^th.  Times and other details to come.  AND also details about the HEAT GLO after the hospital sing at Jack and Pat Pitzer’s house.  Bring finger foods and your favorite beverage. Spouse or significant others invited.

Mike Kelly encouraged all of us to go to the BLAST in Glen Bernie on Dec. 27^th.  Quartet singing for anyone who is game; appearances by top-notch quartets from the area; food and beverages; $15 fee. At Michael’s 8^th Ave., 7220 Grayburn Dr. from 7:30-11:59 pm. Form a car pool so we can get a big Harmo crowd there. 

Also watch for info about a special event featuring RINGMASTERS in our area.  Ticketed event.  Jan. 16^th.

In other news, YeEd got a report from Sam McFarland who took a supply of the holiday cookies we had from our show to the Pride of Baltimore chorus rehearsal on Monday eve. Our fellow barbershop singers were happy for the treat from our chapter.

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 Dec. 11^th Chapter Meeting

The rooms and hallways at Durant were crowded by 6:30 with many quartets working on their songs for the 46^th annual chapter Put-Together Quartet Contest.

But first we gathered in chairs to warm up with assistant director Will Cox.  The number of members present was so large, there were almost not enough chairs and so some guys were standing.  Kellen Hertz was standing on his chair so he could see!!

Director Joe Cerutti came to the front and welcomed everyone for an important and fun chapter nite with 95 guys present.  Work continues on the contest package for Toronto in 2013 with learning tapes coming soon for the uptune and soon after for the ballad.

Joe also was still excited about the recent SOLD OUT holiday show and invited show producer Josh Roots to report and express thank you to the many helpers, workers, volunteers that made it such a success.  Plus you can’t overlook the great singing of the chorus and costumes they worked up. Josh’s report was loaded with info and numbers and charts – it was the envy of all of the detail geeks in the chapter!!  In short, we sold all the seats – 1,180 patrons.  Numbers show not as many little kids as first guessed.  And we have a good handle on the numbers of senior tickets sold vs regular adult tickets at each of the three performances. We had 80 guys on the risers and 30 non-singers working in the hall which included members of our FRIENDS group and many of the new guys.

Josh was pleased to report that we more than met budget on income for the show!!! And one lesson for next year is to continue the work at starting ticket sales early.  The ticket sales were supplemented by the $6000 net from the auction and the $2300 donations from patrons. The long list of folks Josh thanked was included in an earlier Looking Back column about the 2012 Holiday Show.

Before break, we had a brief chapter meeting.  It is the last nite for Entertainment books and WHOs since we won’t be at Durant on Dec. 18^th and there is not a meeting on Dec. 25^th or Jan. 1^st.

Remember to pay deposits for Toronto and for Normandy trips.

Package show producer Greg Tepe gave the latest details for the show on Dec. 18^th at the Masonic Temple on King St.  Uniform will be holiday sweaters or coat and holiday ties. Singers should be on stage at 5:45.  Plenty of free parking is behind the building.  We will sing the same songs as we did on the show. Greg asked for volunteers to help with risers early since we have to haul into the auditorium.  Greg also reminded us to promote this show for families and children to fill the 400 seats.

Alan Wile, next year’s president,  reminded 2012, 2013 board members and 2014 designates about the retreat/meeting on Sat. morning Dec. 15^th at 8:30 am, at Ken Fess office, off Van Dorn by Clydes restaurant.

Alan also announced the Potomac Harmony Show this Sunday, and the Tuba Christmas event at the Kennedy Center at 6 pm on Dec. 13^th.

President Steve Murane presented a sizable check to support our CAPITAL FORCE youith chorus program  to their director Tony Colosimo and chapter treasurer Dave Welter.  This financial support came from our Mid Atlantic District. Thanks to them.

Noah Van Gilder reported plans for two more open audition nites at Durant on Monday, Jan. 7^th and Wednesday Jan. 30^th.  The chorus will not be attending. Audition standards are the same as usual with input from the director and the visual team leader. Last year’s audition was a huge success and yielded several new singers.

For anyone who will need a barbershop harmony “fix” during the holidays,  note there will be the annual barbershop gathering in MD for guys and family members to enjoy some quartet singing and food/drink/and/fellowship. It is hosted by the Dundalk Chapter and held Thurs. Dec. 27^th at 7:30-11:59 pm, at Michael’s 8^th Avenue, 7220 Grayburn Dr., Glen Burnie, MD  $15 fee. Last year there were a lot of Harmonizers there and many of them sang in quartets in the impromptu quartet contest.  Maybe some of our chapter put-together quartets will go enter.  Oldtimers will wanna come hear ARCADE that is coming out of retirement again this year to sing at the Blast.

Membership vp Phil Ashford welcome a group of guest for the week including some family members, some first-timers, some guys from other chapters in the area, and several more applicants.   Steve White was presented his renewal card for 36 years and Joe Cerutti Sr. welcomed as a new member with his 4 year renewal card.

Chapter meeting emcee Mark Klostermeyer announced a 30-minute break for quartets to warm up and for all to get coffee and help eat some holiday cookies left from the show!

After the break, contest chairman Calvin Schnure called the audience to take their seats and contest emcee Lew Klinge outlined the order of appearance for the 25 quartets – that’s right – 25!

Judges for this event were Steve White, Ken Rub, Paul Grimes and Chris Yates – all top quartet men in their own right.  Jack Pitzer served as contest administrator.

Lew gave some interesting history about how one of our chapter icons, Wilbur Sparks, organized the first Put Together Contest for the chapter and launched the concept for all these years of guys signing up to sing, and if they didn’t have enough parts, the chairman would “put them together” with other singers interested.

There were two categories for prizes – comedy and regular quartets.

Top comedy quartet members got a trophy for their success.

First place comedy quartet was CRAFT MAXIM FOUR with Terry Reynolds, Chuck Hunter, Gary Fuller and Steve Murane.  They sang original lyrics to the tune of “Heart of My Heart.”  Chuck took time to share the words with YeEd. For those who have been in touch with the chapter, these are the craft lessons Tony Colosimo has been teaching each week all year.

(Sung to the tune of "Heart of my Heart")

Listen first, then audiate;

Be sure to raise your soft palate. [pronounced with a long a]

Your voice matters always;

Be a champion at the end of the phrase.

Small in the front and in back tall;

Awesome breath, awesome tone and that's not all:

Pitch revisitation too!

Al- ways new. [top 3 parts]

And don't forget: breathe when you need to (always new). [bass]

 

Second place comedy quartet was WE HAVEN’T PRACTICED with Dan O’Brien, Edris Qarghah, Drew Fuller and Joel Golden.  They sang revised words to “Jezebel” about the crunch to get ready for the chorus contest in Toronto.

Third place comedy quartet was BLACK FRIDAY with Rick Savage, Randall Eliason, Jack Cameron and Jeremy Richardson.  They sang a parody to “My Wild Irish Rose” about spending and shopping during the holidays and were decked out with winter gear and many packages and shopping bags.

Trophies to members of the top three regular quartets were given by chairman Schnure too.

First place was WITH A LITTLE HELP with Doug White, Jacob George, Joel Golden and Calvin Schnure. They sang a nifty arrangement of “Jingle Bells” – not the one our chorus sings.

Second place was ACCOUSTIC COUNTERMEASURES with Kellen Hertz, Craig Kujawa, Steve Szyszka, and Chris Clark.  They sang a haunting and tender song called “MLK. “ Ask Craig about it. 

Third place was SENIOR SENORS with Rick Savage, Joe Cerutti Sr., Ken Fess and Mick Stamps.  They used a little dialog to set up a trip to Normandy and then sang “Sentimental Journey.”

The judges did recognize Joel Golden for singing in the most quartets – five. He got a trophy too.

The judges did have to DQ one quartet for being total ringers and then not singing a whole song!! The chorus musical team members in that quartet will go un-named and they are asked to return the trophies they snagged!!!  It was a fun gag.

The top three quartets ranked then by score were CRAFT MAXIM FOUR, WITH A LITTLE HELP, and WE HAVEN’T PRACTICED.

The contest went great, Lew kept us laughing while there was a wait, the technical guys had mics and speakers just like a BHS event! Also got give a plug to the many brand new guys who sang in a quartet in the contest this time, and some old timers got up there and participated too.

One quartet, FOUR FROM THE HEART, dressed in their tux outfits and brought Ellen __ on stage and sang a special Valentine song to her, and presented her with balloons and flowers.  Some guys had not heard that song tune, so maybe it will become a popular one for Singing Valentines events in February. Bruce Lauther has been in a version of FOUR FROM THE HEART for since1991.  He reports 112 guys have sung with him over the years – mostly to present Valentines, birthday gigs and make hospital calls. 

Not sure what happened regarding the afterglow.  Some went back to the Hilton just cause it was close to the Metro.  Some guys will be gone home to see family so there were some holiday farewells too.

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 2012 Holiday Show

The three performances were Fri/ Nov. 30^th and a matinee and evening show on Sat. Dec. 1^st at First Baptist Church on King Street.  We use their large social hall with adjoining kitchen for the dinner theater events. Roger Day and crew converted the place to look and feel like you stepped into the elf workshop at the North Pole – from outside the door to every table and the stage and all around. 

All of us brought wrapped boxes to use to add color all around and the chapter’s supply of major holiday decorations filled the hall.

The food was good and well received – lasagna, salad, green beans, rolls. Water, tea, coffee too.  And then platters of bright and tasty holiday cookies (which the guys brought in for this activity) for each table. The singing waiters made a big presentation with our special “It’s Time To Eat” song. The tables were set with green and red and lots of colorful serving pieces and a centerpiece.  The premium tables, tho, were white table cloth service with china and glass and stainless utensils. Can’t say enough about all the guys who worked in the kitchen and made sure the dinner operation was a success, including some members who came back just to help there! We are fortunate to be able to hire the church kitchen staff to prepare the meal for us.  We purchased the supplies and hauled them in to the staff there.

There was a technical nite on Wednesday before, and then a run thru on Thursday nite with the chorus and the cast of characters. Those nites meant things went well on stage all three shows. Jack-in-the-Box (Terry Reynolds) was back again as was Jacque Phrost (Scip Garling), Carolyn Caroling (Amy Roots).  Camerman (Jeremy Richardson) was all over the place and got his own laughs.  And the comedy gags never slowed down during the first two acts of the show. Everyone got a lot of laughs with the inflated whale and the sword fight.  The monks were brought out again this year to do card routines while the chorus sang the “Hallelujah” chorus.

Will Cox did his version of “The Night Before Christmas” and brought the house down.  Santa Claus (Bruce Minnick) was there for all those who wanted a personal photo. Our ensemble TBD sang on the show as did ACME CHORD COMPANY (with Mike Kelly filling in as bass for the weekend). Shawn Tallant was emcee for the formal third act of the show. Good job by all the soloists too – Edris Qarghad, Chuck Hunter, Tony Colosimo, Drew Fuller, Frank Fadarko and Rich Hewitt.

The chorus was dressed as elves or toys and earned these comments from show producers:

 

The Winner of the Holiday Show Costume Awards are....

 

Best Socks: Ricky Savage

Best Shoes: Bob Blair

Best Full-Body Costume: Eric Wallen

Best Pair: Austin Cotton and Bob Griesemere as the Mario Brothers

Best Group: the Crayolas

Most Santa-like: Clyde Crusenberry

Best Elaboration: Craig Kujawa as the Twister Board

Best Sport: Ross Felker as the Operation Board

Most Victorian: Steve White

Most Edible: Will Cox

Best Life-Size: Peter "The Paddle" Hubbard

Best Use of Tights: Noah Van Gilder

Best Use of a Flying Robot Zombie Shark: Tony Colosimo

 

The music team, and particularly director Joe (as Junior in the show) and his assistants Tony, Will, Terry and Mike, did a lot to help the chorus prepare for this show including get out learning tapes for the many new guys, get us to add a new holiday song to our mix, and also participated in the show with vigor as character parts and leading the craziness for audience participation in “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” Many of our guys wrote some pretty funny lines for their group of tables to sing!  

Much work behind the scenes goes into this event including taking a truck load out of storage and bringing it to the venue.  Plus purchasing all the food and hauling it to the cook staff.   There was a set up crew who worked all day on Friday to decorate and set the tables and count out the table service.

Producer Josh Roots gave a complete report to the chapter about the show weekend on Dec. 11^th.  Josh’s report was loaded with info and numbers and charts – it was the envy of all of the detail geeks in the chapter!!  In short, we sold all the seats – 1180 patrons.  Numbers show not as many little kids as first guessed.  And we have a good handle on the numbers of senior tickets sold vs. regular adult tickets at each of the three performances. We had 80 guys on the risers and 30 non-singers working in the hall which included many members of our FRIENDS group, and all the new members who didn’t know all the songs yet .

Josh was pleased to report that we more than met budget on income for the show!!!.  And one lesson for next year is to continue the work at starting ticket sales early.  The ticket sales were supplemented by the $6000 net from the auction headed by Brad Jones and the $2300 donations from patrons

Here is the whole list of thank you names from the show management team as announced at the chapter meeting on Dec. 11^th. 

 

2012 Harmonizer Holiday Dinner Theater Show List of Thank You’s:

Master of Masters – Nick Leiserson

“Jack-in-the-Box” / Master of Monks – Terry Reynolds

“Junior” and Master of Directors – Joe Cerutti

“Capable Cameraman” – Jeremy Richardson

“Good Sport” – Kellen Hertz 

Co-Producer / Co-Writer / “Jacques Phrost” – Scipio Garling

“Miss Carolyn Caroling” – Amy Roots

“Anthony Strongnose” – Tony Colosimo

Waiter Warrior – Bob Mattes

Waiter Captain – Craig Kujawa

House Manager – Carl Kauffmann

Master of Decorations – Roger Day

Decorators - Mary Blair, Carlos Correa, Adrianne Hills, & Sandy Stamps

FIH Femme Fatale – Sandy Stamps

Video Vixen – Joia Hertz

Sound Squires - Mike Kelly, Joe and Janet Cerutti, Dennis Ritchey

Lady of the Lights – Dixie Kennett

Silent Auction Action Hero(approx $6000) – Brad Jones

Silent Auction Helper(s) – Linda Holly and Kim Fess

Titan of Tickets (approx $31,000) – Ian Poulin

Church POC – Archie Doering

Church Kitchen Queen – Kathryn Walsh

Kitchen King – Keith Jones

Kitchen Knights – Gary Plaag, Bob Eckman, Chuck Harner, and Ken Fess

Seal Team Santa – Bruce Minnick

Song Boards Skipper – John “JP” Pence

Cookie Commander – Jack Pitzer

Lasagna Leprechaun – Mick Stamps

Ticket Taker, Cookie Conquistador, and Manic Monk – Carlos Correa

Ticket Taker and All Around Go-To-Girl – Robyn McQueen

Monk (AND STEAMED ALL THE ROBES FRIDAY NIGHT!!) and Back Stage Left Queen Of All Things – Chris Ammerman

Back Stage Right Queen and Ticket Taker – Carol Fuller, Debbie Corder

Donations Table Dynamo ($2333) – Mike Bagwell

FIH Table Workers: Carol Dangel, Maggie Eckman, Gail Felker, Kim Fess, Lydia Golden, Alyson Hubbard, Katrina Lake, Ninamarie Maragioglio, Sandy Mattes,  Linda Odell,  Sandy Stamps, Peggy Wager, and Gail Felker

Monks of Eternal Taciturnity – Chris Ammerman, Debbie Corder, Carlos Correa, Nick Leiserson, Bob Blair, Don Harrington, Chris Buechler, Carol Fuller, Chris Huber, Keith Jones, Dean Rust, Peter Hubbard (Fill-In Sat night: Chris Susalka)

ACME Chord Co – Chris Susalka, Dan O’Brien, Paul Grimes, and special thanks to Mike Kelly for being a substitute bass

Harmonizer Truck Driving – Bob Blair

Night Before Christmas Show Stealer – Will Cox

Mister MC – Shawn Tallant

There were lots of great comments from customers and friends of the chapter who were in the audience, including groups of folks from other local chapters of  the BHS and SAI.

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.)