Looking Back on the April 7^th Chapter Meeting

This week was all about working on our music for contest and shows.  A large crew came early to set up and then work with Chuck McKeever and some of the visual row leaders to review the visual plan for the uptune.  Meanwhile the front row was working with choreographer Carlos Barillo in the lobby on the uptune too.

 

Also there was lots of buzz around Durant with contest uniform wranglers helping guys and also discussing the various cobalt accent pieces for the various guy’s uniforms.

 

Carlos started off the work sessions with a visual warm up and then then associate director Tony Colosimo followed up with a complimenting vocal warm up session.  Director Joe Cerutti  jumped right into working on “Happy” and “Nat King Cole medley” for the Sept show.

 

During the whole evening, Joe and Tony took double quartets of men from the risers to work with them for about 15 minutes.

 

We also had about 15 minutes for sectionals.

 

Operations vp Todd Ryktarsyk conducted the chapter meeting portion of the nite.  Alan Wile spoke to us about the important need for guys to respond to the email from Brad Jones seeking helpers, volunteers, food and snacks and set up workers for the Youth Festival on April 18^th at Durant.  The numbers of students may break our record number of attendees.   Everyone needs to do their part.  Joe also spoke of the importance of this event.

 

Craig Kujawa provided some updates about our trip to Pittsburgh explaining housing and convention registration issues (basically, if you have a room or ticket in the Harmo block and for some reason can’t use it, be sure to alert Craig or Ian Poulin before you cancel).  Be on the lookout for another newsletter from Craig about Pittsburgh too.

 

Secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Nick Leiserson for 5 years and Alan Kousen for 48 years.

 

Joe announced that our recent guest, Doug Carnes, is the new director for the Great Northern Union chorus in MN.  Congrats to Doug.

 

President Terry Reynolds gave an update on the continuing rehab for Jean Wachter and reported that Rob Nutt’s wife is recovering from a stroke.

 

Terry also reminded us that attendance requirements go into effect soon – basically don’t miss anything and if  you must miss one for work or something, let Terry or your section leader know.

 

He plugged the May 2^nd visual studio!

 

He reminded everyone of the mandatory attendance at retreat, May 30-31 in MD.

 

Membership vp Rich Hewitt was a busy man this week, helping so many new men get their paperwork in order, get lined up for auditioning, get a place on the risers and get a handle on the schedule in the weeks ahead.  He had a long list of guests to introduce too. 

 

We had a busy break. Thanks to those who have brought in goodies to share – keep em coming.

 

After break, Don Dillingham spoke to us again and fired us up to work after we cross the line and get on the risers.  Get in the moment.

 

We spent the rest of the nite on the contest songs – self eval recordings, visual filming, and visual refinements from Carlos for the uptune tag.  Great!!!

 

Joe asked every man to grab a riser while allowed us to keep singing a few more minutes.

 

Good afterglow this week and news that another guy passed audition!!

 

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 during the 67^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd.