Looking Back on the May 19^th Chapter Meeting Plus Armed Forces Show and Flag Ceremony

Before reporting on chapter meeting news, there were two chorus appearances over the weekend.

First was our second Armed Services Honor Show.  It was at First Baptist Church on Saturday, May 16^th at 3 pm.  We sang our patriotic package.  We served refreshments to attendees with help from the FRIENDS IN HARMONY.  Alexandria mayor William Euille spoke as did Congressman Don Beyer.  We also showed two videos that are from our trip in France.  Bill Colosimo was emcee.  Several veterans were present for the tribute.

Sunday, May 17^th, a mini-chorus sang at the celebration for the new flag ceremony at Old Dominion Boat Club at the end of King Street. Clyde Crusenberry, community service chairman, organized this event as part of the Harmonizer community outreach program. (Interesting history note: in the ‘60s the Harmonizer afterglow following our spring tonic was at the ODBC. -  YeEd) Mayor Euille spoke again as did vice mayor Allison Silberberg. Assistant director Terry Reynolds directed the chorus.  The president of the ODBC was emcee.

Tuesday nite’s rehearsal was hard work, but the Durant air conditioning was working well and a welcome treat.

Cindy Hansen Ellis was with us for the evening and concentrated on embellishments for the uptune.

Before the meeting there were the usual extra work sessions for the front row, chorus member review, costume/uniform wranglers meeting with guys and helping newest members get their Pittsburgh attire organized.

Reed Livergood did the vocal warm ups and then director Joe Cerutti introduced Cindy to the new men who had not worked with her before. We started singing on two songs we will record next Tuesday when we meet at First Baptist Church, 2932 King St.

Then we did the contest package for Cindy to see and moved right on to working on the ballad which we did all evening.  Several times the front row joined the chorus after having working separately on their routine.

Operations vp Todd Ryktarsyk conducted the chapter meeting.  First off, music and performance vp Steve White introduced two quartets that will be singing this weekend at the Southern Division contest at the Reston Hyatt. (You can get tickets on site. Quartet contest starts at 6:45 pm Fri eve.) Our first quartet for the evening was MISFIRE with Brian Ammerman, Jay Sorenson, Litic Murali and Matt Doniger.  Our second quartet was LAST PITCH EFFORT with Brian Ammerman, Tony Romero, Jeff Salino and Steve Murane.

Secretary Chris Buechler reminded all singers going to the contest in Pittsburgh must be paid up on their dues.  He also presented membership renewal cards to Rich Hewitt for 4 years, Marvin Evans for 5 years, Mike Fasano for 20 years, Craig Odell for 46 years and Dick Hall for 51 years.  (The chorus rose to a round of applause for Dick.)

Chris also presented a 30-year renewal card and lapel pin to Chris Buechler and a 40-year renewal and lapel pin to Howard Nestlerode.

Director Joe welcomed Tom Kraus to the mic and thanked Tom for his 6 years of leadership for the contemporary a cappella group TBD.  All members of TBD joined Joe in the tribute and presented Tom a memento/plaque.

President Terry Reynolds reminded us of the recording session next Tuesday at First Baptist, the retreat in western MD over the weekend of May 29-31. NOTE WE ARE ALL ASKED TO BRING ALL PARTS OF OUR PITTSBURGH COSTUME/UNIFORM.

He also announced the plans for the International send off at Durant on June 23^rd, and reminded us of the extra rehearsals on June 11 and June 25.  He asked everyone to update their attendance plans on Groupanizer.

Membership vp Rich Hewitt introduced several guests with us for the evening.  It was good to see Michael Schwartz in the hall this week and Dick Newton who was passing thru the area and came to see everyone.

Then we had a busy break with lots of cookies to eat (thanks to Steve and Robyn Murane for bringing in all the cookies from the Saturday show); the front row using the main hall at Durant during break to block out their routine in relation to the risers, and some quartet singing of other groups planning to be in the division contest.

After the break we did some self evaluation recordings and then concentrated on the uptune.

We worked a few minutes past 10 pm, so Joe asked everyone to pitch in and help dismantle the hall.

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.