Looking Back on the Sept. 8^th Chapter Meeting

Musically, this was a great nite including a fine rehearsal and many special groups working on things for the show.

 

But early in the evening, Chuck McKeever reported the sad news that John Pence died at 3:30 pm today at his home. Chuck was with him at that time along with family.  JP was 79 and had battled with multiple myeloma and more recently was diagnosed with myelodysplasia.  He was a long-time Harmonizer and a strong spokesman for clear writing and editing of chapter publications. For many years JP prepared the song board for our shows and sing outs.  No memorial plans have been announced at this point by the family.

 

Before the chapter meeting, the front row worked on the stage to prepare for the contest.

 

After set up and greeting guests and fellow members, we took the risers at 7 pm.  Choreographer Carlos Barillo worked with us to warm up our bodies and gave us some previews of moves and body language we will use for our Icon show songs.  Reed Livergood did the vocal warm ups.

 

Director Joe Cerutti took the reins and successfully worked on adding some great new dimensions to our contest songs. We spent the first half of the nite on the contest set.

 

Joe commented on how happy he was with the group of singers who sang for Chuck and Donna Powell’s wedding on Saturday.

 

Operations vp Todd Ryktarsyk conducted the chapter meeting.  (The FRIENDS IN HARMONY held a meeting tonite also.)

 

Community services chairman Clyde Crusenberry asked for a show of hands of guys who could do a Sunday afternoon gig at the boat club in Alexandria at 2 pm on Nov. 8^th. There were enough to decide the show is a go.

 

Fall contest weekend coordinator Shawn Tallant reminded the last few guys to make their room reservations before the room block is lifted.  Anyone who does not have a ticket yet, should order them online at this point.

 

Frank Fedarko has International chorus photos for those guys who ordered them.

 

It was announced that Cindy Hansen will be with us for the fall chorus retreat on Sat Oct 17^th starting at 9 am, instead of a Tuesday nite session.  That will be great. 

 

Craig Kujawa continued his terrific work in encouraging us to use electronic methods of buying and using scrip to make routine and special purchases. According to Craig, several people have already signed up and started earning money for the chapter simply by changing how they pay for things they would buy anyway. As this effort starts to build momentum, the revenue promises to swell from hundreds of dollars per month to THOUSANDS of dollars per month, but only if everyone makes a conscious effort to spend a few minutes and set themselves up to participate. This is a TEAM effort, and the results are directly proportional to how much each of us supports the team.

 

President Terry Reynolds reported that Joel Golden’s mom passed away recently.

 

Terry also urged singers to sign up for and maybe even change their plans so they can sing on the Sept 26^th paid job in MD.

 

He alerted the chapter that a survey will be coming soon to measure the pulse of members regarding all aspects of the chapter operation and its programs. 

 

NOTE: He reminded all that next Tuesday nite we will meet at Schlesinger Hall on the campus of No Va Community College – use this address for GPS: 4915 East Campus Drive, Alexandria 22311.  For those who have not been there, they have a huge parking garage just at the entrance to the hall.  ALSO NOTE: we are to wear/bring our red/white/blue picnic-like costume for the last set of the show to this rehearsal.

 

And then NOTE AGAIN:  there will be an extra rehearsal on Thursday nite, Sept. 17^th at Durant at 7 pm.

 

And finally he reported that our a cappella group, TBD,  sang a show on Labor Day and earned a nice fee for the chapter. Thanks to those guys.

 

Membership vp Rich Hewitt welcomed a number of guests and applicants.

 

After the break we worked on the songs for the Icon show – all coming along great.  And Carlos prompted us to use the moves and exercises and stances he taught in the warm up session for these songs.  Joe was pleased and the chorus seemed proud to have made the leap to this level.

 

Next task is to sell a whole lot more tickets for the show.  The chapter needs more individual push from all of us.  Dig into that mailing list you used to maintain when we mailed letters to prospects – get the word to them this time.

 

A good crowd was at the afterglow and it was fun hearing Joe share stories of his early days in barbershop.  The tag singers got their fill too. Come join in on the fun some Tuesday nite.  Also there is a growing number of the Harmo family to come to eat an early dinner at Hard Times Café on King Street on Tuesday nites before chapter.  Come check it out if you are in Alexandria early some Tuesday nite.

 

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.