Looking Back on the Jan. 19^th Chapter Meeting

This week was a busy one – the two-pronged musical work set up with risers for warm up and contest music work, then chairs near the stage with the piano for “Milk” work.

The risers were full and lots of non-members who will sing with us (YeEd notes we are calling them “milkmen”) were in the house too.

Before singing, Bill Colosimo with input from Education Director Vickie Dennis made a thorough report to the chapter about CHOYCE – Comprehensive Harmony Outreach for Youth Choral Education.  This is the launch of our total program which was also the basis for the grant awarded to the Alexandria chapter from BHS.  Bill, Vickie,  plus executive director Terry Reynolds and director Joe Cerutti are the leadership team for the program. This is a huge expansion from our previous Youth Harmony events or workshops. It is very much involving educators.  SIGNATURE quartet will be coming to Northern Virginia and DC to help with recruiting participation.

Associate director Tony Colosimo did the vocal warm ups for all singers. Then Joe worked with the chorus on the contest ballad.  The recent Saturday all-sections rehearsal was beneficial.

Terry made all submitted announcements. The chapter communications director Scipio Garling will likely be publishing them each week. This week’s included word that ticket sales info for the AcaChallenge will be coming soon.

Chapter secretary Chris Buechler presented a name tag to Vickie Dennis as a member of the Ops Team.

He also presented quartet registration cards to our chorus section leaders who make up THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE quartet registered with the Society for about 40 years. It is a long-standing tradition to register them as a quartet from our chapter.

Chris gave a membership renewal card to Art Medici  for 6 years. 

Director of Membership Rich Hewitt welcomed Doug Smith and Larry Dennis back and he  presented new member materials to Jim Kirkland – our newest member. Rich reported the good news that Peter Hubbard and his wife Alyson have a new baby boy – Eli. Rich also invited everyone to come over to the afterglow at LaPortas – and a big crowd did show.  In addition to all of the “milkmen” with us, there were several men who came as guests to learn about joining the chapter.

After break, we worked til closing time on the “I An Harvey Milk” oratorio.  Tom Jackson provided piano support for our learning.  There will be an extra rehearsal Thursday nite at the Clarendon Presbyterian Church at 7 pm. 

 

 

 

 

In other news, chapter president Randall Eliason announced the members of the chapter’s operations team:

Executive Director ............................................. Terry Reynolds

Music Director ................................................... Joe Cerutti

Communications Director .................................. Scipio Garling

Contest Director ................................................. Craig Kujawa

Development Director ........................................ Josh Roots

Education Director ............................................. Vickie Dennis

Finance Director (BHS) ..................................... Carl Kauffmann

Finance Director (AH) ....................................... (TBA, pending final 501(c)(3) status)

Membership Director ......................................... Rich Hewitt

Operations Director ........................................... Doug White

Director of Shows .............................................. Todd Ryktarsyk

Volunteer Activities Director ............................ Robyn Murane

Archivist/Historian ............................................. TBA

 

For those who plan ahead, here is an opportunity for more barbershop fun and education.  Here is info about the opportunities at Harmony College East (HCE). While registrations come later in the year, it’s important to put HCE on your personal calendar - HCE takes place June 16-19 at Salisbury University.

First, those who have never attended HCE in the past will want to consider their summer plans and schedules, ponder course offerings, talk it over with others with whom they may wish to room, and discover that HCE provides a fantastic opportunity to learn about our hobby from the best teachers in the society.

Secondly, we hope to inspire those who have attended HCE in the past so that they will consider attending again (and again). Yes, the school offers many of the same basic courses that get taught every year but they, too, are worth taking again – classes in music theory, vocal training, performance skills, directing, etc., for example. In addition, there are always new offerings which may provide new opportunities to learn, hone skills, etc. For example, one new course this year will be “Look Inside the Music,” taught by Steve Tramack.

This event organized in our own district: Costs only $220 per person and doesn’t involve expensive airfare, and extends only for a weekend, so limited vacation time isn’t used up by a longer commitment. For more details on classes, schedule, registration, etc., go to: www.MidAtlanticDistrict.com/HCE.

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