Looking Back on the April 5^th Chapter Meeting

So much going on with our chapter this month, but two big ones are done, Youth Harmony Festival is this weekend, and soon comes the Milk show!!  Great to see such dedication from the singers and leaders and admin teams.

Tuesday we had to meet at First Baptist cause Durant Rec Center was undergoing some repair work on the floors. The 6 pm time slot was filled with front row guys working up a sweat in a side room on their routines for the uptune. Set up crews jumped right to work when the Harmo truck arrived and got the risers, sound and av materials ready to use.

There were a number of us under the weather this week, but the show must go on.

Associate director Tony Colosimo did the warm ups and then turned the chorus over to director Joe Cerutti.  Joe was full of excitement about the successful nite at the UMD men’s invitational (and the warm comments from other musical directors at that event).  It was clear the message go thru to the younger college singers there that barbershop can be a great option for singing after college.

Joe took time to knock out the rhythms and tricky work combinations for the back part of the uptune.  And choreographer Carlos Barillo introduced some basics for the ballad.

Chapter executive director Terry Reynolds welcomed some members we don’t see often – Al Hannenbaum, Bob Sutton; Terry thanked Bob Mattes for preparing the music books for us to use at UMD. Chapter director of education Vickie Dennis was in house too as the chair for this weekend’s Youth Harmony Festival.

Many hands will be needed during the day on Sat (and some in fact on Fri eve for set up).  Chorus call is 5:45 pm with casual uniform and tennis shoes.  Also chorus is asked to park on the streets so parents and families of the youth will find parking when they come to hear their child sing.

Terry suggests we all be alert for emails in case Durant is not ready to go back on Tues.

Then the Milk show rehearsals are Mon, Tues, Thursday and Saturday at Strathmore. 

Finally there were sign-up sheets for attending visual studios.

President Randall Eliason spoke about the Spring2Action campaign for non-profits in our community. He has asked some guys to be precinct captains to help us all do our parts.

Chapter secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Art Medici for 7 years; Kevin McKenzie for 17 years; Tom Jackson for 21 years; Brad Jones for 24 years; Dennis Ritchey for 24 years; Sam McFarland for 29 years; Bob Sutton for 32 years; and Will Cox for 38 years.  Both Al Hannenbaum and Bruce Lauther received their 30 years and customary lapel pin.

Director of membership Rich Hewitt introduced applicants and guests and had Will Cox direct the welcome song.

In other news, congrats to Tom Berkey who stayed in DC last Sat nite so as to be ready for the Cherry Blossom Run around the tidal basin very early Sunday morning.   Congrats.

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