Looking Back on the Sept 11 Rembrance Ceremony and the Sept 13^th Chapter Meeting

A nice sized chorus turned out for the 4:15 pm call at Market Square on Sat. Sept 10^th.  Director Joe Cerutti was there early as part of the riser set up crew and helped Todd Ryktarsyk (recently back from a duty assignment in Viet Nam) and Nick Leiserson with the sound set up too.  (The Harmonizers provided the sound for the entire city event, not just our musical portion.)

The City of Alexandria’s 9/11 Remembrance Committee planned the event and invited us.  Mayor Allison Silberberg was emcee and invited other city leaders to speak. She thanked the chorus in her wrap up remarks and mentioned how proud the city is of our group and the music we provide.  A combined color guard of police, sheriff and fire fighters posted the colors and then we sang “The Star Spangled Banner.” To close the program for the large crowd of citizens, we sang “God Bless America” and Joe invited the audience to sing along.

As usual at Market Square, we warmed up inside city hall.  Chapter executive director Terry Reynolds collected our parking cards and had them validated for free parking for all.

Great to see former member Spencer Wight in the audience.

The Tuesday Sept. 13^th rehearsal was back on the risers!! We were on the newest old risers this week.

 

Director Joe Cerutti did the vocal warm ups and then went right to work on the fall show music.  He did spend some time during this week’s rehearsal allowing guys to audition for the solo parts in several of the songs.

 

Choreographer Carlos Barillo did some work to simplify plans for “Friday” song.  Also, Carlos spoke about costumes for the fall show – a ‘70s look.  Each guy will find his own. Bring your suggested items for his review next week. Muted fall-like colors.

 

Chapter executive director Terry Reynolds conducted the announcement time as usual. Next week, Sept 20^th, we will be meeting at First Baptist Church on King Street to do recordings again.  Anyone who has pieces of carpet to bring to the church hall to help muffle the sound should bring them.

 

On Sept 24^th we have a show again at Asbury Village.  Take a look at this week’s announcements for details.

 

President Randall Eliason reported that Dick Hall is back in the hospital for a temporary visit to readjust some medications.

 

Randall also asked more members to fill out the recent chapter survey.

 

And also, Randall presented a chapter support check to the five quartets with Harmonizers singing in them: HERSHEY TRANSIT CO., THE BOURBON STREET FOUR; HANDSOME REWARD; YOUTH RECLAMATION PROJECT and DA CAPO. They will all sing Friday nite in the first round of the Mid Atlantic District contest starting at 5 pm in Lancaster, PA, at the Marriott on Queen Street. A good crowd of us will be there to cheer. The chorus contest is at 9 am on Saturday.

 

Randall presented a framed photo of the Nashville contest chorus to Joe which brought out lots of cheers and applause from the chorus.

 

Terry continued with announcements about the request for us to sing for the Wounded Warrior fund raiser at the Alexandria Yacht Club on Nov. 6^th.  Then we are doing a show the next Sunday, Nov. 13^th at First Presbyterian in Arlington (Joe really asked us to all get to this one). And finally a reminder that a group of us are singing holiday music for a ladies club in the afternoon on Thurs. Dec.1^st.

 

Chapter secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Ben Roberts for 5 years and Don Thompson for 24 years.  He also reminded those who have not paid their dues to do so ASAP.

 

Terry reminded guys to get show flyers during break. 

 

Membership director Rich Hewitt welcomed two new singer guests.

 

After break, we worked on more holiday music and the “Milk” music for the show including taking some time for solo auditions.

 

In other news, please keep the Carl Kauffmann family in your thoughts for their grandson who fell off a roof at work and was seriously.

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 68^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd