Looking Back on the July 19^th Chapter Meeting

(For history geeks, there was not chapter meeting on July 12^th – cancelled so folks could rest up and get things done at work and home after International.)

This week was a busy one as usual and a large crowd of family and friends were on hand to hear about Nashville and to see the contest video.

Associate director Tony Colosimo did the warm ups and then director Joe Cerutti started the chorus on the new Beatles songs for the fall show. He put the men in sections on the risers.

Chapter executive director Terry Reynolds made a number of important announcements about the schedule of events in the near future.  Next Tuesday nite the chapter will sing at Alexandria’s Inova Hospital and not meet at Durant. Many chapter leaders will be at Harmony University in Nashville.

Our annual Market Square appearance is Aug. 5^th in Old Town.  We did some review of songs for that show too.

This Sat. July 23^rd there will be all sectionals at First Baptist Church.

President Randall Eliason reported that Terry Jordan is in the hospital with kidney stones. Bob Wilson sent word to all of his Harmo friends reporting that he has learned this month that he has Stage III cancer.  He is being given radiation and chemo treatments.  Our thoughts are with both of these men.

Alan Wile welcomed John Smith and Jack Pitzer back after their gall bladder surgeries.  Alan then presented Jack his 50-year membership pin that he and Joe had gotten on Jack’s behalf at the convention in Nashville. (Many thanks to all!!)

Washington Men’s Camerata has invited us to an informal men’s night out to sing some choral arrangements for fun and then do an afterglow – Aug. 3^rd  at 7:30 pm at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 3240 O St NW.  The invite came from Dave Kohls who sings with at group in addition to singing with us.

Terry reported progress on the chapter’s logo with word that members will get to respond to the three final versions. He also reports that he will be sending out vacancies that need to be filled in the operations team.

After break, Joe spoke about our Nashville appearance and emphasized that we had a reason to do our music for the BHS audience – to honor Scott Werner. Then we watched the video and then some men offered reactions from friends. Terry did his usual “geek” analysis and reported with lots of charts and graphs!

Then as promised, Joe spoke about some major shows and events for the next couple years, so guys and their families can be expecting the fun things planned for the year ahead. Joe took questions and comments.

After the closing, we took the newer black risers off the Harmo truck and stored them under the stage in Durant, and put the other gray set on the truck.  Operations director Doug White has managed to sell the gray set. Good job Doug.

In other chapter news, Martin Banks hand delivered our chapter donation of excess/unwanted vintage LP recordings to the BHS museum at the headquarters in Nashville. Since he drove to convention, it was a perfect way to get the materials down there.

Alan Wile heard from Chuck Hunter that he and Ramadan and the others at their workplace are fine. Thankfully, the attempted coup did not involve them.

David Jarzen is appearing in “The Last Five Years” with Madyson Hanton at West Potomac High School July 14-23.  Shows at 7 pm and a matinee on 23^rd at 2 pm.

YeEd ran into former member Sam Brothers, who extends greetings to all. If you’d like his phone or email, let me know.

BTW – there will not be a “Looking Back” report after next week’s sing out at the hospital.

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