Looking Back on the Aug. 16th Chapter Meeting

This week’s rehearsal was in the round again.  No one up front knows where to look!!

 

Director Joe Cerutti did the warm ups and pushed us to use the things he taught in our songs too.

 

We worked on the new fall show music and the second half we worked on Harvey Milk music also for the fall show.

 

Chuck Hunter arrived early in the evening and that created a happy moment for all to have him back safe and in the area to sing with us. He directed KTWWS at the end.

 

Executive director Terry Reynolds announced that Burt Stueve memorial service plans are pending which might include the chorus singing.

 

Terry gave an update on Terry Jordan’s health regarding his foot issues after a fall on the ice two winters ago, as well as kidney issues and a battle with shingles.

 

Dick Hall is in Washington Hospital Center having had at least two stents put in for his heart and a pacemaker installed.  As of Wed Aug. 17^th, his room there is 4 NE 10. His daughter Christie will keep us posted.

 

The chapter’s director of education Vickie Dennis has announced a meeting on Aug 25^th  at 7 pm at Durant to further develop our youth harmony camp events.

 

Terry reminded everyone that Dog Days is on Tuesday Aug 30^th. Watch for details. It will be casual uniform.

 

There was good response to the chapter logo survey.

 

Fall show tickets are available online for the Oct. 15 event.

 

Secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Antony Takahashi for 14 years and Alan Wile for 35 years.

 

Rich Hewitt welcomed our guests and newest applicants.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In other news, on August 3rd six Harmonizers (Chris Buechler, Clark Chesser, Scipio Garling, Kellen Hertz, Dave Kohls and Nate Vomocil) joined over 70 other singers from around the Washington area in an informal "Summer Sing" of men's a cappella favorites in the college glee club tradition. The event was hosted by the Washington Men's Camerata and was directed by Frank Albinder, Camerata's conductor and Grammy award-winning former director of Chanticleer. Participating singers represented not only the Camerata and the Harmonizers (contributing mightily to the bass and 1st tenor sections!), but also the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, the Choral Arts Society, and a number of other organizations from around the Washington area. Everyone had a great time and it was such a resounding success that it's likely to become an annual tradition. (Thanks for Dave Kohls sending us this report.)

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

Looking Back on the Aug. 5 Market Square Show and Aug. 9th Chapter Meeting

The annual performance on Market Square in Old Town Alexandria, Friday nite, Aug. 5^th, drew a large audience and a good sized chorus was out for this gig.  Risers were up early and Mike Kelly and crew had good sound set up for us. Lots of folks had brought folding chairs for the comfortable summer evening. 

 

Associate director Tony Colosimo did the warm up inside city hall.  Brian Ammerman was our pitch man for the nite. 

 

Our small group, TBD, did two songs as part of the show featuring a couple soloists – Noah Van Gilder and Jeff Burkey.

 

We did a mix of patriotic music and our contest songs. We invited audience participation on some too.

 

Chorus manager Mark Klostermeyer got everyone’s parking slip approved for free parking!

 

Mikey Robertson sang his first show with the chorus!! Welcome aboard.

 

Director Joe Cerutti was emcee along with Mike and Jeremy Richardson who plugged our fall show and invited singers to come join us. As usual we competed with jets from National Airport – usual on the soft passages!

 

Several former Harmonizers were in the audience and many family members.

 

Tuesday nite, the hall was full of Harmonizers.  We formed a huge circle standing in the main hall at Durant for warm up and for the rehearsal time (we almost needed to push the walls of the building out to get the circle large enough). 

 

Tony did the warm ups and then Joe came to the center of the room to direct and work with us for the songs for the fall show. There was a significant time set aside for sectionals, then after break we worked on a review of songs from “Milk” that will be in the fall show too.

 

Executive director Terry Reynolds reported that Doug White is still in country visiting family before going overseas.  He thanks all for their notes.  The chapter is happy to report that Doug sold one of our riser sets and the new ones will arrive next week. 

 

 

Terry reminded us all about the all sectionals on Sat 13^th at First Baptist at 9 am.

 

Stay tuned for details about the meeting call Dog Days in Manassas – we will sing all the new songs.

 

Chapter secretary Chris Buechler reminded all members to alert him if there is any change in our contact info, especially if moving.  He needs to get it from us directly.

 

He presented the following renewal cards to members: Steve Szyszk for 5 years; Rusty Orvik for 12 years; Mike Kelly for 36 years; Carl Kauffmann for 44 years; and Jack Pitzer for 51 years.  Chris also has mailed a card to Scott Werner for his 54 years.

 

Terry reported the good work by Dennis Ritchey as part of the BHS leadership forum in Nashville recently to get a new piano for a nursing home the barbershoppers visited there.  Congrats for taking the leadership Dennis.

 

Actually here is a report on the three major events in Nashville in mid-July that several of our guys attended. Those who attended the category school for judges included Joe as music judge, Tony as singing judge, and John Santora, Chris Buechler, Chuck Harner and Alan Lamson as administrators.

 

Besides Dennis attending the leadership form as M-AD president there was Shawn Tallant as

M-AD membership chairman, and Terry Reynolds recently named to a special team of leadership experts for BHS.

 

The following guys participated in the actual Harmony University events: Joe on staff of directors’ college; Terry on staff of leadership college; Mike Kelly ran AV programs for HU; Casey Belzer attended as a music educator; Chris Buechler was a HU student; and Alan Lamson was a facilitator trainee.

 

Membership chairman Rich Hewitt welcomed our guests and applicants for the nite.  The section leaders had an audition after the meeting.

 

 Great to have TJ Jones with us this week!

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