Looking Back on the Oct. 3rd Chapter Meeting

This week we were at First Baptist in the music suite again.  Associate director Tony Colosimo did the vocal warm ups and filled in for director Joe Cerutti who was not able to get back from Europe in time for the meeting. Technology director Mike Kelly was prepared to project the music for the two holiday songs we worked on – “Little Saint Nick” and “Little Drummer Boy” which we have sung in previous years but not last year.

We also worked on the three spiritual songs for the fall show which is titled “Rock My Soul.” Tony had the chorus form into small training groups for each part of “Roll Jordan Roll” and then come back together to put excitement and authenticity to our performance.

Executive director Terry Reynolds conducted the business meeting.  First – note that next week’s meeting will be back in Durant Center at 1605 Cameron Street.

Many details were announced for the chorus appearance at the Art on the Avenue in Del Ray on Sat. Oct 7^th.  We will meet to warm up at Mt. Vernon Community School, 2601 Commonwealth Ave., Alexandria 22306.  Casey Belzer suggests parking at George Washington Middle School. Uniform is black camp shirt, jeans, black shoes. Chorus call is 1 pm but allow time for parking at this huge festival.

Singers who didn’t sing in the fall contest and plan to sing in the fall show need to get a green pocket stuffer.  Contact Robyn Murane.

Reminder of the fun evening Oct. 25^th at Alfred Street Baptist, hosted by the men’s choir there to bring together the Harmonizers, the Alfred Street men’s choir, and a Spanish choir.

The chorus will sing again this fall for a Veterans Day school assembly at Oakton Elementary as we have done for the last few years. Note that the assembly will be on Friday Nov. 10^th. Chorus call is 8:30 am.

The chapter has been asked by the Congressional Chorus to provide an smaller ensemble to sing “You Are Here” from the Harvey Milk Oratorio on Sat. Nov. 19^th  in the afternoon. Members should respond to Groupanizer requests and indicate if you are available to sing if chosen.  A dress rehearsal is on Nov. 17^th.

Ken Rub, producer for the fall show coming up on Oct. 13^th at 8 pm and on Oct. 14^th at 2 pm spoke about the show, the venues, and the need to sell tickets. Chorus call is 5:15 on Fri and 11:15 on Sat.  Be sure to note the two different locations for the two shows.

Everyone is encouraged to get their family tickets for the fall show, AND to sell some to neighbors, co-workers, former show patrons, and prospective members.  Be sure to explain the times and show locations.  The tickets can be ordered from harmonizers.org.

Brian Ammerman gave a passionate pep talk suggesting members contact churches in their areas and ask for help in promoting this gospel event with THE FAIRFIELD FOUR.  Johan Westberg also demonstrated on the screen how to use FaceBook to promote audience sales.

Here are the facts about show tickets.  YeEd sent this to about 150 folks.

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Harmonizer 2017 Fall Show

The Alexandria Harmonizers and Howard Gospel Choir of Howard University

Present

ROCK MY SOUL

Celebrating Barbershop’s Gospel Roots

Featuring Grammy Award Winner THE FAIRFIELD FOUR

TWO SHOWS

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Friday, Oct. 13^th  - 8 pm

At First Congregational United Church of Christ, 945 G St. NW, Washington DC 20004

General Admission - $35

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Saturday, Oct. 14^th – 2 pm

At Schlesinger Concert Hall, 4915 East Campus Dr., Alexandria VA (on NVCC Alexandria Campus at the corner of Beauregard and Braddock Rd.)

Orchestra - $45     Rear Orchestra or Box - $35      Balcony - $25

Go to harmonizers.org to order tickets

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HOLIDAY SHOWS – SAVE THE DATES

TWO SHOWS: Dec. 2^nd – 3 pm and Dec. 3^rd – 2 pm

Both shows at T.C. Williams High School, 3300 King St. Alexandria VA 22302

Also go to harmonizers.org to order tickets

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President Randall Eliason encouraged all members to fill out the email survey from the chapter’s strategic planning task force.

He too spoke about the importance of ticket sales related to our financial needs!

He reminded everyone that the annual official chapter meeting and election is next week. The BHS Chapter Nominating Committee had previously presented the following named members for election as officers of the 2018 Alexandria, VA Chapter Board of Directors at the fall chapter business meeting:

·        President – Shawn Tallant

·        Immediate Past President – Randall Eliason (not subject to election)

·        Secretary – Christopher Buechler

·        Treasurer – Alan Herman

·        Member at Large – David Branstetter

·        Member at Large – Clyde Crusenberry

·        Member at Large – Matthew Doniger

The nominating committee included Alan Wile, chair with Clark Chesser, Bradley Jone, Mark Klostermeyer and Todd Ryktarsyk.

Sandy Stamps was at this meeting to issue White House Ornaments for members to sell.  Our selling price is $25.  WHOs can be issued on consignment to sell.

Holiday songs are on Groupanizer – repeating songs and a new one.

Secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Casey Belzer for 2 years, Steve Sparr for 3 years,  Alan Wile for 36 years, and Randy Lazear for 46 years.

Membership director Dave Kohls also prompted members to complete the survey.  He also needs some volunteers to staff a table at the Sat show at the arts festival.  Rick Wagner presented this week’s guests: Ryan Kasperski, Carter White, George Fineberg and Mario Sengco.

After a break, the chorus rehearsal continued on show music.

A good crowd ventured over to Ramparts for an afterglow.

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

Looking Back on the Sept. 26^th Chapter Meeting

There was no meeting on Sept 19^th but Matt Doniger, Ian Poulin, Craig Kujawa, Bob Blair, Don Dillingham, Nick Murane and Steve Murane off-loaded the risers back into Durant

Also Bob Eckman reports that Dave Welter was elected district treasurer at the House of Delegates meeting in Reading. Keith Jones is staying on as district secretary until a successor can be found. Yes, with Dennis Ritchey as president, that makes four Harmonizers on the district board!!

YeEd got word that Dick Hall called director emeritus Scott Werner in FL and learned that he and his wife Linda are doing fine after the bad hurricane weather. Also heard that Terry Jordan has been in the hospital with a stomach issue but is home now.  He was at the fall contest in Reading and was looking good.

(YeEd thanks Dave DesPortes for taking notes for this report on the Tuesday nite Sept. 26^th  chapter meeting in the third floor music suite at First Baptist Church on King Street in Alexandria.)

Reed Livergood did the vocal warm ups this week.

During the first half of the nite, assistant directors Terry Reynolds and Chuck Hunter with help from choreographer Carlos Barillo, worked on songs for the upcoming fall shows.

During the business meeting, there were several important announcements about future meeting places: remaining rehearsals this year will be at First Baptist except Oct. 10 and Nov. 28 which will be at Durant so we can set up risers in the final rehearsal before each show.

Also note – the first Tuesday in December there will be no meeting.  

The FAIRFIELD FOUR were in town for their appearance at the Kennedy Center on Wednesday Sept 27^th - the free concert was at  6pm on the Millennium stage. They also appeared at the Library of Congress. The Harmonizers were invited to attend and wear their black camp shirts.

Make plans for singing at the 2 pm performance Sat. Oct 7 at the Arts on the Avenue event in the Del Ray area of Alexandria.  We will sing the same repertoire as Carnegie Hall plus “Armed Forces Medley” and the “Chicago” medley. Membership chair Dave Kohls has organized a Harmo information table for this event.

DA CAPO and Top of the Seventh performed on Sept. 30^th at an a cappella fundraiser event in Silver Spring.

Sandy Stamps announced White House ornaments are for sale and available on consignment.

Tickets for fall show are available. Everyone is encouraged to post the fall show on Facebook. Ads for the fall show printed program are also on sale. See Ken Rub.  There is also a need for Harmonizers to help making a presentation to plug our fall shows at other chapters in the DC metro area.  If you live near another chapter, please help by taking flyers to and talking up our show.

President Randall Eliason offered the chapters’ appreciation and thank you for all the hard work by so many for the fall contest and Carnegie Hall appearance weekend especially Ian Poulin, Matt Doniger and Bob Rhome.

The burial ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery for past president Burt Stueve will be Thursday Sept. 28.

The slate for next year's officers was officially announced by the nominating committee in advance of the annual meeting and election in October. Additional nominations can still be made with chapter secretary Chris Buechler.

Private voice lessons can be scheduled next Tuesday nite with Vicki Dennis.  Contact Keith Jones to make an appointment.

On Wed., Oct. 25, the Harmonizers will join a men's chorus sing at Alfred Street Baptist Church.

Congressional Chorus has requested a small group to sing Harvey Milk music, Nov. 19 – watch for more details.

Membership chairman Dave Kohls welcomed guest Ryan.

During the second half of the rehearsal there were sectionals working on show music.

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