Looking Back on the Nov.
21st Chapter Meeting
The traffic was hectic again this week – people leaving the DC
area for the Thanksgiving holiday. But we had a good sized chorus to arrive by
7 pm at First Baptist. Everyone knew we had plenty of work to do on our songs
for the Dec. holiday shows.
Early arrivals found a sort-of holiday market scene – 50/50 sales,
CD sales from Carnegie Hall, WHO sales, Harmo Heroes on display; and a
refreshments spread. There were several meetings in break out rooms – mostly regarding
for the show and up-coming events in Dec.
Tag singing fans were working in the back hallway with leadership
from associate director Tony Colosimo.
Director Joe Cerutti did the warm
ups using segments from the show songs.Then we did run thrus of each of the 11
songs for the show.
Executive director Terry
Reynolds conducted the chapter meeting. First – the Nov. 28th meeting will
be back at Durant Rec Center, 1605 Cameron St. in Alexandria. Make note.
A big push was made for guys to sign up for the Dec. 8th
and 9th sing-with-seniors projects. More guys need to sign up on
Groupanizer so we can form two mini choruses on those days visiting senior
citizen facilities.
It was confirmed that the annual holiday pub crawl sing in Old
Town Alexandria, set for Tues. Dec. 12th, is another event when
Sixth Row guys are welcome. Groupanizer says we will assemble at 7 pm at Durant
Rec Center, then go into Old Town. We will sing holiday songs from the
Society’s book “Yuletide Favorites” – extra copies will be available to use
that nite for new members and others singing with us that nite. Joe has chosen the following songs from
that book that we will possibly sing: “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Hark the
Herald Angels Sing,” “Silent Night,” “O Holy Night,” “Jingle Bells,” and of
course “We Wish You A Merry Christmas.” If members have a copy of Favorites,
take a look at some of those songs, and bring the book along on the 12th
to share.
Producer Brian Ammerman
gave a few updates about the holiday show: ticket sales growing, but still
lagging behind – we have 10 days to boost the number sold for the Dec. 2, 8 pm
show and the Dec. 3, 2 pm show, both at TC Williams on King Street.
Correct call times for the chorus are: 6 pm for Tech Rehearsal on
Dec. 1; then 5 pm for the Dec. 2 show; and 11 am for the Dec. 3 show. Note that
non-singer helpers (family members, friends or chorus members not singing in
the show) are needed on Friday evening for decorating the stage, also at 6 pm.
Continue collecting items for the silent auction such as gift
cards. Give the items to Randall Eliason
or Don Dillingham. You can even
give things to them as late as Friday, Dec. 1 at the rehearsal. The committee
needs bubble wrap and bags to use in sending purchases home with customers.
Chorus issued holiday sweatshirt and scarf is required for each
singer on the show. If you don’t have one, quickly contact Robyn Murane.
Please use FaceBook a couple times a day to stimulate interest in
the show. BUT more importantly, ask someone to buy a ticket. OR AT LEAST BUY
ONE YOURSELF FOR YOUR FAMILY, SIGNIFICANT OTHER, AUNT OR YOUR CO-WORKER!
Casey Belzer did a little contest to see which section of
the chorus could raise the most money in a donation jar. The basses won! And
they will get a large ad in the show program.
President Randall alerted everyone to save the date for the
Presidents’ Banquet which will be held on Sat. Feb. 3.
He also reported that Alexandria Chapter members were elected to
head up the district’s honor club – DELASUSQUEHUDMAC (named for the four rivers
in the district). Mike Kelly begins
a term as president, Keith Jones a
term as secretary and Mike Fasano a
term as treasurer. The club’s annual meeting was in Ocean City, MD, over the
Nov. 17-18 weekend.
Secretary Chris Buechler
reminded folks to get their end of the year dues payments in.
Rick Wagner welcomed our guests: George from Maine (and member of the recent NED fall contest champ
quartet; Carter (who has been with
us the last few weeks); and LeAnn (Terry’s friend and frequent visitor
with the chapter at International contests).
After the break, we were right back to work on the songs. There
were auditions for a small group to sing part of one song, and a quartet to
sing in a spot.
A big crowd of singers made it to the afterglow at Ramparts.
Everyone is welcome to come to the afterglow which is an informal gathering
most weeks. Likely next week we will be going back to LaPorta’s since rehearsal
is back at Durant on Nov. 28th.
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 70th year of the
Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd
