Looking Back on the Feb. 6^th 2018 Chapter Meeting and Feb. 4^th Whifffenpoof Concert

For this week’s meeting the chorus sang and performed in a huge ring around the main hall in Durant.  Before the start of things, Chuck McKeever helped men review performance plans for the contest uptune. 

After warm ups, director Joe Cerutti took a spot in the center of the all and did a quick review of the lessons and techniques learned last week with coach Steve Scott.  Many men remembered a lot of the suggestions Steve gave us and then Joe and associate director Tony Colosimo helped men all around the ring – particularly with body alignment.

Before we went too far tho, Joe thanked all the men who attended and sang at the Whiffenpoof concert on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 4^th. A large chorus was able to make it in the downpour rain storm on Super Bowl Sunday for early warm ups (and thanks to the hard working riser and sound crews who had to work in the rain to unload the truck too).  Tony did the warm ups in a meeting room in the Masonic Memorial building.  

 Meantime, a crew of volunteers sold tickets, welcomed audience members and passed out flyers 

 (advertising our ACA Challenge and our 70^th anniversary show and announcing our participation in “Iron and Coal.”

A large audience filled the auditorium in the building including some former singers and family friends.  The risers were set up in a straight-line formation in front of the stage.  The chorus sang three songs and earned great cheers and applause from the music-loving audience. Terry Reynolds was emcee for our portion of the concert. 

Then we welcomed this year’s edition of the Whiffenpoofs – the group is in its 108^th year at Yale.  There were some alums from Yale in the audience and two former Whiffenpoof singers, including our new member Ben Watsky, who joined the 14-singers on stage for their traditional song.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Joe also announced changes in the chorus schedule in the weeks ahead – the chorus will not sing on the ACA Challenge show, just TBD. ( Of course many of us will be needed as volunteers to help manage and operate that event.)  And we will not sing at the U of MD invitational.

Executive director Terry Reynolds conducted the chapter meeting prior to our break.  He welcomed Kevin Kaiser (who now sings with Denver), Bob Wachter, and Tim Cash with us this week.

Past President Randall Eliason presented two awards to men who could not attend the Presidents’ Banquet last weekend. (A full Looking Back report from that event is coming soon.)

Joe spoke about the next couple weeks’ rehearsals – next Tuesday, Feb 13^th we will work with performance coach Mo Field at Durant; then Thursday Feb. 15^th   our first work session on “Iron and Coal” at Convergence from 7-10 pm; then we are back at Durant on Feb. 20^th with coach Kevin Keller.  

Looking ahead a little, we will be singing at the Intercollegiate event on March 1^st.

Gerry Fuller is coordinating the hosting project for the BABS chorus, Kingsmen, who will be with us May 27-28. Contact him ASAP if you can host an individual singer or a couple or a family.

President Shawn Tallant reported that Adam Afifi’s grandmother passed away recently and Jerry Foil has gone with his family to Mississippi where his father is seriously ill.

Terry reports that there will be no Singing Valentine gigs this weekend, but quartets of volunteers will be singing in three shifts on Feb. 14^th around the community.  Clyde Crusenberry is coordinating these appearances.

Chapter secretary Chris Buechler presented a membership renewal card to Keith Jones for his 40 years with a lapel pin; and to Rick Savage for his 44 years.

Membership director Dave Kohls asked for an audition quartet during the break and then asked Ben to introduce our guests: Gary, Jerry, and Ryler.

Thanks again to those men who have brought in goodies for break and for those who drop in a donation every so often. 

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