Looking Back on the Jan. 30^th 2018 Chapter Meeting 

This week’s meeting was more hard work in helping us grow and expand our musical skills as a chorus.

Special coach Steve Scott from Nashville worked with the chorus and our musical leaders to launch a new dynamic for sound production and performance by each singer.  It was a noticeable change that everyone embraced. 

Before the meeting started, associate director Tony Colosimo assembled all the tag singers for some fun new tags in a corner of the hall.  Chuck McKeever met guys on the stage and worked on reviewing the uptune moves. The tech team worked to prepare for the busy nite; riser crews and hospitality crews set up for guests and refreshments.

Tony did the vocal warm ups and then director Joe Cerutti introduced his co-worker from the BHS staff  - our coach for the evening.  Steve works in the music education department. It was confirmed that Steve will be one of our coaches for the annual pre-contest retreat.

At one point, Joe also read a letter from a show patron thanking us for the invite to attend the 70^th show in Sept, expressed his enjoyment of our holiday show in December, and offered that he would recommend us to the Supreme Court Historical Society for another appearance there.  The letter was from Justice Samuel Alito. 

During Steve’s coaching time, we sang from some songs we will do on a show soon, and each man tried hard to incorporate his suggestions.

Before the break, our tech team leader Mike Kelly set up camera so we could record a Singing Valentine for the chapter to send to TV personality Hoda Kotb who is the new co-host on the TODAY show. She grew up in Alexandria and was attended Fort Hunt High School. Joe did some narration as we sang quietly and then we all joined in to complete “Let Me Call You Sweetheart.” Ike Evans gets credit for creating this opportunity and handling the details of scrip and making the contacts.

Executive director Terry Reynolds conducted the chapter meeting beginning with a reminder that next week’s meeting will be at Convergence on Quaker Lane.

A reminder for the Whiffenpoof performance on Sun, Feb. 4 at the Masonic Memorial including chorus call time of 1:30 pm. Show is at 3.  

Singing Valentine plans and duties will be released via email soon.  Stay tuned – especially if you signed up to help.

President Shawn Tallant reminded chapter members that he is hoping to build an “angel” fund to help members with travel and other expenses when they are strapped for funds this year.  Speak with Shawn if you can help. 

Shawn also reported that Gary Fuller would be coordinating the visit by the Kingsmen Chorus from the British Association of Barbershop Singers when they visit DC in May.

Shawn also announced that Sam McFarland has agreed to take on the role of Sunshine Director for the chorus. The Sunshine Director is essentially the liaison between the chorus and the extended Harmonizers family, and is responsible for such things as tracking Harmonizers and family medical situations, weddings/funerals/births/deaths/life transitions, reaching out to the individuals, sending sympathy cards when appropriate, etc. etc.  It's a big job with a lot of moving parts, and it's a core element of what makes the Harmonizers an extended family. So take note that Sam needs to be made aware of the information as it comes in from any source. 

Uniform chairman Tom Kern had a rack of former chorus uniform pieces that were free for the taking and any donation to the chapter.  Remaining items will be given to a shelter facility.

Chapter secretary Chris Buecher presented membership renewal cards to Adam Afifi for three years and to Bruce Roehm for seventeen years.

Membership chairman Dave Kohls welcomed our singer guests this week – several who have been with us several times - Connor, Carter, Jerry and Gary; and first-time guests Dave and Steve who got the coveted “I Visited The Harmonizer” buttons.

After break, it was back on the risers for more work with our coach. Near the end of the evening, Joe asked us to apply what we had learned to a song we had not used all evening and the results were great.

Thanks again to those who have been bringing goodies to add to the refreshment table. Note that we will not be having refreshments when we are at Convergence, so plan ahead – especially if you usually don’t get time for dinner on Tuesday.

A good crowd of members and guests came to LaPorta’s for the afterglow this week and tag-teacher Chuck Hunter was busy. 

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