Looking Back on the Feb. 20^th 2018 Chapter Meeting and Singing Valentine Report

The chapter thanked Clyde Crusenberry for his leadership in organizing Singing Valentine efforts as part of our chapter’s marketing and public relations work in the Northern Virginia community. Here is his complete report of those Harmonizers who sang and where the quartets sang:

QUARTETS

Drew Fuller                        Casey Belzer                      Gerry Fuller                       Ike Evans

Alan Kousen                      John Santora                      Steve Szyszka                    Chuck McKeever

Carl Kauffman                   Clyde Crusenberry          Chris Odell                         Matt Doniger

Aaron Simoneau              Frank Fedarko                   Johan Westberg               Dean Rust

Brian Ammerman            Drew Fuller                        Troy Hillier                         Ken Rub

Senior Centers and Residences

St. Martin de Porres Senior Center                          Mount Vernon Recreation Ctr.

The Fairfax                                                                         Charles Houston Center

Lee Center Adult Day Services                                   Sunrise of Alexandria

The Kensington                                                                                The Fountains at Washington House

Mount Vernon Nursing and Rehab Ctr.                  Sunrise of Mount Vernon

Paul Spring Retirement Community                       Hollin Hall Senior Center

Spring Hills Mount Vernon

Other locations

Alexandria City Mayor's Office

Potomac Harmony Chorus (Ross Johnson organized this event and sponsored the appearance of the quartet to sing for the SAI chorus at their meeting)

Restaurants

Nectar Coffee & Wine Bar                                           Tio's Grill

Gadsby's Tavern                                                               Chadwicks

Paradiso                                                                              Virtue Feed & Grain

Vola’s                                                                                   O'Connors

Don Taco                                                                             La Madeleine restaurant

The Evening Star                                                              The Dairy Godmother

Related to the Singing Valentines effort was the appearance by a quartet of guys who sang a special song for the US Patent Office (as reported in BHS “Live Wire” recently). The quartet of Tony Colosimo, Christian Hoff, Andrew Havens and Joe Cerutti sang an original song by Matthew Palumbo and arranged by Steve Delehanty about getting “love” patented on Valentines Day. 

Tuesday nite’s meeting and rehearsal were busy, full and fun!  Associate director Tony Colosimo did the vocal warm ups and as part of that he taught a fun new tag. 

Director Joe Cerutti announced that our guest coach for the evening, Kevin Keller, was unable to make flight connections. So Joe went right to work on all the songs for the Thursday, Mar. 1^st, appearance at the Intercollegiate Men’s Chorus (IMC) Seminar, at National City Christian Church.  (Call time for our chorus will be 5:45 pm; uniform will be black suit, thin tie and shiny black shoes>) We worked hard on integrating the many great ideas and concepts we learned from recent coach Mo Field as we worked on “Bring Him Home” and “Deep River” that will be part of our show package.

Joe did speak about a couple important messages he sent to all the members: one about the good fortune we have to learn from so many important coaches this year; and one thanking the singers for their terrific work on the “Iron and Coal” music to be sung at Strathmore. This memo also relayed some changes in the rehearsals for that show – a reduction of them since the chorus was doing so well.

The first men’s and women’s rehearsal for “Iron and Coal” was held Thurs. Feb. 15^th at Convergence.  Joe was on fire helping the large chorus work thru the difficult rhythm patterns, and different musical arrangements for the soprano, alto, tenor and bass singers. He used the piano to help them also get a feel for the orchestra’s accompaniments. One of the women singers helped with pronunciation of the Hebrew portion of the piece.

Joe also reported that SIGNATURE quartet from Florida will be our guests on the 70^th anniversary show, Sept. 8^th!!!  And that our new contest ballad is on its way to us!!!

Executive director Terry Reynolds conducted the meeting portion of the nite and began with a reminder that next week’s meeting will be at Convergence, 1801 N. Quaker Lane. 

President Shawn Tallant announced a “heads up” matter with word that our BHS dues will increase about $24 for the year. He also reports that Clyde Crusenberry’s wife was in the hospital. 

He also provided updates on the funeral services for Bob Wachter’s wife, Jean, on Friday, Feb. 23^rd at Arlington Cemetery; and the service for Dick Hall on Wed, Feb. 28^th. 

A Keep America Ringing Memorial for  Dick Hall    has been established with the Harmony Foundation.  Donations can be sent to Harmony Foundation International, Memorial for Richard T. Hall, to 110 7ths Ave. N, Ste. 200, Nashville, TN 37203 or online at harmonyfoundation.org at memorial giving.

The “Moments in Harmonizer History” series by Jack Pitzer will resume after a few years rest, as we lead up to the chapter’s anniversary. It began this week with fun memories of contributions that Dick and Carolyn Hall have made to the chapter. 

Membership team member Mark Klostermeyer welcomed our three newest members Connor Goss, Gary Cregan and Jerry Jayjohn!  Welcome aboard. Guests this week included Carter White and Alexandre Bettiol Ferrelli, a barbershopper who was visiting from Brazil.

In other news, good wishes to Dave Welter and his group “Top of the Seventh” who will sing at the Mid-Atlantic Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival, Sat. Feb. 24^th at 7:30 pm at The Birchmere in Alexandria.  

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