Looking Back on the April 3^rd 2018 Chapter Meeting 

This week we worked on a lot of music – both contest and fall anniversary show.  Director Joe Cerutti did the vocal warm ups when we assembled at Convergence.

Joe was eager to share news about the great recording of our appearance at the Intercollegiate Men’s Chorus event. 

Joe worked from the piano and had each section assemble around the piano and out of the pews in the sanctuary.  He built an interp plan for the ballad and drilled it often enough for all to learn.

We took a mini break and listened to one of the small learning groups formed recently.  This one included Savage, McKenzie, White, Huber, Grimes, Barnovsky. They worked before the start of the chapter meeting with associate director Tony Colosimo and then sang the uptune for us.  Tony took a few minutes to demonstrate some coaching points for them that everyone might learn from.

Since Terry Reynolds is in Ireland visiting Greg Tepe, Steve White conducted the chapter meeting.  Next week we are back at Convergence. The “Iron and Coal” rehearsals continue in preparation for the actual performance at Strathmore in early May.

President Shawn Tallant had a list of announcements for the members:  be sure to get measured by Rick Savage for the new chorus suits; the chapter board meeting is April 17^th; plan to participate in the Youth Harmony Festival on Fri. April 13^th, and Aca-Challenge on Sat. April 14th. 

He reminded guys to turn in their payment for the chorus retreat to Howard Nestlerode. The chorus retreat will be June 8-9-10 at McDaniel College in Westminster, MD, (about 70 miles from Springfield).  Friday June 8^th will be mandatory for front row and optional for all others with special sessions for the small groups to be coached. There are many good restaurants in town and it is a good social time on Friday nite. Fees include lodging; three meals on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday; plus linens and a Saturday evening party. There are three price levels – Friday-Sunday attendees ($114); Saturday-Sunday attendees ($83); and commuters who won’t be staying any nite ($78). Non-competing members are welcome to attend. Fees are due in advance and should be given to Howard Nestlerode, or Jack Cameron if Howard is not present, before May 29^th. All requests for roommate assignments are due to retreat master, Chuck McKeever, by Tues. May 8th.

Speaking of McDaniel College, here is info about our district operated Harmony College East at McDaniel June 14-17.  Here is a link to the brochure: www.midatlanticdistrict.com/pdf/HCE_BROCHURE_2018.pdf

 

President Shawn also reminded everyone to please respond to the survey about travel to Brazil in 2019.

In preparation for this weekend’s International quartet preliminary contest is Reading, we had a performance by one of our chapter quartets that will compete: CAPITAL CITY CHORD COMPANY singing 4th - Mario Sengco, Jordan Haedtler, Chuck Hunter, Ken White.

Shawn presented checks from the chapter to all quartets that will represent us at the event including VOICES IN MY HEAD singing 5th with Tim Buell; SILVER ALERT, singing 16th (as a senior quartet) with Rick Savage, Mike Edison, Will Cox, Steve Murane; SRIRACHA singing 22nd with Pookie Dingle; and BLIND WIVES singing 24th as a mixed quartet with Tony and Elizabeth Colosimo and Andrew and Heather Havens

Members who decide to attend prelims can get tickets at the door. The event is at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 1741 Papermill Rd., Wyomissing, PA 19610.  These “prelims” choose the quartets that will represent our district in Orlando.  It is also combined with a Northern Division contest, so there will be a chorus contest on Saturday morning and a youth quartet adjudication Saturday afternoon.

Again, note that Fri. April 6^th semi finals starts at 2:27 pm. The Sat. chorus contest starts at 9:27 am and several Harmonizers will sing in the mic tester chorus as members of DELASUSQUEHUDMAC.  The youth adjudication starts at 12:57 pm that day. The quartet finals start at 7:27 pm and then a wrap up extravaganza starts about 9 pm

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Chapter secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Dave Branstetter for 13 years and to Chris Huber for 26 years.

Ben Watsky announced an opportunity to support the Armed Services Arts Partnership.  Stay tuned for other possible details.  Then Ben introduced our singing guests this week: Alex, Jeff, David and Janigan. Great to see Jon Frank back with us.

After the meeting, we went to work on songs for the anniversary show including “Great Day” and “Glenn Miller Medley.”

Tony is heading our Youth Harmony Festival on Fri. April 13^th.at Restoration Anglican Church, 1815 N Quincy St., Arlington.  Many helpers will be needed during the day – about 8 am to register and welcome the teachers and their students, help pass out supplies, get snacks ready and then helpers about 11 am-1 pm for the lunch and 4 pm - 5pm for the dinner. The chorus will sing three songs in the evening with a 6 pm chorus call for the 7 pm show.  Uniform will be black camp shirt, jeans, black shoes.

Jason Lee is heading our fifth-annul Aca-Challenge the next nite, April 14^th at the Sixth and I Historic Synagogue in DC (600 I St. NW) from 7-10 pm. Presented by the Harmonizers, hosted by contemporary a cappella spokesperson Deke Sharon, and co-sponsored by the venue. Five east coast groups will compete for a $2000 prize from the chapter and chosen by the judges with input from the audience.  Tickets are $25 for general admission or $45 for VIP seats which includes ticket to an afterglow with Deke and the contestants. Attendees who need to use the lift for entry may call 202-408-3100 to make arrangements for entry to the building and seating. Our chapter’s a cappella group, TBD, will do a set on the show while the results are being tallied. The chorus will not sing but everyone is encouraged to buy tickets and attend, plus promote the event on social media.

Aaron Simoneau got to choose the closing song for the nite and he chose “Sweet and Lovely.”

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