Just like every week recently, the chorus came to our meeting place at Scottish Rite Temple ready to work hard. Early arrivals joined Chuck McKeever on visual reviews – especially for new singers.
Also singers noted the new riser placement chart up front and found their new home on the risers for the new season. Associate director Tony Colosimo conducted warm ups.
Director Joe Cerutti took the helm and first off welcomed Ken Ives back as well as Mike Fasano who is going to Europe with the chorus.
Joe announced the passing of Ray Kahler, a Harmonizer from 2010-2013. He lived in
Mesa, AZ, where he was a dual member with us and the Mesa chapter, singing
with ARIZONA CHORD COMPANY quartet. His son, Scott (also a Harmonizer!) shared that "other than God
and his family, barbershop was his Dad’s biggest love.” Thoughtful gifts in Ray’s memory may go to the Harmony
Foundation and the Keep A Melody Ringing program.
Joe invited comments about the major experience for all when we
sang with the Alexandria Singers and the Vocal Collective from New
Zealand. He thanked Chris Huber for helping contact media and Chuck Hunter for helping contact the New Zealand Ambassador.
Everyone was still on a joyful high that we shared the show and helped spread
love and spirit with those who had suffered from the tragedy in New
Zealand.
On Friday after the Wednesday nite
show, Joe spoke at the Friday prayer
service in south Alexandria. About a dozen Harmonizers joined Joe for the service.
In some breaking news for the
chorus, Joe reports that the musical
and admin leadership team is working on a plan for the chorus to appear at a
district contest this fall. It will a
fun bus trip that many men suggested during their one-on-one interviews.
And similar breaking news, the music
team met all weekend with Cy Wood,
our coach next week, to plan the development of show packages for the year
ahead, and to start work on the major package for “Brotherhood of Man” to
include some music changes (that we taught tonite). Every song will have some sort of staging
aspect.
Tho we are not doing a competition
performance, there will be a shortened chorus retreat somewhere over the
Memorial Day weekend. Likely at SRT.
Joe stressed a couple times during the nite that if anyone
needs help learning, preparing themselves, or such – speak up. Tell someone.
And Joe has offered to Terry, who will coordinate, extra work
sessions with Joe.
Finally, Joe alerted us that he would send out a simple survey seeking
ideas, suggestions or recommendations to make the Strathmore holiday show
spectacular.
After hard work on our music, the
weekly chapter meeting was conducted by communications director Steve Murane. He stressed that anyone who needs uniform
parts should review the recent email from Robyn
about tux outfits for the Supreme Court gig on June 3rd.
The major work for the Youth Harmony
Festival on Fri. April 5th includes guys stepping up with donations and signing up for tasks in
response to Rob Barnovsky who is
working with our education director Sheryl
Berlin (to manage the Festival for 130 students!). Donations of food,
drinks, and coolers will be collected next Tuesday too. $5 cash donations can go directly to Rob.
Our buddies in Riptide rock band
would appreciate a good crowd of fans at the Mar. 31st Battle of the
Bands at the Electric Palm in Occoquan.
Executive director Randall Eliason kicked off our efforts
for the Spring2ACTion fundraiser event for non-profits groups on Wed. April 10th. His power-point explained some of the details
such as power hours for us to try to get the most donors (like we did last year). We will concentrate on the 3-4 pm hour.
There will be a party again at
Virtue Feed & Grain in Old Town that evening to celebrate results of the
day as them come online and are projected for all to see. And the restaurant offers to donate a
percentage of sales.
Our total goal is $30,000! We have a matching grant already of $7,000
from chapter board members and leaders.
Membership director Calvin Schnure welcomed out guests
including Scott Beach , a singer
from Charlottesville and Tracy Mextorf,
Ryan’s sister, plus Harmonizers Mike
Fasano and Litic Murali.
Secretary Chris
Buechler sent word that these men have renewed recently, and we are announcing
them here since some of these long-time Harmonizers don’t get to a chapter
meeting for various reasons anymore: Bob Wachter - 67 years; Bob Bowman - 65 years;Ron Rich - 58 years; Terry Jordan - 55 years; Bede Bender - 43 years; Tom Hansen - 43 years; Andy Smith - 43 years; Jim Lucey - 30 years; Tom Frederick - 26 years; and Jacob George - 9 years.
After a break, the chorus was back to work on the new music. We did have solo trials for “Empty Chairs” with the chorus.
The chorus left exhausted and excited about the new music and the great sound and energy on the risers!!
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
