Looking Back on the Sept. 3rd Chapter Meeting
The riser crew got off easy this week – the chorus
rehearsal was unique and fun for all and no risers were needed. The singers were formed into five smaller
groups of about 20 and worked with five different music team members on small
segments of songs for the fall show.
Team members who rotated between the five groups included Reed Livergood, Jason Lee, Terry Reynolds,
Tony Colosimo, and Joe Cerutti.
There was a lot of positive feedback to Joe and openly offered among the men
that this was fun and beneficial for self improvement. (YeEd observed that the music team members were well prepared and
had a teaching plan for each song they worked on.)
Before the meeting there was a lot of excitement
when Sandy and Mick Stamps arrived after many weeks of being home for health
issues. Lots of hugs and storytelling
for sure. And in addition to those two
Harmonizer friends, Peggy Wagner was
with them – she has been here in VA from her home in Hawaii to visit Sandy and Mick. She reports that Rick
is singing with the Aloha Chapter and already is in charge of their chorus
travel to Far Western District contest in CA!
Director Joe
kicked off the evening with some remarks about things in general – first
thanking Ben Roberts for his work
with the speakers for the Scotland show package.
Joe
explained that this fall there are several gigs that only require a smaller
chorus and so the music team will issue an invite to find out who is available
and form a chorus from those available for each of the events such as Arts on
the Avenue on Oct. 5, a sing for the Manassas Chorale on Oct. 12, a Veteran’s Day event on Nov. 11, and a holiday party for a group in mid Dec.
He then explained the plan for this week’s meeting
with the small groups – for both halves of the evening. But before the groups were dispersed
throughout the Scottish Rite Temple space, there was a fun FaceBook Live piece
shot to promote the fall show.
The chapter meeting period was conducted by
communications chairman Steve Murane.
Lots of details were mentioned regarding the show
weekend. First of all – TICKETS! Keep selling! All consignment ticket or the money must be
turned in to Dean Sherick next
Tuesday! Tell your customers we are performing at the Rachel Schelsinger
Concert Hall on the campus of NoVA Community College in Alexandria, just off of
Beauregard Street. There is plenty of free parking and no bad seats in the
hall! We are selling $35 general admission seats and some $100 premium seats
who get into the show early and get to meet the quartets and show principals.
It is exciting to have such terrific guest quartets
to sing with us that weekend. – INSTANT
CLASSIC is the Barbershop Harmony Society’s 2015 International Quartet Champion. The quartet is comprised of David
Zimmerman (tenor), Theo Hicks (lead), Kohl Kitzmiller (baritone), and Kyle
Kitzmiller (bass).
Plus GQ from the Baltimore area who were the 2013 First Place Rising Star
Quartet from Sweet Adelines. The quartet members are Amanda Sandroni
(tenor), Ali Hauger (lead), Katie Gillis (baritone), and Katie Macdonald (bass).
“The Circle of Life” is the theme for our
presentation of Broadway show songs and it will be great fun for all ages. Some
special production numbers in true Harmonizer tradition will be a treat too.
The schedule for the weekend – a tech rehearsal will
be held on Wed. Sept 11th for those who are required to be there at
5 pm at Schlesinger. There is, however,
a need for a few able bodied members to be there at 5 to help with some
set up and then they will be finished early.
Then all singers should attend the “dress” rehearsal
at 7 pm on Thurs. Sept. 12th (from 7-10 pm) but they are not
required to wear their blue suits that nite.
On Saturday Sept. 14th,
the chorus call is at 11 am and that includes volunteers who will be working
with Robyn Murane in the lobby or
where ever else she assigns folks. Any
Harmonizer family members are welcome to volunteer (and earn a free show
ticket!), so contact Robyn (rlmurane@aol.com).
Reminder: the uniform is the new blue suit with
vest, orange tie and pocket stuffer, black shoes etc., and hidden button white
shirt.
Chapter members should bring some food for
themselves as there won’t be time for the singers to be released to go get
food. There will be waters and cookies
in the dressing room.
There will be an afterglow after the show too! Our show sponsor, Chadwicks, will open their
top floor for our show afterglow. Those
who wish dinner should consider eating on the first floor where there will be
table service (and you can use the back of your show ticket for a special
deal). Those upstairs can order drinks or food items from the bar and take it to
their tables.
Another major business item this week was going over
details about our chapter’s visit and participation in the Seneca Land District
fall contest and convention in Rochester, NY. Those who have not paid for the
bus or the hotel room should make contact with Craig Kujawa ASAP.
According to director Joe, there is a lot of excitement around the Society about our time
there. Should be fun.
There will be some options about early or later bus
departures and return times. So stay tuned.
Also you need to respond to Craig about your housing plans – roommate and such. For sure, take
action right away.
Chapter executive director Randall Eliason had everyone get out their cell phones and sign on
to the chapter’s group texting system – with so many things going on in the
next few weeks it is likely there will be a need to quick communication with
the members.
Next Joe
announced some big plans for the chapter in 2020 – to attend Harmony University
in Nashville as a chorus from July 26-August 2, 2020. The music team will require an 80-man
chorus. Joe asks members to check their calendars and family plans
(including any hardships you might have that could prevent you from attending)
and report those hardships to him or Tony. There are ways to work around some of them
including the angel fund from the chapte for cost issues. For those who attended with the chorus a
couple years ago, Joe pledges we
will be more considerate about how full we make our days and coaching sessions
during the week – even to allow those who might want to attend as a commuter
student and bring your family to the Nashville area for some vacation.
Clearly this is a ramp up to get a chorus ready for our
competing at the BHS convention in Cleveland in 2021. Joe
hints that one of the contest songs is already in house.
Harmonizers will be asked to respond on Groupanizer
very soon regarding this 2020 event.
President Shawn
Tallant extended an invite from the Harmony Heritage Singers (Mount Vernon
Chapter) to join them is celebrating Bob
Wachter’s 90th birthday.
The social event will be from 12-1 pm on Wed. Sept. 25th at
the Sherwood Hall Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria 22306.
Please let Jack Pitzer know if you
will attend so we can inform the host chapter how many of us will attend. (Text
Jack at 703-627-9424.)
Shawn
reported that Clyde Crusenberry had major
surgery on his foot and has some significant recovery time ahead.
Shawn
reminded all members that the chapter is changing their fiscal year and if anyone
has invoices they have not turned in, do it now.
Secretary Chris
Buechler reported sending a 64-year membership renewal card to Jed Casey in PA. Jed and
his wife Jane are in their 90s and
son John reports their memories of
the Harmonizer years are a major aspect of their lives. Both Jed
and John were active Harmonizers
and were music team leaders.
Chris
continued by presenting membership renewal cards to Mikey Robertson for 4 years; Stan
Quick for 8 years; and Mick Stamps
for 40 years. As is our chapter’s
custom, Mick also was presented a
lapel pin for this milestone membership year.
After a break, the chorus small groups reassembled
and the work continued until closing at 10 pm.
There was some excitement at the end of the
nite when no one claimed the 50/50 prize
this week, so next week’s winner will go home with a pocketful!
Until next time – editorjack!
