Looking Back on the Oct. 15th Chapter Meeting and Manassas Chorale Gig
Amazing how many men we had at this week’s meeting
and rehearsal since (1) the music team gave guys permission to skip this one if
it meant they couldn’t attend the gig on Wed. eve; (2) the Nationals were
playing (and won a spot for the World Series); and (3) the presidential debates
were on TV!
Ken
Rub
started the nite with exercise - he got the chorus into a circle on the stage
and had them work thru several physical exercises. Then associate director Tony Colosimo did the vocal warm ups. We didn’t use risers again
this week, but stood in the theater seat area.
Director Joe
Cerutti thanked all the guys who sang in Manassas on Saturday and
complimented them on an awesome job.
He alerted the chorus about three extra optional
rehearsals (note he stressed optional – but he pointed out that he first
holiday show is Nov. 30th and only a few regular rehearsals
away). The extra sessions are Thurs.
Oct. 24th, Wed., Oct. 30th and Wed. Nov. 6th.
Joe
again invited all Harmonizers, guests and former members to attend the Men’s
Sing Wednesday nite at Alfred Street Baptist in Alexandria. Get there early and
be warmed up to sing. Parking is a challenge, so be prepared. Wear the Harmo
black casual outfit. We will teach the other men “One More Song.”
Then the work began on holiday music for the
Harmonizer shows on Nov. 30th at Strathmore and on Dec. 21st
at Schlesinger. Some songs were done in
sectionals for 15 minutes and then the chorus regrouped to sing the whole song.
Communications director Steve Murane conducted the chapter meeting. Speaking of extra rehearsals, there will not
be a meeting on Tues. Nov. 26th before Thanksgiving, but there will
be a meeting on Thursday, Nov. 21st.
President Shawn
Tallant will be sending out a request for nominations from the members for
major chapter awards to be presented at the end of the year.
Shawn
invited Dennis Ritchey to present a
certificate of appreciation from the M-AD for Joe Cerutti and his 15 years of directing in our district – two for
Five Towns and thirteen for Alexandria. He was honored at the district
convention recently and Dennis
accepted on Joe’s behalf.
Calvin
Schnure welcomed our returning guests this week including Peter, Tesa, John, and JoYo, plus first time guest Matt.
After a break, it was back to work on the holiday
songs.
In other news: (Thanks
to Jerry Jayjohn for this report. - YeEd) On October 12, an ensemble of
27 guys met at the Hylton Performing Arts Center, to perform with the Manassas
Chorale. Our guys took the risers and did a very quick run through of the
Harmonizer's songs, with Joe singing
the solo in “Circle of Life/Heart and Music” and “For Good;” and with Ben Roberts singing the solo for “Empty
Chairs at Empty Tables.”
The guys moved to their places and
performed a run through with the Manassas Chorale and the Manassas Park High
School Chamber Singers, singing an SATB arrangement of “Try to Remember” and “Impossible
Dream.” After the run through, we were free to sit in the audience and watch
the first half the of the Chorale's performance.
At intermission, our guys met
backstage for a quick touch up on some spots, and then we moved into position
backstage, taking the stage right after the high school group. Once the
guys took to the risers, they owned the stage giving a great performance, where
even the drummer of the orchestra gave the guys a standing ovation.
Once we were done singing our songs,
we joined the Chorale and sang the two songs they had picked for us to join
them on.
Members of the chorale thanked us
for joining them in song, and also thanked us for an outstanding performance.
All in all, we took a little bit of
the Harmonizers to a fairly new audience and hopefully created a new fan base.
Until next time – editorjack!
