Friday, January 22, 2021

Looking Back on the Jan. 19th 2021 Virtual Chapter Meeting

 Looking Back on the Jan. 19th  2021 Virtual Chapter Meeting

 

It was great to see a number of guys back with us on this week’s call.

 

Director Joe Cerutti used a couple minutes to review the music team rollout of plans for 2021 that he had announced last week. The highlights are (1) it is our objective to be ready with some music for a show when the pandemic ends; and (2) reinforce the culture of self-recording to turn in so music leaders have feedback on how members are doing. A summary of the plan was released by music team admin support Terry Reynolds.  Joe did announce that a new song to be added to the list for next year, that he didn’t mention last week, will be “Bridge Over Trouble Waters.”

 

The music team goal is to help guys gets their voices back and for the chorus to work on some music so that when we get clearance, we can sing together and do a show. 

 

Also the music team’s experiment using Jamulus software was a success last week.  Joe says we will continue to use it more and more and that all guys should consider using it.  In fact, at the end of this week’s meeting, associate director Tony Colosimo will host a chat session about Jamulus.  For sure, anyone interested in using the new app should tell Tony.  Joe suggests that if cost is a factor for a member, he should also speak to Joe or Tony.

 

This week’s guest speaker, Alan Gordan, had to cancel and will be with us next week.  By the way, Joe and Terryinvite suggestions for other guest speakers, or topics, or members who could do an elective.  

 

Tony Colosimo conducted a lengthy warm up session.

 

Then Joe managed a chorus work session on “Never Fully Dressed without a Song” singing along with Jason Leesinging baritone. The work concentrated on the dynamic plan previously released. As a reminder, our new dynamic scale is based on a six point scale.

 

Joe, with lots of technical help from Tony, invited our Jamulus Quartet in the chapter – Devin Gerzof, tenor; Tony Colosimo, lead; Jacob Broude, bari; and Turner Arndt, bass – to demonstrate “With a Little Help from My Friends” for guys to sing with them at home. 

 

Sectionals were next and they concentrated on “Something’s Coming.” 

 

Alan Wile conducted the 16th interview of Harmonizer Hero forms submitted by members for inclusion on Groupanizer.  This time he visited with Mike Fasano.

 

Mike is a 25-year barbershopper but only has been a Harmonizer for six years. He grew up in NYC, moved as a school kid to Atlanta  but ended up going to college at UNC Greenville where he studied biology.  His career centered around Armed Forces DNA lab work which means he has helped identify USA military remains missing in action. 

 

He sang barbershop in school and after college, joined the DC chapter in 1996 (his first quartet was with Tony and Bill Colosimo and ­­­­Calvin Schnure who were all DC members then).   Mike got to know several Harmonizers when he served as M-AD youth in harmony chairman. He joined our chapter and was tenor in BACHELOR PARTY with Greg Tepe, Ken Rub and Terry Reynolds

 

During a recent Zoom meeting we learned about Mike’s passion for collecting bottles – especially barber shop bottles. Besides his barbershop interest, he has been active in Scouting.  He earned an Eagle rank and today is assistant Scout Master to help his son experience the program.

 

No major new items were announced during the brief chapter business meeting.

 

At this point, the meeting adjourned to a breakout for men to learn about Jamulus with Tony, or to just chat with other members.

 

Our next  Harmonizer Tuesday meeting will be via Zoom again at 7 pm on Jan. 26th, 2021. Watch for email details. Alan Gordon, singing category specialist for BHS will speak.  He has been with us before.  Alan is currently interim director of the Masters of Harmony.

 

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 for the great things going on each week during the 72nd year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. - YeEd)

 

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