Looking Back on the April 9th 2022 Harmonizer Show in Rappahannock VA
The Harmonizers appeared in Heathsville, VA for the Rappahannock Concert Association (RCA) bon Sat. April 9th. A chorus of about 40 singers made the 3-hour trip – about 25 from Alexandria by bus, and about 15 who drove directly there (actually several of those members live closer to the venue than they do to the Scottish Rite Temple which was the bus departure point).
It was a great show and wonderful to be singing for an enthusiastic audience – in person. Shows director Doug Whiteworked on the many details of this paid engagement.
The RCA has been providing professional artists for the Northern Neck area since 1983. YeEd learned that they had contacted us a few years ago to appear on their concert series, but we couldn’t find an open date. Then COVID hit. This time our concert was supported by the Virginia Commission of the Arts and the National Endowment of the Arts to help the RCA hire our group. The venue was great with lots of room with good lighting and sound.
Things got off to a crazy start for the 1 pm Saturday departure. When there was no bus about 5 minutes before departure time, executive director Randall Eliason started making calls and found the driver at the DC Scottish Rite Temple!!! So we didn’t depart til about 2:15. But there was time built into the schedule and things worked out great.
As we assembled for the bus, Walter Page stopped by to say hi and see everyone. He is recovering from a serious fall at his home during the Christmas holidays. Walt hopes to be back soon to help Alan Wile with 50/50 collections.
When the bus did arrive for departure, a crew of guys coordinated by operations director Gary Cregan had the risers already outside and ready to load onto the bus. (We laughed all the way there, however, because every bump in the road made the risers shift and move and crash in the luggage area of the bus. We were wondering what shape they would be in – but there was not damage, not even to the coolers for the trip home!!!) Thanks to Randall too for getting some waters and beverages and snacks for both legs of the bus trip. Brian Ammerman brought the song boards to put out on the stage. Dean Rust brought the new Harmo display sign to put outside the entrance to the venue introducing the Harmonizers.
The good sized audience included some Harmonizers too – Craig Odell, Jim McConnell and Dean Sherick and their ladies, plus partners of several of the singers.
The host from RCA introduced the chorus to their audience for the 7:30 kick-off – Please Welcome the Alexandria Harmonizers directed by Joe Cerutti. Our president Noah Van Gilder thanked our hosts and started the off-repeated testimony about how wonderful it is to sing for a live audience. The chorus sang with a mask-optional policy.
“Never Fully Dressed” was the show opener and a big treat for the audience. Associate director Tony Colosimo was maestro for “Never Fully Dressed.” Terry Reynolds introduced “Once In a Lifetime” with Joe back up front.
Next on the show we presented a new quartet in our chapter – B & B (who will be going to the International in Charlotte this summer with the chapter). The quartet included Lance Fisher, baritone; Tony filling in for Francesco their regular lead singer who lives in the Boston area; Al Mazzoni from the Baltimore area; and John Sifuentes, tenor.
The next two songs were from Broadway – “Somethings Comin” and our contest number for Charlotte, “42nd Street.”
An ensemble of 15 guys sang the “Armed Forces Medley” and emcee for the song, Ryan Mextorf invited members of the various services to stand or wave when their song was performed. Randall introduced “Ave Maria” which featured a trio of Lance, Tony and David Breen.
BETTER TOGETHER quartet did a show set for the audience with several songs that showed the importance of love and singing together. The two couples in the quartet are Tony and Elizabeth Colosimo with Andrew and Heather Havens.
After singing “Bridge Over Troubled Waters,” Joe explained how the chorus had learned THE FAIRFIELD FOUR song “There Must Be a City.” Frank Fedarko did his always-great-job as soloist on this fun song. Then Joe invited the audience to join in a sing-a-long for “God Bless America.”
When the chorus sang “Impossible Dream” a section of the song was sung by a quartet of guys off the risers – Lance, Tony, John and David.
The show finale was “Circle of Life” which brought the audience to its feet. Tony was featured in this song too and Bob Blair provided the percussion. The chorus was animated and on fire to entertain and share the fun of singing.
The audience showed their appreciation for a great concert with a standing ovation and the chorus and quartets did a reprise from “Circle of Life.” In the lobby after the show there were many thank you messages and compliments and smiles!
Chorus guys were quick to all pitch in and load the bus for the trip back to Alexandria. With good traffic and good weather, the bus arrived about midnight at SRT. The chorus looked good on stage thanks in part to Robyn Murane who had made new pocket stuffer for guys, helped them get ties centered on the collars of the new white shirts worn with the blue suit and vest.
This concert was another great Harmonizer experience for singers and their audience.
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 73rd year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. - YeEd)
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