Looking Back on the March 29th 2022 Harmonizer Hybrid Chapter Meeting
Members were all fired up after the great barbershop contest this past weekend, and after the word was sent to members that director Joe Cerutti had some major good news to share.
Actually there were over 20 members on the Zoom call this week – it seems many who were at the contest in Wilmington had been exposed to Covid so they joined via Zoom.
To get things started, Will Cox, director emeritus, did the vocal and physical warm up session.
Before Joe revealed his big news, Jack Pitzer did a brief report of the great success of our chapter quartets at the Southern Division /Prelims contest (as reported in the Looking Back message on March 28th).
Then Joe stalled again (to keep up the anticipation) by reporting this week’s Harmonizer Hero Factoid – this one about Mark Klostermeyer. Seems Mark is one of the 70 Master Certified Picture Framers in the world. (Joe says you can come to the Harmo House to see a gallery of work by Mark!) Another fact about Mark was that he likes to read cookbooks and so he was given a bottle of Chris Huber’s newest variety of hot sauce as a gift.
Joe welcomed Joel Golden who we have not seen on the risers in a while, and Dennis Ritchey’s mother, MariAnne, who was back to see us all again.
So Joe’s first bit of good news was that we will get to do a performance and sing for an audience and get paid – the show in Rappahannock, VA, on April 9th which will include a fun bus ride to get to the venue.
The second news alert was that the Harmonizers have chosen the first general manager to work for the chapter – Susan Fitzpatrick – who will formally begin on April 4th. Joe thanked the team of Noah Van Gilder, Terry Reynolds, Randall Eliason and Marie Muscella for their extra hours to make this major change happen for the chapter. Susan expects to be at next week’s meeting/rehearsal.
A third news item was that we have signed a formal community partnership with a local dance group to help with the performance needed to truly present “42nd Street” in Charlotte.
The third news break was the run down on coaches for the chorus in preparation for Charlotte. Kevin Keller will be at our meeting on April 27th. David Wright will be with us sometime in May. Cy Wood will be at several of our meetings in May and June. David McEachern AND Dr. Jim Henry will be coaches for our pre-International retreat. Great news for sure.
Members should make plans to attend the retreat at Mc Daniel College in Westminster, MD, starting with rehearsal on Friday night June 3rd, then all day Saturday June 4, and finally a wrap up session on Sunday, June 5th. There will be the usual “Class of 2022” for all those men who have not competed with the Harmonizers at an International chorus contest. (This will be a huge class!)
It was time for the singing to begin and Joe asked the chorus to do performance renditions of “Sing a Song’ and “Help from My Friends” with Turner Arndt demonstrating movements for
“Friends.”
There was a business meeting starting with major announcements by current executive director Randall Eliason to inform that chapter of two changes in the Operations Team. Don Harrington will become chapter historian to replace Jack Pitzer who will continue working on the History Time. Ken Rub has stepped up to fill the development director position on the Ops Team. The board of directors has officially made these changes.
Ken followed this announcement with a great presentation about the plans for development - or as he called it – “fun raising.” He asked three chapter members “to come on down” and told them to guess how much money the chapter budgets to provide all services for each current member. After some guesses, he revealed the number – $1350 per man. (His presentation used a game show format to share the info with the guys on the risers.) He shared that we all need to work to bring in funds.
There are three ways a member will be expected to help: use Amazon Smile for all purchases; buy scrip to pay for housing in Charlotte; and join in the plan with all members for Spring2ACTion (S2A) on April 27th. This year Kensuggests each member will work toward raising $250 in S2A. Everyone who makes his goal will earn a slot to attend a crawfish boil at Harmo House. Stay tuned for details about all three options.
Chapter secretary David DesPortes presented a membership renewal card to Noah Van Gilder for his 14th year, and a 45-year membership pin for Steve White.
Chapter president Noah encouraged all members to wear their Hamro name tags – as a courtesy to new members and guests. If anyone needs a new pin, speak with membership chairman Jacob Broude. Then Jacob welcomed guests Zak Sandler, Andrew Wu and Cy Shuster. Will Cox directed the chorus to sing the “Harmonizer Welcome Song.”
Back to singing, this time in small groups to work on “Somethings Comin” with each of the groups provided training by a member of the music team. When everyone reassembled on the risers, Joe thanked those trainers for their work. At that point there was work on “42nd Street” and “God Bless America.”
An invite was extended for an afterglow at the Harmo House at 3916 Stevens Street in Alexandria. Pizza, snacks and drinks were enjoyed by all.
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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