Looking Back on the Feb. 15th 2022 Harmonizer Hybrid Chapter Meeting
Hurray!! The Harmonizers sang on risers with a full chorus of men this week!!!
We gathered at the Scottish Rite Temple (SRT) after a riser crew headed by operations chairman Gary Cregan set things up in the auditorium. The remaining chorus members joined via Zoom. The total attendance was at the 60-man level combining Zoom and in-person. Terry Reynolds was on Zoom and in-person at SRT to make sure both groups of attendees were connected and hearing and seeing everything.
Mike Kelly and Dennis Ritchey were the technical crew and helped facilitate moving to the cafeteria once during the night to allow for air change in the rooms. Lots of the guys grabbed microphones and cords and speakers to make it go fast.
Associate director Tony Colosimo conducted an extensive warm up session for the singers with some emphasis on body alignment. During his time up front, he taught the “What A Day” tag. It was such a treat to hear full chords again!
He turned over the chorus to artistic director Joe Cerutti who shared the good news that chorus member Aaron Simoneau was engaged to his girlfriend on Saturday at the Chart House in Old Town and that Joe, Brian Ammerman and Ryan Mextorf were there to sing with Aaron for the event. Congrats from the chorus!
Joe also was excited about the April 9th show on the chorus schedule in Rappahannock, VA. We will take a chorus bus trip departing about noon. The song list was projected for Zoom attendees and a pocket card handout was given to the members. The show will include all the songs the chorus has been working on the last couple months plus “Ave Maria,” “I’ll Be Seeing You,” “Circle of Life,” and “There Must Be a City.”
Robyn Murane, uniform coordinator, was in the hall to measure guys for the new white dress shirt that will be worn with the blue suit. She suggests that all singers should check that the blue suit still fits. All orders or requests for replacement or new uniform parts need to be to her by noon on Wed. Feb. 23rd in order to be included on the order from our supplier. She did announce that the black camp shirt with chapter logo can be reordered now (from our in-house supplier Tyler Carpenter and his company, Weave and Notion). If you have any uniform questions, you may email, call, or text her – RLMurane@aol.com or her cell 909-528-6643.
Joe announced that next week, the music team will initiate the 7 Point Learning Scale for “Sing A Song.” Tonyexplained some about that process which includes a plan to provide feedback to member singers who work in small groups, sectionals will be important, and then whole chorus work. Stay tuned. In fact, next week there will be major sectional work on that song.
Joe teased Jack Pitzer about how in the world did he get tickets for opening night on Broadway for “The Music Man.” (It was awesome – wonderful to hear and see it again. Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster were just great and I thought the quartet did sound like The Buffalo Bills of old! I got the tickets because our son is Head Electrician at the Wintergarden at 50 Broadway! – YeEd)
On March 15th, the chapter will have a coaching session with Steve Scott who made major changes in the musical life of the chorus in recent years. Don’t miss that night! Anyone who might like a personal vocal coaching session with Steve on Wed. March 16th should contact Terry Reynolds to get on the list and/or find out from him more about the private sessions and how Harmonizer have benefited in the past.
All evening it was wonderful to hear the chorus belting out their songs they have been working on so hard during COVID restrictions. As Joe directed each song, he invited Tony to set the stage for the main thing the singer should work on or put into practice.
The business session conducted by communications officer, Sam Whiteoak (yes formerly Matt Doniger – he has legally changed his name.
Jack Pitzer shared a story that shows again how we touch lives. Current chapter board member, Carolyn Griffin, sent a note after her friend, a mosaic artist, wrote an article about meeting a Harmonizer years ago when she was taking an art class at Durant Rec Center (that’s where the chapter met for over 50 years). That Harmonizer was Dick Hall and he gave the artist a collection of pictures of carousel horses he had carved and painted. The artist has used them for years to make mosaic pieces that have been in major art shows and on display. She shared that she wished she had kept the envelope from that Harmonizer. So Carolyn asked and luckily we knew about Dick’s art efforts. The artist has been in touch with Dick’s daughter – so thankful to know again how her Dad, and our friend and brother Harmonizer, touched the lives of those around him.
President Noah Van Gilder, connecting via Zoom, reports that Ken Ives continues to recuperate at home and members could reach out via email or text to keep in touch with Ken.
Noah also reports that total results are in for “Giving Tuesday” we participated in a few weeks ago – we exceeded our goal of $15,000 raising $17,173.46 in contributions. Thanks to coordinator, Bruce Roehm, and to the members who donated generously to exceed the goal including a major donation and matching grant from members of the chapter leadership.
Ken Rub welcomed guests this week and introduced Jake Fry for his second visit. Jake is a music educator in the area. Will Cox directed the Harmonizer welcome song.
Joe and Tony rounded out the night with more great singing and extra work on “Circle of Life.”
There was an invite extended for an afterglow at the Harmo House and a good crowd was on hand for tag singing or just visiting and talking barbershop AND enjoying snacks and pizza.
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)
