Looking Back on the July 26th 2022 Harmonizer Chapter Meeting
This week’s meeting was still in a mode of celebration of earning our seventh third place bronze medal at the International contest.
But there could not be too much celebration since the chorus has two major shows in the next few weeks. The bulk of this week’s meeting was sectionals. Actually the meeting was not on Zoom, but the sectionals were posted of Facebook. Masks were required inside.
And, several of our chapter leaders were in New Orleans for the Barbershop Harmony Society’s (BHS) Harmony University. Artistic director Joe Cerutti, associate director Tony Colosimo, music team leader and past president Terry Reynolds and Tessa Walker, co-lead section leader for the chorus and lead of HOT PURSUIT are all on the faculty this week there.
Each of them teaches in a different segment of the school – Joe in directing, Tony in coaching, Tessa in music educator programs, and Terry in leadership and administration. One day during the week, they will all be presenting a special topic as a panel – “So You Are Thinking of Starting a Treble Chorus in Your Chapter.” Clearly they can share the work they have been doing for our chapter.
(YeEd got word that John Santora from our chapter is also in New Orleans – he is rising into a position as president of BHS.)
Turner Arndt was emcee for this week’s meeting and assembled the singers in the auditorium of Scottish Rite Temple (SRT). Will Cox, retired assistant director emeritus, did the warm up session for the chorus.
Jason Lee, baritone section leader, announced the musical plan for this week – to “dust off” five songs that we will use on the upcoming shows.
But first he had medals to give to guys who had departed early from Charlotte and had not gotten theirs yet – Randy Lazear, Will Cox, Kellen Hertz and David DesPortes.
Then each of the sections moved to a rehearsal space in SRT for a 30-minute session to work on “Remember Me” and “Chorus Line Medley.” Besides Jason as baritone section leader, Ben Watsky and Lance Fisher worked with the leads, Randy Lazear worked with the tenors, and Ryan Mextorf worked with the basses.
The singers reassembled in the auditorium to sing the songs and share what they had learned from the sectionals. Jasondirected.
There was a business meeting conducted by Sam Whiteoak, communications director. First up was secretary David DesPortes who presented a 31-year membership renewal to Ken Rub (David led 31 claps to honor Ken). And Davidpresented a new-member packet from the BHS to Zak Sandler who was also welcomed with applause.
There were a number of guests this week visiting as singers or as fans. Long-time bass singer, Craig Odell, was present to work his way back onto the risers. He sang bass with M-AD champ quartet ALEXANDRIA’S RAGTIME BAND, and was a stage presence judge in the past. A couple other members were present we have not seen for a while including Adam Afifi and Mike Schwartz. Also Donna Cregan, Gary’s Mom, and her friend Lynn Pendergrast, were with us all the way from London. They are in town to celebrate Gary’s military retirement this week! Congrats to him.
First time singer guests this week included: Nic Petersen, singing lead, who sang barbershop in college in PA. He and his wife and family live in Bowie. Gabriel Castro, singing tenor, is new to barbershop but sang in a male a cappella group at the University of Delaware that he served as president. He lives in Alexandria. David Hillinck, singing baritone, lives in Alexandria and has sung in choirs in the past.
Reminders were announced about turning in the new medals to Ike Evans for engraving. The engraving will include the Harmonizer crest (the one with the barber pole), your name, voice part (or position in the chorus), the city of the convention, and the year. The cost of this service would be $10.50 plus tax. If you are interested, bring your medal to rehearsal Aug 2. Put your medal into a blank envelope (smaller than business size - 3 3/4 x 6 1/2) and write your name and voice part on the outside. When the medals have been completed, they will be returned to you in exchange for a check made out to the Alexandria Harmonizers for the final amount. D
Sectionals resumed to work on “Help from My Friends,” “Sing,” and “Something’s Comin.” After another 30-minute period, the chorus sang these three songs.
There was a 50/50 winner this week before we sang “Keep the Whole World Singing” and adjourned. Some guys went to Ramparts for an afterglow! The afterglow at the Harmo House will resume next week and we will celebrate the July birthdays of members.
Here is planning information for the first major show coming up - Wed. Aug. 10th, at Lee District Park on Telegraph Rd. (just north of Hayfield High School where we have done shows). It is an open-air stage with plenty of bench seating, lots of convenient parking, and even picnic tables for those who might want to come early with family and friends. This concert is part of the Fairfax County summer series – each of the county supervisors hosts a concert series in their District.
The second show is our major fall show that will be held at Schlesinger Hall.
Wed Aug 10 Show - Lee District Park Performance 7:30pm
- 6601 Telegraph Road, Franconia, VA
- Tentative Chorus Call 6:15pm
- Planned Song List:
- Beautiful Morning
- Bridge Over Troubled Water
- Chorus Line Medley
- Circle of Life
- Forty-Second Street
- God Bless America
- Help From My Friends
- I’ll Be Seeing You
- Impossible Dream (Tag)
- Never Fully Dressed
- Sing (Carpenters)
- Something’s Coming
- There Must Be a City
Sat Sept 10, Fall Show - “A Beautiful Morning”
Planned Song List:
- Bridge Over Troubled Water
- Circle of Life
- Forty-Second Street
- Help From My Friends
- Impossible Dream
- Oh, What A Beautiful Morning
- Remember Me
- Sing (Carpenters)
- Something’s Coming
- You’re Never Fully Dressed
- Chorus Line Medley
In other news, this week all members received the fantastic annual report of the chapter prepared by Steve White. It covers the fiscal year Sept.1, 2020 – Aug. 31, 2021. It records the chapter’s efforts to operate and remain strong during COVID. It also reveals the terrific financial donations from friends of the chapter.
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 74th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. - YeEd)
