Looking Back on the May 30, 2023 Alexandria Put Together Quartet Contest
Members of the Alexandria Chapter had a fun time at this week’s meeting with the Put Together Quartet Contest and Chapter Awards presentation.
To get things started, associate director of the Harmonizers, Tony Colosimo, conducted a warm up session for the combined ensembles in the auditorium on the risers – to get all the singers ready for the contest.
Administrator Terry Reynolds made a few announcements with details about next week’s music work plan and an outline of how this week’s schedule would work. He also reported that Michael Berkson will conduct Slack webinars/office hours over the next week! Michael sent out a follow-up email with details on how to sign up.
Chapter president Noah Van Gilder then presented the annual service awards for 2022 (he did acknowledge that this presentation was a little later than normal). A complete report of the award recipients will follow this report in a day or two.
After the awards ceremony, there was an extended break so quartets could warm up and be ready to perform.
Chairman for this year’s Put Together Quartet Contest was Tyler Carpenter who announced the order of appearance before the break started and the contest stage was set up.
Emcee for the contest was Kevin Mendez. Jack Pitzer was secretary for the judging panel and introduced this year’s panel of five members we don’t see often. Sam Brothers was in the front row for ten years. FOUR MAN VOCAL BAND quartet filled the rest of the judging panel spots. The quartet name was first established in about 1975 with Randy Lazear, Rick Savage, Alan Durick and Rick Loveland. The name was created one night at a Geno’s afterglow. (Rick brought the paper napkin that was used to note the new quartet name.). Randy still sings tenor. Bob Bates sings lead. Larry Walker is baritone and Dave Cureton is bass. The quartet meets weekly and has continued to meet and sing for over 20 years.
After the contest ended and while the scores were tabulated, FOUR MAN VOCAL BAND sang two songs including one called “New Math” to explain how they had created their scores!
This year’s contest had seventeen quartets! There were combinations of singers from the Harmonizers and from Metro Voices. There were three categories of performances – regular or traditional song, a comedy number, or a tag – which was a new category for this contest. Winning quartet singers were each presented a medal with a red, white and blue neck strap. Tyler announced the winners and presented the medals.
First place quartet for comedy was DOOT WHOPPERS with Cy Shuster, Calvin Schnure, Joel Golden and Rob Barnovsky. Second place was JOE, RICK AND THE NELLIES with Joe Cerutti, Rick Savage, Ken Rub and Matt Ambler.
First place tag quartet was FOUNDING FATHERS with Tessa Walker, Kaj Vaisanen, Maggie McAlexander andJason Lee. Second place was FOUR STAND INS with Maggie McAlexander, Josh Myers, David Breen and Kevin Mendez. Third place was ONE HIT WONDER with Elisabeth Cosh, Sheryl Berlin, Sophie Clarke and Mary Cooper.
First place traditional quartet was ILLUMINATED NOCHES with Josh Myers, Devin Gerzof, Lance Fisher andDavid Breen. Second place was THIRD TAKE with Jason Lee, Lance Fisher, Josh Myers and David Breen. Third place was WHY WE SING with Michael Berkson, Jason Lee, Maggie McAlexander and Turner Arndt.
Tyler presented a ribbon to David Breen who sang in the most quartets in the contest!
After the winners were announced, artistic director Joe Cerutti thanked Tyler and all the contestants. After the 50/50 drawing, Joe welcomed everyone to come to the afterglow at the Harmo House for pizza and more tag singing. He wrapped up the fun evening with “Keep the Whole World Singing.”
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 Chapter. - YeEd)
The Chapter Mission Statement Enriching lives through vocal harmony in the greater DC area.
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