Looking Back on the Aug. 15, 2023 Alexandria Chapter Meeting and Aug. 9 Park Concert
WOW – what a rehearsal! The risers were full, the singing and performance work was terrific and there were a lot of guests.
Early in the evening, Joe thanked all the members of Metro Voices and the Harmonizers for a great show at Franconia Park, Wednesday, August 9. The outdoor stage in the amphitheater was a great setting. Besides the large crowd gathered there for the weekly free summer concert series organized by the Fairfax County Park Authority, there were a lot of Harmo family and friends there too. Luckily there is lots of free parking.
Gary Cregan and the riser crew were able to drive the Harmo truck right up to the stage.
County Supervisor for the Franconia District, Rodney Lutz, welcomed the audience and thanked the chapter for appearing as part of his concert series. Terry Reynolds told the audience the song titles and set the stage for the songs.
The Harmonizers started the show with “I’m the Music Man;” debuted the choreography for “Something’s Comin,” brought back some popular front row kick line moves for “New York, New York,” debuted “Sit Down You’re Rockin the Boat” with Lance Fisher doing the solo; and finished the concert with “Impossible Dream” using a quartet of Lance, Tony Colosimo, Jason Lee and David Breen to sing the introduction.
Artistic director Joe Cerutti thanked the audience for supporting singing in the community and explained that the chapter is expanding as he introduced Metro Voices. The new ensemble sang three songs directed by Tessa Walker andSamantha Tramck.
Then both ensembles sang “Why We Sing” to close the show.
The Tuesday night, Aug. 15, meeting started with Maggie McAlexander conducting a warm up session for the combined ensembles on the risers. It included a fun round about an alligator! Dennis Ritchey was the sound guy this week.
When Joe assumed the director duties, he expressed his sincere appreciation for the guys who sang at the Celebration of Life event for Brian Miller, a Harmonizer who died as a result of the COVID pandemic.
Joe called out happy birthday for Samantha Tramack and Chris Huber and welcomed Rick Serpico, director of the Bryn Mawr Chorus, who came to visit the chapter. He traveled from PA with Mike Fasano.
We did learn that Marty Monson, Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) CEO and executive director, will step away from that position after 11 years as of August 25. He has often been on hand for major events in the Harmonizer years and a friend of the members in the chapter. He was a motivator and stimulated enthusiasm among the membership.
Joe also shared that the chapter has a ‘greenlight’ to launch Capital Force, a seasonal youth chorus that will meet from September through January, for mixed voices 18 and under. There will be a major kickoff event on Sunday, September 10. Singers from both ensembles will be asked to attend and sing for the youth chorus and their families.
After the September 9 show and the kickoff, there will be no rehearsal on September 12. However, an extra rehearsal will be held on September 21 as the ensembles prepare for appearances at the Mid Atlantic District (M-AD) convention in York, PA, Sept. 29-30.
Finally, Joe urged all chapter members to get their tickets for the anniversary show afterglow – NOW! There are only 200 seats and when word gets out, they will go fast. They are just $25 for food and great music at The Garden, 5380 Eisenhower Ave, Alexandria, VA 22304. There is free parking. A cash bar. And of course the guest quartets from the show – MAX Q and RINGMASTERS. For questions about the event or help with tickets, contact Ken Rub who organized the afterglow.
The first music work this week was on “Defying Gravity” with directing the combined ensembles and working on energy, meaning and flow of the song. Five members auditioned recently for the solo on this piece and Samantha Tramack and Tony will be singing it on the fall show. Matt Ambler, Alex Pierce and Sophie Clarke will sing the solos on subsequent shows.
At this point, there was another mixer/game for the chapter members to enjoy and get to know each other more. It was called “Would You Rather” and you answered the questions from Tessa by going to stage left or stage right. Questions were “Would you rather have power to shrink yourself or enlarge yourself?” Then “Would you rather live without a cell phone or without streaming and TV?” Then “Would you rather be able to communicate with animals or be able to speak all languages needed in the world?” Finally, would you rather encounter an alien or a ghost?” Fun and lots of laughs as people shouted out their reasons.
Chapter communications director, Steve Murane, coordinated the chapter business meeting. He promoted interest in the M-AD seniors all voices chorus that is being organized. Several Harmonizers have signed up and he encouraged more of our members to respond to the emails from M-AD leadership.
Chris Huber invited chapter members to come hear his band, RIPTIDE, with fellow Harmonizers Joel Golden, Kellen Hertz and Doug White, when they appear at Burke Lake Park on Wed. Aug. 23 as part of the summer concert series there. At 7 pm.
Membership director, Jacob Broude, welcomed Vinny Capaccio who lives in Richmond and has not been with us since before COVID. Mert Tramack is our newest member and Jacob presented him a casual black chorus shirt.
There were several returning guests – Ashley Merryman, Norm Barth, Ellen Dellert, Jonah Phillipp, Marsha Ansel, EJ Harold, Dana Richardson and Leah Musico. There were two new guests – Thomas Keeping, a barbershopper from Syracuse, NY, who has moved to the area, and Rick Serpico. Both were ceremoniously presented their “I Sang with the Harmonizers” button! Emeritus assistant director, Will Cox, directed the chapter welcome song.
After a short break for the members to get off the risers, Metro Voices worked on their songs and the Harmonizers worked on their songs after confirming new riser positions. Joe directed “Calling Dreams” and Tony coached the singing and interpretation. For “Something’s Coming,” Joe directed and Turner Arndt coached the visual plan. For “Wee Small Hours” the front row added some of their visual interpretation that they will be using for that song.
The two ensembles regrouped and did the 50/50 which Bob Blair won – and he donated it back to the chapter! Thanks Bob.
Rick Serpico directed “Keep the Whole World Singing” and Joe invited members and guests to the Harmo House for the afterglow. There was pizza and lots of visiting with a big crowd including several of the new guests who made it to the afterglow.
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 75th year of the Alexandria Chapter. - YeEd)
The Chapter Mission Statement Enriching lives through vocal harmony in the greater DC area.
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