Looking Back on the Feb. 14, 2023 Alexandria Hybrid Chapter Meeting
The Alexandria Chapter meeting this week for the Harmonizers and Metro Voice included some fun Valentine greetings to each group. Some members dressed in red and were festive for Valentine’s day.
Next week Metro Voices meet at Scottish Rite Temple and the Harmonizers will not meet on Feb. 21. Instead they will gather at the Aslin Brewery, 847 South Pickett St., Alexandria, VA 22304, at 7 pm on Thursday, Feb. 23. Stay tuned for final details for both groups’ final plans for that week.
There was a lot of barbershop activity on Tuesday with this week’s meeting and Valentine’s Day Quartet Singing. We sent six volunteers (Dean Rust, Rob Barnovsky, Bob Blair, Ken Rub, Nic Petersen, and Don Thompson) into the community for prearranged visits to spread holiday cheer.
We reached around 250 people in total – in the afternoon, mostly for seniors, highlighted by a Lee Center luncheon by the Successful Aging Committee. We also visited Woodbine Healthcare and Sunrise Alexandria. While singing for Mayor Wilson’s staff at City Hall – we were joined by Council Member Sarah Bagley, City Manager James Parajon, and City Clerk Gloria Sitton, who had been drawn out of a meeting by our singing.
In the evening we visited several restaurants, highlighted by singing for a private party at Chadwicks comprising the national leadership of the Salvation Army. The evening guys also sang at a private residence on Lee St in response to a request from the person’s partner who is on an extended study trip abroad.
Thanks to Terry Reynolds for organizing the quartets and to Dean Rust for scheduling. All the singers testified how much fun they had singing for folks. The quartets wore dark suits with the Harmo red tie.
A riser crew set things up before the meetings, which included risers in the cafeteria and the auditorium for the two ensembles.
Associate director, Tony Colosimo, welcomed the singers on the risers and lead the warm up session this week.
Artistic director Joe Cerutti thanked all the Valentine singers and shared several announcements. He had brought a collection of barbershop “things” from Terry Jordon’s estate that members were welcome to take. He also showed some photos of the first appearance by the Harmonizers for a Kennedy Center Honors show.
He reminded attendees about the afterglow invitation which included a February birthday celebration this week. February birthdays included Mary Cooper, Ed Allen, Frank Fedarko, Brad Jones, Howard Nestlerode, Terry Reynolds, Dennis Ritchey, Rick Savage, Ben Watsky, and Steve White.
Before starting the actual singing, membership director Jacob Broude welcomed first time Metro Voices singer Mary Cooper, and returning Harmonizer singers Matt Ambler and Matt Gordon. Terry Reynolds directed the “Chapter Welcome Song.”
Joe also announced that development director Ken Rub reports that the chapter is well on its way to raise the second $75,000 for our anniversary year from major donors. The first $75,000 has been received from one major donor – David Wilt. David was an officer in the chapter years ago and was in Charlotte for the third place finish by the chorus.
At this point, Metro Voices moved to the cafeteria where they worked on “It Don’t Mean a Thing” with Tessa Walker.
The Harmonizers took major time to work on “I’m the Music Man,” “New York, New York’ and “Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat.” For the last song, Tony directed and Joe coached and made suggestions. The chorus was doing a great job on the song.
At the end of rehearsal time, the Harmonizers joined the Voices to hear them working on their song.
A chapter business session was conducted at this time for all members. Chapter secretary David DesPortes presented a membership renewal card to Don Thompson in honor of his 30 years.
President Noah Van Gilder announced the deadline of Saturday, Feb. 18th for submitting suggestions of members to be honored with the chapter major awards. All members were sent a message with descriptions of those awards.
Membership director Jacob offered to get chapter name tags for anyone who needs one.
Joe got a message that the burial at Arlington Cemetery for Royal Geis will be June 12th. The chorus will sing for this service.
A large crowd made it to the Harmo House for this week’s afterglow and birthday cake.
In other news – here is a report on the Harmonizer family participation at the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) Midwinter in Daytona Beach from reporter, Dixie Kennett with inputs from Keith Jones.
There were many folks from the Harmonizer family involved in the 2023 Midwinter. Wednesday and Thursday Chris Buechler and Steve Tramack participated in the Society Contest and Judging Committee (SCJC) meeting. Thursday morning was the Society Board meeting where John Santora was installed as Society president. Alan Lamson did the installation. Also attending the board meeting was Bill Colosimo representing the Mixed Barbershop Harmony Association.
Thursday afternoon was the NextGen youth quartet contest with Joe Cerutti emceeing. Joe also announced the results of the youth chorus contest on Friday. Chris Buechler and Steve Tramack were on the judging panel for the chorus and seniors quartet contests.
There were several involved in the All Chapter Chorus that served as the mic tester chorus on Friday. Tony Colosimowas one of the co-directors with Katy Dane. Singing with the chorus were Mick Stamps, Gary Mankin, Rick Wagner, Ken Fess, Jim Gammon, Andrew Havens and John Rettenmayer.
Terry Reynolds said he went just to have a good time — no responsibilities! He celebrated his birthday there too! Other Harmonizer family attending included Sheryl Berlin, Keith Jones, Tom Gannon and Bob Hirsh. Lynn Hineman sang with the Heralds of Harmony on a show, Rick Taylor was there with HFI, and Paul Wietlisback sang in the seniors quartet contest.
FIRST TAKE with Tony Colosimo and Andrew Havens sang on the Friday night show, as did THROWBACK with Sean Devine. FIRST TAKE also joined GQ on the Saturday night show with an 8-part arrangement of “Don’t Rain on My Parade.”
Erin Odell Cook gave the keynote address for this year’s Midwinter outlining how her accident in 2012 changed her life and how the barbershop community was so important in her recovery. She mentioned the terrible effects of traumatic brain injuries and how each brain injury is different. She focused on how important it was to have a goal and a plan and then to work the plan. It has taken ten years, three and a half of which were spent working with a program in North Carolina, to get to where she is today. And throughout, she described how individuals and groups of barbershoppers, including those on Caring Bridge, supported her throughout her journey.
Erin also directed a combined youth chorus which included the quartet contestants and the chorus contestants from the convention.
Until next time – editorjack!
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(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.
