Looking Back on the Nov. 14, 2023 Alexandria Hybrid Chapter Meeting
This week it took a while for the risers to fill up because streets were blocked and many routes jammed as the march on the National Mall ended about the time our members were headed to the Scottish Rite Temple (SRT).
It was a work-on-the-holiday-show-music for both ensembles this week and assistant director of Metro Voices, Maggie McAlexander, conducted the warm up session.
When artistic Director, Joe Cerutti, came forward to direct, he welcomed a couple Harmonizers we have not seen for a while – Ian Poulin, and Dave Hood who is stationed in Colorado Springs with the military now.
Joe asked members to take the recent Pulse Survey if they have not done it yet.
And he invited any singers interested in singing in a small ensemble (quartet or double quartet or the like) to sign up on the provided form. The chapter gets a number of requests for smaller groups and this effort will help the chapter shows director, Doug White, fill those requests.
At this point in the meeting, the two ensembles moved to their own practice area in SRT to work on their holiday show music. For a few minutes, the guys singing the “Dreidel Song” met with associate director, Tony Colosimo. Also, Susan Fitzpatrick, chapter general manager, took close-up videos of singers to help promote the chorus appearance again this year on WETA holiday music specials.
All singers reconvened in the auditorium for the business session coordinated by communications director, Steve Murane. He started it off with the good news that his quartet, SILVER ALERT, has been invited to sing in the senior’s contest at MidWinter.
Chapter development chairman, Ken Rub, encouraged members to support Giving Tuesday on Nov. 28th – and especially by suggesting to friends and patrons to do so too. As part of that giving campaign, Ken reminded all members that the chapter does not charge annual dues with the suggestion that members might donate the amount of their dues to the chapter. Ken suggested that those donations could be made as part of our Giving Tuesday campaign.
Shows director, Doug White, needs a 3-4 person crew to help decorate the performance space at Fairlington United Methodist where we will have our holiday show at 3900 King Street on Sunday, Dec. 17. This crew will do their work on Saturday, Dec. 16. Interested members should let Doug know of their offer to help. The chapter already owns the supplies needed – it is just a matter of putting things up like Christmas trees and wreaths.
As a reminder, the uniform for both ensembles for both the chapter show on Dec.17, and for the appearance on the Fredrick, MD, Chapter holiday show on Dec. 16, will be semi-formal black clothes with red and green accents.
Chapter executive director, Stan Quick, spoke about the recent email he sent to members asking for volunteers to fill some chapter tasks. Heidi Krukowski has offered to fill the position of chapter secretary replacing Dave DesPortes. We still need someone to do the financial (bookkeeping) work done by Carl Kauffmann. There are a number of other jobs that Stan has to fill for next year, so members can speak with him about those duties.
Stan also updated the members about possible bus transportation to NYC for the January 11 appearance at the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) MidWinter convention. Be on the lookout for the final developments on this topic. Joe reported to everyone that singers should plan to be at the MidWinter venue by 6 pm and that they will be finished with their duties at 11 pm.
Joe also alerted all singers that in order to be ready for the Jan. 11 performance, there will NOT be a break in chapter meetings in January (as we have done in other years). Besides the January 2 and 9 chapter meetings, there will be a full rehearsal on Saturday, December 30, (location to be determined) for both ensembles. The schedule for that day will be announced soon. For those who can’t make it to the Dec. 30 rehearsal, there will be a Zoom call on January 4, to update those who missed it with any changes or important performance notes.
Members joined chapter secretary, David DesPortes, with the hand clap routine to recognize Don Thompson with his 31-year membership card.
With Jacob Broude out, Mary Cooper welcomed five guests including barbershoppers, Duane and Kim Wallace, from New Zealand. Terry Reynolds directed our chapter welcome song that was sung for our guests.
The two ensembles then worked on two songs they will sing together – “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “Do You Hear What I Hear.” Joe thanked Lance Fisher for his work in adding the extra parts for Metro Voices to ”Do You Hear.”
The busy evening ended with the 50/50 drawing organized by Alan Wile and Walter Page. Duane Wallace directed “Keep the Whole World Singing” Orders for pizza were taken and a nice crowd attended the afterglow at the Harmo House. There was a member audition after the meeting too.
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.
