Looking Back on the Dec. 5, 2023 Alexandria Hybrid Chapter Meeting
Everyone made it to our new meeting location, AlexRenew, 1800 Limerick Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. Parking is pretty tight, so some had to walk several blocks and pay for parking. A riser crew had to get all of our meeting equipment from the Harmo truck – up the elevator to the sixth floor.
However, the risers were full of singers at the 7 pm start time for Maggie McAlexander, assistant director of Metro Voices, who directed the warm-up session for the combined ensembles. She included an eight-part tag of “Lullaby and Good Night.”
Artistic director, Joe Cerutti, welcomed all the members to AlexRenew. He reviewed the busy upcoming schedule. Dress rehearsal for the chapter’s holiday show will be next Tuesday night at Fairlington United Methodist Church, 3900 King Street (to clarify for new members – this is not a true dress rehearsal – just wear typical attire like any rehearsal); Sat. Dec. 16, show for Frederick, MD, Chapter, call time is 1:45 pm, show starts at 3:30 pm at Urbana, MD, High School Auditorium, “The Secret of Harmony;” Sun. Dec.17, our own show, “Believe,” at Fairlington UMC, call time is 2 pm, show actually starts at 3:30 pm; Tues. Dec. 19, Carol Crawl in Old Town; Sat. Dec. 30, extra prep session for the Midwinter convention performance - Metro Voices from 9-1 and Harmonizers from 11-3.
Joe shared that the popular sing-along for our show audience will include the crowd favorite “Twelve Days of Christmas,” with members encouraging them to have fun with the words. It was always a great event at our holiday dinner shows a number of years ago.
There will be finale special numbers for Alexandria singers to know, which Joe explained.
After the warm ups, the singers worked on the two songs the ensembles will singer together – both the Saturday and Sunday shows will be basically identical.
The chapter business session was conducted by Steve Murane, communications director, and started with chapter secretary, David DesPortes, presenting a 47-year renewal membership card to Steve White.
Shows director, Doug White, explained that our Sunday show will include a system for attendees to make donations. Attendees are also asked to bring canned goods which the chapter will give to the church to add to their food drive for ALIVE in Alexandria.
He also explained how the chapter is managing the sold out situation for the Sunday afternoon show. A stand by list is being managed by Doug. There were already a lot of names on it.
Associate Harmonizer director, Tony Colosimo, alerted all singers going to perform at the MidWinter in NYC to watch for a memo soon about attire for that event.
Chapter conventions coordinator, Craig Kujawa, also alerted the members about the urgency to register for the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) convention in Cleveland in July. He will be getting out directions on registration and housing. Take action!!! Rates will be going up before too long and there is concern that there might be a sellout for seating in Cleveland.
There were several singing guests present and former member Larry Nixon, from 1971-2002, was present. Will Cox directed the chapter welcome song.
The chapter held the 50/50 drawing organized by Alan Wile and Walter Page; and the chorus sang “Keep the Whole World Singing,” before the two ensembles moved to their own risers on the sixth floor.
The singing ended about 9:30 pm and chapter operations director, Gary Cregan, coached the members in getting all of our equipment back onto our truck.
A nice crowd attended the afterglow at the Harmo House after finding a new route from AlexRenew.
Looking Back readers: please note that there will be no report from the Dec. 12th dress rehearsal.
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.
