Thursday, November 21, 2024

Looking Back on the Nov. 19, 2024 Alexandria Hybrid Chapter Meeting

 Looking Back on the Nov. 19, 2024 Alexandria Hybrid Chapter Meeting 

The November 19 meeting was back at Beth El Synagogue. Both ensembles of AACC met in the sanctuary for warm ups with Tony Colosimo. Her used the tag he taught last week to wrap up the session – “lonely, so lonely, for you am I – lonely for you am I.”


Artistic director, Joe Cerutti, reported that chapter leaders plan to collect sign-ups for three gigs this holiday season in the Alexandria community: First: New Year’s Eve at Alexandria’s Old Town First Night Event, sing from 6-7 pm; second: Giving Tuesday. A tree lighting at Goodwin House Alexandria, Tuesday Dec. 3, before chapter meeting – from 5-6 pm; third: Sunday, Dec. 8, sing from 1-3 pm for Military Blue Star group in Falls Church. 


Meeting location for next week, Nov. 25, is back at AlexRenew. Then on Dec. 10, the chapter will meet at Fairlington United Methodist Church (which is where the holiday show will be held). Dec. 17 will be the annual Caroling in Old Town – stay tuned for details as to a holiday afterglow too.


Joe and Tony took time to prompt singers for the holiday show to prepare a uniform - particularly the Harmonizers should plan an all- black outfit with green or red accents. Be certain it fits well and looks good.  Metro Voices have a plan to wear what they wore last year.


Chorus call time for Sat. Dec. 14 show is 3 pm at the church, and for the Sun. Dec. 15 show it will be 1 pm. 


Joe shared a little about the holiday show guest performers – The Workman Family Singers – who will be included in the finale of the show.  The group has been on a Harmonizer show in the past and was a big hit.


Chapter executive director, Stan Quick, hosted the chapter business session and invited in-coming president, Craig Kajawa, to speak about a successful fund raising effort the chapter manages. Craig has coordinated the project for a number of years and reports that the top five members to raise monies for the chapter were Don Harrington, Ken Ives,Dave WelterDean Rust and Randall Eliason.  Randal’s efforts raised $692 for the chapter in one year.  New members should chat with Craig to get the scoop on how to make it happen.  It does not mean you spend any money you wouldn’t already be spending, but a member can earn money for the chapter based on credit cards they use if he or she is enrolled. The chapter’s goal for 2025 is $5000.


Current president, Noah Van Gilder, spoke about chapter finances and the need for all members to develop a plan of donating to the chapter to include both cash and service.  


Catherine LaValley repeated her plea to members to sell show tickets for the two holiday performances on Sat. Dec, 14 at 6 pm or on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 3:30 pm, both at Fairlington United Methodist Church, 3900 King Street in Alexandria.  Tickets are just $20. Friends, coworkers, neighbors, and family will enjoy these shows; and reminders from chorus members may be the only way those customers will know about the shows.  


She filmed the chorus as they were rehearsing so the marketing team could promote the shows; and she asked for any new members, family members or partners  to sign up as volunteers for the shows to help with ticket sales and other duties that day at the venue.  Names should go to Susan Fitzpatrickgm@harmonizers.org.   


Jacob Broude welcomed two returning Harmonizer guests this week –Alex Edwards and Tanner PerdueMaggie McAlexander directed the “Welcome Song.” 

The two ensembles worked on their combined songs for the shows, and then for the rest of the evening, both worked on the remaining holiday show songs. 

Joe had the combined chorus sing “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” as a closing song again this week. Craig Kujawa took home the 50/50 winnings that included two weeks of winnings since no one claimed the prize last week!


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 76th year of the Alexandria Chapter. - YeEd)

 

The Chapter Mission Statement Enriching lives through vocal harmony in the greater DC area.

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