Looking Back on the Feb. 13, 2024 Alexandria Hybrid Chapter Meeting
(Thanks for notes from EJ Herold – YeEd.)
The rehearsal opened with Tony Colosimo leading the warm-up and reinforcing the vocalization and breathing training from the last week’s meeting. Using a tag, “How Will I Get by Without You?,” he taught all of us the notes and techniques leading to a beautiful finish to the drills.
Artistic Director, Joe Cerutti, opened with announcements to the assembled Alexandria A Cappella Collective (AACC) group noting that we have quartets that will deliver singing greetings for Valentine’s Day tomorrow. A report of those activities from community outreach coordinator, Dean Rust, will be included in next week’s Looking Backreport.
Joe also gave an update on the progress of the annual interview process of all AACC singers.
Because AlexRenew is unavailable on Feb. 20, the chorus will meet at The Bike Club (99 Canal Center Plaza, Alexandria) for an evening of fun activities. Singers will choose from among several activities delivered in sequence or simultaneously to include: new member orientation; “You be the Judge;” barbershop “fails;” a class on proper breathing technique by Tony and a class by Joe.
The group will be back at The Bike Club on March 5 as Alex Renew will be used as a polling place that evening. On March 19 the ensembles will sing in Old Town.
The Metro Voices rehearsal with director, Samantha Tramack, worked on “Happy Together,” “Fight Song,” and “Sing/Swing Medley.”
The Harmonizers started with a ‘push out’ quartet activity singing “Hey Jude.” Comedic results were achieved as a couple singers lost their place but the overall effect was pleasing and fun! This will be a continuing practice to encourage quartet singing.
It was announced that the music team plans to post the contest songs for the Harmonizers on Groupanizer by the end of the night. Joe said the chorus will start working both “Lullaby of Broadway” and “But the World Goes ‘Round” in two weeks. All singers were asked to focus on measures 101 to the end of “Lullaby”, though the leads were asked to skip measures 117-124 until further instructed. The annotated versions of the music will be coming soon.
The chorus then worked on “Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat” including the choreography led by Turner Arndt. Work on “Wee Small Hours of the Morning” and “Calling Dreams” to polish some of the more challenging spots, filled the rest of the evening.
Midway during the evening, there was a business meeting for the combined ensembles conducted by communications director, Steve Murane. Development director, Ken Rub, spoke about the upcoming Gala on March 2. His major message was for members to invite non-members to attend understanding that the goal is for it to be a successful fund raising gala. It is not a concert. There will be passed hors d oeuvres and a family-style dinner. The Mid Atlantic District (M-AD) quartet champ will sing. Dress is not black tie, but dress up.
Archives chairman, Don Harrington, announced that there were several framed chorus pictures from a former member set out on tables and free for anyone to take.
Conventions chairman, Craig Kujawa, spoke about members getting their registrations for the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) convention in Cleveland in early July. Note that early-bird prices end on Thursday, Feb. 15.
Membership director, Jacob Broude, welcomed five returning guests –Alex Radt, Charley Rothermel, Jared Liscinsky, Ker Medero and William Vesline. First time guest was Avery Biggers, a guest of Jared. We sang our “Welcome Song” for all of our guests, with Maggie McAlexander as director. It was great to have Jim Kirkland and Dave Ermlick back to sing.
The evening wrapped up about 9 pm with the 50/50 drawing, an invitation to guests and members to come to the Harmo House for an afterglow, and then singing of “Keep the Whole World Singing” directed by Jared.
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.
