Looking Back on the May 28, 2024 Alexandria Hybrid Chapter Meeting
The Alexandria A Cappella Collective (AACC) was back at AlexRenew in Alexandria this week. A riser crew arrived at 6:15 pm to unload the truck and set up risers for each ensemble. Always good to see members of both groups helping with the riser crew.
Associate director of the Harmonizers, Tony Colosimo, conducted the warm up exercise for the combined ensembles and included the “pizza is great; can’t believe how many pieces that I ate” round. He also included work on “From the First Hello to the Last Goodbye.”
Artistic director, Joe Cerutti, encouraged all members to attend the celebration of life for Elaine Cooper who died unexpectedly in January. The service will be Friday, June 21, from 11 am – 2 pm at Lyon Park Community Center, 414 North Fillmore Street, Arlington, VA 22201. Lunch will be served at 12:30 pm. RSVPs are requested at 703-919-8795. She was an active barbershopper before she joined Metro Voices, having sung with the Pride of Baltimore, Greater Harrisburg, Potomac Harmony, Vienna-Falls, and Scottsdale Sweet Adeline choruses.
Joe also confirmed that a group of members of AACC will sing June 8 at The Bike Club to recognize major donors to spring2ACTion. Call time is 12:30 pm, singing at 1 pm. Songs will be “Why We Sing,” Hey Jude,” and “I’m Still Standing.”
Here are calendar updates from chapter leadership: the Tuesday, June 4 chapter meeting will be at Beth El Synagogue, 3830 Seminary Rd.; the June 11 meeting will also be at Beth El; the June 18 chapter meeting will be at Heritage Presbyterian Church, 8503 Fort Hunt Rd., Alexandria.
On June 25, we will have our annual ‘send-off’ concert (a performance for fans before we take the contest package to Cleveland – it’s a long standing chapter tradition – family, friends and patrons are welcome to attend) at Beth El.
There will be an extra rehearsal on Thursday, June 27, at AlexRenew in preparation for Cleveland.
AACC members should stay tuned to SLACK for details about the retreat weekend. Things will get started at AlexRenew on Friday, May 31, for rehearsal and coaching from 7 pm to 10 pm. Coaches will be Steve and Renee Tramack and Cy Wood. The retreat continues on Saturday morning, June 1, someplace TBD – likely near Wolf Trap. The retreat wrap-up session will be Sunday, June 2, from 9 am to 4 pm at AlexRenew. Many other details will be coming to members about meal times, social times, attire, issuing of t-shirts, parking ideas, call time for Wolf Trap performance, and more.
After the announcements, the combined ensembles worked on songs for Wolf Trap.
Carey Fagerstrom provided pitches as needed for the rehearsal for the full chorus.
A brief business session for the combined chorus included a thank you message from president, Noah Van Gilder, to those members who anonymously donated funds for the angel fund. Noah invites any members who need financial help from the angel fund for travel to the Cleveland convention or for the Ireland trip to also speak to him.
Chapter secretary, Heidi Krukowski, presented membership renewals for several members: Candence Flaherty for 2 years; Patricia Chow for 2 years; Samantha Tramack for 4 years; Mert Tramack for 10 years; and Craig Kujawafor 21 years.
Tyler Carpenter introduced this week’s guests: Carl Parkin for his fourth visit, and Benjamin Banker for his first visit. Samantha directed the chapter welcome song.
At this point in the evening, the two ensembles adjourned to their riser rehearsal space and worked on their music
As the evening ended, Joe invited guests and members of both ensembles to come to the Harmo House for the afterglow and then invited all singers to sing the three group songs for Wolf Trap.
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.
