Looking Back on the Nov. 26, 2024 Alexandria Hybrid Chapter Meeting
There was pretty good attendance at the Nov. 26 rehearsal even though it was so close to Thanksgiving and days of travel or vacation for many members. We met at AlexRenew. Both ensembles of AACC gathered for warm ups with Tony Colosimo. He used a new tag this week – “I will dream of you until I die.” He also stressed body alignment during the exercises.
Artistic director, Joe Cerutti, reported that Jason Lee and his wife are new parents welcoming Christopher to their family.
Next week the chapter will be in Old Town Alexandria after singing at Goodwin House for their tree lighting at 5 pm. Then singers will gather at Market Square and walk around town singing holiday songs and passing out fliers for the chapter’s holiday shows. Singers will be issued Santa hats at the sing-out and for the caroling in town, but could dress with holiday sweaters for color and to be warm.
On Dec. 8, the Harmonizers will sing for the Blue Star group in Falls Church – call time is 11:30 am. The chapter meeting on Dec. 10 will be at Fairlington United Methodist Church (which is where the holiday show will be held) – a final show rehearsal.
On Dec. 17, the AACC chorus will go to Old Town again – stay tuned for afterglow plans.
The sing-out for First Night in Old Town was still pending as of Tuesday night – final details due out to members on Wednesday, Nov. 27.
There was a reminder announcement about what to wear for the holiday shows Dec. 14 and 15 – all black with green and/or red accents.
Terry Reynolds was busy at the meeting recruiting “wranglers” who will work with various rows of the holiday show audience to get them to sing the various days of “Twelve Days of Christmas.”
Chorus call time for the Sat. Dec. 14 show is 3 pm at the church, and for the Sun. Dec. 15 show it will be 1 pm.
Chapter executive director, Stan Quick, hosted the chapter business session and invited in-coming president, Craig Kajawa, to speak more about a successful fund raising effort the chapter manages.
Current president, Noah Van Gilder, spoke about a revised chapter award program recently completed by a task force of Jack Pitzer, Frank Fedarko, Terry Reynolds, Sheryl Berlin, Mary Cooper plus Noah and Joe. The award plan updates the awards that had traditionally been made to Harmonizers so that now they recognizer all members of AACC. It has been approved by the chapter board and will be implemented by a task force. Members interested in helping with that task force should email Noah at president@harmonizers.org.
Ken Rub spoke about Giving Tuesday plans for AACC – the goal is to raise $5000.
Secretary Heidi Krukowski recognized Mary Cooper who has renewed her membership for a second year.
As a reminder, members are encouraged 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.
Mary Cooper filled in for the membership chairman and welcomed two returning Harmonizer guests this week –Alex Edwards and Tanner Perdue. They both auditioned and passed to become members. Maggie McAlexander’s Mom,Ann, was visiting from Chicago and came to the rehearsal; and Jonathan Johnson from the Nashville BHS chapter was visiting relatives in town and attended the meeting as well. Terry 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.
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.
