Looking Back on the Dec. 10, 2024 Alexandria Chapter Meeting
This week’s meeting was a final rehearsal for the holiday performances at Fairlington United Methodist Church, 3900 King Street, the show venue. Both the Harmonizers and Metro Voices are musically well prepared for the shows. Mostly this rehearsal was to block out entrances and exits and chorus positions for the two ensembles using the church for the show.
Maggie McAlexander did the vocal warm ups. Great to hear the antique sleigh bells that Steve White will use for “JINGLE Bells.” Terry Reynolds coordinated the “Twelve Days of Christmas” sing with chorus members as “wranglers” to get audiences groups to sing each day’s verse (or maybe even some fun original responses).
The members who will announce songs used their copy blurbs from the script written by Ashley Merryman.
Both Joe Cerutti for the Harmonizers and Samantha Tramack for Metro Voices wrapped up the rehearsal with a briefing with their ensemble.
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.
During the business part of the meeting, Joe thanked all the Harmonizers who sang for the Blue Star Families recently, and he invited singers to the Harmo House for pizza, cookies and goodies for an afterglow, as usual.
He also asked for good thoughts for Bob Blair who fell today at his home while working on the outside of his home. Steve White shared with YeEd that Dennis Ritchey has been undergoing some serious health issues that included hospital stays – fortunately he is home and recovering.
The whole AACC chorus will be in Old Town on Dec. 17 to sing holiday music and actually go into restaurants along the way to spread holiday cheer. Singers and friends should meet at City Hall at 7 pm. Santa hats will be provided. The afterglow will be at Chadwick’s again in Old Town.
Calendar notes – no meeting on Dec. 24 or Dec. 31, or Jan. 7. On Jan. 14th there will be a major meeting with a kick off of plans for 2025 with briefings from musical and administrative leaders. Members should be looking for details about the personal interviews with Joe or Samantha prior to 2025.
Plus there will be a Put Together Quartet contest for AACC members. Tyler Carpenter is chairman of this contest. This event is always lots of fun with several quartets “put together” just for fun or maybe even “put together” by Tylerfor those who want to sing.
Chapter membership director, Jacob Broude, presented a name tag to newest member, Alex Edwards, and welcomed guests Edwin Alveno, and several family friends in town. Plus Jeff Burkey, too, who we have not seen in a while. Terry directed the “Welcome Song.”
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.
