Looking Back on the Oct. 14, 2025 Alexandria A Cappella Collective Chapter Meeting
This was a busy chapter meeting for AACC to launch important work on holiday music for the show in December and the carol sings in Old Town Alexandria.
The evening began at 7 pm at AlexRenew with a lot of guests and members on hand. The Harmonizers and Metro Voices met separately for the first part of the evening.
Metro Voices started with warm ups led by their director, Samantha Tramack, then they worked in sectionals on “Sing Me Noel” and “Auld Lang Syne” with a run-through of each of those songs after the sectionals. Next, assistant director, Maggie McAlexander, walked through the scores from their recent appearance at the district contest, and explained the judging categories.
The Harmonizers warm up session was led by associate director, Tony Colosimo, then they worked on “El Yivneh Hagalil.”
It was apparent that members had worked on learning the new songs before they got to the meeting this week!
Both ensembles combined to work on “Welcome Christmas” led by artistic director, Joe Cerutti.
Next, president, Craig Kujawa, conducted the official chapter meeting and election of the officers and directors-at-large for 2026. Secretary Cy Shuster declared there was a quorum and that no nominations had been made by members beyond the slate announced by Bruce Roehm for the nominating committee. President Craig declared the slate elected by acclamation.
President – Craig Kujawa
Secretary – Cy Shuster
Treasurer – Terry Reynolds
At Large Board Members – Michael Berkson, Mary Cooper, Ashley Merryman, Betsy Mullins, Carolyn Griffin, Cody Leihgeber Carpenter
Thanks to this year’s nominating committee for their work to get the slate for the election: Bruce Roehm, chairman, with members Terry Reynolds, Charley Rothermel and Sheryl Berlin.
Other announcements for AACC included a thank you to Ashley Merryman for her work on the fall show. Joe shared his pride and thanks for great performances by both ensembles who qualified to compete in the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) International contest in St. Louis in July. A great accomplishment!
Looking ahead, a small ensemble will represent the chapter to sing at the Danish Embassy on Oct. 20 for the Defense Attaché Association – the group chosen from singers who were available and who knew the fall show music. Members will car pool to the event. E.J. Herold is organizer. The Oct. 21 meeting will be at Beth El Synagogue; Oct. 28 will be at AlexRenew. November 1 is another Honor Flight sing – also organized by E.J. Herold. On Tuesday, November 11, the Harmonizers will work with Steve Armstrong and discover their new contest package. On Tuesday, Nov. 18, AACC will sing in Old Town to promote attendance at the holiday show. That show will be on the weekend of Dec. 12-13-14 – final times and venue to be announced soon. AACC will sing carols again in Old Town on Tues. Dec. 16. There will be no rehearsals on Dec. 23 and 30. The Jan. 6 meeting will be a kickoff session for the 2026 year and also the next chapter Put Together Quartet Contest – as the name implies, members are encouraged to “put together” a quartet and enter the fun. Usually some BHS friends are the judges. Rules and details to come soon.
Membership director, Jacob Broude, welcomed a long list of guests this week: Billy Ermlick, Susan Friel, Linda Sinnwell, Cooper Schwartz, Mary Beth Cole, Monica Lynch, Justin Schoolmaster, Catalina Buitrago Torres, Mackenzie Girard, and Logan Glauser. Our newest member, Robbie Delia Bernarda, received his official name tag. Maggie McAlexander directed the chapter welcome song.
There was a fifteen minute break and then both ensembles continued their work on holiday music. Metro Voices worked on “Oseh Shalom” after Sheryl Berlin introduced the song, explained its meaning and suggested pronunciations of some of the words. (Thanks to Annie Ermlick for her reporting again this week.)
The Harmonizers worked on “Here Comes Santa Claus” in sectionals and back as a full ensemble.
The end of the meeting included the 50/50 drawing coordinated by Alan Wile, and the entire AACC chorus singing “Keep the Whole World Singing” directed by Christine Pan.
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 77th year of the Alexandria Chapter. - YeEd)
The Chapter Mission Statement: Enriching lives through vocal harmony in the greater DC area.
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