Looking Back on the Oct. 7 and 8, 2025 Alexandria A Cappella Collective Chapter Events
AACC music team leaders decided to cancel rehearsals for both the Harmonizers and Metro Voices for Tues. Oct. 7 so that folks could rest up after the district contest weekend, so that singers could get well (many folks had reported they could not attend), and so that the Harmonizers could muster a large ensemble for the sing at Alfred Street Baptist Church on Wed., Oct. 8.
The Harmonizer event is the annual men’s fellowship sing with Alfred Street men’s choir in Alexandria. This year it was also the opportunity to honor Dr. Joyce Garrett, minister of music, who has retired. She initiated the idea of the men’s singing fellowship.
The evening began at 6:30 pm with a run-through of “Impossible Dream.” The Harmonizers wore their AACC t-shirts with jeans. They were the first chorus to sing and did “Africa” and “Wonderful World.” Associate director, Tony Colosimo, taught all singers a tag – “Raindrops” – that sounded great with all those singers.
The second chorus to sing was the West Point Alumni Glee Club. They were guests of the Harmonizers and sang a cappella. Their president is fellow-member E.J. Herold. Their director is Master Sgt (Ret) Neil Ewachiw, who formerly sang with the US Army Chorus. They sang “The Corps” and “Army Blue” – two songs recognized by all West Point graduates. They meet regularly and sing at retirement homes, Honor Flight events at National Airport, and at West Point. Their director taught a soldier’s prayer for world peace in Latin. In the end, it was sung in rounds.
The final chorus was the Alfred Street Men, directed by Melvin Bryant, Jr. He welcomed all fellow singers and thanked them for helping celebrate Dr. Garrett. Their songs were accompanied and included a great arrangement of “Amazing Grace.” It was great to see former Harmonizer, John Oswald Green, on stage with them!
After they sang, Melvin announced there was another new song and the singers began singing “Special Lady” – which lead to a tribute to Dr. Garrett.
At the end of the evening, artistic director of the Harmonizers, Joe Cerutti, gave this tribute on behalf of the chorus and presented her with a bouquet.
“On behalf of the Harmonizers, it’s always an honor to share an evening of fellowship with our Alfred Street brethren, but it’s even more of an honor to take a moment to celebrate the recent retirement of a remarkable leader, an inspiring educator, and a dear friend to our chorus – Dr. Joyce Garrett.
Since 2017, we’ve had the extraordinary privilege of standing in harmony with the Alfred Street Baptist Church Male Chorus. These collaborations have become some of the most meaningful musical moments in our history—and they simply would not have happened without Dr. Garrett.
This beautiful relationship began when she visited one of our rehearsals during a workshop with Dr. Ysaye Barnwell of Sweet Honey In The Rock. What started as a simple visit turned into something far more powerful. Dr. Garrett saw two ensembles—just blocks apart in Alexandria—and envisioned a partnership rooted in music, community, and collaboration.
Just a month later, in April 2017, our choruses performed together for the first time. And thanks to her, that “first time” quickly became a tradition. We co-hosted a two-day Gospel Fest for the City of Alexandria, featuring the Grammy Award-winning Fairfield Four, and later that fall established our very first evening of choral fellowship.
In 2018, we had the pleasure of presenting her with our Award of Harmony. And still, it feels like that small recognition couldn’t possibly capture the full impact she’s had on our group.
We also reflect with some amazement: for literally decades, our choruses rehearsed just down the road from one another... and yet, we never connected, and with deep gratitude to Dr. Garrett , we don’t just sing for each other—we sing with each other.
So, as you begin this next chapter of well-deserved retirement, we just want to say thank you.
Thank you for your leadership.
Thank you for your belief in the power of music to unite community.
And thank you for reminding us that harmony is more than just the notes we sing—it’s the community we build together.
To close this tribute, we’ve prepared a very special gift. We’ve learned that this next song is one of Dr. Garrett’sfavorites—and so, tonight, the Harmonizers and the Alfred Street Baptist Church Male Chorus will sing it side by side, in your honor.”
At this point Alfred Street men and the Harmonizers sang “Impossible Dream” with a quartet of Kellen Hertz, Tony Colosimo, Rob Santine and Terry Reynolds singing the intro. It was a great ending for the night.
The fellowship event ended with the traditional spread of great eats in the church social hall.
Looking ahead, on Oct. 14, AACC will meet at AlexRenew, hold the annual election of officers and board of directors, and launch the musical work for the holiday show. The next “new member orientation session” will be on Oct. 14 too. The Oct. 21 meeting will be at Beth El Synagogue; Oct. 28 will be at AlexRenew. November 1 is another Honor Flight sing. On Tuesday, November 11, the Harmonizers will work with Steve Armstrong and discover their new contest package. The holiday show is scheduled for Dec. 13-14; then AACC will sing carols in Old Town on Tues. Dec. 16. There will be no rehearsals on Dec. 23 and 30.
Holiday music is on Groupanizer so members can get a start on reviewing or learning the songs that have been used in the past for the holiday shows. New holiday songs are also being added to Groupanizer.
In other matters, here is the slate of candidates for the chapter election on Oct. 14, as offered by the nominating committee (Bruce Roehm, chairman, with members Terry Reynolds, Charley Rothermel and Sheryl Berlin):
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
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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