Looking Back on the Dec. 12 and 13, 2025 Alexandria A Cappella Collective Chapter Holiday Show
The show was terrific! Both nights were equally good. The Metro Voices and the Harmonizers ensembles each sang a set of songs alone and then there were songs that all AACC singers did to open and close the shows. They all wore classic black outfits with red and green accents.
There was awesome singing, full houses, fun audience participation, and a cooperative audience to find parking around the Fairlington Presbyterian Church. The Friday night show started at 8 pm which allowed for singers and audience to get there after work – traffic was a bear on Friday night, but it did not delay the start time. The Saturday night show started at 8 pm and included a one-song appearance by the new Capital Force ensemble that has joined AACC. Tessa Walker is director with Julian LaFlore as assistant. There were 15 youth from grades 7th-12th to sing “I Will Go Sailing No More.”
The show started with the entry of the singers walking in the side aisles of the church, as artistic director, Joe Cerutti, welcomed the audience to “Follow the Season.” (He decked out in his plaid vest and red bow tie.) The show opener by the AACC chorus was “Welcome Christmas” directed by Joe.
Then Joe introduced the thirty Metro Voices to start their set with French carol, “Sing We Noel” directed by Samantha Tramack. Assistant director, Maggie McAlexander, stepped out to direct their second song, “Winter Wonderland.” Jean Hillinck set the stage for the third song; “Christmas Time” directed by Samantha. Sophie Clarke did the solo for this song.
To set the stage for their song in Hebrew, Leah Bernstein and Sheryl Berlin explained the theme of the song, “Oseh Shalon,” and Maggie was soloist. Metro Voices finished their set with “Auld Lang Syne.”
Metro Voices exited via the center aisle and guest quartet, BETTER TOGETHER, took the stage to continue the family music theme of the show as introduced by Becca Williams. The quartet includes Elizabeth and Tony Colosimo and Heather and Andrew Havens. Their great singing included several tradition holiday songs to include a warm and lovely “Away in the Manger.”
At this point, the AACC singers arrived back into the sanctuary for this year’s audience sing-along time. Joe invited guests to enjoy and follow the cues from chorus members who brought signs for the words for “Twelve Days of Christmas.” Assistant director of the Harmonizers, Jason Lee, directed the AACC chorus who kicked off the song, then each of the mini sections of the audience sang their day (with word changes to fun things as the song progressed such as ‘seven deadly sins’). The ‘five golden rings’ line was sung from the balcony by Joe, Samantha, Tony andMaggie who, each time, took more time with key changes and swipes and gestures to try to steal the show! The audience loved it all.
Then AACC chorus sang “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” with all singers singing from all sides of the sanctuary, directed by Joe standing in the balcony. Zak Sandler and Heidi Brown had solo spots in this song.
Then Metro Voices left the room and the 50 Harmonizers took the stage (there were no risers, so singers formed in the front space of the sanctuary). Samantha introduced the Harmonizer set and explained the NORAD call-system for kids to call and check on Santa’s progress on Christmas Eve as the chorus started their set with “Here Comes Santa.” Joedirected the fun song as well as the Harmonizer’s traditional presentation of “Toyland.”
Tony directed a fun arrangement of “White Christmas” as made famous by the Drifters. To add to the fun, members each pulled out a pretend microphone to sing this one – the variety of the mics was fun too: spoons, holly branches, water bottles, umbrellas, pieces of wood, wrenches – to name a few examples.
Michael Berkson helped change the mood for the serious Hebrew song “El Yivneh Hagalil.”
Jason directed “Little St. Nick” next.
David Hillinck set the stage for “O Come Emmanuel” which was partially in Latin. Joe directed this major song for the show.
Tony led the chorus for its final song, a fun “New Year Medley.”
The AACC chorus regrouped on the stage for the finale, “Gloria,” with BETTER TOGETHER singing the solo spot leading into the conclusion of the magnificent arrangement. The audience responded with their eager standing ovation.
Terry Reynold, thanked the audience for their support and promised the chapter’s New Year’s resolution will be to find a venue for next year with plenty of parking! The chorus and the audience sang “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”
Congratulations to Catherine LaValley for her leadership as producer and coordinator for the holiday show. Thanks to the many family members and friends who volunteered with ticket sales, ushering, parking attendant, and stage set up. Mike Kelly and Cy Shuster were in charge of the sound set up. The music team had the ensembles well prepared for this year’s holiday concert!
Great to see so many former members in the audience and some current members who were unable to sing this time, as well as several of our community board members. The ushers passed out business cards with the chapter’s QR code for a show program or to make donations to the chapter.
The afterglow on Saturday night was great fun with a full Harmo House. Joe ordered 17 pizzas and everyone knows the chapter can eat lots of pizza!! Other members brought sweets and snacks including Ashley Merryman’s eggnog cake!
Tuesday, Dec. 16, the chapter continues its tradition of singing holiday music in Old Town Alexandria. Singers will assemble at 7 pm at Market Square.
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.
