Looking Back on the April 28, 2026 Alexandria A Cappella Collective Chapter Meeting
AACC music leaders led their ensembles through an evening of important work on the music and choreography this week for contest and shows. The two ensembles did their warm up sessions separately. Tony Colosimo, associate director of the Harmonizers, led their warm up session and Maggie McAlexander, assistant director of Metro Voices, led their warm up session.
This week’s meeting was at AlexRenew and the meetings will be there on May 12 and May 26. Tentative location for the May 19 meeting will be Beth El.
A riser crew set up things for the 7 pm start. Patricia Chow and Annie Ermlick reported that Metro Voices spent their time with director Samantha Tramack in a run through of their contest set. Then they worked in duet sectionals on “Yes, I Can.” Samantha worked with leads and tenors and Maggieworked with basses and baritones.
The Harmonizer rehearsal started with artistic director, Joe Cerutti, teamed with Turner Arndt, working on choreography for “Harmony.” Next they worked on “Stars in the Night,” and then moved to “I’m Just a Bill.”
Regarding the work on choreography for the package, Harmonizers should work to get up to snuff in that area. They are required to video themselves by May 9.
Mid-evening, the two ensembles met together for a brief business session.
The annual chorus retreat has been scheduled for June 5-7 at AlexRenew. Terry Reynolds shared that the following time frame is likely for those who need to make plans: Friday from 7 to 10 pm, all day Saturday 9 am to 10 pm, and Sunday 9 am to noon. Coaches for this year’s retreat will be David McEachern and David Drown for the Harmonizers, and Blair Brown and Patrick McAlexander for Metro Voices.
Brad Jones introduced Sean Fagan from Opus Tours at this week’s chapter meeting, who gave a short presentation about the Japan tour and answered questions from members. He shared that there were already 84 signed up which includes friends and family members. About half of that number are singers from the two AACC ensembles. Registration for the chapter’s Japan trip in 2027 is now open. During the trip, the AACC chorus will make a guest appearance at the Japan Barbershop Convention in Yokohama, August 22-23. Trip coordinator for AACC, Brad, suggests sending any further travel questions to AACCJapan2027@gmail.com.
Randall Eliason announced a project being led by the Communications Leadership Triad – watch for an opportunity to offer input about a recognition program for Member-of-the-Month or some such plan.
President Craig Kujawa suggested it was still possible for members to buy gift cards to use in paying for their hotel room – those card purchases earn cash for the chapter. Contact Craig if you have not purchased your cards.
Craig also acknowledged Ashley Merryman who was recognized recently for her significant work in preparing the chapter’s annual report to submit to the City of Alexandria.
At a recent meeting, Sheryl Berlin promoted registration/attendance at Harmony College East (HCE) – a weekend barbershop educational opportunity organized by the Mid Atlantic District (M-AD). It will be June 18-21 at McDaniel College in Westminster, MD. Individual singers are encouraged to attend too, maybe take voice lessons, or attend as a quartet with three other singers. Registration can be managed at midatlanticdistrict.com.
Here is a reminder of the two Honor Flight dates the chapter will be singing at this spring – May 16, two flights; and May 30, three flights. Call time both dates will be 7 am at Reagan National Airport. Repertoire songs will be sung in the existing men’s key. Folders of the music will be provided. Uniform will be the AACC t-shirt or a plain black t-shirt, and slacks. Singers need to update their availability on Groupanizer.
Tyler Carpenter recognized returning guests this week including Dana Wooster, Elizabeth Halford. and Mary LaBorie. First time guest this week was Josie Tucker. Larry Cohen, who sang with the Harmonizers for the “I Am Harvey Milk” performance, was in the hall this week too. Jason Lee, assistant director of the Harmonizers, led the AACC in singing the chapter welcome song for all the guests.
Another breakout session for new member orientation was held at the mid-point of the evening.
On Memorial Day Saturday, the main coaches for the Harmonizer contest set will be here to coach the “Harmonists” and other characters for the Harmonizer’s contest package. The morning session is closed to just those players. Then, later - although it is not a mandatory event - chorus members are encouraged to attend mid-afternoon to observe, give feedback and understand the vision. There is a need for uniform parts to outfit the Harmonists – check with Chad Ross if you have small sizes of the black tales and tux outfits of the past.
To wrap up the evening, the ensembles met back together for any final announcements, a count for pizza slices for the afterglow at the Harmo House, and then the usual 50/50 drawing before “Keep the Whole World Singing.”
A rehearsal/review for the chapter’s paid performance on May 23 was held then from 9-9:30 pm on “We Will Be One,” “I’m Still Standing,” “Hey Jude,” and “Defying Gravity.” The AACC chorus will sing these songs as a 20 minute show at a major evening banquet event for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). Attire is AACC formal.
Members who were not doing the May 23 gig were invited to choreo review with Turner Arndt in another room at AlexRenew.
In other news from the barbershop world, according to a message from Dixie Kennett, there were a number of members of the Harmonizer family at the spring contest in Florida this past weekend including former director Scott Werner, plus Bob Thames, Keith Jones, Jay Carter, Phil Ashford, Chris Buechler and Stevc Tramack. Scott, Bob and Jay sang in choruses in the contest and Chris and Steve were judges for the event.
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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