Looking Back on the Nov. 3, 2026 Alexandria A Cappella Collective Chapter Meeting
AACC met at Fairlington Presbyterian Church to continue work on their full repertoire with holiday music for many events in the weeks ahead. There was a good attendance even though it was election night. At 9:30 pm, artistic director, Joe Cerutti, led an extra run of patriotic songs for the Nov.7 Honor Flight sing, and for the Nov. 11 Veteran’s Day performance.
Thanks to Culture Triad team members, Matt Darouse, Beca Williams, and Kellen Hertz, who organized a really fun and well attended social activity at Cox Farm on Sunday, Nov. 1 from 10-5 pm near Centreville, VA. The chapter had rented the pavilion there as part of the fall festival for friends and family of AACC to get out of the city into the fall colors, pumpkins, wagon rides and family-friendly activities. Thanks to Ken Rub for his sponsorship of apple cider donuts and hot spiced cider for the AACC gang. Kellen reports: about 40 folks attended including family and friends and members. Becca brought lots of board games which were played all day by those relaxing in the pavilion. Seems like a popular spot in the park was the corn maze and the hay ride which a large group of AACC member enjoyed. There were farm animals around, bands playing and lots of options to purchase food and desserts!
Don Harrington was reporter for the chapter meeting this week since YeEd was unable to attend: Good crowd at FPC last night. Maggie McAlexander led the warmup and taught the tag, “Danny, My Boy.”
Artistic director, Joe Cerutti, announced that tickets are selling quickly for the holiday show and encouraged family and friends to buy their tickets soon. The matinee is 65% sold.
Joe worked with the combined choruses on the “Let There Be Peace on Earth” medley concluding with each member recording a section and sending it to a member of the music team.
Joe was leader of the cheers to congratulate Tessa Walker for her outstanding work as a music educator and for being recognized by SingUnited International (formerly Sweet Adeline) as Music Educator of the Year.
Finally, Joe asked everyone to fill out the questionnaire Matt Ambler sent out about Valentine Day, even if you are not interested in participating, because it helps with planning.
Assistant director of the Harmonizers, Terry Reynolds, reminded anyone who wanted to sing for the Honor Flight this Saturday, Nov. 7, to please let him know ASAP, and to indicate if you need parking.
Singers will also be performing on Veteran’s Day at the Mt. Vernon Recreation Center in Del Ray (NOT TO BE CONFURSED with the other Mt. Vernon Center). Business attire or military uniforms.
President Craig Kujawa gave a status update on Raise Right fundraising efforts, and suggested that now is a great time to buy gift cards for the holidays and help raise funds for AACC.
Craig asked members to be thinking about the annual awards and to stay tuned for more information on this from the Leadership Triad that will manage the awards program.
After the business meeting, the two AACC ensembles worked separately on their holiday music.
Note that the chapter meetings will be at Fairlington Presbyterian on Nov. 10 and 17 – then back to AlexRenew. Joealerts singers that the Nov. 10 and 17 meetings will go until 10 pm – mark calendars. He also alerted members of a work session on Tuesday, Jan. 19th totally dedicated to “Barber of Seville” with special coach, Tim Waurick.
Jacob Broude welcomed guests this week. Returning guests included John Ferri, Ethan Hattingh, and Naomi Takagi. First time guests were Derin Ozbora, Kim Dixon and Jude Chelico. Terry Reynolds directed the chapter welcome song for all the guests this week.
The meeting ended with the 50/50 draw and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” and a run thru of patriotic songs in preparation for the Honor flight and Veterans Day performances. Other big news is that we are very close to signing a contract for the venue of the 2027 holiday show!
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 78th year of the Alexandria Chapter. - YeEd)
The Chapter Mission Statement Enriching lives through vocal harmony in the greater DC area.
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