Looking Back on the March 10, 2026 Alexandria A Cappella Collective Chapter Meeting
This week’s meeting of AACC was back at AlexRenew, on Eisenhower Ave. in Alexandria. Last week’s Put Together Quartet contest was lots of fun. Hopefully it will result is some new chapter quartets for the future.
Tony Colosimo, associate director of the Harmonizers, conducted the 7 pm warm up session for the AACC singers. After the warm up exercises, he continued work on “Place on the Risers for You.” He didn’t have time though to let them sing the tag, as promised some weeks ago.
Samantha Tramack, director of Metro Voices, led the AACC singers in their review work for “Parting Glass” and “We Are One” in preparation for the show on March 22. That is the wrap-up concert for this season of Capital Force. Both Metro Voices and the Harmonizers will also sing on that concert.
Everyone should bring friends and family to support the young singers. Volunteers are needed for riser crew. AACC t-shirt and jeans is attire for this one.
Terry Reynolds presided over this week’s business session. Chapter meeting on March 17 will be at Fairlington Presbyterian Church (FPC) with Cy Wood coaching the Harmonizers. Meetings on March 24 and March 31 will also be at FPC. Chapter president, Craig Kujawa, reminded members of the special chapter election on March 17 to fill vacancies on the board of directors. He also reported the passing of Stan Quick’s father this week.
A new AACC operations team has been announced based on triad leadership teams. They are beginning to meet and take charge of their areas of responsibility. The teams include Finance: Patrick Horne, Antony Takahashi and Dave Welter; Culture: Matt Darouse, Kellen Hertz and Becca Williams; Membership: Jacob Broude, Katie Raimondo and Devin Turner; Community: Matt Ambler, Frank Fedarko and Ian Trent; Improvement: Leah Bernstein, Tanner Perdue and Rob Stark; Communication: Randall Eliason, Maggie McAlexander and Frank Shipp; plus Logistics: Brian Ammerman, Joe Cerutti, Patricia Chow, Catherine LaValley, Terry Reynolds and Chad Ross. (As a reminder, these teams are just starting their work and meetings, so don’t contact them yet with questions.)
On Thursday, March 19, the AACC chapter will support a day-long choral festival for schools in DC. This is a major, annual event for the chapter in cooperation with music educators in the DC School system. Members of the Harmonizers and Metro Voices are urged to take some time to attend and lend a hand, and to show adult support of youth singers. Watch Slack for details as to times, place, attire, what to bring, and suggestions on what you can do to help.
A number of AACC members are working to compete at the Southern Division contest and convention, March 20 and 21, at the Towson University Center for the Arts in Towson, MD. The Friday night first-round for quartets starts early –3:30 pm – with 30 contestants. The chorus contest starts at 9:30 am on Saturday morning – here again there will be AACC members appearing with other choruses (neither the Harmonizers nor Metro Voices will be competing). The quartet finals on Saturday night will begin at 6 pm.
The list of quartets with AACC members includes: BELTWAY with new lead, Kevin Mendez singing with Rob Santine, Josh Myers and Ryan Mextorf; MENTAL NOTE with Scott Beach, Jerry Candrelli and Mike Geipel; SENTIMENTAL with Rob Santine, Lance Fisher, Josh Myers, David Breen; INSTAGRAMPS with Rick Taylor, Jay Butterfield and Steve White; FIRST TAKE with Tony Colosimo and Andrew Havens; BREAKTHROUGH with Mike Fasano, Jordan Zimmerman, Jason Lee and Ken White; GQ with Samantha Tramack; BETTER TOGETHER with Elizabeth and Tony Colosimo, and Heather and Andrew Havens; and SUPERNOVA with Maggie McAlexander and Tessa Walker.
The AACC interview process is rolling along so that every member meets with a chapter musical leader and can offer input or suggestions and ask question.
Jacob Broude, membership director, welcomed returning guests Owen Lyons and Tracy Albarracin. First-time guests were Daniel Jo and Sarah Lott. Assistant director of the Harmonizers, Jason Lee, led the chapter welcome song. Chuck Hunter was in town from his home in Chicago and visited the chapter this week.
At this point, the two ensembles began work sessions on their music in separate spaces in the building. The Harmonizers concentrated on their new song, “I’m Just a Bill” from Schoolhouse Rock. Associate director of the Harmonizers, Tony Colosimo, led that work after sectionals on the new song. He thanked the section leaders for their dedication and preparation for service. They also worked on their two contest songs and “Africa.”
Annie Ermlick reports that Metro Voices worked on their two contest songs including a push-out octet game for “With Me and the Sky.” They took time for sectionals and sang through “Somewhere” that they will do on the March 22 show.
A special surprise to wrap up this week’s meeting was SUPERNOVA singing a contest set for the chapter. Besides Tessa Walker and Maggie McAlexander, the quartet includes Serena Davis as bass and Amanda Pitts as lead. Their fellow chapter members cheered and applauded with a standing ovation.
Then Tessa led “Keep the Whole World Singing” to close this week’s meeting.
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.
