Looking Back on the June 16, 2026 Alexandria A Cappella Collective Chapter Meeting
This week’s meeting was back to Beth El Synagogue, with a fired-up chapter of two choruses headed to the International contest in a few weeks! Pretty amazing to have two ensembles going to the “big dance,” as it is sometimes called. Then add to that excitement, three quartets in the in the contest too – GQ, FIRST TAKE, and SUPERNOVA – with AACC members.
Next week, the traditional send-off performance for family, friends and patrons prior to the chorus going to an International contest, will be on Tuesday, June 23, at Beth El. Other important dates include the extra chorus rehearsals on June 18 and 25 at AlexRenew. NOTE that the truck headed to St. Louis with risers and such will be loaded after the 6/25 meeting. Plan ahead.
And according to Matt Darouse, the Culture team is launching a monthly BIRTHDAY TREATS NIGHT – the first one set for Thursday, June 18, at AlexRenew. The sign up to bring goodies is in Slack.
Regarding the send-off on 6/23 – Harmonizer and Metro Voices singers will wear their contest attire for their stage time next week. Come prepared for a quick change – likely wearing basic parts of the outfit with a last minute addition. All members are encouraged to invite family and friends. The guests are welcome to come at the 7 pm start time to observe rehearsal, but the actual start of the send-off performances will begin at 8 pm. The send-off event will be at Beth El Synagogue, 3830 Seminary Rd. The AACC chorus will sing two repertoire songs for the audience at the send-off. Plus there will be a guest appearance of GQ quartet with Samantha Tramack singing bass.
Thanks to the Culture Team for organizing the recent Movie Night to view “The Harmonists” movie for Friday, June 12. Kellen Hertz made it happen, Ben Raja managed the tech details to show the DVD, and Joe Cerutti got the DVD for the chapter. Just under 20 AACC members and guests attended and enjoyed homemade popcorn from Jack Pitzerfor movie night at AlexRenew.
Their team is also looking to create a Sunshine Committee as part of their operation. The purpose of that committee is to help the chapter show support for any member during times of both celebration and/or hardship. Anyone interested in serving should contact Matt Darouse.
This week’s warm up session for the AACC chorus started at 7 pm with associate director of the Harmonizers, Tony Colosimo; then Maggie McAlexander, assistant director of Metro Voices, led more warm up singing with a fun tag. Samantha Tramack, director of Metro Voices, led a review/sing of “We Will Be One” that the AACC chorus will sing for the June 23 appearance. Artistic director, Joe Cerutti, directed the AACC singers to review “I’m Still Standing” that will also be sung at the send-off.
Because the rehearsal was so busy this week, there was no official ‘bandana check’ for the Class of 2026. However, at one point Joe did a spot check and asked Owen Lyons if he had his bandana. Sure enough, it was in his back pocket. He got a round of cheers from his fellow classmates! The class includes 11 Harmonizers: Matt Darouse, Robby Della Bernarda, Cooper Schwartz, Jerry Candrilli, Devante Lucas, Billy Ermlick, Ben Raja, Owen Lyons, Josh Frakes, Logan Glauser, and Ben Hawker; and five Metro Voices: Susan Friel, Morgan Fabber, Laura Rutledge, Renee Tramack and Sarah Lott.
Tyler Carpenter filled in for Jacob Broude to recognize guests this week including returnees, Elizabeth Halford, and Larry Cohen who brought his friend Morgan Slusher. First time guests were Noah Rish from Ohio and his friend Collin – they were guests of Matt Darouse, Other guests this week who have visited before – Muamen Alsheakh as a member and Charlie Gross who was invited to direct “Keep the Whole World Singing” this week – Maumen is the baritone and Charlie is the lead in BOYSEN BLUE quartet. They will be representing the Pioneer district in the Next Generation quartet contest in St. Louis. Finally, it was great to have Joe and Janet Cerutti, Joe’s parents, with us this week. The AACC chorus, directed by Terry Reynolds, sang the chapter “Welcome Song” for all the guests.
President Craig Kujawa spoke about the success of raising funds for the chapter by those members who purchase Raise Right gift cards. He also reminded members of the long-standing Angel Fund the chapter maintains to offer assistance to any member who might need financial help for major events like the International contest travel. He particularly spoke about the need to rebuild the balance. Donations of all sizes should go through Craig. Similarly, if a member needs to request help, he or she should speak with Craig.
As soon as business matters were addressed, the two ensembles worked on their contest packages. This included some important time to adjust to the full stage size that will be used in St. Louis (the main hall at Beth El is large enough to step it off). For the Harmonizers particularly, the location of the mics on the contest stage needed to be set and marked on the floor with blue tape this week. Joe shared some important thoughts with the Harmonizers – recognizing the depth, scope and impact of the chapter’s work to tell the Comedian Harmonists story. He shared an important encouragement message from Almut Schmitz, executive director of Barbershop in Germany (BING). Plus Joe shared some in-depth comments he received from coach Steve Tramack.
To wrap up this week’s meeting, the ensembles met together to sing “Keep the Whole World Singing” directed by Charlie Gross. The crowd at the afterglow enjoyed the pizza and the great summer evening weather which made it fun to gather on the screened porch. There was a lot of tag singing inside this week too.
There were lots of cheers when Dean Rust had the lucky 50/50 ticket for the third week in a row!!
In other news around the Society, a longtime performance coach and friend of the Harmonizers, Cindy Hansen-Ellis, has been named recipient of a 2026 Hall of Fame Award by the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS). Congratulations to her from all the men on the Harmonizer risers!
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.
