Looking Back on the Oct. 13, 2026 Alexandria A Cappella Collective Chapter Meeting
This week the ensembles of AACC met separately – the Harmonizers met at the Fairlington Presbyterian Church to work on their repertoire. Metro Voices sang for the folks out-and-about in Old Towne Alexandria. This was the first time for Metro Voices to do the sing-out there without the Harmonizers. This report from Patricia Chow: The Metro Voices ensemble gathered at the Torpedo Factory at 7 p.m. Samantha Tramack, music director, led us in warmups in a nearby corner. We then sang four sets in various places along King Street and the waterfront. Our song choices included: “Queen Anointed,” “Stop the World,” “Me and the Sky,” “Yes I Can,” and “Preamble” (with Maggie McAlexander speaking the solo part). We ended up with 24 performers in all with a lively crew continuing to Chadwicks for food and drink.
The Harmonizer rehearsal at the church concentrated on the holiday songs and “Barber of Seville.” Associate director, Tony Colosimo, directed the warm up session bringing back an often used exercise from the past ending with “zoom, zoom, zoom, zaw.” Members had to fight a lot of traffic to get to the meeting this week, but in the end there was a good crowd.
Artistic director, Joe Cerutti, updated the Harmonizers about up-coming events including his plea for members to make every effort to be there next week, Oct. 20, to celebrate harmony with the Alfred Street Baptist Men’s Gospel Choir at Fairlington Methodist Church, 3900 King Street. Call time is 6:30 pm. AACC t-shirts for attire. This is a long-standing event for the Harmonizers who will sing their recent contest package songs “Harmony” and “Stars in the Night.” This year it is the Harmonizer’s turn to provide the refreshments for the afterglow in the social hall of the church. Chapter leaders asked members to bring some goodies to share. New Harmonizers and recent guests are all welcome to come join in the fellowship to sing and visit and enjoy the evening.
Metro Voices will meet at Fairlington Presbyterian Church that night.
Joe also reports that plans for the Japan trip in 2027 are developing to be spectacular with two international barbershop ensembles joining Alexandria.
He also gave a plug for singers to remember the next Honor Flight sing on Nov. 7 – call time at 8 am; and he reminded singers about the Nov. 11 performance – that’s a Wednesday afternoon event assuming most singers will have that day off from work. The songs will be chosen from the songs often used for the Honor Flights.
After the announcements, Joe led vocal work on holiday songs; led a run-through of the 2026 contest package with all six Harmonists on hand; and led work on “Barber of Seville” which he confirmed will be sung as part of the chapter’s appearance at the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) Midwinter convention in Virginia Beach in February 2027. Tony led work on the New Year medley.
In other recent chapter news, the first of the special sing-outs for AACC chorus members from both ensembles to welcome Veterans arriving on Honor flights at National Airport was Saturday, Oct. 10. E.J. Herold, project head, reports: On a sunny and cool day at Reagan National, 15 Harmonizers and 3 Metro voices (to include several first-timers from each ensemble) sang to welcome two Honor Flights as they landed in DC to spend the day in our Nation’s capital. Terry Reynolds organized the singers, providing music folders for all to use. Tony Colosimo handled directing duties as we serenaded the arriving veterans composed of those who had served in WWII, the Korean War and Vietnam. The two flights came from Fort Meyers, FL and Charlotte, NC. Each flight had 60 veterans along with escorts (family members or friends) and support staff of their local HF team.
AACC singers performed “America the Beautiful,” “Armed Forces Medley,” “God Bless America,” “This is My Country,” “America the Beautiful,” and “You’re a Grand Old Flag.” Arriving veterans were surprised to hear us (some singing along), and local DC supporters of the arrivals came by to applaud the singing. As usually happens, there were other regular Americans who came out in support, including one lady bedecked in American flag headdress, illuminated sneakers and a bespoke American flag with added sleeves so that when she spread her arms (for a hug?) the flag was presented in all its glory! Often, as the singers performed “You’re a Grand Old Flag” she paraded in front of us to the delight of those performing.
Two notable occurrences. First, Jason Lee and family just happened to be departing on travel, so they came to hear us for the first flight and complimented the group on our sound. Second, on the Charlotte flight, there was a Marine veteran of WWII, Korea and Vietnam and when we sang the Armed Forces Medley he snapped to rigid attention and presented a perfect salute for the singing of the Marine Corps Hymn before leaving in a wheelchair to make the long trek to the busses.
Our next chance to sing for an Honor Flight is November 7 when we welcome flights from West Palm Beach, FL and Madison, WI.
Returning guest singers at the Harmonizer meeting this week included John Ferri, Ethan Hattingh, and Mason Meiners. Jacob Broude introduced the guests and reported that he had been in contact with several local collegiate ensembles to invite them to come sing with us. He has had good response from two groups, so far. Terry Reynoldsdirected the “chapter welcome song.”
Here are other calendar notes: Capital Force, the youth ensemble of AACC, will have their first rehearsal on Sunday, Oct. 18, from 2:30 – 4:30 pm, with Tessa Walker as music director. Singers who sign up will be given details as to where the rehearsal will be held that afternoon. David Strasser and Serena Davis volunteered to help with admin support for the rehearsal session.
Stay tuned for details from the Culture Team about a Halloween celebration at a chapter meeting in October
The AACC Culture Team has also organized a social event at Cox Farm on Sunday, Nov. 1 from 11 am to 4 pm. Members interested in attending should contact Culture Team members and make a reservation/payment of $30 by Sept. 30!. Don’t pay or register with Cox Farm but with a Culture Team member – Becca Williams, Kellen Hertz orMatt Darouse. The chapter will have the pavilion there as part of the fall festival for friends and family of AACC - at 15621 Braddock Rd., Centreville, VA 20120, at the corner of Braddock Rd., and Pleasant Valley Rd.
Looking way ahead, the Dec. 12 holiday shows are scheduled for 3:30 pm and 7 pm at Fairlington United Methodist Church (across the street from our weekly meeting place). Good news – GQ will be featured quartet for that show!! ALERT: Singers will need to make plans to stay at the church between the two shows – the chapter will order in some dinner foods. Then everyone will need to be out of the church by 9:30 pm.
Randy Lazear conducted "Keep the Whole World Singing" at the Harmonizer meeting. Many of the usual members went to the afterglow at the HarmoHouse and enjoyed the pizza and chat.
Chapter secretary, Cy Shuster, reports that he sent a membership renewal card to former Harmonizer director, Scott Werner, in Florida. This is his 63rd year!!! Scott sent a thank you note back and a message of greetings to all who sang with him years ago.
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.
