Looking Back on the Oct 9th Chapter Meeting

First off, the package show on Oct 5^th went well.  Here is a recap from producer Greg Tepe.

Thank-you to the Harmonizers who came out to the National Portrait Gallery Friday night for our paid performance. I counted 58 singers. There are many thank-yous to give out to the team of Harmonizers that it takes to make a road show happen.

 

To Bruce Lauther who got us this gig and did the early footwork and paperwork.

 

To Howard Nestlerode and Drew Fuller who had Harmo-truck duty. Their evening started before 4pm and didn't end until after midnight.

 

To our directors, Tony, Terry and Will.

 

To Mike Kelly for setting up and running sound for the night. Mike even piped in the dinner music for the guests. Mike's work earned the chorus an extra $500.

 

To the early set-up crew - Carl Kauffmann, Chuck Powell, Chuck Hunter, Ken Rub, Ken White, Alan Wile and Carlos Correa who worked with Howard, Drew and Mike.

To our chorus manager, Mark Klostermeyer who keeps the chorus moving to the right places... and who did clean-up work in the dressing room at the end of the night.

 

To the late crew who helped tear down the gear and get the truck reloaded. Brian Ammerman, Edris Qarghah, Tom Kern, Alan Wile, Dave Welter, Scipio Garling, Noah Van Gilder, TJ Donahue, Terry Reynolds, Bob Blair, Kellen Hertz, Ross Felker, Chuck Hunter, and Nick Leiserson. The truck finally pulled away from the Gallery at about 11:15. For those who stayed to the end, and had to deal with the long carry out of the building.

 

I tried to get the names of all the volunteers that helped. If I missed anyone, my apologies for the oversight. Thank-you ALL.-- Greg Tepe

 

Tuesday nite, Oct. 9^th, was full of excitement.  A good crowd of family and friends were on hand too.   Director Joe Cerutti was just back from coaching our fellow barbershoppers in Germany and was full of fun stories – including his trip to Octoberfest with David Wright!

Before the singing began, there was the usual bustle of set up, sales, tag singing, stage presence review on the stage, earlier refreshments for the many guys who come right from work, and some back-room rehearsal for quartets preparing to sing in the district contest this weekend.

Will Cox did the warm ups for tenors, baris and leads.  Mike Kelly did a warm down for the basses in a separate area at Durant.

First song we sang was “Circle of Life” which we hope to sing in Ocean City with MAYHEM.

Then we jumped right into the contest package.  Traffic was tough tonite but the risers were full by this time.

Joe challenged us that if we sang the package well he might even cancel the extra rehearsal set for Wed nite.  AND you should have heard that pitch pipe when we finished.  Joe didn’t back track and ate his words. But he was proud of the level we set.

We continued to drill sections of the songs, duet some parts, do reps on some sections to get precise on the rhythm, and reminded each other some important nuances’ for the stage moves. 

Mark Klostermeyer conducted the chapter meeting portion of the nite starting with reminders to buy Entertainment coupon books from Chuck Harner, buy White House Ornaments from Sandy Stamps, and buy 50/50 tickets from Dick or Carolyn Hall.

Secretary Chris Buechler presented a name tag to our newest member, Carlos Correa. Then Chris gave out membership renewal cards to Bob Blair for 13 years; Chris Yates for 13 years, Josh Roots for 14 years, and John Pence for 28 years.

Jacob George filled in for membership vp Phil Ashford to introduce our many guests with us this week.  Several were already applicants.

Mark gave us a good long break to take care of things like getting new uniform parts for the many guys who are singing in their first district contest with the Harmonizers.

After the break, secretary Buechler and  membership vp Ashford filled us all in on the plans underway for an Alumni Nite and our annual chapter meeting on Tues. Oct. 16.  Scheduled the week after the District contest while barbershop news is hot.  Chris provided Phil a long list of several hundred emails from former members and members who are not actively singing with the chorus. Kevin Kaiser helped get the lists ready to use for email blasts.

We will have special refreshments and welcome the guys and their families back. Usual time and place here at Durant.

Next topic was from shows vp Brian Ammerman who prompted all to add the November 11^th Veteran’s Day singout to their calendars.  It is a daytime gig at a local school and the students plan the event and ask us to sing for them.

Brian also repeated the thanks you’s listed above for the Friday nite show.

Next he took a straw poll about singing on Sun., Dec. 16 th at 3 pm in Old Town – as we have done in years past.  The City of Alexandria is not planning to have concerts there this year.  A large number of guys raised their hands as being available and interested.

Finally he reported the good sales so far for the Holiday shows.  He did ask guys to work on getting more items for the Silent Auction plan Brad Jones is managing.  In addition, there will be a solid push to sell Singing Valentines at the the December shows.

Josh Roots, one of the show producers, gave a wrap up of plans and things guys should get busy on after contest: get a decent elf costume ready, offer names of friends and relatives who could do the Monk comedy number again (new guys – ask one of us what this is about!). And a change for 2012 – we are gonna wear the black suits with a white shirt and red tie vs the sweaters and scarves we have normally worn.

Craig Kujawa spoke about the importance of each singer having a convention registration. Assistant director Terry Reynolds filled us in on many details for Ocean City contest weekend. However, Terry and Craig promised an email on Wednesday  -- which we all received.

 A riser crew is needed at 7:30 am at the Harmonizer hotel – Holiday Inn Oceanfront at 67^th and Oceanfront.

Chorus report time is 8 am.  Those not staying at that hotel will come with uniforms ready to change there. Also everyone will need their make-up kits.

Terry suggested that most of the day when not in the contest outfit, we could wear the new black Harmo casual shirt and jeans outfit.  We represent our great Harmonizer chapter all weekend!

Before we started singing again, we were treated to a fun quartet package from WHISTLESTOP with Dan O’Brien, Randy Elisason, Phil Ashford and Calvin Schnure. They wanted to try out their contest set with us before hitting the stage at the district contest.

Speaking of the district quartet contest, we are proud of our seven district qualifiers. Be sure to cheer these guys on and wish them the very best. Our musical director stressed this a couple times lat nite.) Note that the quartet contest starts at 6 pm at the Convention Center at 40^th Street.  President Steve Murane lead the chapter in recognizing representatives of the these quartets that were at the meeting.

MAYHEM (Matt Fellows, Neil Dingle, Mike Pinto, Kenny White),

ACME CHORD COMPANY (Dan O’Brien, Chris Susalka, Paul Grimes, Chris Yates),

MINT CONDITION (Bob Rodriguez. Jr., Kevin McKenzie, Drew Fuller, Arthur Louis),

WHISTLE STOP (w Dan O’Brien, Randy Eliason, Phil Ashford, Calvin Schnure),

 CHORD WORX ( Doug White, Tim Buell, Don Thompson, Edris Qarghah),

OLD TOWN SOUND (seniors) (Alan Kousen, Bob Caldwell, Bob Mattes, Dave Welter),

YOUTH RECLAMATION PROJECT (seniors ) (Hardman Jones, Mike Wallen, Roger Tarpy, Vic Owen).

The outgoing district Champs and mic-testers are MAD HATTERS (Rob Seay V, Scott Disney, Rick Taylor, Steve White)

So – we worked right up til 10 pm and fine tunes many little spots in the contest package.  The chorus contest actually starts Saturday at 9 am tho we won’t sing til about 12:30 pm. Immediately after the results are announced, we are expected to attend the evaluation session with judges.

Geri and Royall Geis will be with us in Ocean City.  And we look forward to the FRIENDS group support we always hear at contests when we enter the stage. They had a meeting Tuesday nite too.

The district leaders sent out word that anyone with a convention name tag can ride the Coastal Highway buses free to get to the convention center.

Here is a reminder of our legally required annual meeting. Your votes are important, so please come and support the selection of our next team. There can be no nominations from the floor on the 16th. The proposed 2013 slate:

President - Alan Wile
Treasurer - Dave Welter
Secretary - Chris Buechler
VP - Operations - Bob Rhome
VP - Shows - Ken Rub
VP - Music & Performance - Brad Jones
VP - Marketing & PR - Scipio Garling
VP - Chapter Development (Membership) - Mark Klostermeyer
Member at Large (two positions) - Josh Roots, Greg Tepe (Nick Leiserson and Troy Hillier will continue on from this year)

Immediate Past President - Steve Murane

 

To wrap up the nite, Joe thanked associate director Tony Colosimo for his work in getting the chorus far along on the singing track.  Joe was elated with our progress.  He asked each guy to use the free time created by cancelling the rehearsal on Wednesday to do some personal work before Ocean City. AND be there at 8 am sharp on Saturday morning.

Safe travels.  Allow plenty of time for the rush hour traffic on Friday!!

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 of the great things going on each week at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on the Oct 2^nd Chapter Meeting

First off, the chorus worked hard on Saturday, Sept 29^th for an all-day retreat at the Jeff Houston School next to Durant.  Director Joe Cerutti and his staff of directors (Tony Colosimo, Will Cox, Terry Reynolds, Mike Kelly) worked hard to make it a profitable day for all.  Former assistant director Chuck Hunter wrapped up the day with a special session helping us combine our efforts of head and heart to make the performance complete.

As usual the chapter admin team make it work well too. Thanks to community service vp Clyde Crusenberry, we were well prepared to cope with the city-wide event using all parking spaces.  And Clyde with help from Steve Lingo, the original pizza guy, managed a huge order and fed the gang!  Thanks also go to the truck driver and riser helpers plus Bob Rhome who made arrangements for the facility.  (We were happy to learn that we could avoid the rental fee if we cleaned up after the day, so everyone pitched in and made it just like we found it.)

Special fun during the noon hour: performance of MAYHEM who were in the building practicing for district; review of the 1995 contest performance video; and some time to review performances in China.

Speaking of the district quartet contest, we are proud of our 7 District qualifiers. Be sure to cheer these guys on and wish them the very best.

MAYHEM (w/ Kenny White and Mike Pinto),

ACME CHORD COMPANY (w/ Dan O’Brien, Paul Grimes, and Chris Yates),

MINT CONDITION(w/ Drew Fuller and Arthur Louis),

WHISTLE STOP (w/ Dan O’Brien, Randy Eliason, Phil Ashford, and Calvin Schnure),

 CHORD WORX (w/ Doug White, Tim Buell, Don Thompson, and Edris Qarghah),

OLD TOWN SOUND (seniors) (w/ Alan Kousen, Bob Caldwell, Bob Mattes, and Dave Welter),

YOUTH RECLAMATION PROJECT (seniors ) (w/ Mike Wallen).

MAD HATTERS (w/ Steve White and Rick Taylor) are the outgoing District Champs and mic-testers.

The rehearsal this week on Oct. 2^nd was another hard working nite for the chorus in preparation for the district contest weekend, and a big show this Friday nite for the US Law group.

Chuck McKeever worked with new guys on stage before the meeting.  Will Cox did vocal warm ups.  Tony Colosimo reminded everyone about the five or so basic “craft maxims” we are using.  He also reminded us of the 5 points each guy needs to touch to be ready to sing – listening, posture, get in character, audiate with pitch, and do an awesome breath.  Reminder – your voice matters.

Geri and Royall Geis were with us and Geri added a layer of professional visual and emotional presentation to our recent hard work in musical presentation.  Associate director Tony was in charge of the singing as director Joe Cerutti was coaching in Germany.

Mark Klostermeyer conducted the chapter meeting.

He plugged the sales of Entertainment books being sold for $30 this year by Chuck Harner.  The chapter earns $5 for each book sold.

Jack Cameron worked on distributing and collecting payment for photos from the spring southern division chorus contest.

Secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards: Steve Lingo for 5 years; Ken Henderson for 9 years; Terry Reynolds for 29 years; Phil Ashford for 35 years (he also got his 35 year pin from the chapter); and Jack Cameron for 43 years.

Membership vp Phil Ashford introduced the guests for the nite.

We had a good long break to get some refreshments and make purchases and sign up for things. Many guys were working with fellow chorus members in planning transportation for Ocean City.

Show producer Greg Tepe announced some important details for the Fri., Oct. 5 show including which entrance to use for the chorus to get into the gallery – we use the G Street entrance.  Call time is 8 pm.

Brad Jones promoted the silent auction for the holiday show.  There is a need to get good items to put on the block.  Brad is working to add an online component for this auction too.

YeEd offers some out-of-the-box ideas:

1. an appearance by TBD

2. an appearance by Capital Force

3. tax preparation

4. personal trainer coaching

5. hand crafted items made by members or their families

6. top quality decorated cakes or cheese cake

7. Cerutti coaching weekend

8. Harmonizer 2-hour show

9. Gourmet Dinner for four prepared by Cerutti and served by the Harmonizer front row

12. Some of the autographed quartet pictures in our archives we no longer need

12. Piano tuning

13. Piece of the Great Wall or something from China

14. Sell a Harmonizer show script from the past that was good -- ask Steve

15. Coaching session by Tony Colosimo

17. Appearance by any quartets

18. Auction a chance for a chorus to come visit DC, stay in homes of Harmonizers and we will sing someplace in the Metro area of note like at a Monument or famous church or theater

19. Sound team for a chapter show. Or sound and stage team/crew.

20. MC job for another chapter or a choir group

21. Any antique barberpoles guys have and don't have room for any more

 

Assistant director Terry Reynolds reminded all of the schedule coming up – next Tues regular time and place; Wed Oct 10^th at 7 at Kena Temple, 9001 Arlington Blvd, Rte. 50.  New guys ask for a ride from others. And Metro riders should be sure to line up a ride too – no Metro stations anywhere near that location.

Then it was back to work on the contest package.  We did many things to help build our confidence and success in presentation. 

At the end of the nite, we also ran thru three of the songs for the Friday nite show.

The chapter leaders also plugged the Oct. 16^th ALUMNI NITE  at Durant – usual time.  All former members are urged to attend and join in the fun and hear the contest chorus.

Conveniently, we are also holding our legally required annual meeting. Your votes are important, so please come and support the selection of our next team. If you are interested in running for an office, but are not on the slate, please notify chapter secretary Chris Buechler no later than October 9 so that ballots can be prepared per the chapter bylaws. There can be no nominations from the floor on the 16th. Anyone running the board must agree to serve and to participate in board meetings and chapter activities. If you have questions, please speak with the chapter secretary.

Proposed 2013 slate:

President - Alan Wile
Treasurer - Dave Welter
Secretary - Chris Buechler
VP - Operations - Bob Rhome
VP - Shows - Ken Rub
VP - Music & Performance - Brad Jones
VP - Marketing & PR - Scipio Garling
VP - Chapter Development - Mark Klostermeyer
Member at Large (two positions) - Josh Roots, Greg Tepe (Nick Leiserson and Troy Hillier will continue on from this year)

Immediate Past President - Steve Murane

 

We ended the nite after 10 and Geri directed KTWWS.  The whole chapter worked to get the risers put away and load the truck for the show and such.  A good crowd also went to the Hilton for an afterglow session.  The tag-singing-guys managed to get in a few tags too.

 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 of the great things going on each week at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on Sept 25^th Chapter Meeting

Our “listening” time (which is what we do to get the guys on the risers) was to hear Westminster chorus.  The goal was to see what they were doing we could learn from.  Associate director Tony Colosimo did the warm up and incorporated his points from the listening session.  We did many scales and exercises for breathing and unity.

He welcomed director Joe Cerutti up front and Joe responded to the terrific coaching session from last week with David Wright.  Joe invited chorus members to remind others some of the major points we learned last week.  The list was long.  As a group we agreed two of the most significant were

“Give Your Best, Not Your All”

“It Needs to Matter to Each of Us”

Then to work on the risers.  First off, Chuck McKeever followed up on his recent work to “smooth” out or make the moves more fluid for the uptune. 

Then Tony worked on attention to pitch in spots by various sections.  We worked the whole first half on the uptune, actually.

Mark Klostermeyer was acting operations guys this week and conducted the chapter meeting.

First up was Craig Kujawa reminding all singers in the contest that they must have a convention registration.  See Bob Rhome or do it online. Tickets will be issue via the Will Call or Box Office at the Ocean City convention.

Second up was Brian Ammerman with beginning details for our huge show gig on Fri., Oct. 5 for the lawyers group.  Watch for email info from our producer Greg Tepe. Greg suggests the chorus call will be about 8 pm. No Harmo family or friends will be able to attend.  We are the hired entertainment for the group’s banquet event.

Secretary Chris Buecher presented new member packets to Carlos Barillo (and a pin for Steve Lingo who gets the Man of Note Award for sponsoring Carlos); Ben Roberts and Steve Szyszka.

Chris also presented membership renewal cards to TJ Donahue for 3 years; Bob Mattes for 14 years; Randall Eliason for 17 years; Dick Dangel for 20 years; Chuck McKeever for 26 years; Len Dornberger for 28 years; Ken Fess for 28 years; Mike Kelly for 32 years; Mick Stamps for 33 yeasrs; Randy Lazear for 38 years; and Jack Pitzer for 47 years.

Membership vp Phil Ashford welcomed Wayne Baker and David Hood who are applicants.

We had a good break to get refreshments and take care of chapter business as usual. The chapter meeting continued with details of this Saturday’s chorus retreat.

We are meeting 8:30 – 4:30 at Jeff Houston School, next to Durant.  ALERT:  there will be almost no parking around since Durant is location of huge arts fair.  Take Metro or plan to walk a long way.  AND bring yourself waters or coffee or other drinks you will want for an all day session, plus some food.  There will be a chance to order pizza with the rest of the chorus. Community services vp Clyde Crusenberry is working on this detail.

President Steve Murane spoke again about the retreat and the Oct. 5 show. He was happy to report that we have been paid for the show and presented the check to treasurer David Welter.

Then back to work on the risers. We did a review of three of the songs for the Oct. 5 show with Tony and assistant director Will Cox directing.

After that we concentrated on the contest set til past 10 pm.  Joe did speak a bit about his excitement for this chorus and its work on this set.  He also reminded all of us to plan to join the group who will sing in Normandy France in 2014.  One point he makes is that if you need to talk to someone about money or other matters, so you can go along, do it now while there is time for others of the chapter to help you.

He reflected more on the China trip and thanked Brad Jones for all the work he did to make it happen.  The chorus joined Joe in this thank you.  We went to see things and explore China on that trip. 

For the France trip we will go to sing and perform.  We already know of some chapter friends who will be joining or rejoining the chapter chorus to sing with us.

And Joe also stressed that he is so looking for 120 men to sing at Toronto International contest. He saluted the newest members including 16-year-old Ben Roberts who is killing the performance of the contest songs, and former singers back to join us like Paul Grimes and Chuck Hunter.

Joe reports that a music team committee has narrowed a list of possible songs from 80 to 29 to 8 and then to 5 earlier tonite.  Those five songs will go out to premier Society arrangers to see what they can create for us.

Next week Geri Geis will be back to rekindle the visual presentation level to go with the solid musical performances of the last two weeks. 

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 of the great things going on each week at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on Sept 18^th Chapter Meeting

Everyone knew we had lots of work to do this week.  The many new members were on the stage learning or reviewing the stage moves for the contest package.  Plus there were a couple guys working with Chuck McKeever who have been missing recently who were getting in a review too.

The set up crew had the meeting hall all ready early.  For our listening session, we heard BAY RUM RUNNERS to get our ears in tune and get our bodies up on the risers.

Assistant director Will Cox did the warm ups. And associate director Tony Colosimo took charge until director Joe Cerutti arrived from a meeting. Operations vp Scott Kahler also was in a meeting there in Durant to learn about upcoming changes in the Jeff Houston School that adjoins Durant.

We all welcomed coach and chorus friend, David Wright, to help us get fired up with our contest package.  He reflected his joy in the lyrics of this ballad and the fun of the whole package.  He concentrated on giving us some general tools to use.  And, tho it was not a surprise to us, he stressed the whole issue of intonation skills.

It was amazing how many little things he could find to clean up, and more amazing how he knew how to suggest we fix them.  Or actually – just tell us to do it and we fixed them. It was apparent that many of them were things Joe and his staff have pointed out before.  Joe also took many notes, so YeEd expects we will be drilling on them next week. 

AND at the all-day retreat on Sat. Sept. 29^th at Jeff Houston next door – day starts at 8:30 am.

We took a break after working on the ballad to conduct our chapter meeting.  Assistant director Terry Reynolds reminded all guys to update their attendance plans on Groupanizer.

He also offered extra copies of the China show flyer.  (There was still a lot of talk and visiting among the members about the fantastic trip.  Some guys had just arrived home the day before, and a few guys were still there.)

Membership vp Phil Ashford welcomed 5 or 6 guests – four are applicants.  Others were first timers.

After a break for refreshments, operations vp Scott was back to conduct the rest of the meeting.

Scipio Garling reported on the ticket sales already made for the Holiday shows.  All as a reminder for guys to get tickets for their family, friends and regular customers.

Phil announced plans for the planning team meeting to organize the Alumni Nite event we are having on Tues Oct. 16, right after the district contest.  All former members will be welcomed back.

Then we went back to work with David.  We sang and did reps right up til 10 pm.

There was a good crowd of folks who helped sing with the guests, put stuff away, buy scrip cards and such.

Each week, YeEd sends the Looking Back column to the weekly guests.  Here is a note from our friends from England who were at the Sept 11^th meeting:

Many thanks from Liz & Myself to the welcome extended to us on Tuesday . We enjoyed it very much and were privileged to watch one of the top choruses in the USA in action . We will take many good memories back with us and hope to incorporate some of your ethos into our respective choruses st home.

Once again many thanks -- Mark & Liz Bridle

Last weekend several Harmonizers were in the audience at the Pride of Baltimore Sweet Adelines chapter show.  Our chance to support them as they often do for us.  Good to see Joe at work with his “other” chorus.  MAINSTREET was the guest quartet and they were really fun. Many Harmonizer family members also sing in the POB chorus.

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 of the great things going on each week at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on Sept 18^th Chapter Meeting

Everyone knew we had lots of work to do this week.  The many new members were on the stage learning or reviewing the stage moves for the contest package.  Plus there were a couple guys working with Chuck McKeever who have been missing recently who were getting in a review too.

The set up crew had the meeting hall all ready early.  For our listening session, we heard BAY RUM RUNNERS to get our ears in tune and get our bodies up on the risers.

Assistant director Will Cox did the warm ups. And associate director Tony Colosimo took charge until director Joe Cerutti arrived from a meeting. Operations vp Scott Kahler also was in a meeting there in Durant to learn about upcoming changes in the Jeff Houston School that adjoins Durant.

We all welcomed coach and chorus friend, David Wright, to help us get fired up with our contest package.  He reflected his joy in the lyrics of this ballad and the fun of the whole package.  He concentrated on giving us some general tools to use.  And, tho it was not a surprise to us, he stressed the whole issue of intonation skills.

It was amazing how many little things he could find to clean up, and more amazing how he knew how to suggest we fix them.  Or actually – just tell us to do it and we fixed them. It was apparent that many of them were things Joe and his staff have pointed out before.  Joe also took many notes, so YeEd expects we will be drilling on them next week. 

AND at the all-day retreat on Sat. Sept. 29^th at Jeff Houston next door – day starts at 8:30 am.

We took a break after working on the ballad to conduct our chapter meeting.  Assistant director Terry Reynolds reminded all guys to update their attendance plans on Groupanizer.

He also offered extra copies of the China show flyer.  (There was still a lot of talk and visiting among the members about the fantastic trip.  Some guys had just arrived home the day before, and a few guys were still there.)

Membership vp Phil Ashford welcomed 5 or 6 guests – four are applicants.  Others were first timers.

After a break for refreshments, operations vp Scott was back to conduct the rest of the meeting.

Scipio Garling reported on the ticket sales already made for the Holiday shows.  All as a reminder for guys to get tickets for their family, friends and regular customers.

Phil announced plans for the planning team meeting to organize the Alumni Nite event we are having on Tues Oct. 16, right after the district contest.  All former members will be welcomed back.

Then we went back to work with David.  We sang and did reps right up til 10 pm.

There was a good crowd of folks who helped sing with the guests, put stuff away, buy scrip cards and such.

Each week, YeEd sends the Looking Back column to the weekly guests.  Here is a note from our friends from England who were at the Sept 11^th meeting:

Many thanks from Liz & Myself to the welcome extended to us on Tuesday . We enjoyed it very much and were privileged to watch one of the top choruses in the USA in action . We will take many good memories back with us and hope to incorporate some of your ethos into our respective choruses st home.

Once again many thanks -- Mark & Liz Bridle

Last weekend several Harmonizers were in the audience at the Pride of Baltimore Sweet Adelines chapter show.  Our chance to support them as they often do for us.  Good to see Joe at work with his “other” chorus.  MAINSTREET was the guest quartet and they were really fun. Many Harmonizer family members also sing in the POB chorus.

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 of the great things going on each week at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on Sept 11^th Chapter Meeting

 There was quite a buzz at Durant last nite from all the members and friends just back from an awesome trip to China.

But it was also a nite to get back to work for the contest package.  So for starters, a bunch of the new guys were on the stage at 6 to learn the SP for those songs. Several of the very newest guys are preparing to sing with us in Ocean City!!  Great news.  They all appreciate the extra efforts from Chuck McKeever in helping train them.

Associate director Tony Colosimo did a terrific warm up session for the 70-plus guys on the risers.  Then he turned over the “ready chorus” to director Joe Cerutti.  Joe presented the huge 15-20 ft. long banner that announced the chorus appearance on the Great Wall in China including with our logo.

Joe started his comments, first with a reminder, that this 9/11 date is a significant one for all of us and how thankful we are to be able to sing and share our music with the world.

He welcomed Chuck Hunter back from his state department service – Chuck will be with us for at least a year.  And Joe welcomed Terry and Ginger Jordan who were in the house early.

Then Joe took time for more stories from China and invited guys to share some too. The stories included the painful reality that some folks didn’t get luggage for 24-48 hours after arrival on ChinaAir.  Every singer was “taken” by the singing experience on the Great Wall.

Word from locals shared that the concert hall in Beijing was sort of like singing in Carnegie Hall.  About 50 Harmonizer singers were there.  We did sing that show with Toronto Northern Lights chorus.  Both choruses were sort of surprised by the calm response of the audience until we learned that the audience had been coached to be calm and very respectful.  But in the end the people in the audience loved our songs and especially the efforts of the North American singers to learn “Rainbow Sister” in Chinese.

The two choruses sang 4 or 5 songs together.  And the chance to sing “Keep The Whole World Singing” was a powerful statement of the joy of sharing our music with others.

At that point last nite, it was time to get to work on the contest songs.  And work we did.  First we had long sectionals.  Then we did a full run-thru so folks could make learning tapes.

Then Joe and the musical team dug in to get the full measure of performance out of the chorus.  This included some important details as to group performance of the visual plan. 

(Thank goodness for the fans we own now, to keep some air moving in the hall.)

Operations vp Scott Kahler conducted the chapter meeting as part of the rehearsal.

First up was Sandy Stamps who serves as chief distributor of the White House Christmas Ornaments for the chapter to sell.  Guys can take some on consignment and sell to family, friends etc. $20 each this year.  Goal is to sell 2,000 ornaments.

Mary Anne Cleaveland offered tickets for the Pride of Baltimore Sweet Adeline show on Sat nite.  Joe is the director of that group too and he promises a great show.  MAIN STREET is the featured quartet.

Scott suggested more guys get tickets for the 50/50 as well as guys get scrip cards – such as Giant, Safeway, Starbucks.  YeEd bought some for Giant to use when buying groceries.  They will be used like cash.  Ian Poulin is the salesperson for the scrip program.  He tells YeEd that if you use, say, a $25 card and buy less than that amount, your card will show the balance for your next purchase.  Just makes sense to all use these cards to buy groceries, hardware and gardening supplies, restaurant orders.

Membership vp Phil Ashford welcomed all the guests up front for introduction.  The long line of guests included several new applicants, a couple guys in town from other chapters including one from England.

Shows vp Brian Ammerman strongly urged all members to buy tickets for the holiday show—especially for their family and close friends. Cause the shows are starting to fill up – Saturday nite is about 50 percent already.  Joe chimed in and told the new guys they should pay attention to this one, as they will be embarrassed if they don’t get tickets for their families.

Also Brian announced that we have agreed to do the show on Friday eve Oct 5 in DC. Thanks to Bruce Lauther, Scott Kahler and Greg Tepe for helping get the contract signed. Chorus members need to respond via Groupanizer that they will do the show – even if you told Brian in another email earlier.  Thanks.

We took a break for 15 minutes for some lemonade and goodies.  And lots of sales at the table, tag singing with guests and guys talking to each other about China.

Scott resumed the meeting after break.  He reminded us that the back door is being staffed by Bob Rhome from 6 – 6:57 each Tues. Bob lets in guys who knock.  The door is locked at 7 so entry is via the front of the building. Thanks, Bob.

Tony conducted a major barbershop craft session based on greater explanation of “your voice matters.”

Then we went back to work singing with Joe directing and Tony coaching.  Wow – what a session we had applying the visual and vocal skills we have been working on.

Joe was excited again about the number of guys on the risers – even with about 20 men still in China.  We missed them.

He reminds everyone that our coach David Wright, from St. Louis area Ambassadors of Harmony, will be working with us on Tues., Sept. 18^th.  That will be a powerful opportunity for self improvement as well as fine-tuning of our contest package.  New members will have quite an experience learning from this icon of the Barbershop Harmony Society.  David has been our coach several times in recent years and always delivers gold medal advice and easy to implement suggestions.  Don’t miss the chance to work.

At 10 pm we wrapped it up, put all the paraphernalia away, and adjourned until next week.  A good crowd went to the Hilton for the weekly afterglow.

As a way of wrap up for the China trip, here is a note from our member Ray Kahler, Scott’s Dad, who lives in Mesa, AZ, and traveled to China with us.  Scott allowed YeEd to use it:

Hi Scott

I just want to again thank you for including me in an unforgettable vacation. I'll smile every time I think of standing on the Great Wall with my best friend.

Also, the Harmonizers are indeed a family. They have something that my previous seven choruses aren't even close to having. I hope you can share that with them.

Wow what a trip!!!

Dad

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 of the great things going on each week at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —YeEd.)

Looking Back Sept 4^th NO MEETING, Many Harmonizers in China

 There was no meeting on Sept. 4^th as so many Harmonizers were in China.  See this report from Terry Reynolds to fellow Harmonizers on US soil:

We've had an AMAZING time so far in China including:

 

Wed - Performing a full 40-minute show ON the Great Wall of China. We faced the length of the wall heading up a mountain, so when our focal went up for “Summertime” or “Great Day,” we were looking up the mountain at the wall and its towers. After the concert, as many of us climbed up, we passed tourists coming down who said they could hear us from the top.

 

Thurs - Performing our formal show with Toronto Northern Lights at the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing. It was a rainy night so the crowd was not huge but there were several hundred there. We were disappointed at the seemingly minimal crowd reaction during the performance (e.g., dead silence after the wow move in Great Day), but they went crazy at the end of the performance and excitedly greeted us in the lobby and asked to take pictures with us. Several of our wives and significant others reported that the people around them loved it, they showed it in a reserved and respectful way.

 

Unlike our expectations, we're not directly touring with our Toronto brethren. They were at a different hotel and are on a different schedule and itinerary. We were able to put together an afterglow after the show so we had a little bonding time.

 

Fri - After saying goodbye to the 7-day tour group, those of us going on to Xi'an got stuck in a dead-stop traffic jam for over an hour and nearly missed our overnight train. Picture 80 Harmonizers, family, and friends, arriving at a train station several times larger than Union Station, 20 minutes before the train was to depart, rushing double file through the station dragging our carry-ons, our Chinese guides helping us through as the shout to each other in Chinese. We all got on board minutes before we left, with a tremendous group sigh of relief.

 

Sun - Saw the Terra Cotta warriors. Amazing!

 

We have sung Rainbow Sister many times in restaurants, parks, and street corners, always to warm smiles and usually to enthusiastic clapping along. Though two of our three remaining Tenors leave tomorrow (end of 9-day tour) so we'll make sure we keep Alan Kousen in good voice for the next several days.

 

Of course there's tons more, but this email is getting long and we have an early flight to Guilin in the morning.

 

See you next week.

 

It's Great to Be A Harmonizer!

 

Terry

 

And here is brief note about a fun aspect to the trip from Lew Klinge:

Beijing was awsome. Great weather...all went well. Concerts were well received. We took a night train to Xi'An and are in a beautiful hotel. I had to show the bar tender how to make a martini. Everyone is holding up well.

YeEd expects to get more stories from others as they return.

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 of the great things going on each week at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —YeEd.)