Looking Back on Harmony on the Harbor Show with Pride of Baltimore Nov. 3^rd

(Thanks to show chairman, Ken Fess, for this wrap up report from the show.  He was far too modest to suggest how many hours he and Mick Stamps had spent on getting this show off the ground!) YeEd.)

Harmony on the Harbor was a show two years in the making, beginning in the summer of 2012.

Coordination with a dozen quartets, several choruses, Sweet Adelines International, the Cornet Club and the BHS, along with trips to the SAI conventions in Denver (2012) and Hawaii (2013), culminated in the presented show.

Show day began early for the producers, Ken Fess, Mick Stamps, and Carmel Tuttle, as well as Bob Blair, Greg Tepe and Mike Kelly, setting up the curtain, risers, lights and sound system beginning at 8am. A special thanks to the riser team that brought the risers, and also got them to the SAI chorus that was renting them from us for the week.  Bob Blair noted these at our last rehearsal. Also a shout out to Bruce Lauther who helped get the buses for Ronninge chorus.  

Preparations continued into the afternoon with Mick being assisted by Jack Cameron, Carl Kaufmann, Mark Klostermeyer, Dean Rust, Chuck McKeever, Don Dillingham and members of the Pride of Baltimore, setting up the backstage rooms and food service.

At the same time Carmel was assisted by her husband Tim, Dean, Brad Jones, Brian Ammerman, Bob and Sandy Ulibarri, and a couple of POB members set up the reception area for our VIP patrons.

Dixie Kennett and Mick were also busy setting up the quartet rooms so that each was prepared to receive our special guests. Nina Krzysko helped to get the ticket operation in full swing.

Beginning at 2:30 in the afternoon, with the able assistance of Clark Chesser, Brad Jones, Sandy Stamps, Kim Fess, Adele Jones, and several other POB members, the choruses and quartets began arriving. They were ably received and escorted by Bob Rhome, Dean Rust and Joel Golden. Stan Quick assisted with making sure the buses and shuttle vans knew where to park.

For the next couple of hours the stage crew, led by Greg Tepe, ran all of our acts through sound checks and stage time to ensure all was ready for the big show.

After a short meal break, we were ready to go. The theater rapidly filled up with the over 1700 patrons for the show, including nearly 100 high school students from the Baltimore area that were experiencing a barbershop show for the first time.

The show was led off by the Pride of Baltimore Chorus, with the Harmonizers joining them for the second song. Then followed MAXX FACTOR, 2011 Queens of Harmony; GQ, the current Region 19 quartet champs; and then the CZECH! IT OUT QUARTET from Prague (actually LUNCH BREAK doing an impersonation of a female quartet).

Then the Harmonizers hit the stage, presenting their contest set they used in winning their 25^th Mid-Atlantic District Chorus Championship the weekend before in Wildwood, NJ, and earning a standing O from the audience.

THE VOCALITY and SPEED OF SOUNS quartets followed, and then LUNCH BREAK returned to present more of their craziness.

After a short intermission the fabulous 1989 Queens of Harmony, GROWING GIRLS, put on a great set to the delight of the audience. Then followed SPITZER, FRENZY, LUSTRE  and the ultimately crowned 2015 Queens of Harmony, BLING!

And then, to the surprise of the crowd, LOVE NOTES, the 2014 Queens of Harmony, gave us an unscheduled set, again wowing everyone in the place. And finally, The Rönninge Show Chorus crushed us with an incredible set, clearly demonstrating why they were the 2014 Sweet Adelines Chorus Champions!

WOW! What a show! The crowd left the theater, many of them headed for the afterglow nearby, buzzing about the great singing they had just seen. There were many responsible for the success of the show, but none more so than the producers and our intrepid stage manager, Greg Tepe. Thanks belong to all who contributed, to include all of those whose donations enabled all those students to attend the performance. (Ken Fess)

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 during the 66^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on the 2014 Fall District Contest in Wildwood NJ Oct 24-25

This year’s fall contest weekend was much later than usual, so many shops and business firms were closed for the season in Wildwood, NJ by Oct. 24th and 25th. But the Harmonizers were there for business and won their 25th M-AD chorus championship with a great 90.9 score.

We had 106 men on the risers and we sang “Someone Like You” arranged by Steve Tramack and “Anything Goes” arranged by Kevin Keller. The music team had prepared us well and we had all worked hard to achieve these high marks – Joe Cerutti, director; Tony Colosimo, associate director; Carlos Barillo, choreographer; and Steve White, music and performance vp. Plus there are the assistant directors, visual team members, and section leaders.

The chapter is also proud to have another Harmonizer quartet take the district championship – LAST MEN STANDING with TJ Barranger, Drew Feyrer, Edward  Bell II, Mike Kelly.  There have been 18 before. 

We also had FORECAST with Mike Fitch, Ian Galvin, Travis Murray, Dan Cook who took fifth place; and THE MONORAIL FOUR with Kellen Hertz, Phil Ferguson, Bobby Seay VI, Andrew Havens who took sixth.  MAYHEM with Matt Fellows, Pookie Dingle, Mike Pinto, Ken White sang their swan-song as last year’s champs.

The chorus championship entitles us to go to the International contest in Pittsburgh in the June/July 2015. Currently we are ranked third based on all the other district chorus contest scores behind Westminster and Ambassadors.  Our friends and fellow district competitors Hamilton Square rank seventh and Hell’s Kitchen rank eighth.

As president Terry Reynolds wrote, “We received rave reviews from other barbershoppers and some excellent comments from the judges. It’s hard to even imagine the potential of our ballad after another eight months and a ton of coaching. It certainly feels like we’ve demonstrated we are on track to continue raising our level.”

As usual the chapter was well organized for the weekend.  Most men and any families and friends drove up on Friday.  We had our first gathering on Saturday morning at a high school we have used in other years when in Wildwood.  Our great front row met early there to button down their routines.  The chorus arrived at 9. We actually warmed up outdoors for a few while the riser crew worked.  Then Tony, Carlos and Joe worked hard to get us in the groove.

The chorus contest actually started at 9 but our FRIENDS IN HARMONY came to the school to cheer for us and presented each man on the risers with a memento. (This was Sandy Stamps last time to make the presentation as retiring FRIENDS president.)  Robyn Murane also was on hand with her trusty needle and thread to fix or adjust as needed (including getting a roll of black tape from the electricians to tape one guy’s shoe together when the sole came loose).

As is our tradition, Joe asked to see the hands of the guys who are singing with us for their first district contest – there were 16!!

Shawn Tallant gets a large thank you from the chapter members for finding us a hotel that would open up on this weekend.  It worked great and the hotel also allowed us space for a great afterglow in their lobby. YeEd knows there were many helpers including Randall Eliason.  The Harmo truck drivers got everything to Wildwood including the boxes/steps we used as part of the finale for the uptune.

Actually there were 128 current members in Wildwood – several sang with other choruses on Saturday or directed other choruses. As usual we had many guys in leadership and operations positions to run the district and the convention.

The Harmonizers appeared on the Saturday nite Jamboree and presented songs and some stories about our meaningful trip to Normandy in June as our part of the program.  They were wildly accepted by the Saturday nite audience.

Also there were a lot of Harmonizers on the stage for the presenting of the trophies to the quartet winners when all past district quartet champ members form a chorus and honor the new champs.

 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 during the 66th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd.)

 

Looking Back on October 28^th Chapter Meeting

 

Chuck McKeever was on the stage early for anyone who wanted to work on the “Glenn Miller Medley” but he had few takers. 

 

Riser team (Ryktarsyk, Kauffmann, Gilmore, Quick, Ritchey, Tallant and one/two others) put ‘em up in the configuration we’ll be using Monday night for the Harmony on the Harbor show.  Tables and chairs for members/guests … and Harmonizer Hero books were set up.  Bob Blair and a helper picked up the end caps from storage and delivered them to Durant.  The result was a riser setup that nearly filled the length of the room.

 

Some members parked away from Durant to ensure the POB members would find convenient parking.

 

Sandy and Mick Stamps had WHOs for sale.  Christina Ammerman had scrip for sale.  Carolyn and Dick Hall had 50-50 tickets to sell.

 

At 7:00 p.m. members were invited to take the risers and listen to the “song of the week” which turned out to be “Someone Like You” from the just completed M-AD Fall District Contest.

 

All the while members of POB and, perhaps, a few from Greater Harrisburg kept arriving.  Rich Hewitt kept bringing out more chairs for our guests, and they were to the right and left of the center table.

 

Joe reported that Terry Jordan noted that this was our 25^th District Championship, to which Terry Reynolds added that it was our 22^nd consecutive championship.  Joe also announced that two current members participated in all but one of the championship choruses:  Steve White and Randy Lazear.  Members were encouraged to download and view the video of our contest set from the M-AD website.

 

Carlos Barillo conducted the physical warm-up; Tony Colosimo the vocal warm-up before turning the chorus over to Joe.

 

Off the bat, Joe had the chorus sing through “Undecided” before asking POB members to join us on the risers.  He also briefed us on arrangements for the start of the show – that after the combined choruses performed “Undecided” we’d vamp while all the quartets that would appear later in the show would be introduced and come on the stage, after which we’d repeat the last part of the song as a finale.

 

With Tony coaching, Joe rehearsed the following songs we’ll be singing at other upcoming shows:  “I’ll Walk With God” and “Miller Medley.”  Chuck McKeever coached us through the choreo for the latter song.  Then the women were asked to join us on the risers for our joint rehearsal of “Undecided.”

 

HOH Show Producer, Ken Fess, provided information on the riser setup at Meyerhoff and other show-related arrangements.  And then we were back rehearsing.

 

Prior to the break, POB performed “Yes Sir That’s My Baby” for us and we reciprocated with “Someone Like You.”

 

Bob Blair conducted the business portion of the meeting. 

·        President Terry Reynolds announced that all four of the prospective community board members would be attending the board retreat on Saturday:  Josh Roots’ father, Steve Sutton, Liz Birnbaum (Dave Kohl’s wife), and Paul Dolinsky (election to follow soon after).

·        Terry also announced that our presentation score for our contest set on Saturday was not the highest ever received – our 1997 package took that honor.

·        Terry also announced a special rehearsal Thursday, November 6^th, to go over/refresh the songs for the holidays.

·        Jim Lake asked for a round of applause for Shawn Tallant’s work in arranging our hotel and afterglow accommodations.

·        Secretary Chris Buechler presented Shawn his new membership card recognizing his 8 years of membership.

·        Rich Hewitt announced our next round of “open auditions” would be November 17^th and introduced Walt Page and his daughter and Steve and Nick’s mother, Pam.  After Will Cox directed us in the “Harmonizer Welcome Song,” Joe Cerutti introduced Eric Wallen’s mother, Joan, who came hoping to see Eric in action … but, alas, Joe informed her that we rarely see him.

·        Joe explained that a new song for our Holiday Show, Randall Thompson’s “Alleluia,” will present a challenge for us … but asked that we be prepared to “nail it to the wall” at the chapter meeting on November 11^th.

 

At the break we enjoyed some of the goodies left from the afterglow.

 

Back on the risers following the break, we worked “Thriller,” “Fa La La,” and “Welcome Christmas.”

 

As new member Nathan Ritter is leaving the area to seek his fortune in Chicago, we gave him “the chair” and sang “There Will Always Be A Place On The Risers For You” to him.

 

50-50 was won by Jacob George … but Bob Blair asked Nathan to “take us out” with “Keep The Whole World Singing,” which he did.

 

All the risers, etc., were then loaded on the truck in readiness for the HOH show next Monday night.

 

Until next time – editorjack@aol.com (Alias YeEd)

 

Looking Back on the October 21^st Chapter Meeting

On Thursday, Oct. 16^th, we had a very productive rehearsal with Cindy Hansen in town to coach us on the contest package.  We used the hall at Aldersgate Methodist on Ft. Hunt Rd for this event.  Cindy and Carlos and Joe worked as a team to integrate personal intention with the music.  Thanks to all the guys who helped unload the Harmo truck and then hurriedly get out equipment out of the church on time and back into the truck.

Tuesday nite was a rainy one, but the Harmonizers filled the risers and were mentally prepared to prove they were ready for the weekend contest.  After performance warm up with choreographer Carolos Barillo and vocal warm up with assistant director Mike Kelly, director Joe Cerutti continued the warm  up session by teaching us a long and wonderful new tag (sorry, YeEd didn’t write down the name of it) during which Joe could stress vocal maxims and give emphasis to vowel targets and such.

Then we worked to make the contest songs even more exciting and complete.  Before the 7 pm start, our front row guys had worked with Carlos in the lobby and some risers guys took advantage of Chuck McKeever’s review session on the stage.

FYI – the AC was on again this week.  Chapter leaders thought it had been shut off by the city at the start of Oct., but maybe it is gonna be on a while yet.  Cross your fingers!

During the contest prep time, Joe would call a surprise play and have us sing one of the new contest songs, including “Thriller” which will also be in our holiday show!

For the chapter meeting conducted by operations vp Bob Blair, there were several announcements:  Ken Fess announced the chorus call for the Harmony on the Harbor show is 3:15 pm on Nov. 3. That show is just two weeks away.

Calvin Schnure reports great improvement on his vocal issue.  Hurray.

Jack Cameron explained that this year’s chorus photos will be available to each member on the district website after the contest weekend.

President Terry Reynolds alerted us all to the likely parking challenge on Tues. Oct .28^th when the Pride of Baltimore Sweet Adelines join us for rehearsal.  He asks the Harmonizers to park far away to save some spaces near Durant for our guests.

Secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Garrett Garner for 2 years, Tommy Garner for 2 years, and Josh Roots for 16 years.

Shawn Tallant gave another parking alert – this one for the hotel in Wildwood. There is a lot across from the Blue Palm that we can use for the weekend.

Rich Hewitt filled in for membership vp Jeremy Richardson, who was on work travel, to introduce guests for this week including Harmony Foundation staffer KJ McAleesejergins from Nashville.

After break and surprise birthday cake and celebration for YeEd, it was back to work on contest songs and the two songs we hope to sing on the Saturday nite Jamboree in Wildwood, should we succeed to win the contest.

President Terry and Calvin, quartet promotion chairman, recognized the three quartets competing this weekend at the district contest with Harmonizer singers.  Each of the three competing quartets was presented a monetary recognition for representing our chapter in the contest. 

Singing 9^th, FORECAST with Mike Fitch, Ian Galvin, Travis Murray, Dan Cook.

Singing 12^th, LAST MEN STANDING with TJ Barranger, Drew Feyrer, Edward  Bell II, Mike Kelly.

Singing 14^th, T  HE MONORAIL FOUR with Kellen Hertz, Phil Ferguson, Bobby Seay VI, Andrew Havens

Mic Testers for the contest will be our guys MAYHEM with Matt Fellows, Pookie Dingle, Mike Pinto, Ken White.

In other news, our modern a cappella subgroup, TBD, has been invited to join local a cappella favorites VOX POP  and THE DISTRICT  for a joint concert. The concert will be in Chinatown at the First Congregational United Church of Christ on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 8 pm. Tickets are now available for purchase online. TBD would certainly appreciate your supportive attendance at this event, which is part of the chapter's strengthening ties with the broader a cappella community.

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 during the 66^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd.)

 

Looking Back on the October 14^th Chapter Meeting

The chapter was back to the 7 pm start time, but the AC was still not working.  So the electric fans helped some!  But it was a hot one.

Also the parking lot and driveway to the back of Durant was still not finished, so that created some havoc for parking.  And it meant the truck crew had to park in the street, use orange traffic cones to alert the street traffic, and unload boxes and sound equipment on Cameron Street and haul it in the front door.

When the bell to start sounded, we went right to work on some great exercises to add physical volume indicators to our performances with choreographer Carlos Barillo.  Then associate director Tony Colosimo followed up with vocal techniques to enhance the performance.

Speaking of enhancements – our friend and coach Cindy Hansen will be working with us at a special rehearsal on Thursday, Oct. 16^th, at Aldersgate Methodist Church, 1301 Collingwood Rd, Alexandria VA (it actually faces onto Ft. Hunt Road too).  From 7-10 pm. Early riser crew.

Director Joe Cerutti dug right into the new contest ballad with special emphasis on the visual performance with Carlos adding to the plan.  This plan included some great work for the non-singing time before and after we sing.

During the first half of the rehearsal we also worked on some of the new holiday show music.

Operations vp Bob Blair conducted the chapter meeting calling on various chapter leaders for announcements.  Shawn Tallant gave us details about the chapter hospitality room on Saturday nite, Oct. 25^th, in Wildwood at the Harmonizer hotel. It’s $10 a person for food and drink. In hotel lobby at the Blue Palm.

White House Ornament sales continue – get some on consignment and sell them.  $20 ea.  See Sandy Stamps for your supply.

The FRIENDS IN HARMONY continue to sell scrip cards for all of us.  This is a good time to get some to use when you buy the turkey or ham for Thanksgiving, or for supplies to take to the hospitality room in Wildwood, or if you are buying lawn care supplies like mulch or fertilizer. 

BTW – there will not be a chapter meeting on Tues. Nov 4 – the nite after the Harmony on the Harbor show in Baltimore.  It is election nite and Durant is a polling place.  But there will be an extra rehearsal on Thursday of that week, Nov. 6, for help in recalling or learning the holiday show songs from past years.

Looking ahead again – the chorus retreat before Pittsburgh International contest will be the last weekend in May, 2015.  David Wright and Brandon Guyton have cleared their calendars to come help us.

Rich Hewitt introduced the guests this week and also announced another Open Audition nite for Monday, Nov. 17, at Durant. We can help the membership vp Jeremy Richardson by suggesting singers sign up to audition.

After break, it was back to work on the risers for holiday music and then another good session on the contest set.  Thanks again to the Harmo family members who have brought or sent in goodies and some who have baked like those great brownies Kevin Kaiser made this week!

Brad Jones has released exciting news that our online auction is about to go live. We are still looking for more auction items, but we wanted to be sure the auction site was active and could be promoted at District...so the auction goes live on October 18th. You can preview the auction site now at www.32auctions.com/Harmoauction2014  Don't hesitate to let family and friends know now so they can review the items.

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 during the 66^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd.)

 

Looking Back on the October 7^th Chapter Meeting

Our annual chapter election was held tonite.  Thanks to the nominating committee for offering a slate of candidates – Scipio Garling, Troy Hillier, Mark Klostermeyer, Bob Rhome and Alan Wile, chairman.

Current president Terry Reynolds called the annual meeting to order.  Chapter secretary Chris Buechler responded that no members had been nominated according the bylaws provisions to oppose the slate and that a quorum was present. Immediate Past President Alan Wile conducted the official election and invited all the candidates up front for all to see. All were present.

The chapter elected the following slate to serve in 2015:

 

    President – Terry Reynolds

    VP Chapter Development – Rich Hewitt

    VP Marketing & Public Relations – David Branstetter

    VP Music & Performance – Steve White

    VP Operations – Todd Ryktarsyk

    VP Shows – Nick Leiserson

    Secretary – Chris Buechler

    Treasurer – Carl Kauffmann

    Board Members at Large for 2014-2015 Ross Felker and Michael Gilmore (not subject to election)

    IPP – Alan Wile (not subject to election)

In addition to those on the above slate, four members of the community have been identified as potential At-Large Board Members. When they all agree to serve, two will be asked to join the chapter as non-singing members and two will serve as non-Society members. These board members will be elected at another time.

This week’s rehearsal time was packed!!!  We have good news that we will now be able to conduct our meetings from 7-10 pm from now on!!! We will also continue the 6:30 time slot for visual review on the stage for riser singers and in the lobby for the front row. The young man and woman who have been at the front desk of Durant the last few weeks are the new management team – Tyler is head of the team. We welcome their enthusiasm to help us. Thanks to our chapter leadership for working to make this change!

But it seems there is always a snag – this week the AC was not working and we about died in the heat.

But we worked thru it.  Carlos Barillo conducted a vigorous physical warm up and Tony Colosimo conducted a strong vocal warm up. Then director Joe Cerutti took over and went immediately to work on the contest songs.  We touched on many spots of the songs, with moves and visual plans being used at all times.

Joe was also pleased with the rehearsal with the Pride of Baltimore SAI chorus on Monday nite in prep for our singing with them on the Harmony of the Harbor show Nov. 3^rd in Baltimore.

After working on the contest set a long while, we switched to the new holiday show songs.

Operations vp Bob Blair conducted the general chapter meeting.  Calvin Schnure announced his throat issues and the need for vocal rest and possible surgery. We are all pulling for him and happy he is gonna perform at volume zero for the fall contest. Chuck McKeever announced that John Pence is home following a repair operation to fix his broken arm last week.  He will be getting home care as needed. Hang in there buddy!!

Brad Jones announced final plans for the online auction that he is operating for the chapter.  We need about 75 more items to add to the auction – things worth at least $25.  Give them to Brad or let him know what you are planning.  He even offered to come haul heavy things. He wants to launch the online operation in time for the fall Mid Atlantic District contest.

Ken Fess provided a gift bag where guys could drop in donations to buy HoH tickets for youth which Joe will identify.

Chapter secretary Chris presented membership renewals to Marvin Evans for four years; Ken Henderson for 11 years; Dave Reyno, Bob Blair and Chris Yates for 15 years; Bob Mattes for 16 years; John Pence for 30 years; and Terry Reynolds for 31 years.  The secretary reports that all men planning to sing in the fall contest are full paid members!

Interesting how many long time members continue to rejoin the Harmonizers even tho they are not able to sing with us such as Rick Taylor for 46 years, Ed Allen for 40 years; Mike Geipel for 23 years; Nick Aiuto for 19 years; and Rob Korsan for 9 years.

Rich Hewitt welcomed our guests this week which included a group of young men and women from Germany.

For the break, there was a nice supply of special goodies which guys brought in.  Thanks to all for that and for donations to the kitty.  The cupboard will be full now for a good while.  But we all love the homemade goodies guys brought in to share!!!

After break, we worked on some of the holiday music from last year as well as used the longer meeting time to revisit the contest set.

Everyone was drained from the heat and hard work, and it was raining hard when we had to load everything into the Harmo truck.  A crowd of regulars did make it to the afterglow too.

Planning ahead – there is not a chapter meeting on Tuesday Nov. 4^th since Durant is a polling place for the election.

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 during the 66^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd.)

 

Looking Back on the September 30^th Chapter Meeting and Fall Retreat

This past weekend we had our fall chorus retreat in preparation for the fall contest.  Great crowd of guys were there for the 9-5 event with an 8:30 start for coffee and donuts (lemonade in the afternoon).

Associate director Tony Colosimo did the vocal warm ups after choreographer Carlos Barillo did the presentation warm ups.  They worked then all day with director Joe Cerutti to coach and push us to new heights on the contest songs. Joe and his team expressed their appreciation for everyone spending the day to Make Me Better.

We worked hard using with many tweaks on the song and a huge physical push on the ballad.  We also worked at putting the two songs together as a package.  In the afternoon we worked on uniform props also.

At noon we took a long break to get lunch.  After lunch the chorus presented thank you gift to Ken Fess for his work in getting all of us to Normandy and back!!

Then we had a coaching session via Skype with Steve Tramack, the arranger of the ballad.  He was in his home and added many points, plus shared his pride and excitement of hearing the Harmonizers sing his chart.

Joe thanked the truck and riser crews, the refreshments crew and his av staff.

At one point Carlos worked with the front row on the uptune and Chuck McKeever helped the riser singers get the moves precise

For those of you who were not at our Retreat this past weekend, Ken Fess presented complete details about our participation in the Harmony on the Harbor show, Nov. 3^rd. If we could sell an additional 500 tickets or so between now and the show on Monday, Nov 3^rd, we can bring significant income into our bank account,. So, let your patrons know that good tickets are still available, even if you personally are not staying for the show. (As a reminder, everyone needs a ticket to get into the theater after we sing.)

The quality of the entertainment on our show will be great, and anyone that enjoys a cappella singing will love the talent we are presenting. Tickets are available at http://www.bsomusic.org/calendar/events/2014-2015-events/harmony-on-the-harbor.aspx, or you can call the box office, 877.276.1444. If you want to order tickets, or take a few out on consignment, without paying the $4 service fee, please let Ken know the number and type of seating you are interested in and he will pick them up for you in time for delivery at our next rehearsal

Also the HoH Committee has agreed to sell seats at only $20 per ticket that Joe can give to Youth In Harmony, musical students, high school choral groups, and the like, that’s a 40% discount off the public price! In the past we have “sponsored” as many as 50 kids at out shows; it’s a great investment for the future. Send Ken an email if you are interested in purchasing some tickets for Joe’s distribution.

Tuesday nite Sept. 30^th was a busy one for the chapter.  Director Joe Cerutti was in Germany coaching there, so associate director Tony carried the ball.  Warm ups continued with Carlos and Tony to get us ready to perform.

We spend a major portion of the nite on the contest songs, helping new guys catch up visually, drilling moves with Chuck McKeever, filming for our personal review in the Make Me Better campaign conducted by the music team.

We did take time to work on holiday show music, both the new songs and a recall session for some songs we sang last year.  Assistant director Terry Reynolds conducted, and assistant director Mike Kelly staffed the computer/projector.

During the chapter meeting period, there was a reminder of this Saturday’s all-sections rehearsal at First Baptist at 9 am in the choir suite.

Sandy Stamps announced the start of sales for White House Ornaments -- $20 this year.  Take some on consignment and help increase our chapter income.

Thanks to all those who made donations to the refreshments fund.  Bring in some goodies some time and any leftover holiday napkins from home you don’t want anymore.

There was an announcement about the rehearsal on Mon Oct 3^rd with the Pride of Baltimore Sweet Adeline Chorus in prep for our combined song for the Harmony on the Harbor show.

If anyone wants to have their mug shot retaken for the Harmo Photo board, see Ike Evans at break.

Rick Wagner continues he battle with the cancer and awaits reports from recent hospital consultants.  Troy Hillier was in the house after suffering a mild stroke recently.  We are plugging for you guys!!

Secretary Chris Buechler present membership renewal cards to Dick Dangel for 22 years, Chuck McKeever for 28 years, and Randy Lazear for 40 years (he also got his lapel pin).

Membership vp Jeremy Richardson with help from Rich Hewitt welcomed our guests this week.

We ended the rehearsal and meeting right at 9:30 and  hurried to put everything away.  The usual crowd adjourned to the afterglow at LaPorta’s.

In other news, it may seem like the Holiday show is a long way off with the contest and the fabulous Harmony on the Harbor show pending...but before we leave for District Brad Jones needs to have items prepared and listed on our online auction site and the online portion of our annual auction will go live before the Harmony on the Harbor show! Please bring those items in immediately. Last year we earned the equivalent of around two fully paid shows at our auction. Please bring in your items and give to Brad or Randall Eliason. Remember new or nearly new items, service, gift cards, collectables (especially barbershop and sports collectables)...anything with a current value of over $25 is welcome. Services and giftcards almost always sell!

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 during the 66^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd.)

 

Looking Back on the September 23rd Chapter Meeting

The traffic mess outside caused some men to be late this week, especially with the new 6:30 pm start time.  But the risers were full for the solid work session in prep for fall contest.

In that regard, here is the reminder about the District Contest Retreat this coming Saturday at the First Baptist Church of Alexandria from 9:00 – 5:00. With 105 men competing, the risers should be nearly full. Morning refreshments (coffee, doughnuts) will be available at 8:30. The Chorus should bring scarves and the Front Row should bring jackets (all) and vests (only the 10 men assigned). As a special treat, we have arranged a coaching session with Steve Tramack (arranger of “Someone like You”) via Skype. There will be morning and afternoon breaks and an hour or so for lunch. Please wear comfortable clothing & shoes and bring your best game.

Musical leadership welcomed us to the risers playing some of the guest groups that will be on the Harmony on the Harbor show.  This week it was the GROWING GIRLS.

Our warm up period included a session with choreographer Carlos Barillo, then assistant director Mike Kelly conducted the vocal warm ups.

Before we started on contest songs, we sang happy birthday to Peggy Wagner via cell phone.

Director Joe Cerutti listed the many upcoming shows on the chapter calendar, then used some warm up time to teach us a new tag and finally went right to work then on the contest songs.

Part of the nite was used to make further progress for the holiday show songs including “Thriller” which will magically be included in that show!

Operations vp Bob Blair conducted the chapter meeting. President Terry Reynolds announced word that Keith Jones’s father died recently.

Terry also clarified that if a Harmonizer wants to sit in the audience for any part of the Harmony on the Harbor show, he will need to purchase a ticket.

Wearing his assistant director hat, Terry reminded all singers that the deadline to submit a Make Me Better eval form and recording is Sept. 28^th.

Secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewals to TJ Donahue for five years, Clark Chesser for five years, and Troy Hillier for 24 years.

Membership vp Jeremy Richardson with help from Rich Hewitt welcomed and introduced the guests this week.

There was a break as usual – by the way, YeEd reports that we need more of you to drop in a dollar or so now and then to help cover costs.  The cupboard is empty, so you may bring goodies too.

After break, we continued musical work for the shows and contest.

In other chapter news, the Chapter Nominating Committee has selected the following to stand for election at the annual chapter business meeting on October 7, 2014, as chapter officers for 2015:

 

    President – Terry Reynolds

    VP Chapter Development – Rich Hewitt

    VP Marketing & Public Relations – David Branstetter

    VP Music & Performance – Steve White

    VP Operations – Todd Ryktarsyk

    VP Shows – Nick Leiserson

    Secretary – Chris Buechler

    Treasurer – Carl Kauffmann

    Board Members at Large for 2014-2015 Ross Felker and Michael Gilmore (not subject to election)

    IPP – Alan Wile (not subject to election)

 

Each of the above has been contacted and agreed to serve in the positions indicated. The Committee will continue to identify successors for each of the officers identified above.  Those that were previously “on the list” (but are not on the 2015 slate because the 2014 incumbents are being asked to continue to serve for one more year) have been contacted and have agreed to continue in their separate capacities. 

In addition to those on the above slate, four members of the community have been identified as potential At-Large Board Members.  If they agree to serve, two will be asked to join the chapter as non-singing members and two will serve as non-Society members.

Secretary Buechler reminds all that our bylaws provide that any chapter member not on the slate wanting to run for a board position or nominate another member (with their permission) needs to advise the chapter secretary of their intent by September 30. There can be no nominations from the floor during the October 7 annual meeting. All members, not just current singers, are invited to attend the annual meeting if at all possible.

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 during the 66^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd.)