Looking Back on the April 26^th Chapter Meeting

This week we launched our serious work on the contest package and celebrated our successful performances at Strathmore.  (There was no chapter meeting at Durant on April 19^th as we rehearsed at Strathmore that evening.)

Associate director Tony Colosimo did the vocal warm ups with choreographer Carlos Barillo. Director Joe Cerutti did a wrap up from Strathmore and invited any members who wanted to comment to come to the mic.  Many guys poured out thoughts and reactions from the heart and it was another moving outcome from the “I Am Harvey Milk” experience.

Then we jumped right into working on the contest package and it included some times for different voice parts to go into sectional rehearsal for parts of the song.

Executive director Terry Reynolds made the announcements (and they were sent to all members): (1) our third Armed Forces Day Show will be Sat May 21^st (some earlier announcements that it was on Sunday were wrong) at Ft. Myer chapel. (2) Mark Klostermeyer is taking orders for Strathmore photos – both framed or unframed. (3) As a follow up to our Strathmore appearance and our support of the show there, we have been invited to their annual gala and its after party with a special Harmo rate. (4) Many details listed about contest rehearsals including the switch in on for them to become mandatory at this point, check the calendar for vocal and visual sessions, a form was provided for members to record their personal Valor points, and the reminder about the contest retreat – sign up for roommates and pay your retreat fee to Bruce Minnick.

Chapter president Randall Eliason reported on the recent death of Mike Fultz, gave a wrap up report for Spring2Action, and did a wrap up report about the recent M-AD prelims where some quartets with Harmonizers qualified for the International contest in Nashville in July (DA CAPO and LAST MEN STANDING):

According to many sources, former Harmonizer Mike Fultz died April 14^th. Mike was the son-in-law of Linda and (Harmonizer Director Emeritus) Scott Werner. There are several accounts of the causes of his death in social media coverage but most comprehensive is that apparently Mike was hit by a car while biking; and although there were no obvious signs of injury at the time. a day or two or three later he died as a result of bleeding of the brain. Mike and Pam were well known and loved dearly by the Harmonizer family during their time in the area. Mike was a U.S. Park Police officer.

Congratulations on a truly outstanding effort during Spring2ACTion April 20^th. (We all certainly extend a huge congrats to chapter president Randall Eliason for his dedication to get us all involved to make this happen.) When we add in all donations (on and off the website) and the matching grant, our total will be more than $23,000!

 

This is a terrific result that will really help our bottom line this year. Thanks to those who sent out the e-mails, shared the Facebook posts, and otherwise helped spread the word -- and those who made their own contribution.

 

This was our first time participating in Spring2ACTion, and we earned an extra $1500 in prize money for being the first-time organization with the most donors. We also learned some lessons that will help us make next year even bigger and more successful.

 

Chapter secretary Chris Buechler presented a membership renewal card to Alan Kousen for 49 years.

Membership director Rich Hewitt welcomed several guests, some new applicants and several men returning to the risers to work on the contest package.

For break, we celebrated a belated birthday for Dick Dangel with a great cake.  And peanut butter and jelly sandwiches from Peggy Wagner.

After the break we worked more on the contest package including a session on visual performance efforts for the ballad, and before we left, we did the whole package for filming (check out the videos posted by Chuck McKeever).

In other news, from Mike Everard comes this announcement:  the Mount Vernon VA Chapter, Harmony Heritage Singers, is celebrating its 20^th anniversary along with a salute to Bob Wachter with a luncheon on Thursday, June 23^rd at 11 am in the Mount Vernon Room of the Officers Club at Fort Belvoir. Reservations no later than June 1^st for $35 each to Lou Manfre, 7608 Elmore Lane, Bethesda, MD 20817.  Checks to Harmony Heritage Singers. For more info, contact Everard at smartalexme@aol.com.

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 67^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd

Looking Back on the April 23-24 Performances of “I Am Harvey Milk” at Strathmore

The performances were among the most successful and perhaps the most rewarding experiences we ever had as a chorus.  Audience reactions to our work was awesome!  For some of us who have been Harmonizers a long time, it ranks high on the list of “breathless moments;” and for new Harmonizers, it is likely the top of their list so far.

 

For months we have worked hard to prepare.  First off, thanks to director Joe Cerutti for having the faith (and courage) that we could do it.  Plus thank you for the hard work from associate director Tony Colosimo for helping teach us the music and preparing the learning materials; from Tom Jackson for our rehearsal piano accompaniment; and from Carlos Barillo for choreography coaching.

 

The faith and support from the folks at Stathmore in taking on the project and inviting us to be the chorus was a great thrill too.  We so much appreciated the help from executive producer Rolando Sanz in the weeks leading up to the performance; and the great team work we established with musical director and conductor Joel Fram; and the fun we had with choreographer Larry Keigwin. We also had camaraderie with the sixteen additional singers/dancers from NYC who joined us for the performances.

 

Certainly we must congratulate and thank Andrew Lippa for the words and music.  We have all been changed!

 

What a pleasure working with the other soloists Kristen Chenoweth (well known for her role in “Wicked”), and young Colin Wheeler who was the young boy Harvey Milk, and Andrew Lippa. Our portion of the performance was actually the second half of the nite following another oratorio titled “I Am Anne Hutchinson” which was also written by Andrew. All of the soloists were integrated into that music too.  This was the first-ever production of Anne Hutchinson.

 

For several months (the first learning tapes were posted for us in December of 2015) we have been having extra rehearsals and using half of our regular meeting nite time to work on this oratorio.  We also were joined by several men who auditioned to sing with us at Strathmore.  We affectionately called them “milkmen” and thank them for the extra hours to work on this with us.  They include Taylor Good, Nelson Robin, Aaron Watts, Larry Cohen, Masahisa Takahaski, Mario Sengco, Dan Hallada, Dan Kaufman, Mark Medrick, Ben Cherington, Joe Bremberg and Justin McCright. Some Harmonizers came back to sing with us too including Max Kieba and Geoff  Berman. There were 110 of us in black pants, shoes and a brilliant blue t-shirt we all wore. The chorus was in two rows on a balcony above the stage behind The National Philharmonic Orchestra.

 

Last week there were rehearsals with the whole cast, a couple of dress rehearsals with the orchestra and then Saturday nite at 8 pm and Sunday afternoon at 4 the concerts began.

 

We were all pleased to see so many of our patrons and family members and personal friends at the performance.  Marty Monson (CEO of the Barbershop Harmony Society) and his family drove from Nashville to be with us on Saturday nite. He and his son Luke stopped in to say hello to the chorus and thank us for making this leap into another musical world.  And our coach and friend Cindy Hansen took a red-eye flight from CA to be there on Sunday.

 

Of course it took a lot of coordination for this weekend to be a success and we thank our chapter’s executive director, Terry Reynolds, for keeping us informed.

At each gathering we did the usual warm ups with Tony; and then Joe and Tony helped us with spots to refresh or to help us adjust to the changes/suggestions from the conductor. Chorus manager Mark Klostermeyer kept us ready to be in the right place at the right time.

 

The Strathmore costume department helped us with our uniforms and prepared them between shows. The facility is a great venue and we all hope there will more opportunities to appear there.

 

After Sunday’s performance, we were honored to get a photo with Kristen Chenoweth.  Ken Rub took photos all weekend.  And of course almost every guy got a photo with his cell phone!

 

Thanks to chapter leaders including Clyde Crusenberry and Carl Kauffmann and many FRIENDS IN HARMONY for a fun afterglow nearby the venue after the Sunday show.  We were all plenty hungry and ate “a lot” of pizza! And we celebrated Joe’s birthday with cake and candles!

 

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 67^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd

 

Looking Back on the M-AD Prelims in Reading, PA April 15-16, 2016

(Many thanks to Randall Eliason for his coverage of this year’s contest weekend.)

Quartets that include Harmonizers among their members made an outstanding showing at the Mid-Atlantic District Prelims on April 15 and 16. With the quality of the quartets in this District, attending Prelims is almost like going to a mini-International!

 

After the first round on Friday night, four quartets that include Harmonizers -- Da Capo, Last Men Standing, Warehouse Flats, and Forecast - had made it into the top ten and earned the right to compete in the finals on Saturday night.

 

Handsome Reward (Mike Edison, Michael Gilmore) just missed making it into the top ten and had the honor of being the mic testers for the Saturday night finals.

 

A relatively new quartet, Cabin Fever (Alan Kousen, Calvin Schnure, John Santora) competed in the Seniors competition on Friday night, and made a strong showing. In a Steve Harvey moment, the emcee announced from the podium that they had won the Seniors’ competition - but the scoresheets later revealed that they were actually second place! The quartet has announced they are considering changing their name to Miss Colombia.

 

Friday night also featured a Mixed Quartet (two male and two female singers) competition, and the second place award in that category went to Just 4 Fun, which many of us were surprised to see includes our own Kevin McKenzie.

 

In addition, Friday night included the Youth Quartet qualifying round, and two MAD Youth Quartets, Students of the Game and Brothers in Arms, qualified to compete in the Harmony Foundation Youth Quartet Contest in July.

 

Daytime on Saturday featured the District's Youth Adjudication, with about 10 high school quartets (both boys and girls) competing, including an excellent girl's quartet from Gaithersburg coached by our friend Sheryl Berlin.

 

During the quartet finals on Saturday night, Da Capo (Anthony Colosimo, Andrew Havens) came in first place with an overall score of 83.8.

 

Last Men Standing (Mike Kelly) came in 5th, with a 78.2.

 

Forecast (Dan Cook) came in 6th, with a 74.4, and

 

Warehouse Flats (Steve White) came in 8th, with a 72.2.

 

Five MAD quartets qualified to compete at International in Nashville this summer: Da Capo and Last Men Standing, along with Route 1, Gimme Four, and Frank the Dog.

 

Sunday morning was the House of Delegates meeting, which featured remarks by BHS CEO Marty Monson. Many Harmonizers are active in the District leadership, and we were well represented.

 

It was a great weekend, and all of the Harmonizers participating made us proud!

 

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 67^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd

Looking Back on the April 12^th Chapter Meeting

Usual set up with risers and av equipment for a busy work nite at Durant.  Bari section leader Reed Livergood did the warm ups assisted by choreographer Carlos Barillo.

Before our director Joe Cerutti took over, president Randall Eliason introduced Julie Rizzo who was staffing a Help Table for guys who would participate in Spring2Action for Alexandria nonprofits. She is a community board member of the AH, Inc.

Joe expressed his gratitude for the work of the staff and members at this past weekend’s Youth Harmony Festival. He also alerted us that he would entertain suggestions for talent groups to participate with us on our holiday show. Email him.

Musically we worked hard on the uptune.  And then Joe and Carlos teamed up to help us start physically interpreting the ballad.

Executive Director Terry Reynolds reminded guys that Ike Evans was taking pixs in Room 3 for the chapter photo board.   Good news – John Smith has agreed to take the chapter historian position on the chapter ops team.  John works as an archivist in the military here in DC.

Terry reminded guys to check their calendars for visual studios on 5/7 and then watch for word about vocal studios.

The important retreat with Dr. David Wright in Westminster MD will be the first weekend in June beginning at 8 pm on Fri nite.  (Note that earlier start time.)  Plan ahead and get car pools set up.  Also you can email Chuck by May 31^st about roommates in the suites.

Speaking of contest work, the rehearsal after Milk starts the mandatory rehearsals leading up to Nashville.  Also note that the schedule of rehearsals in Nashville is on Groupanizer.

Complete details about report times and uniform for the Milk show came to us all today from the chapter communications director Scipio Garling.  

Mark your calendar for the Armed Forces Show at Ft. Myer Chapel at 2 pm on May 21^st.  Stay tuned.

This week was the 78^th anniversary of the Barbershop Harmony Society. DA CAPO was on Ch. 5 Television here in the DC market to promote the milestone.

President Randall presented checks from the chapter to quartets that will be competing at the International Prelims this weekend in Reading, PA.  These are the Harmonizers in the quartets:

HANDSOME REWARD - Michael Gilmore, Mike Edison

WAREHOUSE FLATS - Steve White

FORECAST - Dan Cook

DA CAPO  - Tony Colosimo, Andrew Havens

LAST MEN STANDING - Mike Kelly

CABIN FEVER  - Alan Kousen, John Santora, Calvin Schnure

Membership director Rich Hewitt welcomed guests/applicants.

In other news, recently Jordan Haedtler competed in the FWD’s combined NE and NW Division contest in a quartet with his father (David), and with his brother (Patrick – gold medal lead with MASTERPIECE) and with Rob Menaker (good medal with NIGHTLIFE and MASTERPIECE) called DON’T TELL MOM.  They scored 79.8 singing “You’re the Girl I Love” and “Sweet Pea.”  The quartet will now compete in the FWD fall contest in Riverdale.  Congrats to Jordan.

Brian Miller invites all singers to the remembrance/celebration for Michellle Bruns Miller from 2-5 at the Carlyle Place Apartment club house at 2251 Eisenhower Ave in Alexandria.

Also it was announced that Bob Mattes mother passed away in recent days.  Sympathy to the family.

 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 67^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd

Looking Back on the April 9^th Youth Harmony Festival in Alexandria

Coodinator Bill Colosimo sends this thank you message to all of the

Harmonizer family:

 

As I reflect on the wonderful Youth Harmony Festival this weekend, I am humbled to recall the selfless help of so many of you to make this event a resounding success. The overwhelmingly positive “in the moment” responses from students, music educators, family members and guests—including so many of you who witnessed the fruits of the amazing work the young men and women put in—still resound in my memory! There are countless stories which will fill the full “report” of the event, complete with photos and video interviews, which attest to the ways in which you, through your commitment and skill, enriched the lives of some extraordinary young people by offering a first-class barbershop festival experience.

 

The gift of music education you provided stirred the hearts of the first five TC Williams students to ever attend such an event, and they committed to spread the word to the other students in their outstanding choral program that this is an event “not to be missed” next year! In fact, that’s true of ALL the student participants! Imagine the exchange student from the Eastern European Republic of Moldova, for whom such a special, new experience inspired her to “tell EVERYONE in (her) country about BARBERSHOP HARMONY!” The skill of our incredible clinicians, Anthony Colosimo  and Vera Crouse, along with the superlative teaching quartets, C’EST LA VIE and THE NEWFANGLED FOUR, convinced the loyal music educators present to align with us in aggressive promotion of ALL our “CHOYCE” initiative programs to their school district colleagues. Finally, the performances by all our ensembles, including an outstanding appearance by the Harmonizers chorus, convinced parents, family and other guests—many of whom had never witnessed our art form in person—of the wonderful value of what we teach and what we do…and the tremendously positive impact it can have on the lives of young people.

 

I am most indebted to Vickie Dennis, as Harmonizer Director of Education, for her tireless work and encouragement to help make this event so successful. Terry Reynolds and Joe Cerutti constituted the remainder of our “planning team;” I am grateful to them for their invaluable help. I must also single out Brad Jones, whose experience as past chair and quiet, steady countenance throughout the planning stages contributed to the smoothing of many “behind the scenes” processes. We have publicly thanked the clinicians and quartets who gave their “all” to us Saturday. But it is impossible, without unfortunate omission, to appropriately acknowledge ALL the other Harmonizers, family members and friends who contributed in ANY way to the day’s event. PLEASE know our hearts are full of gratitude for everything, every task, and every minute of time you contributed, large or small, momentary or—in some cases—all day and evening! Your selflessness and the clear joy you exhibited throughout the event speaks volumes about your commitment to help us continue to broaden our youth outreach initiatives, including our NEXT Festival in 2017!

 

One final, affirming note for all of you. Just today, I attended the Alexandria Commission for the Arts’ Grant Task Force meeting, open to the public and all applicants’ representatives, during which the Harmonizers’ grant application was discussed by the panel. Although I was there primarily to represent The Alexandria Singers, I was present for and attentive to the discussion regarding the Harmonizers. Suffice it to say that the “number one plus” of all the positive comments regarding the Harmonizers’ grant proposal was the extent of successful YOUTH OUTREACH, current and planned, embodied in the proposal, with particular reference to the CHOYCE initiative. (In fact, the designated “presenter” of the grant for consideration by the panel even took the time to translate the acronym: "Comprehensive Harmonizers Outreach for Youth Choral Education!”) This year’s festival is one component of the fine work for which the Harmonizers are justifiably recognized.

 

Congratulations on YOUR success…and thank you for allowing me the opportunity to work closely with all of you!"  Bill Colosimo

 

This was the 9^th annual youth harmony festival the chapter has hosted. About 60 youth attended and about 10 music educators. Many parents and family friends attended the Saturday nite show to hear the student groups and the Harmo chorus at Convergence Church.  Social time, breaks and meals were hosted by the chapter during the day in the Convergence Lab building across the street.

As a surprise, Elizabeth Ryktarsyk, daughter of Todd, filled in on a song with the guest quartet on the show too. Congrats!!

Devon Thompson, son of Don, sang in the boy’s chorus. And the only student tenor in the boy’s chorus was our own “milkman” singer – Masahisa Takahaski. Congrats to them too!

The chorus sang “America, “Lullaby,” “Bring Him Home,” and “Stars and Stripes Forever.” Tony directed and sang the solo.

 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 67^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd

 

Looking Back on the April 5^th Chapter Meeting

So much going on with our chapter this month, but two big ones are done, Youth Harmony Festival is this weekend, and soon comes the Milk show!!  Great to see such dedication from the singers and leaders and admin teams.

Tuesday we had to meet at First Baptist cause Durant Rec Center was undergoing some repair work on the floors. The 6 pm time slot was filled with front row guys working up a sweat in a side room on their routines for the uptune. Set up crews jumped right to work when the Harmo truck arrived and got the risers, sound and av materials ready to use.

There were a number of us under the weather this week, but the show must go on.

Associate director Tony Colosimo did the warm ups and then turned the chorus over to director Joe Cerutti.  Joe was full of excitement about the successful nite at the UMD men’s invitational (and the warm comments from other musical directors at that event).  It was clear the message go thru to the younger college singers there that barbershop can be a great option for singing after college.

Joe took time to knock out the rhythms and tricky work combinations for the back part of the uptune.  And choreographer Carlos Barillo introduced some basics for the ballad.

Chapter executive director Terry Reynolds welcomed some members we don’t see often – Al Hannenbaum, Bob Sutton; Terry thanked Bob Mattes for preparing the music books for us to use at UMD. Chapter director of education Vickie Dennis was in house too as the chair for this weekend’s Youth Harmony Festival.

Many hands will be needed during the day on Sat (and some in fact on Fri eve for set up).  Chorus call is 5:45 pm with casual uniform and tennis shoes.  Also chorus is asked to park on the streets so parents and families of the youth will find parking when they come to hear their child sing.

Terry suggests we all be alert for emails in case Durant is not ready to go back on Tues.

Then the Milk show rehearsals are Mon, Tues, Thursday and Saturday at Strathmore. 

Finally there were sign-up sheets for attending visual studios.

President Randall Eliason spoke about the Spring2Action campaign for non-profits in our community. He has asked some guys to be precinct captains to help us all do our parts.

Chapter secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Art Medici for 7 years; Kevin McKenzie for 17 years; Tom Jackson for 21 years; Brad Jones for 24 years; Dennis Ritchey for 24 years; Sam McFarland for 29 years; Bob Sutton for 32 years; and Will Cox for 38 years.  Both Al Hannenbaum and Bruce Lauther received their 30 years and customary lapel pin.

Director of membership Rich Hewitt introduced applicants and guests and had Will Cox direct the welcome song.

In other news, congrats to Tom Berkey who stayed in DC last Sat nite so as to be ready for the Cherry Blossom Run around the tidal basin very early Sunday morning.   Congrats.

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 67^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd

Looking Back on the April 2nd Men’s Chorus Invitational

This was a first for the Harmonizers, but fun and great way to help other men see what a barbershop chorus is like.  Also a great chance to help younger college men see that singing can continue into their later lifetime.

It was at the University of Maryland in the Memorial Chapel and coordinated by Greg Graf who also directs the U of MD Men’s Chorus.

Other invitees were University of Maryland Men’s Chorus, The Rock Creek Singers from the Gay Men’s Chorus of DC, Towson University Men’s Chorus, Washington Men’s Camerata, and MannerMusik. About 200 singers. Each chorus sang a set and then we lined the circle of the chapel and sang three songs together.

 The concert was free for audience guests and there were several Harmonizer friends with us.

Many Harmonizers arrived via Metro and all of us walked onto campus to have some dinner. And we got home before the huge wind storm in the DC area hit.

Proud of Josh Desportes who sang one of the solos in “Ave Maria.”

Director Joe Cerutti was upfront with us the whole time and helped us prepare and warm up and do a good job.  Some guys did some tag singing with other guys there.

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 67^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd

Looking Back on the March 29^th Chapter Meeting

Set up crews were hard at work at 6, and special presentation work groups met as well.

Bass section leader Tom Jackson did the warm up session again and then director Joe Cerutti thanked the singers and administrators for the great Aca Challenge event on Sat in DC.  Then he went right to work on our contest music – shaping and contouring the ballad first, then pushing us to know the final part of the uptune we just got.  Contest work took us right up to the mid-way break.

But first Terry Reynolds, executive director, briefed us on some business matters: thanks again to Reed Livergood who headed up the Aca Challenge; Thursday is a full nite working on “milk” at Durant with entrance restricted to 7 pm for riser set up and people entry; Sat is the Men’s Invitational at the University of Maryland with a call time of 1:45 pm; Joe was pleading for more guys to sign up to do the U of MD show which is free for listeners at 8 pm; our Youth Harmony Festival is Sat April 9^th at Convergence Church complex and the chorus will sing; next week’s chapter meeting will be at First Baptist Church at 7 pm. (See announcements email issued by the chaper.)

Membership director Rich Hewitt welcomed some guys to the risers from the specialforces ranks – Mike Fasano and Mike Geipel.  TJ Jones was back with us for the evening. And Rich welcomed applicants and guests in the house this week.

Thanks to those who brought goodies to add to the storeroom for break time.  Everyone is reminded to drop some cash in the can to cover those expenses.  Thanks again.

After the break we concentrated on songs for the invitational and spent time on the last new song for “milk” and next week’s meeting. Tom Jackson provided the piano support.

In other news, the chapter recognized Tyler Sturgill last week as he is departing as our host and staff person at Durant Center.  He will be in the area and hopfully he will come sing with us someday!

 

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 67^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd

Looking Back on the March 26^th Aca Challenge Event

The Harmonizers hosted its third Aca Challenge at Lincoln Theater on U Street in DC (This theater was once part of Black Broadway and is a landmark.) on Saturday, March 26^th at 8 pm. This was our largest audience for Aca Challenge with over 700 tickets sold.

 

The chapter invited DC area a cappella groups to audition – many submitted materials and 6 were chosen to compete. The competitors this year were

• The District, an all-female Washington-based vocal ensemble who were in the Challenge last year;
• The JMU Overtones, founded in 1997, from Virginia’s James Madison University, have just released their eighth album, Synesthesia;
• All Natural, formed from alums of several University of Maryland a cappella groups:
• S#arp Attitude, founded in 2011 at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and will make an appearance on the reality TV show Sing It On!;
• The Oberlin Overtones, founded in 1984, the only all-male a cappella group at one of America’s major music schools; and
• Catch 22, formed in 2012, North Carolina vocal band were the audience favorite at SingStrong’s 2015 Aca-Idol.

The chapter offered a $1000 first prize, $500 for second, $250 for third, and $100 for all others.  Judges for the event were Catherine Lewis, musical arts writer; Rolando Sanz, executive producer at Strathmore; and Tom Kraus founder of TBD. Also the audience was invited to vote via text during the contest for their favorite.

 

First place winner was All Natural.  They received their “big” check presented by last year’s winners Vox Pox. Second place was S#arp Attitude and third place was Catch 22. Emcee for the night was Tony Colosimo.

 

Here is a recap from producer Reed Livergood:  “The complete list of volunteers who were helpful in making the 2016 ACA Challenge is too long to mention here, but a sincere "Thank you!" to everyone who helped in some capacity for creating such a wonderful musical experience! I would like to extend, however, a special thanks to our judges (Catherine Lewis, Tom Kraus, Rolando Sanz), our own Tony Colosimo as Emcee, and the Lincoln Theater staff. Also, our production crew of Nick Leiserson (Associate Producer), Todd Ryktarsyk (Associate Producer), Scipio Garling (Talent Scout, Communications, Marketing, Program design, Script), Robyn Murane (House Manager), Greg Tepe (Stage Manager), Mike Kelly (Technical Coordinator), Ken Rub (Harmonizer venues, VIPs), Terry Reynolds (Harmonizer Executive Dir), Josh Roots (voting manager), and our dedicated riser crew staff who always willing and able to come early / leave late. Thank you all of making this year's edition of the ACA Challenge successful in every way!”

 

The song package (“America,” “Stars and Stripes Forever,” “Yesterday,” and “Friday Night in the Castro”) was a huge success with this mostly young a cappella-fan-crowd that filled the auditorium and balcony. They particularly reacted to our presentation of “Friday Night in The Castro” from “I Am Harvey Milk” with the front row “club dancers” and the fun music.  Rolando Sanz did the solo for us on this number.

 

 The audience also cheered wildly for our own TBD modern a cappella group with their new mics and enlarged group. Currently the group includes Scipio Garling, Noah Van Gilder, Jeremy Richardson, Josh Roots, Nick Leiserson, Terry Reynolds, Kellen Herz, Troy Hillier, Todd Ryktarsyk, Joshua Desportes, Clark Chesser and Jeff Burkey. Reed Livergood is the musical leader of the group.

 

The chorus assembled about 5 pm and did warm ups with Tony outside and some prep outside in the parking lot. We did our sound check and stage check time and then went to the Walker Memorial Baptist Church around the corner on 13^th for a long practice time with director Joe Cerutti.  Our uniform was the black suit, hidden button white shirt, red tie, dress black shoes, black sox and belt – and our bronze medals.

 

There was a fun and successful afterglow down the street from the theater at the Saloon upstairs.  (Thanks to Ken Rub for locating this venue.)

 

Robyn sent a thank you to the following who helped her with the house:

 

“- Connie Lauther, Peggy Wagner, Sandi Ulibarri, Judi Kern, Martha Moncibaiz, and Ginny Wells, for ushering and welcoming our guests so graciously!

- Lydia Golden, who in addition to ushering, stocked the judge's room with treats!

- Amy Roots for timing the contestants!

- Saundra Deltac for wrangling our guests out in front of the theater, getting them into the correct line ... Tickets-in-Hand, Will Call or Groupon!

- Brigit Gilvary and Ninamarie Maragioglio for helping backstage, keeping all of the moving parts moving in the right direction!

- Keith Jones for escorting and supporting the judges!

- Carol Dangel for sitting by that open door with the brisk breeze and selling CDs! (not to mention the motorcycle noise and skunk fragrance!)

- And Christina Ammerman and Ellen Delert for processing 300 Groupon tickets, seating groups together and making it look easy!

 

You are a great team, and the Lincoln Theater staff was so impressed by your professionalism, and dedication.”

 

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 67^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd