Looking Back on the Sept 16-17 fall M-AD Contest and Convention

 

There was nearly 50 Harmonizers at the fall contest for our Mid Atlantic District in Lancaster, PA, at the Marriott and Convention Center Sept. 16 and 17. The members were there as leaders and workers to conduct the district business, as quartet competitors, as fans of the quartets in the contest from our chapter, as supporters of our fellow chapters’ choruses several with current and former Harmonizers on the stage with them, and as friends to have fun and relax.

 

We had a lot to cheer about as DA CAPO won the quartet contest – getting a district championship for new bass Andrew Havens. Tony Colosimo and Joe Sawyer earned championship medals as members of IGUANAS IN FLIGHT quartet in 2005. Ryan Griffith won his medal in New RELEASE quartet in 2008.  (In other news, the convention audience was invited to vote for some of their favorites of the weekend. Ryan won favorite tenor, Tony won favorite lead and Joe won favorite bari!)

 

The quartet was welcomed into the association of past district champs (MADAQ) as part of the Saturday finale with several fellow Harmonizers on the risers for that event.

 

Other quartet placements: PRATT STREET POWER with Ed Schubel was second. THE BOURBEN STREET FOUR with Mike Pinto was fourth.  HERSEHY TRANSIT COMPANY with Pookie Dingle and Joe Eckert was eighth. YOUTH RECLAMATION PROJECT with Mike Wallen was seventeenth. HANDSOME REWARD with Mike Edison and Michael Gilmore was twenty-second. Great to have them all represent our chapter in the exciting quartet contest.

 

The chorus contest on Saturday was a close battle. Our chapter decided not to compete this year so there was a certain amount of scramble for this year’s championship which was won by the relatively new Hershey, PA, Parkside Harmony Chapter. Former members Sean Devine and Jay Butterfield are the directors.  In addition to those two on stage, there were several other current or former Harmonizers on the risers with Hershey including Chris Yates, Mike Vlcej, Fred Womer, Kenny Toula, Joe Eckert and Scott Disney.

 

Second place chorus was Hells Kitchen NY, the Voices of Gotham, with Spencer Wight on the risers with them.

 

Third place was East Coast Sound Chorus from Caldwell, NJ, headed by members of GIMME FOUR             quartet.

 

Fourth place chorus was The Garden Statesmen directed by Jack Pinto with our own Joe Cerutti doing a cameo appearance as part of the comedy routine.

 

Fifth place chorus was newly formed Baltimore Vocal Corps directed by Rick Taylor. Kellen Hertz and Tom Jackson sang them.

 

Bill Colosimo, Jim Lake, Bob Hirsh and Al Hanenbaum sang with the DC chapter. Mike Fasano sang with Queen Anne’s County. Sam McFarland, Art Medici, Drew Fuller and Austin Cotton sang with Richard Lewellen with Fairfax.  Jim Herrick sang with Red Rose Chorus, Lancaster, who were hosts for the contest weekend.

 

A chorus mic tester group labeled as the Joe and Jane Barbershopper Chorus met early Saturday morning to be prepared for the 9 am start.  Harmonizers singing in that group included Bruce Minnick, Howard Nestlerode, Matt Doniger and Mike Wallen.

 

Dennis Ritchey and Shawn Tallant worked back stage all weekend as district leaders and helpers for the operations team.     Mike Kelly was the sound and light guy for the weekend and provided recording services for the contestants.

 

Dennis was elected as incoming president of M-AD. Also Bob Eckman was elected as executive vice president, Keith Jones as secretary and Chuck Harner as member at large.

 

John Santora and Jay Butterfield were elected to the M-AD Hall of Honor joining 22 other Harmonizers previously honored:  Snyder, Sparks, Dominy, Werner, Casey, Latzko, Pitzer, Wachter, Arberg, Hohl, Gorham, Plaag, Jordon, M. Wallen, Wile, Harner, S. White, B. Colosimo, R. Taylor, K. Jones, T. Reynolds, Kelly.

 

President Randall Eliason headed up our chapter’s contingent at the House of Delegates meeting Sunday morning.  Executive director Terry Reynolds attended the special session on Saturday afternoon with Gary Plaag explaining the new performance category for contests. Chris Buechler assisted the contest administrators for the weekend.

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

Looking Back on the Sept 11 Rembrance Ceremony and the Sept 13^th Chapter Meeting

A nice sized chorus turned out for the 4:15 pm call at Market Square on Sat. Sept 10^th.  Director Joe Cerutti was there early as part of the riser set up crew and helped Todd Ryktarsyk (recently back from a duty assignment in Viet Nam) and Nick Leiserson with the sound set up too.  (The Harmonizers provided the sound for the entire city event, not just our musical portion.)

The City of Alexandria’s 9/11 Remembrance Committee planned the event and invited us.  Mayor Allison Silberberg was emcee and invited other city leaders to speak. She thanked the chorus in her wrap up remarks and mentioned how proud the city is of our group and the music we provide.  A combined color guard of police, sheriff and fire fighters posted the colors and then we sang “The Star Spangled Banner.” To close the program for the large crowd of citizens, we sang “God Bless America” and Joe invited the audience to sing along.

As usual at Market Square, we warmed up inside city hall.  Chapter executive director Terry Reynolds collected our parking cards and had them validated for free parking for all.

Great to see former member Spencer Wight in the audience.

The Tuesday Sept. 13^th rehearsal was back on the risers!! We were on the newest old risers this week.

 

Director Joe Cerutti did the vocal warm ups and then went right to work on the fall show music.  He did spend some time during this week’s rehearsal allowing guys to audition for the solo parts in several of the songs.

 

Choreographer Carlos Barillo did some work to simplify plans for “Friday” song.  Also, Carlos spoke about costumes for the fall show – a ‘70s look.  Each guy will find his own. Bring your suggested items for his review next week. Muted fall-like colors.

 

Chapter executive director Terry Reynolds conducted the announcement time as usual. Next week, Sept 20^th, we will be meeting at First Baptist Church on King Street to do recordings again.  Anyone who has pieces of carpet to bring to the church hall to help muffle the sound should bring them.

 

On Sept 24^th we have a show again at Asbury Village.  Take a look at this week’s announcements for details.

 

President Randall Eliason reported that Dick Hall is back in the hospital for a temporary visit to readjust some medications.

 

Randall also asked more members to fill out the recent chapter survey.

 

And also, Randall presented a chapter support check to the five quartets with Harmonizers singing in them: HERSHEY TRANSIT CO., THE BOURBON STREET FOUR; HANDSOME REWARD; YOUTH RECLAMATION PROJECT and DA CAPO. They will all sing Friday nite in the first round of the Mid Atlantic District contest starting at 5 pm in Lancaster, PA, at the Marriott on Queen Street. A good crowd of us will be there to cheer. The chorus contest is at 9 am on Saturday.

 

Randall presented a framed photo of the Nashville contest chorus to Joe which brought out lots of cheers and applause from the chorus.

 

Terry continued with announcements about the request for us to sing for the Wounded Warrior fund raiser at the Alexandria Yacht Club on Nov. 6^th.  Then we are doing a show the next Sunday, Nov. 13^th at First Presbyterian in Arlington (Joe really asked us to all get to this one). And finally a reminder that a group of us are singing holiday music for a ladies club in the afternoon on Thurs. Dec.1^st.

 

Chapter secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Ben Roberts for 5 years and Don Thompson for 24 years.  He also reminded those who have not paid their dues to do so ASAP.

 

Terry reminded guys to get show flyers during break. 

 

Membership director Rich Hewitt welcomed two new singer guests.

 

After break, we worked on more holiday music and the “Milk” music for the show including taking some time for solo auditions.

 

In other news, please keep the Carl Kauffmann family in your thoughts for their grandson who fell off a roof at work and was seriously.

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

Looking Back on the Sept 6^th Chapter Meeting

This week’s rehearsal was in the round again. Associate director Tony Colosimo did the warm ups and got the large summer chorus ready for director Joe Cerutti. Joe used several techniques to make it fun including a wholesale quartet formation scheme. Then he had those quartets learn a tag. Later he had another quartet formation exercise and those quartets each sang part of one song and then the rest of us voted with applause for the best one.  One “ringer” quartet was disqualified for starting in the wrong place.  And 6^th grader Mickey held up the tenor part in his quartet.  The winners got a huge cheer from all – sorry YeEd didn’t write down their names!

 

Musically we worked on the songs for the fall show.

 

Chapter executive director made announcements before break:  Ike Evans is taking member photos tonite; holiday show music will be coming online soon; it is important that every member take the survey coming to the membership on Wednesday.

 

President Randall Eliason explained the purpose of the Activities Survey. This is an effort by chapter administrators to build a strong infrastructure for operation, management and leadership for the huge efforts being planned for the next few years.  Randall labeled it a need for each member to “Step Down n Step Up” – step down off the risers and step up to help. Significant others and family members may also sign on to help.

 

Saturday Sept 10^th the chapter is doing a 30-minute show at Market Square for the city 9/11 event. A riser crew will report at 3:30; chorus call is 4:15.  Parking in the garage under the Square will be validated. Uniform is black chorus suit pants, the black camp shirt (no t-shirts showing) and black shoes sox and belt. Songs will be “Star Spangled Banner’ and “God Bless America.”

 

Mark your calendar – our next recording session will be Tues. Sept 20^th at First Baptist on King St.  We won’t be meeting at Durant that nite. We will record the three Beatles songs.

 

Chapter secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Bob Mattes for 18 years; Troy Hillier for 26 years; Chuck McKeever for 30 years (plus he got his lapel pin too); and Jack Cameron for 47 years.

 

As well left the main room at Durant for break, there were fall show flyers for each guy to take – two sizes.

 

After break, Joe played two new holiday songs for us to hear that we will learn for the Dec. show. And we reviewed two songs we will sing again this year.

 

Then we launched into this week’s work on Harvey Milk music for the fall show.  We also auditioned guys who wanted to do solos in “Friday.”  Thanks to Tom Jackson for piano accompaniment.

 

Kudos and thanks to FOUR FROM THE HEART quartet with Bob Blair, Bruce Lauther, Drew Fuller and Alan Wile that sang for several of our brothers who are having health issues. They went to Waldorf to sing for Dick Hall in the rehab center where he is currently.  Dick was so thrilled to see guys from the chapter. The quartet also sang for the other residents and staff there.

 

Then they also sang for Bob Wachter and his wife Jean who both in Mt. Vernon Hospital in Alexandria – in two different rooms.

 

And the quartet sang via telephone for Terry Jordan, Bob Wilson and Lou Manfre.

 

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

Looking Back on the Aug 30^th Dog Days Event in Manassas

The hosts from the Prince William County Chapter at last night's annual gathering of BHS chapters to sing for each other during the August summer Dog Days welcomed another huge crowd! This year there was a new seating arrangement in the hall that allowed for more seats and better access.  The refreshment table was full tho and everyone enjoyed that. The sale of 50/50 tickets was part of the nite and guess who won – Terry Reynolds!!!

 

The Harmonizers brought our risers which the hosts helped set up and we brought our sound equipment which Mike Kelly and Joe Cerutti Sr. managed for the nite.

 

The evening started with a warm up act of Dick Dangel playing his accordion for a sing-along. Those of us who came from the Alexandria area fought some tough traffic delays but a good crowd made it.  This was the first time Larry Dennis has sung a show with the chapter.

 

The opening chorus was the Harmony Heritage singers with Drew Fuller as director.  Eight other Harmonizers sang with them too – Chuck Harner, JT Price, Paul Greiner, Miker Everard, Bruce Minnick, Bob Wachter, Jim Kirkland. They did a package about gals with various members doing the song intro.

 

The next chorus was Fairfax Jubilaires directed by Richard Lewellen.  The did a show package using various wigs which each guy changed into for some rock n roll songs like Elvis. 

That included Sam McFarland who did look nice is his various wigs for the songs!!

 

Next the Chorus of the Old Dominion from Loudon County sang, with John David Maybury as their director.  They came to the risers singing with an island drum beat.

 

Our host chapter Bull Run Troubadours from Manassas sang next. 

 

Then it was our turn. There were about 65 Harmonizers there to sing. Director Joe Cerutti did the warm ups for us and then did some quick reviews in preparation for our appearance. We sang America, Lullaby, Stars and Stripes and the three new Beatles songs.  All were a big success.  Joe created a great patter with the audience had them laughing and singing along.  Kevin McKenzie did one solo and Clyde Crusenberry did another solo spot.

 

There were about a half dozen other Harmonizers there who did not sing including Walt Page, Geoff Berman, Austin Cotton, and Joe Sr.  Great to see Larry Silva there as usual. 

 

Thanks to Al Litchfield, president of Prince William chapter, the Bull Run Troubadours, for hosting another great event. Joe Cerutti directed an overflowing risers in singing “Keep The Whole World Singing” as a finale for the nite.

 

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 Aug. 23^rd Chapter Meeting

This week’s rehearsal was in the round again. Associate director Tony Colosimo did the warm ups and got the large summer chorus ready for director Joe Cerutti. Part of the time, Joe invited quartets or octets to the center of the circle to sing the songs or alternated them and the full chorus to sing parts. 

 

We worked on the new fall show music, patriotic music for Dog Days and the second half we worked on Harvey Milk music also for the fall show.  Joe expressed excitement for the fall show and hopes everyone is working to get the patrons lined up to attend.  Tickets are on sale now on the web site. We will be featuring our own DA CAPO quartet (perhaps after a district championship in Sept.).  We also will have a guest piano artist to lead the audience in a Beatles sing-a-long. Joe reminded us that we actually have all the music learned for the show (we will not be adding another Beatles song as originally announced.) The fall show is Oct 15^th at  Schlesinger Hall on campus of NVCC in Alexandria.

 

That leaves us time to learn five new songs for the holiday show Dec. 16 and 17 at GMU Harris Theater.

 

Executive director Terry Reynolds announced that Drew Fuller volunteered to drive the Harmo truck to NY to drop off our risers recently purchased by our friends at West Chester County NY Chapter.  It was quite a trip driving the truck that far.  Their chapter provided labor to unload.  Bob Blair helped coordinate a crew of guys to sort and load things on this end – Steve Szyszka, Mike Moncibaiz, Harold Weinberger, Carl Kauffmann and  Dean Rust.

 

Terry reminded guys about the meeting on Thursday nite at Durant at 7 pm to discuss educational plans for next year.

 

He reminded guys about the plans for the Dog Days event in Manassas at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 12975 Purcell Rd, Manassas.  We sing last but all of us that can make it at the 7 pm start should be there to meet and greet other barbershoppers in the area. There are refreshments.  Our guys actually provide sound support and the host chapter, Prince William County, will unload our Harmo van and set up the risers.

 

Uniforms are the black logo shirt and jeans. Planned song list: “America, Stars and Stripes, Lullaby, Hey Jude, Ob La Di, All You Need is Love.”  New members and guests are welcome and encouraged to attend. This is a great chance for your family and friends to come hear us too.  There are lots of seats in this air conditioned hall at the church. And there is plenty of parking.  Plan ahead to combat a little traffic if you can leave the city til after work.  Or plan a ride with some other guys.

 

Terry asked the chorus how many guys could sing at a City of Alexandria 9/11 event on Sat. Sept 10^th at 5 pm at Market Square.  The numbers seemed good, so stay tuned for an invite via Groupanizer.

 

Members should mark their calendar for the show on Sat nite Sept. 24^th.

 

President Randall Eliason gave an update on some member issues – Michael Gilmore’s wife is in the hospital; Lew Klinge is making progress after his partial knee replacement; Dick Hall is recovering from his heart operation at Washington Hospital Center as of Tues nite; Bob Wilson continues with his chemo treatments.

 

Bob Blair has stepped up to be acting operations director for the chapter since Doug White left for his new duty station in Korea (good to have learned Doug and his family have arrived safely).

 

Secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Randall Eliason for 21 years; Dick Dangel for 24 years and Mick Stamps for 37 years.

 

Rich Hewitt welcome guests and applicants.

 

After break we worked more on show music.

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

Looking Back on the Aug. 16th Chapter Meeting

This week’s rehearsal was in the round again.  No one up front knows where to look!!

 

Director Joe Cerutti did the warm ups and pushed us to use the things he taught in our songs too.

 

We worked on the new fall show music and the second half we worked on Harvey Milk music also for the fall show.

 

Chuck Hunter arrived early in the evening and that created a happy moment for all to have him back safe and in the area to sing with us. He directed KTWWS at the end.

 

Executive director Terry Reynolds announced that Burt Stueve memorial service plans are pending which might include the chorus singing.

 

Terry gave an update on Terry Jordan’s health regarding his foot issues after a fall on the ice two winters ago, as well as kidney issues and a battle with shingles.

 

Dick Hall is in Washington Hospital Center having had at least two stents put in for his heart and a pacemaker installed.  As of Wed Aug. 17^th, his room there is 4 NE 10. His daughter Christie will keep us posted.

 

The chapter’s director of education Vickie Dennis has announced a meeting on Aug 25^th  at 7 pm at Durant to further develop our youth harmony camp events.

 

Terry reminded everyone that Dog Days is on Tuesday Aug 30^th. Watch for details. It will be casual uniform.

 

There was good response to the chapter logo survey.

 

Fall show tickets are available online for the Oct. 15 event.

 

Secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Antony Takahashi for 14 years and Alan Wile for 35 years.

 

Rich Hewitt welcomed our guests and newest applicants.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In other news, on August 3rd six Harmonizers (Chris Buechler, Clark Chesser, Scipio Garling, Kellen Hertz, Dave Kohls and Nate Vomocil) joined over 70 other singers from around the Washington area in an informal "Summer Sing" of men's a cappella favorites in the college glee club tradition. The event was hosted by the Washington Men's Camerata and was directed by Frank Albinder, Camerata's conductor and Grammy award-winning former director of Chanticleer. Participating singers represented not only the Camerata and the Harmonizers (contributing mightily to the bass and 1st tenor sections!), but also the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, the Choral Arts Society, and a number of other organizations from around the Washington area. Everyone had a great time and it was such a resounding success that it's likely to become an annual tradition. (Thanks for Dave Kohls sending us this report.)

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

Looking Back on the Aug. 5 Market Square Show and Aug. 9th Chapter Meeting

The annual performance on Market Square in Old Town Alexandria, Friday nite, Aug. 5^th, drew a large audience and a good sized chorus was out for this gig.  Risers were up early and Mike Kelly and crew had good sound set up for us. Lots of folks had brought folding chairs for the comfortable summer evening. 

 

Associate director Tony Colosimo did the warm up inside city hall.  Brian Ammerman was our pitch man for the nite. 

 

Our small group, TBD, did two songs as part of the show featuring a couple soloists – Noah Van Gilder and Jeff Burkey.

 

We did a mix of patriotic music and our contest songs. We invited audience participation on some too.

 

Chorus manager Mark Klostermeyer got everyone’s parking slip approved for free parking!

 

Mikey Robertson sang his first show with the chorus!! Welcome aboard.

 

Director Joe Cerutti was emcee along with Mike and Jeremy Richardson who plugged our fall show and invited singers to come join us. As usual we competed with jets from National Airport – usual on the soft passages!

 

Several former Harmonizers were in the audience and many family members.

 

Tuesday nite, the hall was full of Harmonizers.  We formed a huge circle standing in the main hall at Durant for warm up and for the rehearsal time (we almost needed to push the walls of the building out to get the circle large enough). 

 

Tony did the warm ups and then Joe came to the center of the room to direct and work with us for the songs for the fall show. There was a significant time set aside for sectionals, then after break we worked on a review of songs from “Milk” that will be in the fall show too.

 

Executive director Terry Reynolds reported that Doug White is still in country visiting family before going overseas.  He thanks all for their notes.  The chapter is happy to report that Doug sold one of our riser sets and the new ones will arrive next week. 

 

 

Terry reminded us all about the all sectionals on Sat 13^th at First Baptist at 9 am.

 

Stay tuned for details about the meeting call Dog Days in Manassas – we will sing all the new songs.

 

Chapter secretary Chris Buechler reminded all members to alert him if there is any change in our contact info, especially if moving.  He needs to get it from us directly.

 

He presented the following renewal cards to members: Steve Szyszk for 5 years; Rusty Orvik for 12 years; Mike Kelly for 36 years; Carl Kauffmann for 44 years; and Jack Pitzer for 51 years.  Chris also has mailed a card to Scott Werner for his 54 years.

 

Terry reported the good work by Dennis Ritchey as part of the BHS leadership forum in Nashville recently to get a new piano for a nursing home the barbershoppers visited there.  Congrats for taking the leadership Dennis.

 

Actually here is a report on the three major events in Nashville in mid-July that several of our guys attended. Those who attended the category school for judges included Joe as music judge, Tony as singing judge, and John Santora, Chris Buechler, Chuck Harner and Alan Lamson as administrators.

 

Besides Dennis attending the leadership form as M-AD president there was Shawn Tallant as

M-AD membership chairman, and Terry Reynolds recently named to a special team of leadership experts for BHS.

 

The following guys participated in the actual Harmony University events: Joe on staff of directors’ college; Terry on staff of leadership college; Mike Kelly ran AV programs for HU; Casey Belzer attended as a music educator; Chris Buechler was a HU student; and Alan Lamson was a facilitator trainee.

 

Membership chairman Rich Hewitt welcomed our guests and applicants for the nite.  The section leaders had an audition after the meeting.

 

 Great to have TJ Jones with us this week!

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