Looking Back on the Nov 29th Chapter Meeting

The large chorus working on the holiday show music was back on the risers this week at Durant.  We had some applicants who did their auditions and passed!!

 

Past President Rick Wagner did a brisk business issuing consignment tickets for the show.  And Sandy Stamps was issuing White House Ornaments to salesmen Harmonizers.

 

Associate director Tony Colosimo did the vocal warm ups and then director Joe Cerutti launched the nite’s singing on the holiday songs.  During the nite we auditioned three soloists who were all great on the “What’s This” number. Joe also explained some of the plans for transitioning between songs, how the audience sing-a-long with work, and what the guest artists will be doing.

 

Chorographer Carlos Barillo taught us a plan for “Text Me Merry Christmas.”

 

Executive director Terry Reynolds started the announcement period with a terrific heartfelt letter from director Emeritus Scott Werner thanking all for including him in the Nashville contest package.  He called it another championship for him!

 

Terry offered apologies for the hundred plus emails each guy got today because of a computer glitch.

 

Jeff Burkey did a demo for each man to do with his cell phone top promote our show via FaceBook.

 

Tom Jackson thanked the members for their support during this period after his Mom passed.

 

Terry gave more details about the show on Thurs Dec. 1^st and promised final details via email.  Call time is 10:45 am at Fairfax Country Club, 5110 Ox Rd.. Dress is holiday sweater or tie if possible, no jeans or tennis shoes.

 

President Randall Eliason is eager to get nominations from everyone for the chapter’s distinguished service awards.

 

Next Tuesday we are at Durant and will run the show with the guest talent. Then Tues Dec 6^th is at GMU.

 

Secretary Chris Buechler announced his is having kidney operation on Tuesday and thus not singing in the show.  We all wished him well for the serious situation. 

 

He presented a 49-year membership renewal to Chuck Harner.

 

Liz Birnbaum, chair of the chapter development effort, announced that monies members give in an end-of-the-year donation toward a new Harmo truck fund, will help raise a fund that will be challenged to the show patrons to match.  You each man’s gift could be doubled.

 

Membership director Rich Hewitt welcomed guests and applicants.

 

After break, it was more work on the music. (Speaking of break – the coffee collection cup is getting pretty low, so please drop in a buck or five as you pass thru the kitchen.)

 

Before we left, Joe announced that the terms of our section leaders are about to expire.  So applications are being accepted for anyone interested including those who are currently section leaders.  This is part of a new plan to refresh as needed.

 

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 Nov 22nd Chapter Meeting

The early-bird Thanksgiving exodus meant the guys had a hard time getting to chapter on time. Not many were there at 7, but eventually the place was full and the circle had to be enlarged to the outside walls of the hall.

 

Director Joe Cerutti did the warm ups and then worked with the chorus on the holiday show music.  He auditioned a couple men for solos and told us more about the some of the plans for the show including sharing his excitement for the guest male soloist for the show.

 

We worked on the show songs til the end of the night with a chapter meeting and break in the middle.

 

Executive Director Terry Reynolds reported on several donations from Sixth Row supporters, and he reported on the thank you from the recent Red Cross Fundraising show chair person.

 

He stressed that guys needed to be certain their Groupanizer response for the Ladies Club morning show on Dec 1^st was correct.

 

Don Dillingham shared his experiences with SIGNATURE quartet last week in visiting schools in the DC area telling them about a cappella singing and our youth festival. He was excited to find such enthusiasm from the young singers. They visited 9 schools and about 350 students.

 

Holiday show producer Mick Stamps reported on a few more details (everyone was glad to see him back up to par after his scare last week). Stay tuned for details about extra rehearsals and tech nite and such.  We will be wearing the colorful sweat shirts like last year.

 

There will not be an auction at the show but a possible raffle event.

 

Secretary Chris Buechler reported that John Adams renewed for his 59^th year of membership.   John lives in NC.

 

President Randall Eliason reported that Tom Jackson’s mother died this weekend. Our condolences to Tom.  Also Dave Branstetter’s mother-in-law died recently – our condolences to Dave and Tena.

 

Randall also is seeking input/nominations from members for the annual Distinguished Service Awards that the chapter will make at the annual Presidents’ Banquet on Jan. 28^th.  That event will be at the Elks’ Club in Fairfax.  Stay tuned for sign ups.  Hope everyone attends.

 

A proposed bus trip to upstate NY (Lake George area) has come to the chapter in a request to sing at a Northeast District contest show the first weekend in May.  Stay tuned to sign up.  We have not done a long bus trip for a long while. Should be fun.

 

Craig Kujawa took orders for holiday scrip card needs with promised delivery on Tues Nov. 29^th.  Likely if you email him, you can get in on that order or a possible pre Christmas order.

 

Membership director Rich Hewitt welcomed applicants.

 

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 Nov 15th Chapter Meeting

The chapter returned to the music suite at First Baptist on Nov. 15^th to work hard on the holiday show music – especially on the new songs.  Associate director Tony Colosimo did the warm ups and director Joe Cerutti pushed the chorus to sing their best. We took time for sectionals too.

 

A big push was made by show producer Mick Stamps telling us more details about the show plan.  Rick Wagner is issuing tickets on consignment to the members.  He was busy all evening.

There are discounts for seniors, half-price for students, and a group rate for those who call. Mick announced that the dress rehearsal for the holiday show will be at Durant and then there will be a tech rehearsal at Harris Theater on GMU campus.  There was a good supply of the colorful show flyers in poster size and postcard size.

 

Sandy Stamps was also busy issuing White House Ornaments to Harmonizers to sell to their customers.

 

Executive director Terry Reynolds reported that board member Steve Sutton has an appendix removed recently.  Terry presented the new chapter logo on the screen for all to see.

 

Secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Gary Mankin for 44 years; Clark Chesser for 7 years; and Don Harrington for 37 years.

 

The Dec. 20^th chapter nite will start with us singing at Casey Blezer’s school before we do the carol sing on the streets in Old Town.

 

Director of Membership Rich Hewitt welcomed more applicants and guest singers.

 

Next week we are back to Durant.

 

Before we ended the chapter meeting, Joe reported on the behind-the-scenes work some of educator team is working on this week.  Our quartet friends from FL, SIGNATURE, who medaled in Nashville, are back in our area singing at schools to invite students and music educators to your youth festival next spring.  AND to encourage them to discover a cappella singing. They expect to meet and sing for thousands of  students. This is a continuation of the grant the chapter received from the Harmony Foundation.

 

Joe also was excited to share the great successes by BHS at the recent meeting of the National Association for Music Education.  It was in Dallas and the Vocal Majority sang and did some of our top quartet.  Jim Henry, director of the Ambassadors of Harmony, spoke to the group too and was a hit with his youthful approach.

 

In other news, here is a special invite from Dave Kohls for another set of Holiday concerts: The Washington Men's Camerata will be presenting its holiday show on Saturday December 3, Sunday December 4, and Sunday December 11. The performance on December 3rd will be held at the Fairlington United Methodist Church, 3900 King St., Alexandria VA, at 8:00 p.m.; the December 4th show will be at the Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church, 6601 Bradley Blvd., Bethesda, MD, at 4:00 p.m.; and the December 11th show at St. Columba’s Church, 4201 Albemarle St., NW, WDC (Tenleytown) at 4:00 p.m. Tickets cost $25 for adults, $15 for students, and $60 for a family of four ("family" is very loosely defined, basically any group of 4 people who show up together), and are available at http://camerata.com/concerts/ or from Dave Kohls.

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 Nov 8th Chapter Meeting, Wounded Warrior Event and Veteran's Day Sing, Red Cross Fund Raiser

The chapter returned to First Baptist on Nov. 8^th since Durant was used as a polling place for the election.

 

On Sunday afternoon, Nov. 6^th, about 25 of us sang at the Old Dominion Boat Club at the end of King Street.  The event was to help a local non-profit group raise monies for Wounded Warriors.  Joe Cerutti was out director.  We did mostly patriotic tunes plus a couple of the Beatles songs.  We sang twice and both times had great audience response including some sing-along time.

 

Thanks to Alan Wile for the notes from the following events while YeEd was in NYC.

On Friday, Nov. 11^th we sang again at Oakton Elementary School for the all-school assembly to honor Veterans Day: 24 Harmonizers participated; Terry Reynolds directed. Riser crew at 8:00 a.m. Set up three risers. Rehearsed in the Library before joining the 830 students, guest veterans, teachers, et al in the gym. Ms. Kathleen Marshall originated the program following her experience in 9/11/01 - 16 years ago – she highlighted this and ran the show this year as she has in the past. Veteran guests included reps from all three services, with several flag and general officers. One student’s father, a BG, visited on Skype. We sang three songs: “Armed Forces Medley,” “Stars and Stripes,” and “God Bless America.” The last of these we sang through twice, asking all to join in … which they did. And did they sing!!! A great experience. Gerry Fuller drove the truck and supervised the unloading and reloading of the risers. After the show a few of the veteran participants enjoyed free lunches at Applebees.

That same day was a memorial service at the Mount Vernon Unitarian church for former member Jim Stockton. A total of 17 active and inactive members of the Alexandria Chapter participated with the Harmony Heritage Singers/Mount Vernon Chapter chorus, together with a number of former Harmonizers. Drew Fuller is the director and directed four of the songs; Bob Wachter directed one song; Mike Everard introduced one of the songs.. Following the service, there was a reception for all at the church.

On Sunday, Nov. 13^th. 41 Harmonizers performed at the seventh annual (first for us) First Presbyterian Church of Arlington musical benefit program – this year to benefit the American Red Cross flood relief effort, primarily in the southeastern United States. The program consisted of 15 vocal and instrumental selections by quite a renowned list of musicians. We sand two songs (during which director Joe Cerutti  encouraged the audience to sing out). We received a boisterous response at the conclusion of our set. Most of us remained for the balance of the program and several enjoyed punch and snacks in the social hall afterwards.

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 Nov. 1^st  Chapter Meeting

This week’s meeting and rehearsal was a work session for the upcoming shows.  Associate director Tony Colosimo did the warm ups with the chorus in a circle in the main hall at Durant. No risers.  He offered a number of challenges during the nite to get us to think about the big picture of performance.  He taught the “I Will Dream of You” tag and had the chorus form into quartets to sing it and do self-improvement on their performance of it.

 

Director Joe Cerutti welcomed the large chorus for this week’s work session.  He reported on his travels to Australia and New Zealand to judge and coach, and his meetings in Nashville at BHS headquarters.  He labeled the fall show as one of our very best.  And he suggests that this year’s holiday show will be awesome too!

 

Then we worked and started several of the songs we will use for November shows.  Then we went to sectionals for work on “Gloria” and “What’s This.”

 

Chapter executive director Terry Reynolds conducted the chapter meeting portion of the evening.  Joe announced that he is cutting “Jingle Bells/Sleigh Ride” that was announced for the Dec. show.

 

The chorus was alerted that we would not be projecting any music on screens in the near future, so bring your own music.

 

A brief report on the recent mailing to “6^th Row” guys – anyone who has ever sung on the risers.  Several donations have been received already since that mailing.

 

Terry thanked Todd Ryktarsyk for his work as shows director.  Todd has asked to be replaced since his work had taken a change.  Terry is seeking a replacement.  Mick Stamps will produce the holiday show.  BTW – sell tickets, use the posters the chapter has made available.  AND consignment tickets will be available for this show!!

 

NOTE that the meeting both Nov. 8 and 15 will be at First Baptist Church on King St. with a recording session on the 15^th.

 

Joe and Terry appealed for all guys to come have fun and sing at the Boat Club at the end of King Street on the River. Casual dress.  $20 to get in – if anyone can’t do the ticket, see Terry.

 

Dress for the Nov. 11^th usual performance at Oakton Elementary School for Veterans’ Day is coat and tie.  Show is in the morning.  That afternoon is the memorial service for Jim Stockton.  Harmonizers attending have been invited to sing with the Harmony Heritage Singers. Service is at 2 pm. Arrive at 1 pm. At Mt. Vernon Unitarian Church.

 

Sunday Nov. 13^th gig is at First Presbyterian Church in Arlington.  Watch for more details in chapter announcement email.

 

President Randall Eliason reported that he, Terry and Joe attended a gathering of seven major chapters of BHS in St. Louis last weekend. This is a repeat of a discussion effort of chapter/chorus topics, challenges, ideas, new thrusts. The meeting was hosted by the Ambassadors of Harmony so attendees were there for the chapter meeting and a youth concert event.

 

Secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Casey Belzer for two years, Pietro Perrino for two years and Reed Livergood for six years.

 

White House Ornaments were available on consignment from Sandy Stamps.

 

Membership director Rich Hewitt welcome another new applicant.

 

Thanks to everyone who brought in Halloween candy to share.  It helped restock the goodies supply.  Don’t forget to drop in a donation now and then in the kitchen at break time.

 

After break, it was back to work on the holiday music.

 

A good crowd of guys made it over to La Portas for the afterglow.  Some fun chatter, some good tag singing and great fellowship.

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 Oct 25^th Chapter Meeting

This week’s meeting was a good work session in preparation for some patriotic show packages and the annual holiday show.

 

Associate director Tony Colosimo did the warm ups and was in charge of the music program for the nite. Work time included time spent on the two new holiday songs issued so far, “Gloria” and “What’s This.”  He also had the chorus review the other holiday songs for the show which we have sung before.

 

Chapter president Randall Eliason reported that Phil Ashford is still recovering from the auto accident months ago, and Phil asked us to record “Happy Birthday” for his Dad Cecil who turned 90.  Cecil was a Harmonizer first and then his sons Phil and Jeff joined.

 

Keith Jones submitted news from the SAI International contest in Vegas.  Greater Harrisburg Chorus with the Pride of Baltimore finished 13^th.  Joe Cerutti was co-director. Rick Taylor’s wife, Sue, was in the 19^th place quartet.  Heather Krones was in the 5^th place quartet.  She sang with us in Nashville. Carlos Barillo was choreographer for the 4^th place chorus from Colorado.   

 

It was announced that Saundra Dillingham will be coordinating a silent auction at the Harmonizer holiday show.  Members are encouraged to approach local businesses for gift cards and services they could coordinate.

 

Two more holiday songs are coming on the website, so be looking.

 

Tickets for the show are now on sale too.

 

Thanks again to Todd Ryktarsyk for his leadership for the fall show.

The annual chapter meeting was held and officers elected: President- Randall Eliason; Immediate Past President- Rick Wagner; Secretary- Chris Buechler; Treasurer- Al Herman; Members-At-Large- Dave Branstetter, Don Dillingham, Art Medici.

President Ken Fess spoke on behalf of the Harmonizers, Inc. organization to report that the group had gotten 501c3 status in late spring.  That board meets quarterly with their major focus being fundraising.

Membership director Rich Hewitt welcomed two new applicants and some singer guests.

Chapter secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Tommy and Garret Garner, Carlos Barillo, Gary Fuller, Todd Ryktarsyk and Bob Blair.  Randy Lazear was the longest renewal with 43 years.

After break, it was more work on the show songs including time for sectionals.

 

All members should be sure to note the weekly announcement report sent by the chapter to the yahoo group.

 

Quick review here:

 

The Holiday Show – Dec. 16 at 8 pm and Dec 17 at 2 and 8 pm; at George Mason’s Harris Theater. Theme is “A Family Christmas” TICKETS on sale now online.

 

Sun Nov 6 – Old Dominion Boat Club – Wounded Warrior Benefit. In the afternoon

 

Fri Nov 11 – Veterans’ Day Performance at Oakton Elementary School – chorus call about 8:30 am

 

Sun Nov 13 – Benefit Concert at First Presbyterian, Arlington, 7 pm, 601 N

Vermont St., Arlington.  Call time about 7 pm.

 

Thurs Dec 1 – Holiday sing for Ladies Luncheon at 11:30 am at Fairfax Country Club.

 

Sat Dec 12 –  all sectionals rehearsal 9-12 at First Baptist.

 

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 Oct 18^th Chapter Meeting

The chapter met at First Baptist this week again to record our contest package. Associate director Tony Colosimo headed up the music team for the nite.  Mike Kelly and Dennis Ritchey did the sound work and all the set up.

 

We had sectionals to start the nite after warm ups and then recorded the uptune from contest.  Then after break, repeated that schedule to record the ballad.

 

The annual meeting for election of officers was postponed until next week when there would be a quorum.

 

Members should be sure to watch for the weekly announcement summary from the executive director’s office as there are many shows and events coming up.

 

All sectionals will be on Sat. Oct 22 at First Baptist working on the new holiday music.

 

President Randall Eliason reported on some member news.  Shawn Tallant has had shoulder surgery and is recovering.

 

John Adams, longtime member of the chapter who now lives and sings in NC, suffered a stroke on Friday nite Oct. 14^th.  He is already making some recovery according to barbershop informants.  John was tenor in the NOVA CHORDS quartet and in the gold medal seniors quartet champ from our chapter, REMINISCE.  He was chapter president too.

 

President Randall has announced plans for the memorial services for Jim Stockton and reminds all that if you wish to sing at the service (with the Mt. Vernon Chapter guys), contact their director Drew Fuller for music details.

 

In other news. Jordan Haedtler and his brother Patrick (lead in the gold medal quartet MATERPIECE) and their dad David sang in a quartet DON’T TELL MOM this past weekend that won the Far Western District quartet contest.  Congrats Jordan and family.

 

David Ellis was in the quartet that won the Pioneer district contest called HEMIDEMISEMIQUAVER4. Congrats.

 

Michael Gilmore sang with the Alliance chorus this past weekend in the Johnny Appleseed District chorus contest where they took second place.  

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 Oct 15^th Fall Show

The chapter’s 2016 fall show was at 2 and 7:30 pm on Saturday, Oct. 15^th at Schlesinger Hall on the campus of NoVa Community College in Alexandria. The risers were packed with a larger chorus well prepared to sing this year’s show.

Our guest quartet was DA CAPO – recently named M-AD quartet champs. The sang to kick off the second half of the show and help launch the finale for the show. 

The show theme was REVOLUTION – a musical celebration of the art of change, featuring the revolutionary music of the Beatles, and excerpts from the contemporary oratorio “I Am Harvey Milk.”  Guest soloist for the oratorio portion was Larry Friedman and the accompanist was Allan Weber (a former Harmonizer in 1994-96, earned a gold medal with us in Miami and is a regular music educator to bring students to our chapter’s Youth Harmony Festival from Potomac High School in Dumfries.)  We gave them each a Harmo lapel pin to make them honorary members.

Harmonizer solists in the oratorio portion included Terry Reynolds, Ken Ives, Frank Fedarko, Edris Qarghah, and Noah VanGilder.

The Beatles music included songs from our contest package in Nashville last summer with several traditional crowd pleasers.  Another special guest was Drew Tepe, a popular pianist/entertainer in the Pittsburgh area, who helped involve the audience in singing-a-long. (Yes he is a distant cousin of Greg.)  Drew got the audience and the chorus involved in singing, clapping and getting into the Beatles songs he played and sang, and made it fun for all.  He is also a championship barbershop quartet singer in the Seneca Land District and has sung in a quartet with former Harmonizer Pete Frank.

Harmonizer soloists in the Beatles portion included Kevin McKenzie and Ben Roberts. Our chapter a cappella group directed by Reed Livergood, TBD, sang three Beatles songs as part of the show too.

The music leadership team of director Joe Cerutti, associate director Tony Colosimo, choreographer Carlos Barillo, section leaders and performance team, had worked hard to prepare us for this show, tho we first sang the new Beatles package for other local chapters at the annual Dog Days event in August. Costumes for the show included our black suit with narrow black tie (ala Nashville) for the Beatles songs, and ‘80s theme outfits with lots of color and flashback clothing (coordinated by choreographer Carlos).  These costumes meant the local thrift shops made a lot of sales!!

Thank yous for stage and technical crews for the show including riser crews to haul in and set up our new risers.  Todd Ryktarsyk was general show chairman. Greg Tepe was stage manager. Mike Kelly and Dennis Ritchey did the sound work and some of the emcee work for the show.  Other times guys on stage announced songs.  Tom Jackson was the pitchman. Thanks to Mike Edison and his crew for their Saturday morning work on the riser safety rails.

Two Harmonizers sang their first show with the chapter this weekend – Litic Murali and Rob Barnovsky.  Welcome on board.

Tony and Joe helped us get warmed up for each show and offered reminders for all.  Saturday eve we were ready to go, so Joe taught us David Wright’s favorite tag, “All By Myself Alone.”  It was fun.

Of course there was the usual effort by many guys to clear the stage and reload into our truck after the show.  Thanks again to all who pitched in.

Thanks also to the many friends of the chapter who worked in the lobby to sell things and help guests get into the show.  Keith Jones was on hand all weekend.

This was likely the final performance of the “I Am Harvey Milk” music and so it was an emotional Harmonizer “Breathless Moment” for all singers and our director!

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