Looking Back on the August 7^th Chapter Meeting 

(Thanks to Gary Cregan who took the notes while YeEd Jack Pitzer was away on vacation.)

Tuesday night was another night of intense focus and preparation as the Platinum Moments70^th Anniversary shows looms closer and closer. The evening started with clean-shaven Associate Director Tony Colosimo warming the men up to focus on proper alignment, breath control, and palate position.

Tony handed the reins over to director Joe Cerutti, who ran the chorus through “Steppin’ Out Medley” with no choreo. Then he asked only the men who felt they were very ready with the choreography they learned last week to go through it. Bringing everyone back onto the risers, Bruce Roehm worked the choreography for much of the rest of the song, and Joe took the rest of the time until the chapter meeting to drill those moves with everyone back on the risers.

Throughout the evening, Ian Poulin was available to take money for consignment tickets and to hand out more tickets for consignment.

Communications director Steve Murane conducted the chapter meeting, starting with the fact that all chapter meetings and extra rehearsals will be at Scottish Rite Temple in August.

Platinum Moments Promoter Krissi Folsom spent a few minutes recommending marketing suggestions for the 70^th Anniversary show. Besides talking to people face-to-face, she encouraged everyone to ‘like’ or ‘follow’ the Harmonizers social media sites, and to share the Platinum Moments literature on those sites often. Krissi also asked everyone to invite their Facebook friends to the Platinum Moments event that is set up on that platform. Below are the links to the various Harmonizers social media pages; if you haven’t ‘liked’ or ‘followed’, please do so.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alexandria-harmonizers/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/search?q=alexandria%20harmonizers&src=typd
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harmonizers/

While you’re on Facebook, check out Tony Colosimo going live (as recorded by Mike Kelly) at rehearsal last night to talk about all the exciting special guests for the 70^th Anniversary.

Uniform announcements: if you haven’t been sized for the new suit, you must do it either on August 9 or 14. Contact Robyn Murane if you can’t make either of those two to work out alternate arrangements. Also, check your tuxedo to ensure that you have the correct sizes and all the parts. See her email for more details.

Terry Reynolds took the mic to announce that men who are not prepared to sing all of the numbers on September 8 can sit out the ones they are not ready for. The only exception is “Blow Gabriel Blow” and “We Kiss in the Shadows” - if you sit out one of those, you have to sit out both. If you are going to sit out any numbers, let him know which ones. He also announced that the rehearsal on Friday, September 7 is a tech rehearsal and for front row only.

There are performances planned on August 28 in Manassas, September 16 at Strathmore, October 20 at the Washington Hilton, and TC Williams for the Holiday Show on December 8.

Tuesday was the last night to give Brad Jones money for the England portion of the England/Scotland trip; those doing the Scotland extension have until August 28 to give him the money.

A sheet went around the room for all the men to sign stating that they carry liability insurance on their car insurance. This is a requirement for the Harmonizers’ new liability insurance.

Steve wrapped up his time at the mic by asking for a count of men who want a Harmonizers saddle bag. Contact him soon if you’d like to get one.

Chapter president Shawn Tallant had several announcements. He is still looking for someone to take charge of the softball game with the men of Parkside Harmony in Hershey, PA. Contact him directly.

He had news of several chapter members, as well. Ross Johnson’s eye surgery on July 25 was successful. There is a 2-month recovery, but all is going well. Bob Wachter is back home, which is great news. Both men would appreciate hearing from other members. On a sad note, Chuck McKeever’s mother-in-law passed away. He was very close to her, so please let him know that you are sorry for his loss.

Lastly, Shawn brought Director Joe Cerutti up to present him with a framed copy of the Orlando photo in gratitude for all the hard work that he put into preparing the chorus for the International Competition last month.

Chris Buechler represented the membership committee, to announce Jeff Burkey’s fourth year of membership.

Calvin Schnure announced six visitors: Jacob, Adam, Trace, Luke, Will, and Adrian.

After the chapter meeting and a relatively short break, the men returned to the risers, and made some very minor tweaks to “Blow Gabriel Blow.” The chorus ran through “Great Day” a few times without choreography, and then put it all together under the watchful eye of choreographer Craig Kujawa (freshly tanned after his arduous month-long work trip to Hawaii). He made four recommendations for improvement, the group made the fixes, and moved on to the“Anthem/Ode to Joy” mashup. After working through the music, Joe announced that this would be the last night that men would be singing with music for this song on the risers. A run-through of “Miller Medley” finished out the night.

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

Looking Back on the July 31^st Chapter Meeting

This was another busy work nite for the Harmonizers as we prepare for our fall show.

At 7:45 we were visited by members and guests of the Henry Knox Field - John Blair Lodge, No. 349, which also meets at Scottish Rite Temple on Tuesday nights. They are having a "friends and family" dinner downstairs and asked whether they could hear us perform. The chorus was asked to wear the black Harmonizer camp shirt.

Also this week there was a major effort to determine correct size for all singers for the new uniforms that are on their way to the chapter.  Uniform coordinator Robyn Murane was in charge.

Director Joe Cerutti did the warm ups and conducted the music for the nite. 

There was some review of stage presence before the meeting for the front row and special groups that will help sell a couple of the songs.

Communications director Steve Murane conducted the chapter meeting. 

He reminded all that all regular and special chapter meetings will be at the Scottish Rite Temple.

There will be a 20-page printed program for the fall show and there are still some spaces left for ads.  Members can buy one, or a quartet, or a section like the baritones could buy one.  Or the firm you work for could buy one. Contact Casey Belzer or Joe Cerutti Sr.

Ticket chairman Ian Poulin requests that all consignment tickets of the money for them be turned in no later than next Tuesday nite.

Be sure to check the email about the England trip sent by Brad Jones and note the deadline extension.

Steve talked the whole chorus thru a FaceBook effort to promote the show.

Ken Rub announced the plans for the Platinum reception after the fall show. Tickets will be $35 each and must be purchased in advance.  Bar, hors d oeuvres, meal catered by Maggiano’s, plus appearances by our guests.  At the Lee Center in Alexandria.

President Shawn Tallant reported on the recent passing of former member Rob Nutt, and reported that Bob Wachter is at Inova Fairfax Hospital.  Mike Everard is recovering at Mt. Vernon Inova Hospital following the amputation of his left foot below the knee.  Cards and emails only at this point to the home address. He is making progress.  Sandy Stamps got good news from her bone surgery and is recovering at home.

Chapter secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Rasmus Krigstrom for six years (Joe to deliver to him); and Edris Qarghah for ten years.

Terry Reynolds announced that the return appearance at Strathmore is a “on” for Sept. 16^th; and there is a paid job for the chorus on Sat. Oct. 20^th.

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

Looking Back on the July 24^th  Chapter Meeting 

Even tho a large part of the chapter’s musical leadership was at Harmony University (HU) in Nashville, we had a very good work session on songs for the important fall show coming up Sept. 8^th.

Will Cox was on hand to do one of his iconic warm up sessions.  Assistant director Chuck Hunter was director-in-charge for the nite.  Choreographer Carlos Barillo and Bruce Roehm worked with the chorus on the visual plans for “Steppin Out” early in the evening. Near the end of the nite we reviewed performing “Miller Medley” and “Great Day.” Chuck McKeever did the video recordings for these work sessions.

Communications director Steve Murane conducted the chapter meeting starting with confirmation that all of the August regular chapter meetings and special meetings will be at Scottish Rite Temple.

Everyone needs to review the email message from Casey Belzer regarding selling advertisements for the show program.  If a member knows of a strong prospect and can’t make “the ask” they should contact Casey or Joe Cerutti Sr.

Steve asked for all of the new uniforms that are to be turned in to be handed to him at break so he could check the owners’ name off the list he was missing.

Also everyone needs to review the message from Brad Jones about the quickly approaching England trip deadlines and payments.

Show ticket chairman Ian Poulin announced that unsold consignment tickets and monies collected for sold tickets must be turned in to him on Tues. July 31^st.

The team of Alan Wile and Walt Page are eager every Tuesday to accept 50/50 purchases.

President Shawn Tallant reported on the exchange of the new uniforms for something else.  Thus the need for all those new uniforms to be turned in this week to Robyn or Steve Murane.

Shawn also reported on some members with health issues.  Sandy Stamps is home recovering from surgery in her mouth to manage soft tissue cancer.  Bob Wachter is home and receiving in home care. Ross Johnson will have eye surgery here in the DC area soon.  Mike Everard is in Mount Vernon Hospital rehab center for circulatory issues.

Chapter secretary Chris Buechler presented a seven year membership renewal to Steve Szyszka.

Calvin Schnure welcomed our guests on behalf of the membership team – Chris and Jacob.

The second half of the nite was solid work on music and visuals for the show and a great introduction to singing and performing the finale for the show – “Anthem.”

Director Joe Cerutti, associate director Tony Colosimo, assistant directors Mike Kelly and Terry Reynolds were all in Nashville at HU.  Last weekend, Terry, Dennis Ritchey and Bob Eckman attended the Leadership Summit in Nashville which preceded HU.

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

Looking Back on the July 17^th  Chapter Meeting 

(Thanks to Gary Cregan for taking notes for this week’s wrap up report! YeEd)

It was a busy and productive night at the July 17, 2018 Alexandria Harmonizers Chapter meeting at the Scottish Rite Temple on Braddock Road.

At the beginning of the evening, our costume manager, Robyn Murane, recruited men who arrived early to try on and model the new jackets and vests for chapter leadership, including Shawn Tallant, Joe Cerutti, Terry Reynolds, Tony Colosimo, and Carlos Barillo. The CEO of the company who had sold us the suits had come to try to make her case that the suits were great, but ultimately, the leadership decided that we were going to look for something a little more traditional.

Attendance was a little lighter than usual, since the Washington Nationals were hosting the All-Star Game, and several men either had tickets or were singing the National Anthem before the game.

Tony Colosimo conducted the warm-up, focusing on vocal technique such as breath control and proper mouth positions. Tony then spent some time working on measures 41-56 of the “Steppin’ Out”  Medley before handing the reins to Joe Cerutti for the rest of the night.

Joe worked through some of the challenging vocal portions of “Glenn Miller Medley” before adding the choreo for a few run-throughs. Next, he moved on to “We Kiss in a Shadow,” which he said he wanted to perform once. After a disappointing first note, Joe stopped, got the chorus refocused, and we successfully performed the piece in one shot!

Moving to the chapter meeting, Steve Murane led the session, first calling Casey Belzer up to discuss his plan for sending every member out to canvass for advertisements. The bottom line is that Casey is going to give every man an advertisement order form and expect all of us to go out and try to drum up some revenue. Many men picked up their forms on Tuesday evening.

Steve announced that Sheryl Berlin is going to be the new Education Director, and is already starting to plan for the Youth Harmony Festival next year. Sheryl has served as assistant director of the Washington DC Chapter.

Steve also mentioned that Stan Quick was heading up the effort to host members of the Toronto Northern Lights or other special guests for the 70^th Anniversary Show – contact Stan to volunteer!

Duncan Woodbury announced that he is looking for a quartet (or larger group) to sing in his brother’s wedding on August 4. He will provide music, money, transportation if necessary, and bourbon – contact Duncan directly or see his email if you’re interested.

President Shawn Tallant made several announcements. He discussed the England/Scotland trip planned for next summer, which is proceeding rapidly. The contract should be signed before the end of August, and there are still some seats available on the third bus. Act quickly!

He also mentioned the softball game between us and Hershey, and is looking for volunteers to head up that effort.

Shawn mentioned that halfway through the fiscal year, we are within $800 of planned budget, which is very good. He also announced that the Harmonizers’ strategic plan would go in front of the Board next month for approval, after which we will hear much more about it.

Shawn gave us some good updates on some men who have had some health issues. Alan Kousen is on the mend, and recuperating at his B&B in New England. Mike Everard is back at Mt. Vernon Hospital for more tests. Shawn has not heard anything about Bob Wachter, and is looking for an update. Finally, Sandy Stamps, Mick’s wife, has been diagnosed with oral cancer, and is going in for surgery this week.

Joe Cerutti took the floor again, and announced that the 70^th Anniversary Show is too long, so we were cutting two songs. The music team had already decided to cut “Wee Small Hours,” and Joe nominated “Director’s Lament” as the other song to cut.

Noah Van Gilder had the task of introducing guests, and announced a total of eight including Jordan, Matt, Tom, Jason, Ben, and Tom, Ian and Shannon relatives of Chris Leyden.

Returning to singing, Joe went over the program for the 70^th Anniversary Show, and then we worked choreography for “Great Day.”

Terry Reynolds presented his annual statistical report from the International Competition. Here are some of the most interesting statistics for me as a newcomer: The Alexandria Harmonizers are the highest scoring 8^th place barbershop chorus in history. Both songs got equal average scores from the judges for music and performance, but “Blow Gabriel Blow” received far higher visual scores. The scores the Harmonizers received for singing were the best scores they have ever received.

Afterwards, a good-sized group (probably a dozen) went over to Ramparts for the afterglow.

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