Looking Back on the Oct. 29^th and Nov. 5^th Chapter Meetings 

(Thanks to Jerry Jayjohn for taking notes for the two chapter meetings while YeEd was gone to the Midwest.  Jack Pitzer)

On October 29^th the chapter came together for its regular chapter meeting.  We started with a warm up and timing exercise with associate director Tony Colosimo, going over rhythms. Then continued a vocal warm-up lead by Jason Lee, after that Tony directed us through the “Twelve Days of Christmas” and all the various iterations of the ‘five baritones’ section, and reviewing the new fun lyrics for the piece.

Tony then dismissed the large chorus into sections to review a few pieces for 15-20 minutes, then we came back as a full chorus and sang through the songs we had reviewed in sections. 

The normal business portion was conducted by Steve Murane, going over announcements, with some comments by president Shawn Tallant. Four new Harmonizers were introduced to the chapter - Peter Kempf, John Sifuentes, Duncan Peacock, and Devin Gerzof. Welcome all!  Then Ben Watsky introduced the two guests, and we sang the welcome song for them.

After break, we split into small groups and reviewed “Jingle Bell/Sleigh Ride,” “Toyland,” “Carol of the Bells,” and “Gloria,” with rotating leaders of Jason, Tony, Terry Reynolds, and Reed Livergood. After about 30 minutes the entire chorus returned and we reviewed “Mary Did You Know,” and closed with “Jingle Bells/Sleigh Ride.” There was about 70 men in attendance and a great fellowship with everyone welcoming the new members.

 On Tuesday November 5^th, the guys came together for their regular chapter meeting at the Scottish Rite Temple. To open the rehearsal, associate director Tony Colosimo lead the chorus through a quick vocal warm up and jumped right into our rehearsal. We ran through the “Twelve Days of Christmas” several times, working extra on the ‘five baritone’ section.

Before break, we had our regular business meeting, going over announcements for upcoming rehearsals and performances. Ben Watsky announced our guests and we welcomed them in song. We had about a 10 minute break before returning.

When the guys returned to the risers, Tony took the chorus through a couple of songs, before breaking the chorus into small groups. As in previous weeks, the four groups went to different areas, with rotating leaders moving from group to group going over set sections of selected numbers. Once all the groups had a chance with each leader, we assembled back in the auditorium.

We worked on “Gloria,” focusing on the small group part at the beginning. We closed the nite by singing “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”  Even though the main chorus was dismissed most guys watched those in the Veteran’s Day performance group rehearse their repertoire, showing great brotherhood and unity among the guys.

 In other news from the Sunshine District contest and convention, YeEd received word that former member Harold Nantz, and original tenor of VAUDEVILLE, was named to the Sunshine District Hall of Fame and was given his 50-year pin.  Chapter member Keith Jones and former member Bob Thames sang with the Sunshine Statesmen seniors chorus in the contest and qualified to compete at the upcoming BHS midwinter convention in FL.  Joe Cerutti was music judge for that district contest.

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 Oct. 22^nd Chapter Meeting 

It was raining “cats and dogs” at chapter meeting time this week, and the NATS were set to play the Astros at 8:08 pm.  But a big chorus was on the risers anyway.  

We met in the cafeteria this week and the crew set up risers down there.  Associate director Tony Colosimo did the warm ups.  Then director Joe Cerutti took over and thanked everyone for the great performance, and for joining in the fellowship of the Men’s singing event last Wednesday.   Joe confirmed there is an extra/optional rehearsal this Thursday, Oct. 24, and then again on Wed. Oct. 30^th and Nov. 6^th. Those three are at 7 pm at Scottish Rite Temple (SRT). 

Then it was off to work on the holiday songs.  The chorus sang a couple songs thru and then dispersed to all parts of the SRT for sectional work on those songs. One was “The Twelve Days of Christmas” which the chapter is working to make a funny production number and we are creating our own words.

After the mid-way break in the singing, communications director Steve Murane held the business meeting. He also made announcements about upcoming calendar changes such as the No Meeting on Nov. 26^th but instead a meeting on Thurs. Nov. 21^st. 

Steve also reports that there is a 10% discount for Harmonizers buying Strathmore concert tickets – he will get us the code.

Volunteer coordinator Robyn Murane is working to collect contact info for significant others of chorus members.  Go see her with the info. 

Liz Birnbaum explained the plans for a silent auction in the lobby before our Dec. 21^st holiday show at Schlesinger.  Chorus members are asked to get donated items, gift cards, service pledges and such.  They can be brought to Randall Eliason on Tuesday nites.  

Mike Edison is eager to hear from chapter members interested in forming a quartet and who are eager for some help in doing so.  See him.

President Shawn Tallant explained the recent check for $4,329.59 received by the chapter from Harmony Foundation Inc.  It represents the generous support of HFI by chapter members who selected our chapter in their Donor Choice option for donations made to HFI from January 1 - June 30, 2019.  As you can see, in addition to supporting the good work of the Harmony Foundation, this program provides an important source of revenue for our chapter.  

Ben Watsky welcome our singing guests this week – Peter, JoYo, Duncan and John who have been with us before, and Mark who was visiting from the Pittsburg PA Chorus.

After the break, Joe took the chorus thru the whole holiday show set.  After each song he asked how guys felt they did on a scale of 1-10, and how many weeks it would take to get to 10. The show is sounding GREAT!

In other news, stay tuned for a message from Craig Kujawa promoting participation in our Scrip sales program.  This is the time of year when you can help your chapter and yourself – get gift cards for holiday hams, gifts, travel, sports equipment or movies.  

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 Oct. 16^th Men’s Choral Fellowship

The sanctuary of Alfred Street Baptist was full for the fourth annual Men’s Choral Fellowship in Alexandria.  There were about 200 men from all parts of the DC region singing and pouring their hearts out in song.

Hosted by the Harmonizers and the Male Chorus from Alfred Street, the evening included performances from four men’s ensembles.  And after each group sang two songs, they taught all the others a song. Our director Joe Cerutti and Alfred Street director Melvin Bryant were co-hosts and kicked off the nite with some history of the event and then some details of how the evening would work.  Copies of music that would be taught were shared. Joyce Garrett, Music Minister for Alfred Street, also welcomed all the singers and shared her joy that this event has grown so large and that it continues.

Alfred Street invited the Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church Male Chorus directed by Cornelius Young to participate this year; and the Harmonizers invited the Washington Men’s Camerada directed by Frank Albinder to participate. 

The Harmonizers sang “Circle of Life/Heart and Music” with Tony Colosimo and Drew Fuller singing the solos and Bob Blair providing rhythm for this one; and “For Good” with Jon Frank singing the solo for this one. The Harmonizers taught “One More Song” from BHS – an original song and arrangement by Joe Liles.

After all the singing, there was a social time in the church basement – plenty of good things for all to eat including great wings and dips! And there was plenty of time and space to continue visiting with our fellow singers that had begun upstairs with us all seated  by part (tenor 1, tenor 2, bass 1 and bass 2) and not seated with our own chorus.

It was great to have some family members on hand for the event, as well as two recent guests, Duncan and Devin.   Clyde Crusenberry helped organize this event for our chapter and worked with the folks at Alfred Street

.

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 Oct. 15^th Chapter Meeting and Manassas Chorale Gig

Amazing how many men we had at this week’s meeting and rehearsal since (1) the music team gave guys permission to skip this one if it meant they couldn’t attend the gig on Wed. eve; (2) the Nationals were playing (and won a spot for the World Series); and (3) the presidential debates were on TV!

Ken Rub started the nite with exercise - he got the chorus into a circle on the stage and had them work thru several physical exercises.  Then associate director Tony Colosimo did the vocal warm ups. We didn’t use risers again this week, but stood in the theater seat area. 

Director Joe Cerutti thanked all the guys who sang in Manassas on Saturday and complimented them on an awesome job. 

He alerted the chorus about three extra optional rehearsals (note he stressed optional – but he pointed out that he first holiday show is Nov. 30^th and only a few regular rehearsals away).  The extra sessions are Thurs. Oct. 24^th, Wed., Oct. 30^th and Wed. Nov. 6^th.  

Joe again invited all Harmonizers, guests and former members to attend the Men’s Sing Wednesday nite at Alfred Street Baptist in Alexandria. Get there early and be warmed up to sing. Parking is a challenge, so be prepared. Wear the Harmo black casual outfit. We will teach the other men “One More Song.” 

Then the work began on holiday music for the Harmonizer shows on Nov. 30^th at Strathmore and on Dec. 21^st at Schlesinger.  Some songs were done in sectionals for 15 minutes and then the chorus regrouped to sing the whole song. 

Communications director Steve Murane conducted the chapter meeting.  Speaking of extra rehearsals, there will not be a meeting on Tues. Nov. 26^th before Thanksgiving, but there will be a meeting on Thursday, Nov. 21^st.

President Shawn Tallant will be sending out a request for nominations from the members for major chapter awards to be presented at the end of the year. 

Shawn invited Dennis Ritchey to present a certificate of appreciation from the M-AD for Joe Cerutti and his 15 years of directing in our district – two for Five Towns and thirteen for Alexandria. He was honored at the district convention recently and Dennis accepted on Joe’s behalf.

Calvin Schnure welcomed our returning guests this week including Peter, Tesa, John, and JoYo, plus first time guest Matt.

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

In other news:  (Thanks to Jerry Jayjohn for this report. - YeEd) On October 12, an ensemble of 27 guys met at the Hylton Performing Arts Center, to perform with the Manassas Chorale. Our guys took the risers and did a very quick run through of the Harmonizer's songs, with Joe singing the solo in “Circle of Life/Heart and Music” and “For Good;” and with Ben Roberts singing the solo for “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables.”

The guys moved to their places and performed a run through with the Manassas Chorale and the Manassas Park High School Chamber Singers, singing an SATB arrangement of “Try to Remember” and “Impossible Dream.” After the run through, we were free to sit in the audience and watch the first half the of the Chorale's performance.

At intermission, our guys met backstage for a quick touch up on some spots, and then we moved into position backstage, taking the stage right after the high school group.  Once the guys took to the risers, they owned the stage giving a great performance, where even the drummer of the orchestra gave the guys a standing ovation. 

Once we were done singing our songs, we joined the Chorale and sang the two songs they had picked for us to join them on.

Members of the chorale thanked us for joining them in song, and also thanked us for an outstanding performance.

All in all, we took a little bit of the Harmonizers to a fairly new audience and hopefully created a new fan base.

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