Looking Back on the April 28^th, 2020 Virtual Chapter Meeting

The chapter has suspended in-person meetings of the chorus, boards and committees until further notice as well as for any small group or ensemble gatherings. This is in recognition of recent mandates by officials and leaders of the BHS and in cooperation with local health authorities and government officials. 

Thus there was not a regular in-person meeting of the Alexandria Harmonizers on April 28^th,  2020.  

Instead, director Joe Cerutti hosted a gathering at 7 pm via Zoom video meeting this week to continue the work on music, learn performance plans, and learn more about our chapter and the barbershop hobby in general.

Joe was excited to report that we were anticipating coach Kevin Keller on this call to share his thoughts, ideas, and concepts for his arrangement of “42^nd Street” that we are learning; and that we will hear from Mark Kettner explaining the performance judging category for BHS contests. 

Chris Huber and Joe shared the news that Peggy Harris, our friend from our stop in Les Ventes France, after our trip to Normandy, had died on April 14^th.  She was 96 and living in Vernon, TX. 

Joe reminded singers to please submit their rehearsal ready materials right away for “Chorus Line.”

Associate director Tony Colosimo did the physical and vocal warm up sessions for the 60+ singers on the call. His session included dancing to “Twist and Shout!”

Then there was work on “Goodbye” from The Producers (arranged for the Harmonizers by Steve Tramack) with rehearsal ready singers working with Joe and others working with Tony. 

Next, music team administrator Terry Reynolds used the Zoom system to randomly divide all attendees on the call into a small group of five or so.  This gave us a chance to check in with each other and each small group reported back to the whole with news and updates from the members.  Great chance to help fill the gap of not seeing or singing with each other.  Joe had asked the guys to share “what they have been doing to survive these days!”

The business meeting was brief with no announcements.  A couple Harmonizer families have covid-19 issues so our thoughts are with Calvin Schnure and Frank Fedarko who have elderly family members who tested positive for the virus.

Kevin Keller, from the Ambassadors of Harmony and a popular Harmonizer coach, joined our Zoom call. He was well prepared, and with the music for “42^nd Street” appearing on our screens, he spoke about his thoughts, ideas, concepts, desires, suggestions and major details he had put into this exciting arrangement for our chorus.  He was glad to see and hear from the men in the chapter and created more excitement about this new uptune.

Joe and the guys thanked Kevin for his insights and thorough instruction.

There were two electives/breakout sessions again this week.  Terry Reynolds presented Great Barbershop Chorus Performances; and Mark Kettner explained the performance category.  He is from the Dixie District and resides in Tennessee. He shared all the current info about that category and shared his thoughts of how we earned good marks in performance with our uptune “Anything Goes” that we sang at the International in Toronto.

After these sessions ended, Joe thanked Mark  for joining us.  Then a good number of men stayed on Zoom to visit and chat.

Next week’s meeting will be via Zoom again at 7 pm.  Watch for email details.

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 71^st year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd

Looking Back on the April 21^st, 2020 Virtual Chapter Meeting

The chapter has suspended in-person meetings of the chorus, boards and committees until further notice as well as for any small group gatherings. This is in recognition of recent mandates by officials and leaders of the BHS and in cooperation with local health authorities and government officials. 

Thus there was not a regular in-person meeting of the Alexandria Harmonizers on April 21^st,  2020.  

Instead, director Joe Cerutti hosted a gathering at 7 pm via Zoom video meeting this week to continue the work on music, learn performance plans, and learn more about our chapter and the barbershop hobby in general.

We were anticipating guests on this call to include our coach Cy Wood from Ohio, and Steve Armstrong from Toronto Northern Lights chorus to speak on the music judging category in BHS.

Joe kicked off his remarks with a loud Wow! And Thank You! to all the men for their work in rallying to the Spring2ACTion campaign on Wed., April 15^th.  He particularly thanked Randall Eliason for his leadership in making that happen as well as the four sectional leaders –Devin, Ben, Brad and Matt.

Joe reports that the Mayor contacted him and plans to issue a Proclamation in honor of Brian Miller.

Finally Joe announced plans for “Chorus Line” in the weeks ahead: 1. He has made videos about the background of the song and interpretation on Facebook including “What I Did For Love;” 2. Singers may submit a recording this week of this one – remember still only submit one recording per week; 3. The chorus is looking to create a partnership with a local men’s dance organization to support this song – if members have ideas or contacts, please share with Joe.

Associate director Tony Colosimo did the physical and vocal warm up sessions for the 60+ singers on the call.

Then Tony met with men who were “riser ready” on “Defying Gravity” and Joe met with those who were not yet ready. 

Next we welcomed Cy from his home in Ohio.  He reports the school where he teaches just confirmed they would not be going back to class in the building this school year.  Then Cy set the stage for his work with teaching the Harmonizers the performance plan for “42^nd Street.”  He explained that his intentions were to create a plan that honors the “golden age of musical theater” and incorporate dance/athleticism.  (He has already provided the chorus videos they can review on their own.) Cy encouraged the men to stand up in their homes and perform things with him this evening.  He made good headway on the plan, but will likely be back to continue.

Joe and the guys thanked Cy for his help and instruction.

Next there were sectionals on “Chorus Line Medley.”

And then Joe took the helm to work with the chorus on their music for “42^nd Street.”  This time Joe asked Tony to sing the song and Joe coached Tony as a way of coaching the whole chorus. One major point stressed in this session was that the words should be pronounced as in the music – for example: danc-ing  vs. danc-in.

Joe asked for any volunteers to sing part of the song next week.  And Joe and Tony are very eager to hear from members as to how they like this work time, is it helping, are individuals making progress.  Even if all you tell them – it’s ok.  Speak up.

Joe reminded everyone how grateful we are as a chapter to have Tony’s help in our musical efforts.

There was a chapter business meeting period conducted by communications director Steve Murane. First off, Randall did a wrap up report about Spring2ACTion – we raised over $33,000! And the chapter thanked Randall for pushing.

Steve shared that guys would be hearing from BHS about refunds from Harmony University this summer, but note that the messages will come from Eventbrite.

He also reminded guys that instead of the HU trip, the chapter will host a “Harmonizer University” this summer/fall and so guys should plan to save some of their refund money to cover their costs for that fun weekend event.

President Stan Quick reports that Clyde Crusenberry is going to have some non-covid related surgery.

Members should take note of the email message about the scholarship started to honor Brian Miller.

Phyllis Muir, Craig Odell’s mother-in-law, passed away Friday morning as a direct result of COVID-19.  Condolences to Linda and Craig Odell, and Erin Odell and Dan Cook. 

Chapter secretary Chris Buechler spoke with John Adams, past Harmonizer president (1966) and long-time tenor section leader before he moved to NC, and learned that John’s wife, Jean, age 88, passed away Friday night. She had Lewy body dementia and had been in assisted care for the past six years. However, she had tested negative for COVID-19. She was an avid quilter and a past president of the Harmonettes (our former auxiliary).

We congratulate the following men for renewing as Harmonizers (as reported by secretary Chris Buechler who sent them their membership renewal cards): Bob Wachter - 68 years; Gene Swartz   - 54 years; Don Johnson - 51 years; Fr Joe Witmer  - 50 years; Jeff Taylor  - 28 years; Ian Poulin  - 20 years; and Duncan Woodbury - 8 years.

Following the meeting, there were two electives/breakout sessions.  Randall Eliason spoke about Harmonizers Organizational Structure including AH Inc.  Steve Armstrong, who is chairman of the BHS Contest and Judging Committee, explained the music category for our BHS contest system.

After these sessions ended, Joe thanked Cy for joining us.  Then  a good number of men stayed on Zoom to visit and chat.

Next week’s meeting will be via Zoom again at 7 pm.  Watch for email details.

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 71^st year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd

Looking Back on the April 15^th, 2020 Spring2ACTion Event

The Harmonizers raised over $30,000 on Wednesday as a participant in the City of Alexandria’s “one organized day of giving for Alexandria not-for-profit groups” called Spring2ACTion. It has been a huge income source for our chapter the last few years, so our chapter leaders (headed by executive director Randall Eliason) asked the members to help.  This was a particular challenge to the chorus during this time of shut downs and cutbacks and social distancing due to the covid1- virus pandemic.

Randall asked members to send invites to others outside the chapter to donate to our page,. He sent sample email messages for guys to use with the link. He reminded everyone to seek as many donations as possible from non-Harmonizers and to ask them to donate during the “power hour” from 3-4 pm we had chosen. He also created some excitement and challenge by adding a contest among the tenor-lead-bari-bass sections.
Wednesday nite at 7 pm there was a Zoom gathering for all to hear the results as they came rolling in at the end of the day. Here is a summary from Randall:

“Once again, congratulations and thanks for an extremely successful day. This was one our most successful S2A ever.”

“A few donations were still trickling in (the site remains open all week) but the total on Thursday morning, April 16^th, was $31,832.  Our original goal was $20,000.”

“We also won $1,000 in prize money - $500 for the 3-4 pm power hour, and $500 for third place in total dollars raised by Free Agent Fundraisers (basically the separate pages for the sections, which were treated as individual fundraising pages).”

The grand total for this year included $9,000 in matching gifts combining major support  from Ross Johnson and Susan Williams, Liz Birnhaum and Dave Kohls, Terry Reynolds, Dean Rust, Al Herman, Stan Quick, Clyde Crusenberry, Bruce Roehm, Chuck Hunter and Randall Eliason and Cheri Kiser.  We thank all of them for their encouraging gifts.

“Total number of donors during the event this year was 449. In 2018, the prior record, it was 431. Last year it was 310.”

Artistic director Joe Cerutti sent out his thanks to all: “Way to go team, can't thank you all enough for your donations/and or posts/emails! Congratulations, all!!!”

Finally, the results of the section competition: Going late into the evening the basses and leads were locked in a pretty tight battle for first. The basses were slightly ahead - and then a mysterious anonymous donor called only "Harmonizers Bass Strong," swept in about 11:30 pm with a $1,000 donation on the bass page and put them on top. Here are the final results:

Basses: $178.36 per man; Leads: $132.96; Baris:  $117.67; and Tenors: $68.33

Congratulations to the basses!  And thanks again to our S2A section leaders, Matt Doniger, Ben Watsky, Brad Jones, and Devin Gerzof - they did a great job.  More details will follow about the celebration party in the basses honor once we are able to party again.

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 71^st year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd

Looking Back on the April 14^th, 2020 Virtual Chapter Meeting

The chapter has suspended in-person meetings of the chorus, boards and committees until further notice as well as for any small group gatherings. This is in recognition of recent mandates by officials and leaders of the BHS and in cooperation with local health authorities and government officials. 

Thus there was not a regular in-person meeting of the Alexandria Harmonizers on April 14^th,  2020.  

Instead, director Joe Cerutti hosted a gathering at 7 pm via Zoom video meeting this week so the chapter members could pay tribute to Brian Miller – a friend and active singer with the chorus who died at Inova Alexandria Hospital on Monday, April 13^th at 12:55 pm from complications due to covid-19.  

Many members spoke and shared thoughts and wonderful stories to pay tribute to Brian to include many shared memories about singing in quartets with him, traveling to barbershop events, and visiting with him to learn about his eagerness to explore the world. Honest and heartfelt testimonies included many who learned from Brian that his blindness was not a handicap. For sure Brian’s sense of humor and his desire and courage to explore and experience life’s adventures came out in almost every Harmonizer’s comments.  The huge article about Brian in The Washington Post on Wednesday, April 15^th shared even more about his professional life and travels around the world.

Joe shared that he had also received condolences from other chapters around the world who had heard about our chapter’s loss – such as Cottontown in England and Brothers in Harmony in M-AD who each have also lost a chorus member.  Donations for Brian’s “Keep A Melody Ringing” plaque at BHS Harmony Hall in Nashville have already begun.  His name plaque will be in Braille. Brian was just 52.

The chorus and many of his friends and family had made another recording via a Zoom conference on Sunday afternoon to encourage him in his battle with the covid-19 virus.  President Stan Quick and Joe will inform us when the chapter will pay musical tribute to Brian after we can once again reassemble on the risers.  Certainly the chapter extends our thoughts to Brian’s family and friends we have gotten to know during recent weeks.

A large number of members were present for this call including some folks we don’t hear from often including Greg Tepe from Amsterdam, Craig Kujawa from Djibouti, Kess Fess who is home early from his around the world trip due to the virus issue, Keith Jones from FL, and local guys to include Phil Ashford, Al Herman, Martin Banks, Sam McFarland, and Joe Wagovich.

Fortunately we have learned that Len Dornberger’s wife, Marie, is at their home in DE.  Len thanked the Harmonizers for their support.

Bob Rhome and his wife Anne have been fighting the virus since March 26.  They have both tested positive but since neither of them experienced shortness of breath, they were able to skip the hospital routine. They both appear to be on the mend and Bob was on the Zoom meeting this week!

Craig Odell and his wife Linda would welcome your warm thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery for Linda's mom, Phyllis Muir (87).  Phyllis was residing at an independent living facility in Richmond which has been hit with many cases of COVID-19.  They moved her to the hospital last Sunday, 4/5 and she is now in "intermediate care", and being monitored closely.  She is doing as well as can be expected with some ups and downs from day to day, so they are cautiously optimistic and hoping for the best. Phyllis is also Erin Odell Cook's grandmother.  Erin's husband Dan Cook was a Harmonizers a few years back.

Gerry Fuller’s wife Carol has been honored as one of the first 2 Hometown Heroes for her work providing food for the needy in Crystal City.    

There was some chapter business to conduct also this week – mostly the explanation by chairman Randall Eliason about how members should participate in Spring2ACTion on Wed., April 15^th. Some reminders: send invites to others outside the chapter to donate to our page, especially seek as many donations as possible in the “power hour” from 3-4 pm, don’t forget the contest among the tenor-lead-bari-bass sections, and tune in to a Zoom event Wed. nite to follow the donations as they roll in.

As a reminder, Harmony University has been cancelled for this summer in Nashville.  So the chapter music team has developed a plan to hold a weekend HU of our own in the local area as soon as social distancing regulations are lifted.  Some of our favorite coaches will join us for the weekend as we work to prepare for the contest this fall with a goal to qualify for the International chorus contest in Cleveland in 2021. The weekend will end with a big bbq-type-event for all of the Harmonizer family to attend.  Joe sent a detailed email about the idea and asked members to try to save three weekends in the future (all depending on when we are allowed to move about our community): Jul 30-Aug 2, Aug 20-23, or Oct 1-4.  There will be a fee so Joe also suggests guys might want to save part of their refund from HU to use for the chapter event.

As a preview for next week, Joe reports the plan is to do a run thru with those ready on “Defying Gravity.”  Also he says guys can submit a single tape for “Goodbye” this week. And that also next Tues. we will have Cy Wood with us virtually to work on “42^nd Street.”  Kevin Keller will join our Zoom session in two weeks to share his insights as the arranger of “42^nd Street.”

We congratulate the following men for renewing as Harmonizers (as reported by secretary Chris Buechler who sent them their membership renewal cards): Joel Golden - 15 years; Paul Grimes - 37 years; Terry Jordan - 56 years; Mike Pinto - 36 years; Lou Manfre - 27 years; TJ Donahue - 10 years; John Q Smith    - 6 years; Jerry Jayjohn - 3 years; Dennis Ritchey - 28 years; Mario Sengco - 10 years.

Next week’s meeting will be via Zoom again at 7 pm.  Watch for email details.

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 71^st year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd