Looking Back on the September 13th 2022 Harmonizer Virtual Chapter Meeting

 Looking Back on the September 13^th 2022 Harmonizer Virtual Chapter Meeting

 

Chapter leadership decided to hold a brief meeting this week via Zoom to get all the details and logistics to members for their appearance at Wolf Trapp on Sunday, Sept. 18^th

 

And then let the men have the rest of the evening off after all the work in recent weeks to prepare for the fall show.

 

When the call opened, however, artistic director Joe Cerutti thanked the chorus members – singers and non-singing helpers – for an awesome show. One of the best ever!  Many men on the call shared reactions. The mayor of Alexandria stayed for the whole show. 

 

Joe paid tribute to the extraordinary efforts by shows director Doug White who had to fill in as show producer as well as director.  His efforts to communicate with the chorus leadership as well as the staff at the venue made it all work smoothly. 

 

Then we all got to see the video that was shown while the chorus sang “Remember Me.”  The chorus didn’t get to see it while they were on stage. (Several men admitted it was a good thing they couldn’t see it or there would have been no singing.  It was an emotional moment even on the Zoom call.)  It was a wonderful way to honor Harmonizers and Harmonizer friends and family lost during the pandemic.

 

Joe thanked Mike Kelly for his efforts to produce all the videos used on the show.

 

Members should be on the lookout for a Pulse Survey about the show from the music team leadership. 

 

Here are the details, as Joe knows them at this time, for the Wolf Trap performance Sunday Sept. 18^th with other major choral groups from the DC area. The show organizers have asked us to sing “Circle of Life” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water” from our repertoire   

The Harmonizers will share the program with seven other groups:  Children’s Chorus of 

Washington, Duke Ellington School of the Arts Concert Chorale, Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington and GenOUT, The Heritage Signature Chorale, Towson University Singers, The Washington Chorus, and the Washington Performing Arts Gospel Chorus. All of these singers will combine to perform two numbers as a group – “We Are Love” and “United in Purpose. ” 

 

The music for those songs is available on the chapter’s Groupanizer space as are learning tracks. Joe suggest singers should at least listen to those two songs a couple times. Singers can use the music for these songs,  but you must bring your own copy to go into the folders.  Joe also would welcome any other singers who would change from “maybe” or “not singing” to participate.

 

Uniform will be blue suit pants and vests and orange tie. No medals.  Chorus members should arrived dressed and should bring as little as possible. However, a snack or health bar might be wise.  Joe did suggest everyone watch the weather for that day and prepare ahead. Masks must be worn whenever inside – such as for the bathrooms.

 

The chorus call at Wolf Trap will be 1 pm. – no later!  There will be a warm up someplace near the stage.  The Harmonizers stage time will begin strictly at 1:50. At 4:30 pm, the chorus will join all the other featured ensembles to work on the combined two songs on stage. Then they will all stay on the stage for the 5 pm show opening.  Friends and family should not arrive in the concert area early with their singer.  Parking is reportedly free. 

 

According to Joe, each singer will not need to buy a ticket, but details about getting two other free tickets has not been communicated to the chapter. Therefore, Joe is working to get clarification on the ticket questions and promises an email if and when he gets answers! It is also not certain, but it appears that guests might be able to get a lawn seat for $10 at the door.  Stay tuned.

 

Also during this week’s Zoom call, Joe  announced the planned songs for the 2022 Holiday Show that will be on Friday, Dec. 9^th at Schlesinger. There will be a lot of songs we have sung at previous holiday shows.  A couple of new ones include “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” and “Winter Wonderland.”  The new METRO VOICES project chorus will sing one song on the holiday show too. Work will begin on the holiday music on Tues. Sept. 20^th.  Guest artists are still being invited. Chapter quartets that are interested in singing a number on the show should contact Joe. 

 

Finally, Joe shared that final details about our appearance at the M-AD fall contest are still being worked out. 

 

The call ended with a viewing of the other videos used for the show.

 

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 for the great things going on each week during the 74^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. - YeEd)

 

 

Looking Back on the September 10th 2022 Harmonizer Fall Show

 Looking Back on the September 10^th 2022 Harmonizer Fall Show

 

There was a great swell of joy and happiness when the Harmonizers presented their first  fall show in  few years.  The theme for the show, “A Beautiful Morning,” was the central message of all of the songs and the remarks by presenters during the 90-minute show on Saturday, September 10^th  at Schlesinger Hall in Alexandria.  The auditorium was nicely full on the main level and lower balcony.

Artistic director Joe Cerutti summed it up best in his “Welcome to the Show” message in the digital show program: “This show was three years in the making! The chorus began learning much of this music in late 2019, in anticipation of our 2020 fall show. Then, of course, the pandemic shattered those plans and plunged us into a world of Zoom rehearsals and no live performances. During 2020 we pivoted to planning for a show that would celebrate our community’s emergence from the crisis, not knowing when that day would come. And it turned out that one of our new pieces, David Wright’s stunning and innovative new arrangement of “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning” from “Oklahoma,” provided a perfect theme for a show focused on the passing of the pandemic’s foreboding shadows and dawn of a new day.”

There were many volunteers who helped at the show taking and selling tickets, helping guests find their way to seats, and passing out a survey on behalf of the City of Alexandria Office of the Arts. Randall Eliason and Susan Fitzpatrick coordinated that crew of Harmonizer members and family friends. The show program was coordinated by Susan and Frank Shipp.  It included messages from Joe and president Noah Van Gilder and a number of advertisements which members had sold or in some cases, purchased for their own company or firm.

Greg Tepe was stage manager, and a tech team headed by Mike Kelly included John Sifuentes, Lance Fisher andTessa Walker.  Joe Sr. and Janet Cerutti helped with stage set up and decorating the platforms which the chorus stood on for the show, instead of the traditional risers. Jack Pitzer organized backstage refreshments for the singers. 

The 1:00 pm tech session ended early so the chorus did its warm up session on the stage conducted by associate director Tony Colosimo. This session also allowed the singers a chance to adjust their personal performance plans while standing on the platforms – especially challenging for “42^nd Street.”

There were two members who were singing on their very first show as a Harmonizer – David Hillinck and Cy Shuster. Uniform for the show was the blue suit pants and vest and orange tie.  The front row guys wore orange sox too, as did Joe!

The show opened with the theme song “Oh What a Beautiful Morning” with the lights coming up like the sun in the morning and soloists singing a single phrase – ‘oh what a beautiful morning’ - sung by Turner Arndt, ‘oh what a beautiful day” - sung by Frank Fedarko, ‘I’ve got a beautiful feeling’ – sung by Michael Berkson.  The chorus came in during Michael’s last note to sing the song. 

Tony stepped up to speak about our joy of singing again and the celebration of singing for an audience – which was the signal to start “42^nd Street.”  The six guys from 17^th Street Dance ensemble from the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC, joined our front row to tap the finale of this exciting number. Our Harmonizer front row guys included Randall Eliason, Terry Reynolds, Michael Pugh, Doug White, Ken Rub and Reed Livergood with Bruce Roehm as front row captain.  

Randall told the audience that they had just heard and seen our contest package from July when we earned a third place medal at the barbershop convention.  He also shared that we were honoring front line workers and early responders tonight.  Those in the audience were encouraged to wave and be identified. The chorus sang “Help from My Friends” as a salute. A video of typical scenes from COVID era was projected.  Thanks to Dean Rust for his work in inviting these guests. 

The chorus sang  “Somethings Comin” which was the cue for special guest pianist and songster, Drew Tepe, who appeared on stage sitting at his piano rising up from the orchestra pit of the stage. His enthusiastic style got the audience singing, with help from projected lyrics, on classics like “Fly Me to the Moon,” a couple Beatles songs, and ending with “My Way.” He thanked the chorus for letting him share the stage for the show and saluted the chapter for all it does in the community to get folks singing.

The chorus sang “Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile” and then Joe spoke about the benefits of singing for one’s health and happiness. This merged into the chorus singing “Sing a Song” directed by Tony and then the audience singing too.  As the song faded away, a video of the Northwell Health Nurse Choir from NY appeared and their spokesperson shared that they “shared the strong belief in the power of music and its ability to heal, inspire and change lives.”

We honored the memory of many membes of the Harmonizer family who we lost during the Pandemic by projecting their pictures while the chorus sang “Remember Me.”  It was a moving presentation that was hard to sing through for the men on the risers. The final slide of the show was “There will always be a place on the risers for you.” 

Then the chorus sang “Bridge Over Troubled Water” which is one of the songs they will sing on Sept. 18^th in their appearance with other major a cappella groups at an event at Wolf Trapp. 

A special announcement at the show was from Tessa Walker, lead section leader for the Harmonizers, about the formation of a new soprano/alto chorus to be called Metro Voices.  That chorus begin working soon on a couple songs ready to sing on the Harmonizer holiday show in early December. Then the new chorus will launch in earnest in January.  Interested singers can contact Joe, Tony or Tessa or check at Hamonizers.org.

The special guest quartet for this show, FIRST TAKE, sang a fantastic set and performed a great variety of songs for our audience.  The quartet was excited to have new dad and bass, Andrew Havens, on stage – he and his wife Heatherjust added twin daughters to their family a few days before the show. Tenor is Alex Corson,  lead is Tony Colosimo, and baritone is Drew Wheaton. They were proudly wearing their fifth place bronze medals from the contest in Charlotte. During their time on stage, the quartet thanked David Breen for filling in for Andrew when the babies were born and the quartet had a show appearance.

FIRST TAKE then sang “Impossible Dream” and the chorus stood from their seating positions on the platforms to join the quartet for the powerful tag.

The final number for the show was “Circle of Life” which brought the audience to its feet.  The powerful song, with great choreography, color and a special rhythm section organized by chorus friend Ben Hawker to include Bob Blair, was a fitting end to our show for our friends, family, patrons and many former Harmonizers.

Kudos to the music team for their extra work in recent months to help the chorus singers prepare the great music for the show. Joe paid tribute to the extraordinary efforts by shows director Doug White who had to fill in as show producer as well as director.  His efforts to communicate with the chorus leadership as well as the staff at the venue made it all work smoothly. 

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 for the great things going on each week during the 74^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. - YeEd)

 

 

Looking Back on the September 6th 2022 Harmonizer Hybrid Chapter Meeting

 Looking Back on the September 6^th 2022 Harmonizer Hybrid Chapter Meeting

 

Preparation for the fall show on Friday September 10^th was the main emphasis this week.

 

Associate director Tony Colosimo conducted a terrific warm up session for the singers and the guys thanked him with applause when he turned the mic over to Joe.  

 

Artistic director Joe Cerutti set the stage for tonight’s work time and offered some news about the Harmonizer family.

 

Andrew and Heather Havens baby twin daughters were born in the last few days.  Congrats to them for their growing family,

 

Long time Harmonizer, John Adams, died this week too.  He was 90 and living in North Carolina. He was the tenor section leader for 30 years in our chapter as well as an administrator – often proudly shared he was the “oldest living Harmonizer president. ” He served in 1966.  In the 1960s he was a passionate membership promoter with his goal to grow the Alexandria Chapter to 100 members. Eventually we were more that 200 members – one of the largest in the Society. They say he started the “1-2-3 It’s Great To Be A Harmonizer” cheer that we use every week to close our meetings.

 

He was an avid quartet singer as tenor in the  NOVA CHORDS from 1965-80 who ranked third at the International in 1976, ALEXANDRIA’S RAGTIME BAND from 1980-1992 who were M-AD district champs in 1985, and in REMINISCE from 1992-99 who were Society Seniors Quartet Gold Medalists in 1995.

 

John is also credited as co-founder for the Mount Vernon Chapter. In recent years he was active in barbershop groups in the Carolinas.  His wife Jean died a few years ago.

 

Joe had several items to report about the show:  the chorus will be on platforms, not risers for the show; call time will be midafternoon on Saturday – be on the lookout for an email about final plans.  Terry Reynolds confirmed the uniform plan is to wear the blue suit pants, and vest, no coat, and the new medal if you earned one in Charlotte (Gary Cregan is the person to contact if singers need uniform parts); and you may want to bring dinner depending on admin plans that will come out via email. Randall Eliason encouraged everyone to sell tickets. He also reports there will be an afterglow at TGI Friday’s around the corner from Schlesinger with a cash bar and ordering off the menu. 

  

Theme for our fall show on September 10^th  is “A Beautiful Morning.” Take note that we are honoring First Responders/Front Line Workers who served early in the COVID outbreak. They will receive free tickets to the show and be recognized.  We are also recognizing members of the Harmonizer family who have died in the recent past – as part of the audio visual presentation while the chorus sings.

 

As mentioned, it is important for members to step up their push of ticket sales.  There was a recent uptick in sales after members pushed recently, YeEd also learned that patrons can buy tickets at the door for the fall show.  They are $20. The show starts at 7 pm at Schlesinger Hall.  There is plenty of free parking too. 

 

FIRST TAKE will be our featured quartet with David Breen filling in as bass for “new Dad” Andrew Havens.  Drew Tepe, a vocalist and pianist, will be on the show and will provide a ‘sing-a-long’ session for the audience. 

 

Finally, Joe announced that we will not have an in-person chapter meeting on Sept. 13^th to take a break after the show. Instead will meet via Zoom at 7 pm for 30 minutes to provide all the details for the Harmonizer appearance at Wolf Trapp. 

 

As was announced recently, the chorus has been invited to sing in the evening on Sept. 18^th at Wolf Trap with other major choral groups from the DC area. A Wolf Trap promotional brochure calls it a “community powered singing celebration.” The show organizers have asked us to sing “Circle of Life” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water” from our repertoire  The organizers expect a crowd of over 8,000 in the audience.  

The Harmonizers will share the program with seven other groups:  Children’s Chorus of 

Washington, Duke Ellington School of the Arts Concert Chorale, Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington and GenOUT, The Heritage Signature Chorale, Towson University Singers, The Washington Chorus, and the Washington Performing Arts Gospel Chorus. All of these singers will combine to perform two numbers as a group – “We Are Love” and “United in Purpose. ” (This music is available on the chapter’s  Groupanizer space. Singers can use the music for these songs as well.)

 

According to Joe, each singer will not need to buy a ticket, and will receive two free tickets that will be delivered via email to email addresses the members submit.  He has heard that singers from 40 other choral groups in the DC area were invited to be in the audience and will be encouraged to join in group singing during the concert. 

 

The chorus call at Wolf Trap will be about 12 noon, Harmonizer stage time will be about 2 pm, and the performance is at 5 pm but final plans will be announced during the Zoom call on Sept. 13^th.

 

Joe and Tony then worked with the chorus to run through the fall show songs in order.  Several details were worked out such as soloists for the special opening of “Oh What a Beautiful Morning” to start the show; discussions about the challenges for performing the visual package for “42^nd Street” while standing on platforms; and the addition of a percussion ensemble during “Circle of Life” assembled for our show by Ben Hawker from PRATT STREET POWER. 

 

During the business meeting, Randall explained some of the challenges in getting hotel rooms at 

at the fall M-AD contest and convention for our appearance there. It might be still possible to get a room at the Lancaster Marriott at Penn Center for Saturday night only, or to find other rooms in the city,  If all else fails, singers could travel to and from Lancaster in the same day. We will be conducting a Master Class on Saturday afternoon Oct. 8^th. The chorus will also sing later that evening.  We will not compete. 

We will have several members competing in the quartet contest on Friday evening, Oct. 7^th starting at 4:57 pm.  Quartet finals are Saturday night starting at 6:57 pm.  The chorus contest starts at 8:57 am on Saturday, Oct. 8^th. Tickets will be required to attend any convention contest sessions.  Proof of vaccination will be required when getting those tickets. 

 

After the business meeting, chorus work continued until about 9:45. Ike Evans also distributed engraved medals to members this week. The afterglow was announced to be at Rampart’s after the 50/50 drawing. 

 

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 for the great things going on each week during the 74^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. - YeEd)

 

 

Looking Back on the August 30th 2022 Harmonizer Hybrid Chapter Meeting

 Looking Back on the August 30^th 2022 Harmonizer Hybrid Chapter Meeting

 

This week’s meeting was the next to last rehearsal in preparations for the fall show on  Saturday, Sept. 10^th at Schlesinger Hall on the Alexandria campus of the Northern Virginia Community College. The heavy rain storm that hit the area just prior to the meeting may have detained some of the singers this week.

 

Masks were optional again, but guys from counties where the COVID count is higher were encouraged to consider wearing a mask - and several did,  The chapter’s COVID committee provided the list of counties in the various states where our singers reside, and music team admin guy Terry Reynolds (who was actually on vacation outside the USA) sent out that information plus a note that “we will use Facebook live for a few more weeks.” 

 

The evening started with a  warm up session conducted by associate director Tony Colosimo who. at one point, asked “whose job is it to have fun when we sing?”  

 

Artistic director Joe Cerutti was back in town to lead the work with the chorus. He confirmed that the chorus will sing and provide a Master Class at the fall M-AD contest and convention.  He explained that district leadership is finalizing the schedule for us.  Joe encouraged guys to go ahead and get a ticket and room and go Lancaster for the Oct. 7-8 event. The quartet contest starts at 5 pm on Friday.  He did suggest that for those who can’t make it for the whole weekend, the minimum would be for the singers to be there Saturday afternoon and evening. 

 

Both housing and ticket purchasing info is on the M-AD website – midatlanticdistrict.com. Go to ‘upcoming events,’ then ‘conventions,’ then ‘Fall 2022.’ You will see a purchase ticket link and a housing link.  The early bird prices for registrations for convention attendees ends on Sept. 9^th. The deadline to get into that housing block at the Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square is Sept. 16^th.

 

President Noah Van Gilder reminded the chapter that we will have some quartets in the mix that weekend too; and if anyone needs some financial support to attend the weekend, contact him right away.

 

Joe, with help from Ryan Mextorf who organized the session for guys who signed up, announced that men singing “Chorus Line” on the fall show could get feedback tonight after the meeting by singing in octets. If not that, then submit a recording to section leaders by Friday. 

 

If members who didn’t go to Charlotte want to sing the two contest songs on the fall show, they should also submit recordings by Friday. 

 

Then Joe welcome our special coach for the evening, Chuck Hunter, who came in from Chicago to help the chorus polish their songs and presentations for the show. The chorus sang each of the songs in order and after each one, Chuckoffered advice or asked a question to promote greater involvement in the emotion and message of the song.

 

Also Joe helped set the stage for the staging of the show such as word that the chorus would not be on risers, but on platforms. He explained how the show would open with “Oh What a Beautiful Morning.”  Tony will direct a song or two on the show. FIRST TAKE will be our featured quartet. Drew Tepe, a vocalist and pianist, will be on the show and will provide a ‘sing-a-long’ session for the audience. 

 

For the fall show on September 10^th, take note that we are honoring First Responders/Front Line Workers who served early in the COVID outbreak. They will receive free tickets to the show and be recognized.  If you know of any folks who should be so honored, get their names to Dean Rust or Randall Eliason ASAP.  Look for the message from the chapter about submitting photos for this part of the show. 

 

It is important for members to step up their push of ticket sales.  YeEd also learned that patrons can buy tickets at the door for the fall show.  They are $20.  The show starts at 7 pm at Schlesinger Hall.  There is plenty of free parking too. 

 

There was a reminder that there will be a digital show program for the fall show, with advertisements.  Frank Shipp is collecting the ad materials and the payments. 

 

The chapter’s business meeting was conducted by Randall Eliason who reminded members about the campaign to “pay back what you would have paid in chapter dues.” You can donate by giving a check to Randall or Carl Kauffmann at rehearsal, or by PayPal to Alexandia.Harmonizers@gmail.com. If donating by PayPal, please add a note that it is for the "Replace my Dues" campaign. 

Joe lead the clapping for the Harmonizer members who celebrate an August birthday: John Adams, Adam Afifi, Brian Ammerman, Jack Cameron, Anthony Colosimo, Mike Edison, Darryl Flinn, Tom Griffith, Al Hanenbaum, Andrew Havens, Chris Huber, Don Johnson, Jim Kirkland, Chuck McKeever, Bill Sowers, Larry Walker, Bob Wells, and Duncan Woodbury.   (Thanks to chapter secretary David DesPortes who prepares the birthday list each month.)

President Noah reported that he had gotten word from Jim Kirkland sharing that Jim’s wife has developed stage 4 cancer.  Also Noah reported that Austin Cotton’s widow, Sue, died recently and that a memorial service would be on Sept 4 in Burke.  We offer thoughts and support to both families.

Then Noah, with help from Mark Klostermeyer, presented Joe with his own framed chorus photo from Charlotte along with a hearty thank you from the chorus.  It was a beautiful piece created by Mark and included the medal. 

The afterglow was announced to be at Rampart’s this week after the50/50 drawing (which was won by Chuck Hunter.

 

As was announced recently, that our chorus has been invited to sing in the evening on Sept. 18^th at Wolf Trap with other major choral groups from the DC area. A Wolf Trap promotional brochure calls it a “community powered singing celebration.” The show organizers have asked us to sing “Circle of Life” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water” from our repertoire  The organizers expect a crowd of over 8,000 in the audience.  

The Harmonizers will share the program with seven other groups:  Children’s Chorus of 

Washington, Duke Ellington School of the Arts Concert Chorale, Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington and GenOUT, The Heritage Signature Chorale, Towson University Singers, The Washington Chorus, and the Washington Performing Arts Gospel Chorus. All of these singers will perform two numbers as a group – “We Are Love” and “United in Purpose” that are both available on the chapter’s  Groupanizer space.

 

The chorus call at Wolf Trap will be about 12 noon, Harmonizer stage time will be about 2 pm, and the performance is at 5 pm.

 

According to Joe, each singer will not need to buy a ticket, and will receive two free tickets that will be delivered via email to email addresses the members submit.  Singers from 29 other choral groups in the DC area will be invited to be in the audience and will be encouraged to join in group singing during the concert. 

 

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 for the great things going on each week during the 74^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. - YeEd)

 

 

Looking Back on the August 23rd 2022 Harmonizer Hybrid Chapter Meeting

 Looking Back on the August 23^rd  2022 Harmonizer Hybrid Chapter Meeting

 

This week’s meeting was a continuation of preparations for the fall show on  Saturday, Sept. 10^th at Schlesinger Hall on the Alexandria campus of the Northern Virginia Community College. 

 

The evening started with a  warm up session conducted by assistant director emeritus Will Cox.  

 

Associate director Tony Colosimo was at the helm for the music work this week as artistic director Joe Cerutti was on vacation. He will be back next week, but Terry Reynolds will be on vacation.  Chuck Hunter will be with us again for a coaching session next week 

 

Tony set the stage for the music work this week. The rehearsal process instituted by the chapter will continue on our music but sometimes there will be some adjustments such as for “Chorus Line Medley.”  The goal is to have singers get their feedback by singing in octets next week, or submitting recordings to their section leader.

 

If members want to sing the two contest songs on the fall show, they should speak to music leadership to confirm their readiness.

 

Masks were optional this week, and music team admin guy Terry announced that “we will use Facebook live for a few more weeks.” 

 

Tony was happy to confirm that the Harmonizers will attend the Mid Atlantic District (M-AD) contest and convention in Lancaster, PA, Oct 7 and 8. Although we will not be competing in the contest, we will sing on the Saturday night show and will be hosting a masters’ class. If any more Harmonizers can indicate their participation via Groupanizer ASAP, that would be great.  

 

The chorus will basically only need to be at the convention early Saturday afternoon and evening. For anyone staying overnight, the convention is at the Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square. If a member is planning to attend the Friday night or Saturday contest session, they will need a ticket.  Both housing and ticket purchasing info is on the M-AD website – midatlanticdistrict.com. Go to ‘upcoming events,’ then ‘conventions,’ then ‘Fall 2022.’ You will see a purchase ticket link and a housing link.  The deadline to get into that housing block is Sept. 16^th.

 

No doubt we will have several quartets from the chapter in the quartet contest on Friday night, Oct. 7th. Plus, some of the great quartets from our M-AD that were in Charlotte will be singing.  Some of them are eager to take a shot at being named district champ!

 

For the fall show on September 10^th, take note that we are honoring First Responders/Front Line Workers who served early in the COVID outbreak. They will receive free tickets to the show and be recognized.  If you know of any folks who should be so honored, get their names to Dean Rust or Randall Eliason ASAP. 

 

It is important for members to push ticket sales for this show now and not wait.  Folks will get busy in September and so now is the time to alert them about the show.  Randall announced his plan to send out a suggested email message which members can send to patrons. 

 

YeEd also learned that patrons can buy tickets at the door for the fall show.  They are $20.  The show starts at 7 pm at Schlesinger Hall.  There is plenty of free parking too. 

 

There was a reminder that there will be a show program for the fall show, with advertisements.  Frank Shipp is collecting the ad materials and the payments. This program will be digital. 

 

In a recent message sent out by chorus general manager, Susan Fitzpatrick, the theme for the show will be “A Beautiful Morning.” Our special performers for the show will include our own FIRST TAKE quartet that placed fifth at the International this summer, and Drew Tepe – a premier piano and vocal artist who has appeared with us before.

 

Tony started this week’s vocal work with “Sing a Song” and “Somethings Comin.”  Next was “Little Help from My Friends” with choreo review provided by Turner Arndt. 

 

Then the chorus was divided into four small ensembles to work on “Remember Me” with Ben Watsky, Tessa Walker, Jason Lee and Turner Arndt as leaders. When the chorus came back into the auditorium, work continued on the same song. 

 

The chapter’s business meeting was conducted by communications director, Sam Whiteoak.  

 

Jack Pitzer welcomed guests this week.  Visiting us from the Voices of Gotham was Louis Ades who sang lead with us.  He also sings in GREENLIGHT quartet in the Northeastern District. We welcomed back Clyde Crusenberry who has been away for many weeks.  And we welcomed our newest member, Nic Petersen, who passed his audition last week.  He was given his new Harmonizer shirt that he proudly wore.  Will directed the Harmonizer “Welcome Song.”

Randall Eliason reminded members about the campaign to “pay back what you would have paid in chapter dues.” You can donate by giving a check to Randall or Carl Kauffmann at rehearsal, or by PayPal to Alexandia.Harmonizers@gmail.com. If donating by PayPal, please add a note that it is for the "Replace my Dues" campaign. The goal is to collect these pay back donations by the end of the fiscal year Aug. 31^st.

Chapter secretary David DesPortes presented membership renewal cards (and lead the clapping with one clap for every year) to Turner Arndt for 9 years; Bob Blair for 22 years; Troy Hillier for 31 years; Mike Kelly for 42 years; and Jack Pitzer for 57 years. That was a lot of clapping!

Back to singing then on “Circle of Life” and “42^nd Street” combined with choreo review; plus “Chorus Line Medley.” 

 

The afterglow was at Rampart’s this week.

 

As was announced recently, that our chorus has been invited to sing in the evening on Sept. 18^th at Wolf Trap with other major choral groups from the DC area. A Wolf Trap promotional brochure calls it a “community powered singing celebration.” The show organizers have asked us to sing “Circle of Life” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water” from our repertoire  The organizers expect a crowd of over 8,000 in the audience.  

The Harmonizers will share the program with seven other groups:  Children’s Chorus of 

Washington, Duke Ellington School of the Arts Concert Chorale, Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington and GenOUT, The Heritage Signature Chorale, Towson University Singers, The Washington Chorus, and the Washington Performing Arts Gospel Chorus. All of these singers will perform two numbers as a group – “We Are Love” and “United in Purpose” that are both available on the chapter’s  Groupanizer space.

 

The chorus call at Wolf Trap will be about 12 noon, Harmonizer stage time will be about 2 pm, and the performance is at 5 pm.

 

According to Joe last week, each singer will not need to buy a ticket, and will receive two free tickets that will be delivered via email to addresses the members submit.  Singers from 29 other choral groups in the DC area will be invited to be in the audience and will be encouraged to join in group singing during the concert. 

 

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 for the great things going on each week during the 74^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. - YeEd)

 

 

Looking Back on the August 16th 2022 Harmonizer Hybrid Chapter Meeting

 Looking Back on the August 16^th 2022 Harmonizer Hybrid Chapter Meeting

 

This week’s meeting concentrated on preparation for the fall show which is coming up soon – Sept. 10^th at Schlesinger Hall. 

 

The evening started with a  warm up session conducted by assistant director emeritus Will Cox.  It was a good session and artistic director Joe Cerutti thanked Will for his “always solid” warm up sessions.

 

Joe had some announcements. First he shared that he was at a choral event last week and was seated next to our a cappella music friend, Dr. Joyce Garret, from Alfred Street Baptist.  She confirmed that our proposed singing-together event is still on target for October.

 

Masks were optional this week, and music team admin guy Terry Reynolds announced that “we will use Facebook live for the rehearsal via the private Facebook group.”  It is much easier to manage the technical aspects at the rehearsal location.

 

As was announced recently, the Harmonizers Chorus has been invited to sing in the evening on Sept. 18^th at Wolf Trap with other major choral groups from the DC area. A Wolf Trap promotional brochure calls it a “community powered singing celebration.” The show organizers changed their request and asked us to sing “Circle of Life” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Then all the singers will perform two numbers as a group – stay tuned for details. The organizers expect a crowd of over 8,000 in the audience.  

The Harmonizers will share the program with seven other groups:  Children’s Chorus of 

Washington, Duke Ellington School of the Arts Concert Chorale, Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington and GenOUT, The Heritage Signature Chorale, Towson University Singers, The Washington Chorus, and the Washington Performing Arts Gospel Chorus. 

 

According to Joe, each singer will not need to buy a ticket, and will receive two free tickets.  Singers from 29 other choral groups in the DC area will be invited to attend and will be encouraged to join in group singing during the concert from the audience. 

 

For the fall show on September 10^th, take note that we are honoring First Responders/Front Line Workers who served early in the COVID outbreak. They will receive free tickets to the show and be recognized.  If you know of any folks who should be so honored, get their names to Dean Rust or Randall Eliason ASAP. That show will be at Schlesinger Hall and will include some performing guests to join us. It is important for members to push ticket sales for this show now and not wait.  Folks will get busy in September and so now is the time to alert them about the show. 

 

The Harmonizers will also be attending the Mid Atlantic District (M-AD) contest and convention in Lancaster, PA, Oct 7 and 8. Although we will not be competing in the contest, we will sing on the Saturday night show and will be hosting a masters’ class. Harmonizers need to indicate their participation via Groupanizer ASAP so chapter leaders can confirm with the District leaders – or respond to Terry. The chorus will basically only need to be at the convention early Saturday afternoon and evening. 

 

No doubt we will have several quartets from the chapter in the quartet contest on Friday night, Oct. 7th. Plus, some of the great quartets from our M-AD that were in Charlotte will be singing.  Some of them are eager to take a shot at being named district champ!

 

Joe was excited to welcome our newest member who passed his audition last week – David Killinck, singing baritone.  Joe presented David a wrapped welcome gift – his own Harmonizer black camp shirt. Always exciting to welcome new members.

 

Another important announcement from Joe was the intention of the music team to continue the culture of recording, feedback and self-assessment.  The process will be used for “Chorus Line Medley.” Also, any singers who did not sing in Charlotte should get self-assessed at a level 5.

 

Then the singing began along with choreo review with Turner Arndt leading it for “Help from My Friends.”

 

Next the leads and baritone went to a combined sectional to work on “Remember Me.” The basses and tenors worked on “Chorus Line” with Joe. Then after 25 minutes, the groups switched.

 

When the chorus came back into the auditorium, work continued on “Chorus Line.”

 

The chapter’s business meeting was conducted by communications director, Sam Whiteoak.  Tickets are on sale now for the Sept. 10^th fall show.

 

Jack Pitzer welcomed guests this week.  Great to see Mike Kelly back in the hall along with Craig Odell, Dennis Ritchey’s Mom, MaryAnn, and Joe and Janet Cerutti – Joe’s parents. Nic Petersen was back in the lead section and prepared for his audition after rehearsal. Will directed the Harmonizer “Welcome Song.”

 

Joe also welcomed David Breen and Lance Fisher back from Vail, CO, where they were vocal mentors at an opera camp for members of the Washington Children’s Choir.

 

There was a reminder that there will be a show program for the fall show, with advertisements.  Frank Shipp is collecting the ad materials and the payments.

Plus a reminder about the campaign to “pay back what you would have paid in chapter dues.” You can donate by giving a check to Randall or Carl Kauffmann at rehearsal, or by PayPal to Alexandia.Harmonizers@gmail.com. If donating by PayPal, please add a note that it is for the "Replace my Dues" campaign.

Back to singing then on “Circle of Life” combined with choreo review (especially with the ribbons). 

 

 

There was a fun afterglow at Rampart’s 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 for the great things going on each week during the 74^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. - YeEd)

 

 

Looking Back on the August 9th 2022 Harmonizer Hybrid Chapter Meeting

 Looking Back on the August 9^th 2022 Harmonizer Hybrid Chapter Meeting

 

The singing was terrific this week as the chorus prepared for a possible show on Wednesday night this week.  However,  the weather was not looking good. The chapter announced a plan to alert the singers at 5 pm on Aug. 10^th if there would be a show at Lee District Park.

 

(At about 4:30 pm on Aug. 10^th, the chorus was notified that the show was indeed cancelled.)

 

All attendees wore masks this week, but the Zoom link didn’t work. Music team admin guy Terry Reynolds sent an email to all members about 6:45 pm alerting them that “we will Facebook live the rehearsal to the private Facebook group.”  

 

Associate director Tony Colosimo provided a vocal and physical warm up routine for the chorus on the risers.

 

Then Tony and artistic director Joe Cerutti took the chorus through the thirteen songs for the Wednesday evening show.  Joe was very pleased with the singing and performance level. Although there was no formal choreo planned for the show, Tony asked the men to move their bodies and animate.  

 

Joe went over some details for the Aug. 10^th outdoor concert at Lee District Park at 6601 Telegraph Road, (just north of Hayfield High School where we have done shows).  It is an open-air stage with plenty of bench seating, lots of convenient parking, and even picnic tables for those who might want to come early with family and friends. This concert is part of the Fairfax County summer series – each of the county supervisors hosts a concert series in their District.  Call time is 6:15 pm and uniform is black camp shirts with jeans and black shoes and no t-shirt showing. 

 

Just before the chorus sang “I’ll Be Seeing You,” Joe recorded a message of condolence to Marjorie Latzko, widow of former member and arranger Walter,  who recently lost her daughter to cancer.  Joe will send the message and song to her. 

 

Great to hear Frank Fedarko sing his great rendition of the solo verses for “There Must Be a City,” and then have Bob Blair providing the rhythm for “Circle of Life.”

 

For the fall show on September 10^th, take note that we are honoring First Responders/Front Line Workers who served early in the COVID outbreak. They will receive free tickets to the show and be recognized.  If you know of any folks who should be so honored, get their names to Dean Rust or Randall Eliason ASAP. That show will be at Schlesinger Hall and will include some performing guests to join us. It is important for members to push ticket sales for this show now and not wait.  Folks will get busy in September and so now is the time to alert them about the show. 

 

As was announced recently, the Harmonizers Chorus has been invited to sing in the evening on Sept. 18^th at Wolf Trap with other major choral groups from the DC area. A Wolf Trap promotional brochure calls it a “community powered singing celebration.” The show organizers asked us to sing “Circle of Life” and “Chorus Line Medley” which they chose from a list we submitted at the time of being invited.  Then all the singers will perform two numbers as a group – stay tuned for details. The organizers expect a crowd of over 8,000 in the audience.  It has been a number of years since we sang at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts.  

 

The Harmonizers will also be attending the Mid Atlantic District (M-AD) contest and convention in Lancaster, PA, Oct 7 and 8. Although we will not be competing in the contest, we will sing on the Saturday night show and will be hosting a masters’ class. Harmonizers need to indicate their participation via Groupanizer ASAP so chapter leaders can confirm with the District leaders. 

 

No doubt we will have several quartets from the chapter in the quartet contest on Friday night, Oct. 7th. Plus, some of the great quartets from our M-AD that were in Charlotte will be singing.  Some of them are eager to take a shot at being named district champ!

 

The chapter’s business meeting was conducted by communications director, Sam Whiteoak.  Tickets are on sale now for the Sept. 10^th fall show.

 

Jack Pitzer welcomed guests this week.  Great to see Chuck Powell on the risers this week. We also welcomed chorus friends Rob Langeston, often a photographer for our shows who sings with the Patapsco, MD, Chorus, and Krissi Folsom, who volunteers for us often and sings with the Heart of Maryland Women’s Chorus. 

 

Recent guest David Hillinck was singing baritone again this week and brought his son, BJ, to sing with us too.  BJ is a director for Gotham and lives in Brooklyn.  (Joe was teasing during the singing that we wanted to tie him to the risers and keep him here with us for our tenor section.) Terry directed the “Harmonizer Welcome Song.”

 

Joe announced that past chapter board member, Marie Muscella (who did so much to help us with recent strategic planning), is getting married Sept. 17^th. An ensemble is being formed to sing for that event. Those interested can sign up on Groupanizer.

 

Chapter executive director Randall Eliason announced that there will be a show program for the fall show, with advertisements.  Frank Shipp will manage that project and details about selling ads will be sent to members soon.

Randall also made this  appeal to members on behalf of chapter development director, Ken Rub: “by eliminating mandatory chapter dues, our goal was to make membership in the Harmonizers more accessible to all. At the same time, our hope and expectation were that those who could comfortably afford the chapter dues in the past would make an annual donation to the Harmonizers of that amount or more to replace their dues – thus supporting the Harmonizers through a donation that is also tax-deductible (unlike the dues payments).

“We have not hit our 2022 fiscal year fundraising goals, so we ask you to give before August 31st, if you are able. You can donate by giving a check to Randall or Carl Kauffmann at rehearsal, or by PayPal to Alexandia.Harmonizers@gmail.com. If donating by PayPal, please add a note that it is for the "Replace my Dues" campaign.

“2022 is going to be a standout year for the chorus, with our recent third place finish in Charlotte and wonderful performance opportunities planned to the end of the year.  $100 is less than the price of a cup of coffee per week. Please think about what your Harmonizer experience is worth to you, and give accordingly if you are able.”

President Noah Van Gilder announced an extensive new membership policy, approved by the board, related to voicing and gender. More details will be coming soon.

 

After the business session, Joe worked with the chorus to tighten up a few spots in the show songs.

 

There was the usual afterglow at the Harmo House with pizza and goodies and cold beverages, plus Jim Henry from the Ambassadors to sing tags with.  He and his family are on vacation in the DC area. 

 

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 for the great things going on each week during the 74^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. - YeEd)