Looking Back on the October 5th Chapter Meeting

You would have thought it was a guest nite on Tuesday! Every time YeEd looked over at the sign-in station, Ken White was making another name tag. Lots of good singers in the wings working on auditions and preparing to join us on the risers.

Ken introduced 8 guests who are in all stages of membership and audition – some first timers, several guys back again for multiple times, some guys new to the area and some guys who come to see us whenever they are in DC area for work. It was good to see former member, Larry Fagley, in the guest seats too.

Will Cox did the musical warm ups and then Tony Colosimo took over as director for the nite. Our Joe is coaching in Hawaii!!! Music vp Terry Reynolds set the stage for the evening of hard work for the up coming show in St. Mary’s County.

Terry also gave an abbreviated “numbers and charts” show reporting how our scores and rankings from the district contest last weekend stacked up with past years. The guys give him a hard time about it, but we all like it. The outstanding scores in the singing category were most impressive in comparison to other years.

Terry then recognized our own Steve White who was inducted into the Mid Atlantic District Hall of Honor. Many guys recognize that Steve had done a ton of work in support of our chapter – especially in the musical arena and in show production. But he has made just a much of a contribution to operations and programs at the district level. Not the least of which is his fourth district championship this past weekend. Well deserved!!

The previous Looking Back column YeEd sent out gives a full report on the contest weekend – chorus contest, quartet contest, meetings and events. But President Newton gave more details from the Sunday morning House of Delegates meeting. The Harmony Foundation (HF) has a program called Donor Choice. All those who contribute by joining the Presidents’ Council (for $1000 each year), or by supporting Ambassadors of Song for $10 a month can designate up to 30% of the contribution to be given back to the district and/or a chapter.

Thru this process, Sean Devine, representing the HF, was able to present a check for $1,242.70 to our president during the delegates meeting. Dick reports it is the highest amount earned by any other chapter in the district.

Before the break last nite, Mark Klostermeyer announced birthdays and some events on the calendar including the memorial for Walter Latzko on Oct. 9th.

Chapter secretary Chris Buechler reported that the shirt order had been received from Lands End. He also reminded members that any nominations for officers or board for next year that were not part of the nominating committee slate must be given to the chapter secretary before the end of the meeting.

Chris presented membership renewals to the following: 7 years, Ken Henderson; 11 years Bob Blair; and 26 years, John Pence.

Membership vp Ken White encouraged guys to come to the new afterglow location tonite after our meeting – Ernie’s Crab Shack just around the corner from Durant.

Steve Lingo is coordinating the guest nite on Oct. 26th and encourages all active and inactive members to support the event by inviting singers, prospective sponsors or advertisers, or even former members who might want to sing again. We will wear the contest uniform with the yellows. AND everyone is encouraged to bring cookies and brownies and such to share. (Any left overs will go in the cupboard for our weekly coffee break.)

The cupboard was a little low this week, but a few folks came to the rescue with some things. Please help.

After the break announcements included the continuation by Alan Wile of the Harmo Heroes project; explanation by Craig Kujawa of the 2011 weight loss program leading up to the International contest in Kansas City (info was in our emails when we got up this morning); and an invitation from Tom Griffith who is organizing a Harmo team of runners to participate Sun., Nov. 14th, in the multiple myeloma run in honor of our own John Pence.

President Newton saluted the chapter quartets and chorus for the work this past weekend and displayed the shiny trophies earned by all.

Dave Reyno sold 563 White House Christmas ornaments last year. So he came to offer suggestions to guys on how they could increase sales too. Basically he takes huge numbers on consignment and then works with local stores and shops to place the ornaments on consignment with them. He uses flower shops, hardware stores and gift shops. He also had stationed himself outside the Giant in his community. He offered some forms he uses to set up the consignments and flyers he posts on stands at stores. For more details, see Sandy Stamps. And thanks Dave for leading the way.

Musically, the whole nite was work on the show songs for Oct. 16th. We are dusting off a bunch of tunes we have not done for a while. Tony and Will had director duties. Mike Kelly helped launch the holiday music and directed our first holiday show song for this year.

TAKE NOTE. An important chapter meeting is coming up soon – the annual meeting and election of officers. It will be Oct. 12 at our regular Tuesday nite meeting at Durant. ALL of the 200+ members and FRIENDS are encouraged to attend, have a cup of coffee with the gang, and sing with the chorus. The election will be conducted by current president, Dick Newton. The meeting was announced recently by chapter secretary Buechler and included the slate from the nominating committee. That committee was chaired by past president Brad Jones and committee members were Ken White, Will Cox, Mark Klostermeyer and Dennis Ritchey.
President – Steve Murane
VP Chapter Development – Phil Ashford
VP Operations – Mark Klostermeyer
VP Music & Performance – Terry Reynolds
VP Shows – Ken White
VP Marketing and PR – Steve Lingo
Secretary – Chris Buechler
Treasurer – Dave Welter
Member At Large 2010-2011 – Noah Van Gilder
Member At Large 2010-2011 – Phil Ferguson
Member At Large 2011-2012 – Ken Henderson
Member At Large 2011-2012 – Ian Poulin
Immediate Past President – Dick Newton

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 at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —Ye Ed.)

Looking Back on the 2010 Fall District Contest, Lancaster

The Alexandria Harmonizers won their 23rd M-AD championship this past weekend in Lancaster, PA.

And our quartets took 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 13th, 17th, 18th, 19th and 23rd.

As is often the case, there was evidence of our chapter around every corner. At the first event of the weekend, Dennis Ritchey was emcee for the semi-finals round of the quartet contest.

Nine quartets with Harmonizer members sang in that first round: and four made it to the finals:

TOUCHSTONE with Steve White won first
CRUNCH TIME with Eric Wallen took second
TRIBUTE with Ryan Griffith and Tony Colosimo was third
DOWN A FOURTH! with Joe Cerutti, Joe Sawyer, Wayne Adams and Troy Hillier got seventh

YOUTH RECLAMATION PROJECT with Mike Wallen was 13th
ON THE ROAD with John Reece and Chris Yates was 17th
DOWNTOWN with Drew Fuller, Frank Fedarko and Arthur Louis was 18th
FRiDAYS! with Bob Caldwell, Ken Ives and Steve Murane was 19th
BELTWAY BLUES with Kevin Roth was 23rd

TOUCHSTONE made an amazing rebound after coming in fourth in the first round and moved up to first during the finals Saturday nite. Steve sings with three other guys from around the district who also have been district champs before – Rob Seay, Rich Gray and Jay Butterfield. This is Steve’s fourth time to be in a district champ quartet.

And YeEd is proud to report that Steve was named to the Mid Atlantic District Hall of Honor earlier Saturday afternoon following the chorus contest! He is welcomed to that group by 16 other Harmonizers who have been so honored. Tony’s Dad, Bill Colosimo, was also named to the Hall of Honor.

Some “fun” moments in the quartet contests: people barking like dogs whenever FRANK THE DOG quartet appeared; when the fire alarm went off and we had to empty the hall, come back in after just a few minutes and have the quartet start their set again; DOWN A FOURTH and their Chinese food set sung while in inflated Sumo wrestler outfits (and the point when one of the suits seemed to deflate!); having Ryan Griffith get to sing with his Dad in TRIBUTE; CRUNCH TIME leading the pack after the first round but ending with their second, 2nd place at district; and HIT PARADE, who ended up being the first place senior’s quartet, singing “End of the Road” – an original song by John Hohl and Scott Werner about a guy ending his career as a singer.

After the Friday nite quartet round ended and while the judges were doing the paperwork to report who would sing in the finals Saturday, there was a tribute to the recently deceased Walter Latzko. His wife Marjorie was present during the visual and musical tribute. He was recognized as a life member of the Alexandria Chapter. Marjorie then came to the Harmonizer rehearsal on Saturday and thanked the members for their support and expressions and for the years of including them in our chapter events at International.

For the Saturday International prelims chorus contest and simultaneous district chorus contest, the Harmonizers sang 10th in order of appearance. Alexandria was the largest chorus with 88 singers. Our score was just a point or two lower than Philly but we were really pleased with the high numbers were earned in the singing category. The work paid off!

Hamilton Square, NJ, Brothers in Harmony was second place chorus and repeated their tribute to the 50,000 names on the Viet Nam Wall which they had done in Philly. Dundalk was third place with 81 singers and directed by our joint member Rick Taylor. Hell’s Kitchen, NY, was fourth. We had some of our current and former members singing in other choruses this weekend also such as DC, Dundalk, Richmond, and Fairfax.

The FRIENDS of Harmony came to the early rehearsal Saturday morning and gave each guy a memento to take on stage. YeEd noticed they brought ironing boards and helped get uniforms ready as needed. John Hohl brought a copy of the original sheet music of “I Get Along Without You Very Well – Of Course I Do” for Joe’s collection.

Tony Colosimo and Will Cox did warm ups before Director Joe started the review and reminder period. Joe welcomed Geri Geis (and Royall) who stayed with the chorus then to help prepare them for their presentation on stage.

Likely the chapter leaders will extend their appreciation and thanks to many guys who did behind the scenes work such as the riser crew who worked hard Friday eve, the truck drivers, and of course Bob Rhome who did so much of the admin work for registrations and housing. YeEd was proud to see our chapter banner hanging in the convention hall too!

Chuck Harner, in his capacity as contest vp, had the pleasure of reading the contest results after each session. Mike Kelly and Mary Ann were doing the video recording of contests and Dennis Ritchey also worked back stage.

After the chorus contest, all of the guys attended the contest evaluation session with one judge from each category. In the breaks between the evals, Joe thanked the guys for their work and recognized the 15 or so guys who had never won a district chorus contest with the chapter.

The Saturday show after the quartet finals ended was emceed by Gary Plaag. The top three choruses sang and Joe was able to thank the district attendees for their support this past summer and this weekend. The chorus is proud to represent the great M-AD at the International chorus contest next summer in Kansas City. He also recognized Majorie and Geri during his remarks. We sang the contest package and “Stars and Stripes Forever” and welcomed the standing ovation from the crowd.

The evening ended with the chorus of past district quartet champs, MADAQC, singing as the trophies were presented to the top three quartets. TOUCHSTONE guys each got a personal trophy and a quartet champ trophy that is about 5-ft. tall! (YeEd tried to get the names of all the Harmonizers on stage as past champs in MADAQC – Steve White, Mike Kelly, Gary Plaag, Rick Savage, Ryan Griffith, Tony Colosimo, Joe Sawyer, Wayne Adams, Rick Taylor, Will Cox, and Mike Wallen. Chapter secretary Buechler offers more trivia – there have been 16 district champs from our chapter. They are listed in the back of the chapter directory.

Everyone adjourned to the many hospitality rooms around the hotel. We had all enjoyed some good food in restaurants around the hotel including goodies from the Amish market across the street.

Altho YeEd did not attend, he knows that chapter president Dick Newton was planning to attend the House of Delegates meeting on Sunday morning. That is a body with a representative of every chapter in the district. They make recommendations to the district board and carry out suggestions the board has for chapters. Several of our guys are officers of the district too: Gary Plaag is president, Bob Eckman is treasurer, Keith Jones is secretary, Dennis Ritchey is member-at-large, and Alan Wile is BHS Society representative (and was the official delegate from the BHS this weekend). Chuck Harner is district vp for contest and judging matters, Alan Wile is district vp for financial development, and Mike Kelly is chief information officer.

Just for fun – here are names of current and former Harmonizers seen during the weekend and not mentioned above who did not sing on the risers: Jim Herrick, Pete Frank, Dean Martin, Lew Klinge, Royall Geis, Steve Matuszewski, Bill Sowers, Scott Kahler, John Parkinson, Bob Wilson, Bob Wells, Paul Laurenz, Paul Lensch, Richard Lewellen, John Grant, Scott Disney, Fred Womer, Joe Eckert, Bob Hirsch, Michael Calhoun and Mike Geipel. [Anyone who can add to this list gets a free copy of coffee at the chapter meeting on Tuesday!]

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 with the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on the September 28th Chapter Meeting

The gang worked hard to be ready to start the chapter meeting and rehearsal last nite. The new risers are not as fast to set up it seems to YeEd, especially as the gang tries to be gentle with them and with the new flooring in the Center.

A fun thing that was going on as the guys gathered – finding the owners of the tearaways that were gathered up off the floor in haste to clear the stage last week at the Lawyer show. Fun.

Will Cox did the warm ups and Director Joe put the gang right to work on some serious singing such as the new one, “No More Sorrow.” He said he could give “a little theory lesson on a point, but honestly, the leads are just flat!” It got a good laugh and set the stage for a solid nite of learning and improving.

All those skills were put to use in the work the singers did on the contest package for this weekend.

Speaking of this weekend.

As you all know the Mid-Atlantic District Contest/Convention is this coming weekend, October 1-3 in Lancaster, PA. Besides the chorus contest which we have been working so hard for, a bunch of our guys have been practicing with their quartets to compete. Quartet promo guy, Eric Wallen, reported nine chapter quartets qualified: ON THE ROAD with John Reece and Chris Yates; DOWNTOWN with Drew Fuller, Frank Fedarko and Arthur Louis; FRiDAYS! with Bob Caldwell, Ken Ives and Steve Murane; YOUTH RECLAMATION PROJECT with Mike Wallen; BELTWAY BLUES with Kevin Roth; TOUCHSTONE with Steve White: CRUNCH TIME with Eric Wallen; TRIBUTE with Ryan Griffith and Tony Colosimo; and DOWN A FOURTH! with Joe Cerutti, Joe Sawyer, Wayne Adams and Troy Hillier who sang for us last nite. YeEd won’t spill the beans about their very funny contest set for the weekend. You gotta go to the contest to see it!!

There is an extra rehearsal Thursday, Sept. 30th next door at the Jeff Houston school, 7 pm. Mandatory for singers!!

Bob Rhome, our contest weekend coordinator, prepared a very useful booklet fulllllll of details we all need to know in order to make our contest weekend fun and easy.

Before the break, chapter secretary, Chris Buechler, presented membership renewal cards for 16 years, Ryan Griffith; 33 years, Phil Ashford; and 41 years, Jack Cameron. He also reported renewals received from Mike Geipel, 19 years; and from Bob Ulibarri for 28 years.

Membership vp, Ken White, reminded everyone about the new location for the tonight’s afterglow – Ernie’s Crab Shack, just around the corner from Durant and across from the King Street Metro. Then he introduced six guests – some as applicants and a first-timer. He also welcomed Ian Poulin’s parents who were visitors.

After break (which could also be called the weekly cookie harvest!), we continued the chapter meeting period. Alan Wile extended his work on Harmo Heroes and announced that a hardcopy notebook is on display by the Harmo Photo board.

Last minute reminders came from Bob Rhome in reference to the handbook. The chorus is invited by Joe to attend the judges’ evaluation session after the chorus contest Saturday. He asked for a riser crew at 6 pm Friday.

President Dick Newton held up the traveling trophy that is given to the district chorus champs each year. The actual piece of hardware was donated by our chapter in 1995 in honor of those men in our district who had directed an International championship chorus – Lew Sims, DC Chapter; Dave Mittelstadt, Dapper Dans of Livingston, NJ; Bob Johnson, Dundalk, MD; Fred King, Dundalk, MD; and Scott Werner, Alexandria, VA.

Then it was back to work on the contest set. The evening included some detailed review and drills of the stage presence moves, the focal points, and then combining that with great singing. Joe would not go on until both parts were solidly in sinc! He made special mention of thanks to Chris Buechler and Rob Korsan who were not on the risers in Philly and will be on the risers in Lancaster.

The workout session ended at 10 pm and the hall cleared. Reminder was given about the extra practice on Thursday.

A crowd of 40 or so was at the new afterglow spot.

TAKE NOTE. An important chapter meeting is coming up soon – the annual meeting and election of officers. It will be Oct. 12 at our regular Tuesday nite meeting at Durant. ALL of the 200+ members and FRIENDS are encouraged to attend, have a cup of coffee with the gang, and sing with the chorus. The election will be conducted by current president, Dick Newton. The meeting was announced recently by chapter secretary Buechler and included the slate from the nominating committee. That committee was chaired by past president Brad Jones and committee members were Ken White, Will Cox, Mark Klostermeyer and Dennis Ritchey.

President – Steve Murane
VP Chapter Development – Phil Ashford
VP Operations – Mark Klostermeyer
VP Music & Performance – Terry Reynolds
VP Shows – Ken White
VP Marketing and PR – Steve Lingo
Secretary – Chris Buechler
Treasurer – Dave Welter
Member At Large 2010-2011 – Noah Van Gilder
Member At Large 2010-2011 – Phil Ferguson
Member At Large 2011-2012 – Ken Henderson
Member At Large 2011-2012 – Ian Poulin
Immediate Past President – Dick Newton

There may be others of you who have an interest in one of the board positions. If so, please notify our chapter secretary no later than the October 5 chapter meeting. All nominees must agree to serve if elected. Per Society rules there can be no nominations from the floor on the night of the election. Proxy or absentee voting is not permitted in chapter elections. These are Society rules and not local ones that can be waived. The 2011 board takes office January 1, 2011.

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 at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —Ye Ed.)

Looking Back on the Sept. 23rd Rehearsal and Show

Well the Harmonizers were in tall-cotton last nite as they prepared for their show at the incredible National Building Museum in DC. (More about that later in this article.)

The show was actually for the 60th anniversary meeting of the American College of Trial Lawyers. YeEd calculates there were about 1,500 attendees in tuxes and banquet finery.

But for the Harmonizers, it was a challenge to work around all the security and back-stage conditions since four justices of the Supreme Court were attending. Director Joe was teasing that the “supremes” would probably be expecting “God Bless the USA” since we have sung that several times for them. But this time they got “Stars and Stripes Forever” as the finale number.

Chief Justice Roberts attended as did Associate Justices Ginsburg, Kagan and Sotomayer.

We had a great chorus of 80 (some of the early-in-the-week worries about numbers were unfounded). We actually started rehearsal at 7 after everyone found a parking place or walked from the Metro. Joe was really tickled by that and thanked the singers over and over for working hard and making this show.

When YeEd arrived, he found the front row huddled in a hall way and being moved about by the security team. Eventually they went outside and practiced by the Metro station (which of course attracted a bit of a crowd.) They were eager to practice the contest set as it has been a few weeks since they have been able to do it with the chorus.

We shared a dressing room with the Herald Trumpets who actually did fanfares as each dignitary arrived at the dais. One of them told YeEd, “Wow, you guys are really a great singing group.” And I of course suggested he come join us!

Tony Colosimo and Will Cox had warm up duties. Director Joe had trouble containing his excitement and pride of doing this gig for one of the top audiences in the Nation. You could tell the guys were under pressure from the crowded dressing/rehearsal room, competition of sound when the trumpets warmed up, security guys everywhere wired for sound, and a certain amount of being starstruck.

Joe worked thru each song from the bottom of the show up and decided to drop the ballad since the crowd was so huge and spread so wide they would miss the emotion.

YeEd and Keith Jones left when the rehearsal ended and the guys started getting into the black suits with yellow shirts under the tear-aways.

Word is that the show went just as planned. Hard to see the audience because of bright lights and the huge hall. Many audience members congratulated the guys when the chorus exited the dining area.

Loading the risers in the truck was hectic as we had to compete with the caterer for space on the loading dock. But in true Harmo fashion, we worked around it. Thanks as always to the riser crew and truck crew, chorus manager K12, and our MC guys. Congrats to Greg Tepe, show producer, for another successful show.

Another Moment in Harmo History for the record books.

About the building. For many many years it was known as the Pension Building in DC. It was built to house the Veteran’s records from the Civil War. One myth about the place is that those wide steps up from the first floor were designed so solidiers could ride a horse into the building and up onto the upper floors to check on their benefits. You might have noticed that the stairs are wide and low and have evidence of being used a lot. Who knows if that is true.

DON’T FORGET: we are gonna try a new Afterglow spot next Tuesday nite after chapter. Ernies’ Crab Shack – across street from King Street Metro and Joe Theisman’s, next door to the Hilton – AND close enough to leave your car at Durant and walk around the corner. They are staying open for us with no other noise to fight. Should be fun. Easier for us all to hear. Maybe a place for some tag singers. Guys who use the Metro can walk across the street to head home. And guys who have a long drive to get home can come over for a while and still get home before breakfast. Thanks Ken White for finding the place. Let’s all go next week to show the owner/manager we appreciate his staying open for us.

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 with the Alexandria Harmonizers. —Ye Ed.)

Looking Back on the September 21st Chapter Meeting

Seems parking was a problem this week – must have been back-to-school nite next door. Took us a while to get the full chorus on the risers. Hard on our director when he has to wait and cross his fingers we’ll all be there.

The set-up volunteers got things ready with full set of risers, av equipment, end caps, etc. The FRIENDS group sold drinks again this week. Dick and Carolyn Hall were back and selling scrip cards. (All of us need to buy some to use in paying for housing in Lancaster at district contest Oct. 1 and 2 at Marriott.)

YeEd had historical items out for display – Perry Como autographed items, Victor Borge autographed photo and pix and personal items from our founder Dean Snyder. All members are encouraged to be certain they give chapter historian, Bob Blair, any chapter items or barbershop items that might tell a story of our chapter’s past. This is especially true for officers and board members.

After good warm up sessions, the music team sent guys off into sectionals to work on 2011 uptune. The front row guys worked separately in the lobby at Durant.

When the singers regrouped on the risers, Director Joe worked with the guys to run thru songs for this week’s package show. (And don’t forget the 2-hour rehearsal prior to the show at the National Building Museum.) No make up for show.

Next Joe worked on the package for the contest in Oct. He promised to “continue the beating I gave you last week.” Many volunteered “give me more, give me more!”

At break and business meeting time, vp Klostermeyer, announced the many birthdays this week.

Chapter secretary Buechler presented membership renewal cards to: 11 years, Chris Yates; 15 years, Joe Sawyer; 16 years, Mike Schwartz; 20 years, Troy Hillier; and 26 years, Len Dornberger.

Membership vp, Ken White, plugged the next chapter guest nite, Oct. 26th. Steve Lingo, who is helping coordinate the event, encouraged guys to bring prospective singers, prospective fans, prospective tickets buyers, prospective FRIENDS members.

Kenny also encouraged all of us to pick up a supply of chapter business cards. He promises to check now and then on a Tues nite and see who has one in his wallet. We should all have a couple at the ready to give to someone who likes to sing!!

We had another good guest line up – a lot of them sing bass!!

Break time was fun. Hot coffee back. And a lot of goodies to share – thanks to those who brought in things to share. Please help out with that as well. The cupboard is getting empty.

Other meeting announcements included distribution by Jack Cameron of International chorus pictures; scrip sales; buy 50/50 tickets; last chance to turn in medals for engraving. Alan Wile continued the Harmo Heroes project – they sure are interesting to read. Thanks Alan.

Bob Mattes, chapter librarian, offers to help new members get Holiday show music. See him if you need to get the songs to learn. Get started now.

Tony Colosimo gave a plug for our youth chorus, CAPITOL FORCE. The group is for singers under 30 years. But we all can support them such as by attending the DC Chapter show where the CF will sing.

Back to singing, Director Joe went thru several contest sets so guys could prepare vocal and visual Make Me Better eval materials.

The air conditioner was still not working from about 9 pm on and so Joe pushed the guys to work thru it and perform. He was excited when the singers worked harder and harder. It was particularly fun to have Tony up front directing so that Joe could coach. What a team!!

As is often the case, we worked a little past 10 pm since we were making good progress. That meant getting things put away in a hurry and loading some sound equipment for this week’s show. (Nice to have the older risers to stay in the truck for shows.)

BIG NEWS --- we are gonna try a new Afterglow spot next Tuesday nite after chapter. Ernies’ Crab Shack – across street from King Street Metro and Joe Theisman’s, next door to the Hilton – AND close enough to leave your car at Durant and walk around the corner. They are staying open for us with no other noise to fight. Should be fun. Easier for us all to hear. Maybe a place for some tag singers. Guys who use the Metro can walk across the street to head home. And guys who have a long drive to get home can come over for a while and still get home before breakfast. Thanks Ken White for finding the place. Let’s all go next week to show the owner/manager we appreciate his staying open for us.

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 at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —Ye Ed.)

Looking Back on the September 14th Chapter Meeting

The new floor in the main hall at Durant was bright and clean and ready for us tonite. The set up crew had things up early and ready for the big crowd of members and guests.

Assistant director Tony Colosimo conducted an extensive vocal warm up and then turned the chorus over to Director Joe. He didn’t waste a minute and had them start to work on “No More Sorrow” using some physical stepping exercises to help with rhythm and using a Harmonizer soft so the tenor glis could be heard.

Then he jumped right to work on introducing more of the 2011 uptune. He thanked Joel Golden for his dependable support in preparing learning materials for this song.

Tonite Michael Gellert was present to provide private vocal coaching.

Joe also had the guys work on some songs for next week’s show (and rehearsal) on Thursday.

After that, he had the chorus work on the ballad for district contest in Lancaster, Oct. 1 -2. He conducted extensive drills and coached many finite details to improve the number.

Before break, ops vp Mark Klostermeyer, honored the guys with birthdays this week. He reminded Philly singers that they had two more weeks to get their medals engraved.

Chapter secretary Chris Buechler announced the opportunity for all to order Harmo logo shirts from Lands End. See Chris.

Then he presented membership renewal cards: 13 years, Eric Wallen; 18, Don Thompson; 24, Chuck McKeever; 26, Ken Fess; 27, Terry Reynolds; 31, Bill Curtis; 31, Mick Stamps; 36, Randy Lazear. He presented a membership card and lapel pin to Jack Pitzer for his 45 years.

Membership vp, Ken White, introduced many guests including several barbershoppers from other parts of the nation, the guys who were at our recent audition nite; and many returnees. He welcomed former member Greg Tepe, who is a show producer for the chapter.

Greg then gave details about this week’s show.

Steve Lingo announced details for an expanded guest nite on Tues., Oct. 26th. He stressed that we would welcome prospective singers as well as prospective supports and fans.

Craig Kujawa announced that a weight loss plan for Kansas City will be rolled out soon. Watch for details.

Alan Wile continued the Harmo Heroes project.

Music vp, Terry Reynolds, asked guys to submit absentee request forms for any events from now til district, as all are mandatory.

There is a board meeting on Wednesday of this week.

Then Director Joe brought the guys back to work on the contest songs. He did offer his thoughts about the recent death of our friend and chapter member, Walter Latzko. He also was proud of the recent Harmonizer magazine article by Scipio.

The rest of the nite was work on the contest set for Lancaster. And the evening ended with the guys making vocal and visual recordings for the Make Me Better effort.

We went way past 10 pm, so there was a rush to do some auditions, put everything away, sing some tags and gear up to go to the afterglow.

Victor Hills took us out on KTWWS.

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 at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —Ye Ed.)

Looking Back on the September 7th Chapter Meeting

Well it looks like everyone found rehearsal over in Jeff Houston School cafeteria this week. Seems the city is replacing the floor in the main hall of Durant.

Will Cox got the guys singing and used a number of exercises to engage everyone. He had the chorus do one of his number counting routines and then added instruction to have them clap on “1” every time. Well then he switched exercises when we do the “one, one, one, one” sounds and this bunch of musical characters all clapped on all of the “ones” in this exercise too!!!

No wonder Director Joe, later in the evening, threatened there would be a stand up comedy contest next week.

Before the meeting started, Chuck McKeever was working with new guys to help them prepare for the contest package.

When Director Joe took up front duties, he thanked every one for the nice crowd at Dog Days. He was particularly happy to see how the chorus is building trust with assistant director, Tony Colosimo; and he was happy to hear the chorus using head tones without much prompting these days.

After those brief remarks, he launched into work on the 2011 uptune, “What Do I Need With Love?” He is introducing small segments of it and coaching those segments with word inflections, interpretation, suggestions on sounds and matching and traps to look out for. Music vp, Terry Reynolds, helped him with the screen and projection equipment. (All were reminded that the pieces being taught now are online in the members-only segment of our website.)

Speaking of technology – there were hardy congrats to Scipio Garling for his article in the most recent Harmonizer magazine. The cover of the issue also included a great shot of the chorus on stage in Philly during the contest.

After that song work out, Joe took the guys back to “ObLaDi ObLaDa” for a while.

Before break, operation vp, Mark Klostermeyer, announced birthdays for this week.

Chapter secretary, Chris Buechler, presented membership renewal cards to Victor Hills, 2 years; Steve Lingo, 3 years; Wayne Adams, 7 years; Robert Mattes, 12 years; Dick Dangel, 18 years; Tom Griffith, 23 years; Alan Wile, 23 years; Carl Kauffmann, 38 years. Mike Kelly was given his 30-year card and a pin by the secretary and president of the chapter, as is our tradition when a guy has a milestone renewal year.

Membership vp, Ken White, was fighting a challenge since we could not get into our registration cabinet over in Durant for name tags and such. But it was still fun to welcome five guests – all basses. A couple were from the recent audition nite held in Durant and coordinated by Phil Ferguson.

It was a big nite for Carl Kauffmann for his birthday. His wife surprised him and brought a yummy chocolate cake for all of us to share and celebrate during the break.

Back from break, we had announcements. Medal engraving – see Bruce Lauther. Buying scrip cards in order to pay for your room at the district contest in the Marriott in Lancaster – see Bob Eckman or Dick Hall.

Dick reports that Carolyn has gotten to come home. He is being helped by family and a physical therapist to take care of things. She is making progress to getting her strength back.

Chuck Harner made a pitch to get guys started selling Entertainment books. If you are new and don’t know about how it works, see Chuck. And same goes for White House Christmas Ornament sales – see Sandy Stamps.

The FRIENDS were selling cold drinks again this week and held a meeting while we practiced.

Alan Wile continued his efforts to get all the guys into the Harmo Heroes activity – amazing biographies from guys. It will make great reading on the web.

GUEST NITE is coming up Tuesday, Oct. 26th. Steve Lingo is coordinator. Start lining up singers to bring that nite.

Terry Reynolds stressed the Make Me Better recording and evaluation process that is underway. Guys who sang in Philly only have to turn something in. First time contest singers need to talk to Terry for a little more coaching on how it works. Quad leaders for the chorus are the ones who come out front and turn on the little cameras and then study them during the week and give the guys feedback about their visual performances. Current quad leaders are Chuck Powell, stage right rows 2-2; Alan Wile, stage right rows 4-5; Bob Blair, stage left rows 2-3; and TJ Jones, stage left rows 4-5.

President Dick Newton announced area barbershop shows that chapters around us are holding and offered to place the flyers out for all to see. He also read a letter from the James River Chapter down by Richmond announcing their new CD. They are proud to have been sponsored by Alexandria at the time of their formation.

Dick also read from a letter of congratulations the chapter received from Congressman James Moran. He had gotten a communication piece from our Martin Banks and wrote to express his pride in our getting our medal.

Then it was back to work on the music. Joe told the guys we were gonna work on the singing aspect of our contest package as that was the area we had gotten the most feedback about. It was exciting to see him work and the guys respond. His exercise to tighten the guys’ skills at singing half steps was cool. And the end result from a bit of solid musical coaching was great!

And just to be sure to use every minute of our time together, Joe had the guys sing several times thru our new song of a few weeks, “No More Sorrow.” He pulled out an octet of guys to sing it and promised he’d pick a quartet next week. Fair warning.

We closed down at just a little after 10 and crammed everything back onto the Harmo truck. Guys went to the afterglow at 815 South Washington. Craig Kujawa took us on KTWWS.

Before the chapter meeting started, M-AD District VP for Contest and Judging, Chuck Harner, and M-AD Treasurer, Bob Eckman, conducted the “draw” for this fall’s M-AD contest. Alexandria sings 10th on Saturday, Oct. 2nd in the chorus contest.

REMEMBER – we may meet in the cafeteria of the school next week if they don’t get the floor work done over there. Be prepared.

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 at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —Ye Ed.)

Looking Back on the August 31st Chapter Meeting and Dog Days Event

Our annual trip to Manassas to sing with other chapters from the VA area was fun. Early arrivals were greeted with a huge spread of goodies provided by the host Prince William County Chapter, Bull Run Troubadours. The location at Sacred Heart Church has great parking, plenty of room for all.

As a help, our guys had brought the risers down and set up sound equipment for the evening. The host chapter helped unload, but YeEd saw the usual suspects, Bob Blair and Dennis Ritchey, working to get the sound all set.

It was great to see Terry Jordan back as well as Larry Silva and Alan Durick who were visiting too. It is a great nite to see many long-time barbershop friends.

Before the show, YeEd got a call from Dick Hall reporting that Carolyn is some better but still in the rehab center at Southern Maryland Hospital. He hopes she will get to come home on Friday. They really appreciate all the cards and calls from the Harmonizer family.

The Dog Days event, originally held to help chapters add some summer activity to their schedule, included six choruses this year. Those choruses also had their chapter quartets sing as part of their part of the program.

Our Dick Dangel was the opening act to get the early arrivals in the audience involved in some music. He brought his accordion and song sheets and had everyone sing a few while the choruses got ready.

The host chapter president welcomed everyone and turned it over to the chapters then. When one chorus finished, that director would teach a tag or direct a song for all to sing while the next chorus came onto the risers. Things flowed along great.

Harmony Heritage Singers from down in Mt. Vernon were first. They have a lot of Harmonizers on the risers with them. Bob Wachter is director. Chris Buechler is an assistant director. As is tradition, they sang “Old Bones” featuring 96-year-old Bix Doughty.

After they sang, two special visitors from the Barbershop Harmony Foundation in Nashville were introduced – Ryan Kileen and Clark Cleveland. Ryan gave a few remarks and thanked everyone for their support of the Foundation which means “the song will live on” for future generations of singers.

Second chorus was Blue Ridge Barbershoppers directed by Glenn Williamson. Third was Culpepper Minutemen Chorus directed by John Knueven. Fourth was Fairfax Jubilaires directed by Richard Lewellen. It was his birthday so we all sang to him. Their quartet, FOUR GOOD MEASURE, sang with our Austin Cotton on bass.

The host chapter sang fifth with Glenn Williamson directing. Our Bruce Lauther sang with one of their quartets.

The Harmonizers were last up with Director Joe out front. We kicked off our set with the re-engineered “There’s A Meeting Here Tonight” that got the audience fired up. This year we included one of our quartets, DOWN A FOURTH, in our show. And also our contemporary accapella group, TBD, got the audience involved and clapping and cheering.

It was a shame there was not enough room to do all the stage movements for our contest uptune, but the guys were animated and made it come alive from the risers. “Summertime” had folks sitting on the edge of their seats watching the facial sell of all the guys on the risers. Then “Stars and Stripes Forever” brought the audience out of their chairs.

Thanks to all of our guys who did the mc work for our show. Always good! And gotta say thanks to the many Harmonizers who drove an hour or two to get to this one.

As a wrap up for the evening, and as is the custom at this event, all barbershoppers came to the risers and our Joe lead them in “Keep The Whole World Singing.”

As you would expect, there was tag singing around and more quartets singing another song for friends and family. There was a nice sized crowd of family and friends for the evening.

Now it is back to our Tuesday nite musical workout in prep for the fall contest, Oct. 1-2 in Lancaster. New guys – you need to have a ticket and uniform and a room. See Bob Rhome for ticket and room. See Tom Kern for uniform. Guess we better say that goes for the not-new guys too!!

REMEMBER – we meet in the cafeteria of the school next to Durant on Sept. 7th.

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 at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —Ye Ed.)

Looking Back on the August 24th Chapter Meeting

This is always a fun time of the Harmonizer year as guys are returning from trips, vacations with families, or special assignments. Was great to see Craig Kujawa back from his sea duty. And Pete Frank was in town from Erie.

The new risers were up and ready at 6 pm or so and then Mike Kelly stepped in to help set up the sound and av equipment for this busy evening.

Tony Colosimo conducted a solid physical and vocal warm up period. Then he turned it over to Director Joe who started right off with the contest songs for the district competition Oct. 1-2 in Lancaster PA. Great to hear the chorus crank it back up to the high level of July. For those who have been gone, Joe has introduced some new techniques to make the process fresh and fun. And of course any barbershopper worth his salt has gotta like ringing cords. Good work.

During the evening, the music team also provided a couple chances for the singers to produce “Make Me Better” recordings as part of the self evaluation process. This is all the Philly chorus has to do in the way of qualification before district. New guys, and there are sure a lot of them, will be given individual help. (YeEd got wind that two guys passed their auditions after rehearsal last nite. And another is gonna do his audition on Thurs. nite at the special guest audition nite.)

Guys were asking YeEd about the RAISE THE BAR blue t-shirts some guys were sporting. Suspect we will hear more about that soon!

The team with Joe, Tony, Terry and Chuck worked on the others songs for our set at Dog Days on Tues. Aug. 31st. “Summertime” and “There’s a Meeting Here Tonight” each got some review and stage presence drill. “Stars and Stripes” was worked on too.

We all were reminded of the important chapter show on Tuesday, Aug. 31st call Dog Days. This is a long-standing tradition where many chapters in the area come together, sing some songs for each other, mix and mingle and share goodies, and cheer for each other. They have always had it on a Tuesday so the Harmonizers could attend en mass and entertain our fellow barbershoppers. Everyone should make plans. If it means getting off work early or at least doing a map quest, plan ahead. Some guys arrive a little after the event has started, as we always sing last. Talk to some of your riser guys to car pool. And invite the new guys and guests to ride along. Evening starts at 7 pm at Sacred Heart Church, 12975 Purcell Rd., Manassas 20112. There is plenty of parking. Hall has AC too. And so you won’t be surprised -- our former director, Richard Lewellen, will debut as director of the Fairfax Chorus during the show.

The before-break business session included the usual birthday announcements by Mark Klostermeyer. Then Ken White introduced a long line of guests – many returnees and applicants. Alexander Kulessa was a special guest from the barbershop organization in Germany – Bing. He found us through Bruce Minnick who got a request to host Alexander via a fellow in the Vocal Majority. Alex is staying with Lew Klinge while he meets and visits in DC area and attends Harmonizer events. He will also visit the Vocal Majority, The Ambassadors of Harmony, Westminster, Masters of Harmony and Toronto Northern Lights.

Ken also reported that there has been good response for the special Audition nite on Thurs, Aug. 26 at 7 pm at Durant. It is good to suggest this audition nite to any potential singers. If they need a ride, you can bring them. But the chorus is not expected nor needed. A small crew will run the auditionees thru the process with Joe listening to each one.

But Ken did stress that all of us need to be lining up men to come for the fall special guest nite, Tues. Oct. 26th at Durant. This is a chance to get a guy into the chorus for the holiday show and for sure get him ready for next year’s International convention and contest in Kansas City.

Break time was busy as usual. [Note: we need more contributions of goodies. Coffee service to resume after Sept. 1st] Many guys have ordered scrip cards for Marriott and will use them to pay their hotel bill in Lancaster. The chapter makes good money on this project and it will help us fill in some budget shortfalls in 2011. So be sure to order your cards from Bob Eckman or Dick Hall.

Bob Rhome is working to help all of us get a room and ticket registration for the district contest. If you have not spoken to him in person or via email, please do so. All Harmonizers should plan to attend to either sing or cheer.

Alan Wile continued his Harmo Heroes project and chose five guy’s names out of the hat to be interviewed next. Great project that will create bios of all of the members on the website.

Don Dillingham, a new guy who got a medal in Philly, gave a testimony about his experiences with the chorus and his desire to keep the fires raging.

President Newton reported that Carolyn Hall is now in the rehab center of the Southern Maryland Hospital. (YeEd spoke with Dick and Carolyn today. She appreciated the response from all of us. Dick suggests cards or notes could be sent to their home address (4305 John St., Suitland, MD 20746), as he is there to get the mail each day. But she does have a private phone in her room – 301-877-5862.

Joe reported that he visited with Geri Geis recently in planning and she shared that she and Royall are going up to NY and will stop and see our friend and arranger, Walter Latzko. He is a loyal fan of the chapter and loves hearing from us.

After announcements, it was back on the risers to work on our music and presentation skills. It was noted that the “singable doots” appeared again during rehearsal.

The guys on the risers are enjoying the new song, “No More Sorrow,” made famous by GAS HOUSE GANG.

Then Joe gave the guys a brief taste of the new uptune for the 2011 contest cycle. Chapter librarian, Bob Mattes, had prepared part specific handouts for the first portion of the song to be learned. Joel Golden had also helped Joe clip the learning tracks into segments needed in teaching the first portion. The complete tracks were done by Tim Waurick. The overhead projector and sound equipment were useful tools in the process. The song is gonna be a smashing success!

As usual the learning and fun ran right up until 10 pm. Then it was work to get risers loaded on the truck to take to Dog Days. Plus audition sessions were held for new guys to get into the chorus. And the usual tag singers were at it again.

A larger and larger contingent of tag singers is beginning to emerge after getting their food at our Tuesday nite afterglow. They adjourn outside and sing away.

REMEMBER: Dog Days Event in Manassas on 8/31; and then we will be meeting in the school that is adjacent to Durant starting Sept. 7th. The city will be replacing the floor in the main hall of Durant.

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 at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —Ye Ed.)

Looking Back on the August 17th Chapter Meeting and Market Square Show

This was a busy nite for the chapter and chorus. Set up went well, tho someone found the head off a nut from the risers on the floor. So before you knew it, Bob Blair was under the risers with his socket wrench and found where it had fallen off. And these risers are just a few weeks old!! Tip for all – if you see any nuts or bolts, save ’em.

There was a good crowd of guests arriving early – some are applicants and needed to practice with a quartet, others filling out paper work, others just meeting the guys.

Early on we learned from Dick Hall that his sidekick, Carolyn, was in the hospital. He left early to go back to the hospital. On top of it all, her birthday is Wednesday. So – all of us need to drop a note or card in the mail to their home. Bob Eckman took over selling the scrip cards and taking orders for Marriott scrip cards that guys can use to pay their hotel bill in Lancaster at district convention.

Will Cox conducted an important vocal warm up to launch the musical portion of the evening. Director Joe was up on the risers getting a feel for the sound and helping fire back some bari! Was funny, Terry came up to YeEd at one point and asked, “Have you seen Joe?” He was having fun being one of the riser singers.

First music work session of the nite was to refurb the choreo for “Meeting Here Tonight” as originally learned. We had created a stripped-down-choreo version to get thru some shows, so this gets the entertaining package back up to snuff. Chuck McKeever taught and reviewed. The front row guys worked on their own in the lobby.

Mark Klostermeyer, ops vp, kicked off the prebreak announcements with birthday reminders. Terry Reynolds, music vp, announced that vocal coach Michael Gellert will be back with us next week. Guys can sign up for a single session at $20 or a group-of-five session for $4 each.

Membership vp Ken White reminded us all of the Thurs. Aug. 26th audition nite. Joe will conduct the auditions. Our duty is to get prospects to attend. It starts at 7 pm at Durant. Phil Ferguson is coordinating the event.

Ken also reminded us of the Tues. Oct.. 26th guest nite at Durant. As usual, we need to bring in as many prospects as possible. Steve Lingo is point person for this one.

Some of us were talking last nite that it is often the lady who talks a guy into singing with us. So don’t overlook that plan as you try to get a guy to come sing. Invite him and his wife to come on Tuesday. We’ll have the coffee pot on for them.

Then he introduced our guests. Will Cox directed the Harmonizer Welcome song.

There were some goodies out for the break, and the guys managed to make a clean sweep of the table and all but a few crumbs were gone. (We need you all to restock the cupboard – cookies, salty things, healthy things if you must, candy. Bring it on Tuesday when you come.)

After break, Kevin Roth announced details of the Harmony Brigade event this weekend in DE.

Several announcements were made related to the Mid-Atlantic District contest coming up Oct. 1-2 in Lancaster. Reminder about buying scrip cards to pay your Marriott hotel bill – the chapter nets some good cash on these. Reminder by Terry of the two Sept. extra rehearsals. One is Thurs Sept. 23th in conjunction with a show in the city. The other is Thurs Sept. 30th. Those two rehearsals and the other four Tuesday nite rehearsals in Sept. are mandatory. If a chorus member can’t make one of them, he needs to speak to Terry or section leader, just so they know your plans.

But similarly, Bob Rhome is eager to help each of us get your hotel room for the weekend and to purchase event tickets for the contest and convention. If you have not given Bob your form or spoken to him about your plans, do so now. Also if you plan to sing but are staying with friends or have bought a ticket on your own, it helps him plan for chapter events that weekend.

(YeEd would add that many of us may be asked by section leaders, assistant directors and visual team members to help coach and instruct all the MANY new guys who have joined since Philly or are in the process of doing so. We want them to sing on the district stage with us.)

Terry also gave a plug for the guys to bring recording devices so they can submit “Make Me Better” self evaluations before the district contest.

Bruce Lauther had many of the 5th place medals back from the engraver. Klostermeyer was glad to report his last name did fit on the back of a medal. (Now you know why we refer to him as K12)

President Newton reported on Carloyn Hall and announced the board meeting for 7 pm at Durant on Wednesday.

Then Director Joe took over and worked the chorus hard on contest preparation. There were some note changes but no major changes in interp or visual. Just drill and review, and here again, helping the new guys get comfortable.

Before the nite ended, we all were reminded of the important chapter show on Tuesday, Aug. 31st call Dog Days. This is a long-standing tradition where many chapters in the area come together, sing some songs for each other, mix and mingle and share goodies, and cheer for each other. They have always had it on a Tuesday so the Harmonizers could attend en mass and show our stuff from the international stage. Everyone should make plans. If it means getting off work early or at least doing a map quest, plan ahead. Some guys arrive a little after the event has started, as we always sing last. Talk to some of your riser guys to car pool. And invite the new guys and guests to ride along.

All Harmonizers are encouraged to attend Dog Days, even if you are not a regular these days. Come sit with YeEd and help take notes!! The evening is hosted by the Prince William County Chapter at 12975 Purcell Rd. in Manassas, always during the hot muggy “dog days” of summer. The hall has AC and lots of room. Plenty of parking. We take the risers and sound equipment for the nite to help.

Now a quick report from the Market Square show last weekend.

It was a terrific nite in Old Town Alexandria on Fri. Aug. 13th for the annual Harmonizer appearance at Market Square. We were part of the summer series there hosted by the Alexandria Dept. of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs.

There was a good crowd from beginning to end for the show. The chorus sang a full list of our best songs. Four guys formed LOW HUMIDITY quartet for the show – Dan O’Brien, Tony Colosimo, Ken Ives and Steve White. After one song, Rick Savage took over tenor and Steve joked that they had worn out one tenor already.

Membership vp Ken White had brought postcards to pass out to folks in the audience. It was fun to meet some prospective singers and for sure some ticket customers from this gig. Also good to see some of our recent guests in the audience.

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 at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —Ye Ed.)

Free public concert tonight!

Tonight the Harmonizers will be giving their annual free performance outdoors at Market Square in Old Town Alexandria, starting at 7:30 PM

See you there!

Looking Back on the August 10th Chapter Meeting

Director Joe was back from Harmony U and over 80 other Harmonizers were back after some summer time breaks – everyone ready to get back to singing and back to work in prep for upcoming shows AND the district contest the first weekend in Oct.

(YeEd noticed a lot of bronze medals last nite too!)

After Tony Colosimo did the vocal warm ups, Joe spoke briefly about the week in Missouri with all the other barbershop leaders, judges and students at the school. He was modest and did not share that we was asked to direct the Saturday nite chorus on the show they had.

But he didn’t talk long, and got the guys right to work on a full song list for this Friday’s show at Market Square in downtown Alexandria – another show we are doing for the city as a thank you for their support of the chapter. The assistant directors all worked so they would be prepared to direct their songs for the show. Greg Tepe is show producer.

Joe stepped in now and then and especially did some review on the contest songs (we will use them in the show, tho cut out the stage moves for “Hello My Baby” since the risers will be on the cement deck outside City Hall.

A couple guys figured a way to get our colorful banner to display above the chorus – so that will go to the show too. Membership VP Ken White (who gets a gold star for cleaning out the membership/guest sign-in cabinet after years of guys stashing stuff there) will have colorful postcards, which match the banner, to pass out to interested singers in the audience Friday nite. Some guys not on the risers can help pass them out.

Mark Klostermeyer, operations vp, started the business meeting with birthday reminders. Secretary Buechler presented new-member packet materials to Edgar Blancas.

Ken White reminded everyone of two import 26th dates. On Thursday, Aug. 26th, the music team will conduct auditions for men who want to sing with us. Session will be at 7 pm at Durant. Joe will conduct the actual audition. All are asked to promote this event. We are not needed to attend, but can certainly bring someone who is interested. The marketing crew is promoting the event in circles where musicians might see the opportunity and come check us out.

The second date is Oct. 26 – another regular guest nite during our Tuesday meeting and rehearsal. For sure we all come to that one and bring others prospects!

Dick Hall reminded all members that they can earn a lot of money for the chapter by buying Marriott script cards in advance of the district contest. You buy $100 script cards from the chapter (see Dick or Carolyn), then use them to pay your hotel bill in Lancaster. Rooms are a little over $100 a nite. The chapter pays less than $100 for the card and earns a healthy percentage of net. SO – everyone needs to do it. See the Halls and let them know how many cards you want to buy.

For break, we celebrated summer again and had a huge watermelon feast during break.

After the break, Ken Fess, producer of our recent Westminster show, presented chapter president Dick Newton a check for nearly $41,000 as income from ticket sales. Hurray!! And thanks again Ken.

Ken also announced that the proposed show with the Ambassadors of Harmony will not happen. Too many schedule conflicts with the two busy choruses to allow us to contract a show venue.

Tom Kraus plus Jeremy Knobel, Phil Ferguson and Joe Cerutti have joined forces as the last four class presidents of new guys going to International to encourage total commitment for medal worthy performances among all of our singers for shows and contest gigs in the months ahead. More to come via email.

Music vp Terry Reynolds reviewed plans for release of new music and for schedules of learning new songs. He also reviewed plans for self evaluation processes as we get ready to form a contest chorus for Lancaster. The Make Me Better recording plan will continue as well as visual self evaluations. He announced that the Sept. 12 fund raising show for a Bowie, MD, nonprofit group has been canceled since the group has had to go out of business.

Bob Rhome is eager to get registration orders (tickets) and housing reservations for the Harmonizers who are going to Lancaster. Your deadline is Aug. 31st.

Alan Wile continued his successful Harmonizer Heroes project and thanked the guys who have prepared their bio sheets for Alan to post online. He is working to get a complete set of bio reports from all of us on the web.

President Newton announced the official letter has been received from the Alexandria Commission for the Arts alerting us that we will be given a grant of $11,365. We are humbled to know that we have been chosen to receive the grant.

He also reported receiving $1000 from our Mid-Atlantic District to help with our expenses for International in July.

And he read a warm personal note from Ms. Shirley Bolstad, widow of the late Bruce Bolstad. She included a generous financial gift as well.

Then it was back to work on the show tunes for Friday evening. Show is at 7:30 pm near city hall (where the fountain is on King Street about 2 blocks up from the Potomac River). Harmonizers can park underground and have their parking ticket validated to cover the cost. Chorus comes already dressed without make up for warm up in the foyer of City Hall.

Another gold star from this week goes to Bob Blair and Klye Blomgren who hauled all the 50th anniversary display boards back to our storage unit.

All the best to Jeremy Knobel who will be absent a lot for the next few months. He is starting work on his law degree. And good luck to the other college guys who are heading out in the next couple weeks. YeEd thinks Kellen Hertz and Edris Qarghah plan to come back for district. YeEd also hears that Will Daniel Mudd-Simmons may be back in the area for college and we hope he will be singing with us soon.

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 at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —Ye Ed.)

Harmonizers on the HIgh Seas (High Cs?)

The Harmonizers that went on the Barbershop Harmony at Sea Cruise to Bermuda had a great time. We were small in number but got to know each other a lot better. The only male barbershoppper who was not a Harmonizer was David Ellis, Cindy Hansen’s husband.

There were no female tenor’s on the cruise so David Ellis had to sing female tenor with the women in addition to singing with the men. Also, the only female baritone on the cruise got sick and Joe Cerutti had to sing baritone with the women. The Harmo family that were with us was Dan O’Brian’s wife Laura and their son, Dick Dangel’s wife Carol and Bob Rhome’s wife Anne. The single guys were Joe Cerutti, Ian Poulin, and me. The number of female barbershoppers attending were slightly larger than the males.

Missing in the photo of the guys was David Ellis because he was over rehearsing with the women. Missing in the combined photo is Joe Cerutti because he was directing the combined chorus singing on the atrium steps.

Sam McFarland
sammcfarland@gmail.com

Looking Back on the August 3rd “Summer Camp” Chapter Meeting

Before we report on this week’s “summer camp” – the third camp session this summer, we need to report on some other activities that have seen Harmonizer participation this summer.

Right after International some of our guys went on a “Barbershop Harmony at Sea” cruise to Bermuda. Joe Cerutti and Cindy Hansen were the leaders of the group and word is they did a lot of singing and had the usual fun on a cruise. Our guys included Ian Poulin, Dan and Laura O’Brien and Ben, Dick Dangel and Carol, Bob and Anne Rhome, and Sam McFarland. Cindy’s husband, David, was also there to sing in various quartet combinations.

And how about the great news releases and coverage our own Martin Banks has gotten for the chapter in local media and in Society media! Good work.

This past Sunday, Aug. 1st, another group of Harmonizers and their families and friends went to Nationals Park to see the Nats play the Phillies. Our Nats almost pulled off a three-game sweep, but got beat Sunday, 6-4. Thanks to Brad Jones for organizing this fun time – he even got us seats in the shade (and as it turned out, we kept dry when a little rain shower passed over). Other members in addition to Brad were Alan Wile, Ike Evans, Phil Ashford, Gary Mankin, Bob Rhome, Chuck Powell, Jerry Kindred, Tom Giffith, Rick Wagner, Joe Wagovich, Max Kieba, and Jack Pitzer.

Then here is a report from our guys in Missouri. Last week, Gary Plaag, Chris Buechler, Chuck Harner and Joe Cerutti attended judges Category School on the campus of Western Missouri State, in St. Joe. After a week of training and testing as to their skills in setting numbers and ability to offer remarks and suggestions to competitors, all “passed” and are certified. This is Joe’s first time as an official judge, while the others were there for recertification. Joe is a music judge, Gary is a presentation judge and Chris and Chuck are contest administrators.

YeEd figures we will get more news from St. Joe after this week’s Harmony University on the same campus. Joe and Gary are on the faculty there. Reporters tell me Patrick Kim, Ken Fess, Ray Kahler, Tom Gannon and Bob Wachter are attending classes this week as part of the school. Chris and Joe Sawyer are attending a special event as part of Harmony U called Director’s College. One tradition at Harmony U is the chance to enjoy all the ice cream you want in the evenings. So YeEd figures we will hear about that too!

It was great to see Victor Hills back from the mountain city of Santa Elana in Belize. He was part of a church mission group who went there to staff a summer Bible camp for over 100 children, as well as to help with construction projects. Victor ran the music part of the school each morning, and got some good exercise hoisting lumber and shingles each afternoon.

Now a report on the third “summer camp” at Durant on Aug. 3rd.

It was a busy nite. History displays were up again. Chairs facing the stage and a screen for the evening’s presentations. Camp director, music vp Terry Reynolds, did a great job for these three weeks.

Will Cox did the warm up and Mike Kelly helped the guys learn another Barberpole Cat song.

President Newton did a detailed presentation about chapter finances – where the money comes from and how it is spent. A few points he made: having dues income from 200 plus members helps; our shows bring in about 1/3 of our income; package shows also bring in a lot; fundraising such as selling Entertainment books, scrip cards, and White House Ornaments, are a huge income factor; we get several thousand dollars in grants from the Alexandria Commission for the Arts; and as our sponsor, the Alexandria Dept of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs provides a cost free meeting space for chapter meeting nite and board meetings and other events. Dick stressed ways guys could make contributions to the chapter including checking into matching offers from their employers. He also explained the various ways members and their families or our patrons can support the Harmony Foundation.

Brad Jones then alerted the guys to the Harmonizer Legacy Endowment plans. More details will be coming out in early fall. The goal is to establish an endowment fund that will cover major costs in the future and protect us when we take a hit like we did when there was 20-plus inches of snow during our Singing Valentine dates in 2010.

Next activity was a different kind of tag taught by Dick Dangel. He says it is a “polyphonic” tag – all four parts sang a different melody. He got it from a general session at a Harmony University in 2005. It was fun.

Terry finished explaining the judging categories – tonite was presentation. He also explained how judges are trained and certified, such as our guys just did this past week. And he alerted guys who might want to become a judge as to how the process works.

Before break, ops vp Mark Klostermeyer announced birthdays. Mark shared the good news that Roger Day is home recovering from his recent surgery. Roger is taking calls and making good progress.

Alan Wile continued his Harmo Heroes project and drew names from the hat of six more guys who he will photograph and get their bio together – all aimed at the website so we know each other better.

Membership vp Ken White introduced another long line of guests – many singers and prospects and a couple applicants on the list. Bob Thames was with us and brought greetings from our other Harmonizer friends in The Villages in FL.

Bob Rhome was busy collecting the forms we all need to submit to him regarding housing and tickets for the fall contest in Lancaster, PA, Oct. 1-2.

Like all good summer camps, we had a special treat of S’Mores for break. Thanks again to Pat Pitzer for making the great desserts. And we had them without a camp fire!!

After break we had a few Moments in Harmo History (YeEd was quickly corrected after he told the stories: we are just over 60 years as a chapter – not 70, and Bud Arberg was our third director.)

Second half of the nite was our Summer Camp Tag Quartet Contest. Entries had to sing two tags for the judges. So the break was also filled with quartets all over the hall doing a couple last minute times thru their tags. It was fun to see! We had eight entries! Lew Klinge was mc again and we all got some good laughs. He made his usual pretend call to Ev Nau and discussed the status of things in Alexandria with him. The biggest laugh was when Lew told Ev we tried to sell our old uniforms to funeral parlors in Miami Beach, but they only wanted the coats – no slacks or shoes!!

First place tag quartet was 7TH STREET – Dan O’Brien, Bob Caldwell, Ken Ives, Rob Korsan.

Second place was KN’ EH (Pronounced kin, long A like a Canadian “eh” sound) – Tom Griffith, Will Cox, Jim Shoenhard, Chris Yates.

Third place was FRiDAYS! – Dan O’Brien, Bob Caldwell, Ken Ives, Steve Murane.

Klye Blomgren got the George Azzam Put Together Quartet guy award for singing three different parts in three different quartets. So he got to direct our closing song.

Prize-winning lead, Bob Caldwell, won the 50/50!

We got things put away and a nice crowd got over to the afterglow.

Terry was given a good round of applause from the guys for his work on the camps. He did remind guys that we would be back on the risers and singing up a storm next 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 of the great things going on each week at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —Ye Ed.)

Harmonizers Sing at Independence Hall!

The Alexandria Harmonizers and Miss America joined forces to lead patriotic ceremonies at Independence Hall in Philadelphia on July 4th. With a statue of Thomas Jefferson and a large replica of the Declaration of Independence as backdrop, Virginia and Pennsylvania were joined once again in a historic, full-voice Celebration of Freedom.

Miss America 2010, Caressa Cameron, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, a former Miss Virginia and Miss Arlington, performed the National Anthem. A delegation from the Harmonizers, fresh from their 5th place International Chorus Contest performance, began the program with “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” following it later with “God Bless the USA.” The day’s festivities featured dignitaries, military units, and youth performers, and was followed by Philadelphia’s popular Independence Day parade that included a host of barbershoppers from the BHS International Convention.

The “incredible Alexandria Harmonizers” (as introduced by the M.C.) were clearly a hit during the event that was televised to an audience of 1.3 million viewers, helping to keep barbershop in the public’s eye as one of America’s unique forms of music. City officials were so impressed by our performance and our stage-savvy professionalism that they arranged for the Park Service to give our contingent a private tour of Independence Hall.

Under Master Director Joe Cerutti, the Alexandria Harmonizers Chorus competed this year among 27 groups from the United States, Canada, and Great Britain. With a total of 16 international contest medals including four gold medals, the Harmonizers have taken barbershop harmony and the name of Alexandria, Virginia across the United States, and indeed the world, in landmark performances in the Nation’s Capital, Carnegie Hall, Disneyland, and Canada, on the Internet, and in television broadcasts for the Kennedy Center Honors, Wolf Trap Galas, and America’s Got Talent.

Open Auditions August 26

The Alexandria Harmonizers will be holding Open Auditions on Thursday, August 26, at 7:00PM at the Oswald Durant Center, 1605 Cameron St., Alexandria, VA, near the King Street Metro Station.

We are seeking auditioners for 30 available slots on our Risers and Front Row. All voice parts may apply.

No preparation piece is needed. Auditions will be conducted by Master Director Joseph Cerutti, Jr., or one of his Assistant Directors.

Stage and choral experience strongly preferred but not required.

To sign up or for more information contact Phil Ferguson at philharmonizer@gmail.com

Looking Back on the July 27th “Summer Camp” Chapter Meeting

(Many thanks to Alan Wile for this great coverage of our second “summer camp” session this year. YeEd.)

As members and guests gathered, Carolyn and Dick Hall took up positions to sell gift cards and 50-50 "opportunities"; Sandy Stamps prepared to sell White House Ornaments (WHOs); Bruce Lauther took medal engraving orders; Chuck Harner and Bob Rhome set up the chapter's historical panels; Ellen Dellert brought some edible goodies, Music VP Terry Reynolds set up the big screen on the stage and laptop and projector down below; Dennis Ritchey made it possible to fill the room with sound; and a team set up about 80 chairs. What a team!

At 7:00 p.m. (or slightly before), Assistant Director Will Cox warmed up all comers. Terry followed with an explanation of the night's program. And Assistant Director Tony Colosimo really rehearsed the well-known Barberpole Cat, "Shine On Me."

Terry provided an historic overview and an explanation of the presentation judging category, which is all about mood generation and the overall effect of the performance and its impact on the audience. He identified the five major elements of the category as entertainment value, audience rapport, artistry/expressiveness, vocal/visual agreement, and from the heart/believability. As with the singing category (discussed last week), scoring levels are: A = 80 & above; B = 60-79; C = 40-59; and D = below 40.

Will tried his best to teach a tag to the multitudes -- the end of "Melancholy Baby." Evidently there is more than one barbershop arrangement, as there was some discussion whether he had the correct notes. But not to be dismayed, Will stuck to the way he learned it ... and that's the way we sang it.

Terry, Tony, and Master Director Joe Cerutti (back from a week on the bounding main) fielded questions during a segment called, "Ask Your Music Team." Questions included (1) what's the difference between choir and chorus? (nada), (2) repertoire selection? (to create a balanced repertoire); (3) contest package considerations? (top groups generally want to do new arrangements or songs that have not been sung by like groups on the international stage); (4) comedic songs? (elements in some songs and in swan songs); (5) considerations when picking contest songs? (we try ("Summertime" and "Lazy Bones") but mostly concentrate on selecting songs that are strong to the categories, as singing/performing well is more important than relationships); (6) jazz songs? (tried but the chorus didn't take to them so they were dropped; may try again sometime -- to add one song to the repertoire).

THEN Terry gave a geek's eye view of the question that was asked last week about musical half-steps, tuning, barbershop, the piano, etc. You had to be there, 'cause no explanation I might give could possibly do his exposition justice. Suffice it to say that the relationship 4-5-6-7 will produce the best barbershop chord .... I think ... and if I didn't get it right, Terry can clear it all up for you next week.

Will briefly rehearsed the "Harmonizer Welcome Song" to correct a couple of notes. After identifying the chords in need of attention we sang through the song a couple of times ... and moved on to membership.

Membership VP Ken White introduced the five guests, none of whom were there for the first time: Adam Bradley (who came after seeing us at Fort Ward Park); Rob Hartley (director of the Sounds of Aloha Chorus from Honolulu, HI ... who claims to be a friend of Joe Cerutti's); Jim Kirkland (here for the third time); and Chris Clark (chapter member Bill Clark's nephew). Hoping we'd perfected the song during the previous segment, Will then directed the "Harmonizer Welcome Song." And we took a break, which included popsicles obtained by Jack Pitzer and carried in by Lew Klinge (and all the time we thought he had martinis in the cooler ... sigh).

After the break, Alan Wile briefly spoke about the "Harmonizer Hero" program, drew (with some difficulty) the names of six Harmonizers actually in the room, and announced he'd be taking their pictures and asking them to submit information about themselves that may be shared with the membership.

Immediate Past President Brad Jones distributed tickets to the Washington Nationals game on Sunday and briefly made some comments.

Joe Cerutti then presented a program he'd given at the Youth Harmony Camp entitled, "Under The Barbershop Umbrella." His presentation was sprinkled liberally with musical "clips" of various songs, arrangements, artists, etc., to illustrate what is and what is not barbershop. Clearly barbershop is four part a cappella vocal music. It must be homophonic, with the melody in the second (lead) voice. and capable of being easily sung. He covered what is and is not contestable and made clear that virtually any type of song (Elvis, pop, Beatles, Michael Jackson, ragtime, classical, punk, jazz, Broadway, swing, and even a march) can be arranged in the barbershop style and, therefore, would qualify as barbershop. He concluded by saying that barbershop is not a musical genre but is a style of arranging music. The point made to those who attended the Youth Camp was that barbershop songs are not just "My Wild Irish Rose," etc., as almost anything can be arranged to be under the barbershop umbrella, 'though not all will be contestable. [Sure hope I got most of this right; if not, I'm sure to hear about it!]

Joe explained that he returned from his week's cruise (sharing directing/coaching honors with Cindy Hansen) with just time enough to shower, wash clothes, and repack before heading to Category School on Wednesday morning ... to be followed by a week at Harmony University (at Missouri State Western University in St. Joseph, MO). A quick survey indicated about six Harmonizer will be joining him there (only 6? seems a bit low). New songs will be introduced upon his return as will preparations for our show at Market Square (Friday, August 13th).

Visiting from Damascus, Syria, former Assistant Director Chuck Hunter was asked to teach a tag. He did -- to the song "I'd Love To Live In Loveland." Good job, Chuck ... hurry back!

Another Harmonizer we don't see very often was with us tonight -- Jerry Kindred. We love to have our inactive members visit with us ... and hope more will chose to do so in the weeks and months ahead.

Ken White won the "50-50" and took us out by leading us in "Keep The Whole World Singing." Chairs and tables and our own equipment were put away before members departed for home ... or the afterglow at the 815 South Washington watering hole and late night eatery.

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 at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —Ye Ed.)

What is a diphthong?

A diphthong is two pure vowel sounds elided together as one sound in a single syllable.

Since one can only sing one pure vowel sound at a time, it is essential in choral singing to time the group's transition from one of diphthong's constituent pure vowels to the next ("turning the diphthong").

For example, "EYE" is a one-syllable word with one diphthong sound consisting of "ah" and "ee". "Ah" and "ee" are 'pure' vowels, meaning they cannot be broken down into any constituent sounds. When singing "EYE", a chorus usually focuses on the "target vowel" (the first pure sound in the diphthong, which in this case is "AH") as long as possible, before adding the second pure vowel as directed.

Looking Back on the July 20th “Summer Camp” Chapter Meeting

“Summer Camp” was fun for all. Thanks to music vp Terry Reynolds and all his support folks who pulled it off.

We are having “summer camp” for three weeks in July while many guys are on vacation, and to give us a chance to do some fun and educational things we just don’t get done during our busy chapter meetings/rehearsals.

Operations guy Mark Klostermeyer rallied the guys to set up chairs this week facing the stage and adding the av things like the screen.

Bob Blair and YeEd went to our chapter’s humidity controlled storage unit and retrieved the wonderful history display boards that were created for our 50th anniversary celebration. We put them up for display in Durant (and they will be up for the next two weeks) for guys to review and learn more about their chapter. Also there will be work to add boards to the display to bring it up-to-date.

Will Cox did a warm up and then Tony Colosimo explained more about the “summer camp” plans. He taught the guys some songs they can use to sing with other barbershoppers when ever four shall meet to sing. “Down Our Way” was first. He also taught a great tag.

Terry did a brief review of the judging categories starting with “singing” this week. More to follow.

Then Tony worked with the chorus to review or learn “A Place on the Risers for You” which is the song we use to send off a fellow Harmonizer who moves away or sometimes at a funeral for a member. The song was written by Bob Bates and the music and arrangement done by John Hohl in 1981. It says a lot about the cultural of our chapter.

During the chapter meeting portion of the evening, membership guy Ken White introduced a lot of guests. Several were first timers, and we had a couple guys back again from last week. One guest saw us at the Ft. Ward show last Thursday. Two former members were back to sing with us and visit - Jorge Acevedo and his family, and Rob Korsan.

Then Terry, Will and Tony fielded questions in an “Ask Your Directors” session. Diphthong was one to be explained and many other good questions were asked. One complicated one about physics of sound will take a little more time, and so an answer was promised at next week’s session.

During break the guys checked out the history display, sang the tag Tony taught, and conducted usual business matters.

Since we were promised a movie after break, we were served movie theater popcorn to go with the show. (Thanks to Pat Pitzer who called the Kingstown Regal theater and the manager gave us a free supply!) The FRIENDS continued their summer soda and water sales.

One announcement was about the group ticket offer for a Nats vs Phillies game on Sunday, Aug. 1, at 1:45 pm. If you want to go, you must give Brad Jones the money and registration by Tues., July 27th. Tickets are $34 ea. Brad has gotten us a block of seats in the shade.

Then it was movie time. What a treat!! We watched the BHS video of the late Dave Stevens speaking about “What Are We Preserving” at a Harmony College in the past. It was a huge hit and the men seemed to really appreciate his great stories and humor and “from the heart” stories about our hobby.

After “Keep The Whole World Singing,” everyone chipped in and helped put things away, some guys got in a tag or song and a good sized crowd headed over to 815 South Washington for our Tuesday nite 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 at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —Ye Ed.)