The sales tables were busy tonite when guys got to Durant – lots of guys and FRIENDS members buying scrip cards for gifts, or placing an order with Dick or Carolyn Hall for pick up. Others are buying the cards to use for their own purchases this season. All helps the chapter earn cash.
White House Ornament sales were good too.
Everyone was glad to see Alan Wile back. He is taking it a little easy for a few weeks and won’t be standing on risers all weekend for the show. He got put to work by Director Joe to take notes of things Joe wanted to remember to tell the chorus later in the evening.
After warm ups, the music team and show team started the show and we ran it from top to bottom. Joe didn’t make suggestions for singing or interp at this time. The script for the show is funny and will be great entertainment for our audiences. Thanks to actors Jack-in-the-Box (again!) - Terry Reynolds; Radio Show Producer Jacque Frost – Scipio Garling, assistant mime (Lassie), Tom Kraus; “technical director,” Mark Klostermeyer and Junior, Joe Cerutti. YeEd hears that the script was a product of Scipio and Josh Roots. Credit was also given to Joe Sawyer and Scott Kahler for preparing the radio commercials that will be used during the show.
Before Joe got too far into the songs for the show, he referred to the list of ticket salesmen he had received from ticket chair, Steve Murane. He invited all the guys whose name was on the list down front. Top salesman so far was Dick Hall, with 74 tickets. Brad Jones was second and Alan Wile was third.
Besides the chorus, there will be several Harmo ensembles on this show – a couple newly formed chapter quartets THE BLANKS and FREE AGENTS, CAMERON STATION, and TBD. All of the guys singing solos in the various songs all demonstrated for us. Thanks to them for volunteering.
The chorus was briefed about costume changes, candlelight procession while singing “Silent Night,” food serving procedures, how we do “Twelve Days of Christmas,” the operation of the candles (on loan from another singing group) was explained, and then show chairman, Bob Mattes, provided a wildly detailed handout for each man regarding the whole show weekend. Great job, Bob!! He also sent it out via email also.
The pre-break meeting time included welcoming Dana and Kirk Riffer, in town for a visit. It was noted that it is time to get in your money or buy Entertainment 2011 books before second Tues of Dec deadline.
Secretary Buechler presented a new member kit to Scott Friend and the Man of Note for his sponsor Scott Kahler. Chris also presented membership renewal cards to Lew Klinge for 9 years and Chuck Harner for 43 years. Also Chris offered some Harmo clothing items for discount prices.
Alan Wile continued the work of getting all the Harmo Hero forms submitted.
Carl Kauffmann pushed for guys to get him their room and registration plans for the International in July in Kansas City.
Chuck McKeever gave an update on the health status of John Pence. JP is making good progress, but was back in the hospital for a few days with a little snag. He expects to be home again at the end of the week. Chuck suggests we can call JP’s cell then.
Final show announcement from chairman Bob:
Sign up tonite for table crews
The uniform for the second half is caroling outfits – sweaters, scarves etc.
Thurs is a dress rehearsal but without makeup. Be at church at 7 pm, dressed in first half elf outfits.
Bob Blair sought volunteers for taking risers to the church as well as a second run to bring holiday show props and decoration. He got a good number of guys to raise hands and offer to help.
Roger Day reminded us all to bring two boxes wrapped in shinny gift wrap and to bring then on Thurs nite. He also asked again for guys to come on Fri to help decorate starting at 10 am.
Jack Pitzer reminded guys to bring 4 doz holiday cookies for the desserts platters. Bring them with you on Fri for the show and give em to Jack.
Then it was back to work on the music for the show.
Just before closing we were reminded by Eric Wallen of the chapter Put Together Quartet contest set for Dec. 14th at Durant. Also watch for details about the “B Blast” on Dec. 28th in Baltimore area. We need to all go – it was such fun last year.
Kirk Riffer took us out on the closing song. Then guys got right to work putting things away, as usual. We did get a good crowd for an afterglow at Theisman’s.
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.)
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Looking Back on the Nov. 23rd Chapter Meeting
Lots of buzz in the hall Tuesday – show talk, guys looking for Saturday nite tickets from other guys who might have extras, and of course pre Thanksgiving chatter.
Some guys were already en route home to see family like Jeremy Richardson in WV. Ken White skipped the afterglow to head up to MA very early Wednesday morn. Lots of guys admitted that they would be doing a lot of the cooking for Turkey Day. And some guys got to come to the afterglow (we were back at Theisman’s again) cause they didn’t have to work on Wednesday like Steve White and Rob Korsan.
We had a little scare during the meeting when Alan Wile was helped from the risers. He sat for a while and then signaled for some guys to help him go to hospital. He was dizzy and had been told by a doctor to get help if he had that happen to him. By break time, the guys who helped him were back from the hospital and reported that his wife was with him, he is fine and that someone had taken his car on to his house. Thanks to those guys who stepped up and helped get him to the hospital.
Musically this week’s meeting and rehearsal was largely preparation for the holiday shows on Dec. 3 and 4. Tony and Will did chorus warm ups and turned the singers over to Director Joe. He took a shot at prompting guys to sell tickets to fill up Fri nite and Sat afternoon!!!
Show chair Bob Mattes asked each man to sign up on the yellow sheets he had out for table servers. A must for all.
He also reminded us all to bring 4 dozen cookies for dessert platters. Bring them to Jack Pitzer when you come to sing on Friday. Bring two wrapped large boxes in shinny paper. Bring them on Thursday when you come to the dress rehearsal at First Baptist Church, 2932 King St., Alex 22302.
He also asked guys to step up the ticket sales. And don’t forget to look for some things to contribute to the silent auction. Let Don Dillingham know of items you will offer – make a home cooked meal, a quartet appearance, a silver tray full of homemade candy, a fancy holiday decorated cake, a holiday sweatshirt or apron or t-shirt or cap, etc.
Scipio urged guys to get busy planning their costumes and hinted at some of the fun the script and actors have in store for us and our audiences.
During the break, we enjoyed left over cake from the Pride of Baltimore chorus from their party in honor of MAXX FACTOR. And many goodies guys and FRIENDS had brought in to share.
President Newton announced funeral details for Terry Jordan’s mother in WV – Sat. Nov. 27th at 11:30 at First Baptist Church in Dunbar. Viewing from 10:30 – 11:30. Donations in lieu of flowers to Harmony Foundation in the name of Madeline Jordan.
Chuck McKeever reports that John Pence will likely be coming home from the hospital t his week. He suggests we give JP and his wife a few days to adjust before calling.
Carl Kauffmann asks all the guys to fill out their survey about their plans for the International convention in Kansas City, MO, next July. Deadline is in soon for chapter to place order for tickets and rooms.
In Alan’s absence, Mark Klostermeyer reminded guys to turn in their Harmo Hero forms.
And Eric Wallen nudged all the guys to start forming quartets for the chapter’s Put Together Contest on Dec. 14th. Don’t just wait til that nite to grab four guys in the hall. Pick a new song, or write some funny lyrics or get some crazy costumes. There are awards for comedy quartets too!! No time limit but just one song.
Secretary Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Tom Kraus for 4 years; Ken White for 12 years, Bob Sutton for 27 years and Steve White for 34 years.
Ken White introduced many family members and Harmo friends in the house this week of Thanksgiving. Also good to see Jon Abel and Pete Frank.
After break it was back to work on holiday music. CAMERON STATION sang one of their holiday songs for us as they will be on the show this year. Director Joe explained the fun way we do “The 12 Days of Christmas” song with the audience.
He was also pushing things along as he was excited to work more on the 2011 contest up tune. We got in about 15 – 20 minutes of fun with it.
At 10 we wrapped it up, put the tons of stuff away and headed for the afterglow. Tho YeEd noted a lot of quartets singing in corners and other rooms of Durant. Some are chapter quartets that are singing on the show too.
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.)
Some guys were already en route home to see family like Jeremy Richardson in WV. Ken White skipped the afterglow to head up to MA very early Wednesday morn. Lots of guys admitted that they would be doing a lot of the cooking for Turkey Day. And some guys got to come to the afterglow (we were back at Theisman’s again) cause they didn’t have to work on Wednesday like Steve White and Rob Korsan.
We had a little scare during the meeting when Alan Wile was helped from the risers. He sat for a while and then signaled for some guys to help him go to hospital. He was dizzy and had been told by a doctor to get help if he had that happen to him. By break time, the guys who helped him were back from the hospital and reported that his wife was with him, he is fine and that someone had taken his car on to his house. Thanks to those guys who stepped up and helped get him to the hospital.
Musically this week’s meeting and rehearsal was largely preparation for the holiday shows on Dec. 3 and 4. Tony and Will did chorus warm ups and turned the singers over to Director Joe. He took a shot at prompting guys to sell tickets to fill up Fri nite and Sat afternoon!!!
Show chair Bob Mattes asked each man to sign up on the yellow sheets he had out for table servers. A must for all.
He also reminded us all to bring 4 dozen cookies for dessert platters. Bring them to Jack Pitzer when you come to sing on Friday. Bring two wrapped large boxes in shinny paper. Bring them on Thursday when you come to the dress rehearsal at First Baptist Church, 2932 King St., Alex 22302.
He also asked guys to step up the ticket sales. And don’t forget to look for some things to contribute to the silent auction. Let Don Dillingham know of items you will offer – make a home cooked meal, a quartet appearance, a silver tray full of homemade candy, a fancy holiday decorated cake, a holiday sweatshirt or apron or t-shirt or cap, etc.
Scipio urged guys to get busy planning their costumes and hinted at some of the fun the script and actors have in store for us and our audiences.
During the break, we enjoyed left over cake from the Pride of Baltimore chorus from their party in honor of MAXX FACTOR. And many goodies guys and FRIENDS had brought in to share.
President Newton announced funeral details for Terry Jordan’s mother in WV – Sat. Nov. 27th at 11:30 at First Baptist Church in Dunbar. Viewing from 10:30 – 11:30. Donations in lieu of flowers to Harmony Foundation in the name of Madeline Jordan.
Chuck McKeever reports that John Pence will likely be coming home from the hospital t his week. He suggests we give JP and his wife a few days to adjust before calling.
Carl Kauffmann asks all the guys to fill out their survey about their plans for the International convention in Kansas City, MO, next July. Deadline is in soon for chapter to place order for tickets and rooms.
In Alan’s absence, Mark Klostermeyer reminded guys to turn in their Harmo Hero forms.
And Eric Wallen nudged all the guys to start forming quartets for the chapter’s Put Together Contest on Dec. 14th. Don’t just wait til that nite to grab four guys in the hall. Pick a new song, or write some funny lyrics or get some crazy costumes. There are awards for comedy quartets too!! No time limit but just one song.
Secretary Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Tom Kraus for 4 years; Ken White for 12 years, Bob Sutton for 27 years and Steve White for 34 years.
Ken White introduced many family members and Harmo friends in the house this week of Thanksgiving. Also good to see Jon Abel and Pete Frank.
After break it was back to work on holiday music. CAMERON STATION sang one of their holiday songs for us as they will be on the show this year. Director Joe explained the fun way we do “The 12 Days of Christmas” song with the audience.
He was also pushing things along as he was excited to work more on the 2011 contest up tune. We got in about 15 – 20 minutes of fun with it.
At 10 we wrapped it up, put the tons of stuff away and headed for the afterglow. Tho YeEd noted a lot of quartets singing in corners and other rooms of Durant. Some are chapter quartets that are singing on the show too.
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.)
Monday, November 22, 2010
Looking Back on the Nov. 16th Chapter Meeting
As usual, when the 6 pm early-arrival-guys got into Durant, they went right to work in preparation for this week’s meeting and rehearsal. Bob Rhome was adding a protective tape on the bottom of our new risers to protect the floor (at least YeEd suspects that what it was for).
Other guys got up the tables, screen, guest chairs, av equipment, and refreshment set up.
Will Cox was warm up man, and he prepared the chorus for Director Joe to take over. Joe, as promised, pulled out an octet to sing the new holiday song. (Joe was like a kid at Christmas with the laser pointer he got as a gift from Roger Day. He could point to notes or words on the screen, or to a singer, or the lights on the ceiling, or a tile on the floor --- well you get the drift!
The first half of the nite was hard work in preparation of the holiday show music to be sure it is at a Harmonizer top quality level.
Our director asked the guys to sell more tickets for the Dec. 3 and 4 shows – 7:30 pm on Fri, 12:30 and 6 pm on Sat. Some of us have found the best way to sell this show is to go ahead and buy 10 seats or a table. Use your credit card. Then you will be motivated to get out and sell them to someone, and they can pay you. Director Joe promises big prizes for top ticket sellers for all three shows!!! (And he is setting the example by selling three or four whole tables aleady.)
Before break, there was a report on the $1000 raised in the 5K multiple myeloma run in support of John Pence. Tom Griffith and his kids, Mark Klostermeyer, Jim Shoenhard and Bob Eckman did the route as did some Sweet Adelines who are friends of JP’s wife. Chuck McKeever gave an update on his health care status too.
Ken White alerted all that the afterglow has to move to Joe Theisman’s tonite.
Then Ken introduced four guests who were singers on the risers with us for the evening.
There was a nice break time. Many thanks to those Harmo families who have brought in things to share. Others of you can do it too in order to keep the cupboard full. A 100-man chorus can eat a lot of cookies or chips or pretzels in 10 minutes!
Besides chowing down on coffee and goodies, the guys were in line to order show tickets, pick up a supply of White House Ornaments to sell, singing a tag or song with three others guys, visiting and relaxing before the call back to the risers.
Mark Klostermeyer convened the meeting time after break. Alan Wile coordinated more Harmo History work.
Bob Blair reported that he, Carl Kauffmann, Joel Golden and Ike Evans sang a pick up quartet gig at a local senior’s place on Veterans’ Day. They presented the chapter the $50 donation they received.
Chuck Harner pushed for guys to take some 2011 Entertainment coupon books to sell. The 2010 books have expired, so customers are able to use the new books now!
The CAMERON STATION group is working to prepare for the holiday show.
Tony Colosimo thanked the Harmonizers for their support of CAPITAL FORCE and those who have made extra financial donations.
Ken White, speaking as 2011 shows vice president for the chapter, reported that next year’s Spring Tonic will not include a chorus. Instead we will all work to produce a performance series of “Forever Plaid” – a musical with four guys singing. Auditions will be held from the chorus and other singers. We will be set producers, costume helpers, ticket sales people. Dates and venue have not been confirmed at press time.
The chorus will, however, be doing some other big shows during the early part of the year.
Brad Jones promised an important email coming to all members about the possible China trip and about the chapter endowment efforts.
Here are more show details. (1) Roger Day wants us all to bring two big boxes wrapped in shiny paper without bows for the show. Bring em on Thursday for the dress rehearsal. Also come help on Friday for decorating the hall, riser set up, table setting and such.
(2) Bring four dozen holiday cookies with you to the show on Fri. nite and give them to Jack Pitzer for the dessert platters.
(3) Sell TICKETS. And buy the ones for your family and friends now cause the front row tables are starting to fill up. Fill out a form and give it to Steve.
(4) Contact Austin Cotton if you would like to buy a Harmonizer holiday music CD so you can review many of the songs we are doing on the show.
(5) There are a lot of solo spots in the show auditioned those who volunteered during the second half of the rehearsal.
(6) Get your costume (toy or elf) ready. Don’t wait. Ask the veterans for ideas. They can’t be in bad taste, should not be Santa and can’t be so cumbersome you can’t walk around and serve food or help.
(7) Respond the emails from Don Dillingham about the silent auction or raffle. He is asking for help and items.
(8) Speaking of help – new guys who don’t know all of the songs can help at every show – box office, cookies, set up, welcoming guests, helping senior citizen get into their seats, serving and taking stuff down at the end. Or any of us can sing some sets or parts of sets and then go help with other show details. Ask how you can do a little something extra.
Other news YeEd has to report: some of our guys were in a seven-car accident this past weekend. Steve White, Nick Aiuto and Ed Cazenas were in a rental car headed to sing with their FULL TILT bari, Pete Frank, and appear on the Erie, PA, show. They ran into a lake-front ice storm and escaped injury or even car damage. All other cars in the mishap were towed away and many of the other people taken to the hospital. Lucky boys!
YeEd suggests all of the guys mark their calendar and save Tues nite, Dec. 28th – we won’t have a chapter meeting, but we all should go to the “BLAST” in Maryland. We can car pool. Last year we out numbered about every other chapter in the greater DC/Baltimore area. It is also a great chance for quartets to sing. Watch for details.
Until next time – editorjack!
(This message is prepared for your review if you were there, for your information if you had to miss, and as a historical record of the great things going on each week at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —Ye Ed.)
Other guys got up the tables, screen, guest chairs, av equipment, and refreshment set up.
Will Cox was warm up man, and he prepared the chorus for Director Joe to take over. Joe, as promised, pulled out an octet to sing the new holiday song. (Joe was like a kid at Christmas with the laser pointer he got as a gift from Roger Day. He could point to notes or words on the screen, or to a singer, or the lights on the ceiling, or a tile on the floor --- well you get the drift!
The first half of the nite was hard work in preparation of the holiday show music to be sure it is at a Harmonizer top quality level.
Our director asked the guys to sell more tickets for the Dec. 3 and 4 shows – 7:30 pm on Fri, 12:30 and 6 pm on Sat. Some of us have found the best way to sell this show is to go ahead and buy 10 seats or a table. Use your credit card. Then you will be motivated to get out and sell them to someone, and they can pay you. Director Joe promises big prizes for top ticket sellers for all three shows!!! (And he is setting the example by selling three or four whole tables aleady.)
Before break, there was a report on the $1000 raised in the 5K multiple myeloma run in support of John Pence. Tom Griffith and his kids, Mark Klostermeyer, Jim Shoenhard and Bob Eckman did the route as did some Sweet Adelines who are friends of JP’s wife. Chuck McKeever gave an update on his health care status too.
Ken White alerted all that the afterglow has to move to Joe Theisman’s tonite.
Then Ken introduced four guests who were singers on the risers with us for the evening.
There was a nice break time. Many thanks to those Harmo families who have brought in things to share. Others of you can do it too in order to keep the cupboard full. A 100-man chorus can eat a lot of cookies or chips or pretzels in 10 minutes!
Besides chowing down on coffee and goodies, the guys were in line to order show tickets, pick up a supply of White House Ornaments to sell, singing a tag or song with three others guys, visiting and relaxing before the call back to the risers.
Mark Klostermeyer convened the meeting time after break. Alan Wile coordinated more Harmo History work.
Bob Blair reported that he, Carl Kauffmann, Joel Golden and Ike Evans sang a pick up quartet gig at a local senior’s place on Veterans’ Day. They presented the chapter the $50 donation they received.
Chuck Harner pushed for guys to take some 2011 Entertainment coupon books to sell. The 2010 books have expired, so customers are able to use the new books now!
The CAMERON STATION group is working to prepare for the holiday show.
Tony Colosimo thanked the Harmonizers for their support of CAPITAL FORCE and those who have made extra financial donations.
Ken White, speaking as 2011 shows vice president for the chapter, reported that next year’s Spring Tonic will not include a chorus. Instead we will all work to produce a performance series of “Forever Plaid” – a musical with four guys singing. Auditions will be held from the chorus and other singers. We will be set producers, costume helpers, ticket sales people. Dates and venue have not been confirmed at press time.
The chorus will, however, be doing some other big shows during the early part of the year.
Brad Jones promised an important email coming to all members about the possible China trip and about the chapter endowment efforts.
Here are more show details. (1) Roger Day wants us all to bring two big boxes wrapped in shiny paper without bows for the show. Bring em on Thursday for the dress rehearsal. Also come help on Friday for decorating the hall, riser set up, table setting and such.
(2) Bring four dozen holiday cookies with you to the show on Fri. nite and give them to Jack Pitzer for the dessert platters.
(3) Sell TICKETS. And buy the ones for your family and friends now cause the front row tables are starting to fill up. Fill out a form and give it to Steve.
(4) Contact Austin Cotton if you would like to buy a Harmonizer holiday music CD so you can review many of the songs we are doing on the show.
(5) There are a lot of solo spots in the show auditioned those who volunteered during the second half of the rehearsal.
(6) Get your costume (toy or elf) ready. Don’t wait. Ask the veterans for ideas. They can’t be in bad taste, should not be Santa and can’t be so cumbersome you can’t walk around and serve food or help.
(7) Respond the emails from Don Dillingham about the silent auction or raffle. He is asking for help and items.
(8) Speaking of help – new guys who don’t know all of the songs can help at every show – box office, cookies, set up, welcoming guests, helping senior citizen get into their seats, serving and taking stuff down at the end. Or any of us can sing some sets or parts of sets and then go help with other show details. Ask how you can do a little something extra.
Other news YeEd has to report: some of our guys were in a seven-car accident this past weekend. Steve White, Nick Aiuto and Ed Cazenas were in a rental car headed to sing with their FULL TILT bari, Pete Frank, and appear on the Erie, PA, show. They ran into a lake-front ice storm and escaped injury or even car damage. All other cars in the mishap were towed away and many of the other people taken to the hospital. Lucky boys!
YeEd suggests all of the guys mark their calendar and save Tues nite, Dec. 28th – we won’t have a chapter meeting, but we all should go to the “BLAST” in Maryland. We can car pool. Last year we out numbered about every other chapter in the greater DC/Baltimore area. It is also a great chance for quartets to sing. Watch for details.
Until next time – editorjack!
(This message is prepared for your review if you were there, for your information if you had to miss, and as a historical record of the great things going on each week at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —Ye Ed.)
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Looking Back on the Nov. 9th Chapter Meeting and a Busy Harmonizer Weekend
YeEd has a lot of news to report from the past weekend with Harmonizers singing and providing leadership and education from Dallas to DC.
Starting in DC, our youth chorus called CAPITAL FORCE sang their debut show as part of the DC chapter show Sat. afternoon and evening at the Greenberg Theater, part of American University. Tony Colosimo was their director, and they were a big hit! One star of the show was Alan Wile’s 11-year old grandson, Thomas, who sang tenor with Ryan Griffith.
A bunch of under-30 Harmonizers make up the 20-man group along with guys from Dundalk and DC chapters. They sang three songs, were dressed in jeans and long-sleeved white shirts and had fun on stage. They are working hard to make a good appearance at the Mid-Winter youth chorus contest in Vegas in January, 2011.
Also appearing was DA CAPO with Ryan Griffith, Tony Colosimo, Joe Sawyer and Wayne Adams. They were hot and YeEd is predicting a strong hit at the prelims contest March 11-12, 2011 in Harrisburg, PA. That is where a quartet has to score a high enough point level to be eligible to sing at the International quartet contest in Kansas City in July. (Interesting other point about the quartet – they cannot sing in the Southern Division contest nor compete at the district level since three of them sang together in a past district champ quartet, IGUANAS IN FLIGHT, 2005.)
Several Harmonizers sang in the DC chorus (Bob Wells, Bob Hirsh, Don Dillingham) and in some of the chapter quartets on the show – Kevin Roth, Bob Hirsh, Bruce Minnick and John Grant. And a good contingent of fans were there to lend support. Dixie Kennett was technical director.
Then in Dallas, TX, we had another contingent of Alexandria guys at the Society’s District Leadership Forum. This is a weekend session where officers of all 17 districts get specific training for their job. Two of us were faculty – Chris Buechler taught secretaries and Joe Cerutti taught chorus director development officers. Then the follow guys were there for training – Bob Eckman in the treasurer class, Chuck Harner in the chapter support vice president class, Keith Jones in the secretary class, Dan O’Brien in the membership services vice president class, and Gary Plaag in the Youth in Harmony vice president class. Several former members who serve as leaders in other districts were also there like Jack Stevens, John Rettenmayer, Steve Plumb and Larry Deters.
Tuesday nite – besides our busy work in preparation for the holiday show the first weekend in Dec. – there was a buzz thoughout Durant about the news the guys brought back from the Dallas school. (And it was confirmed on the Internet too!) Dallas Vocal Majority has decided not to compete in Kansas City.
Back in Virginia over the weekend, another crew of our chapter leaders was involved in the Mid-Atlantic District southern area leadership academy. It is one of three held to train chapter officers for their work next year. As you might expect, many of the instructors were from our chapter: Dick Newton taught the treasurer class, Bob Wachter taught the vocal production class, Terry Jordan taught the program officer class, Brad Jones taught the presidents class, and Scipio Garling and Steve Lingo did a special presentation regarding marketing.
Attendees from our chapter were Steve Murane and Phil Ashford. Both are new officers we just elected. Most of the other officers we elected have served before and/or were teaching the classes.
Now to report on Tuesday nite, Nov. 9th!
We were a little slow in filling up the risers at 7 but about 7:30 they were full. All the usual details were in play – get the risers out from under the stage, set up sound, screen, projector, welcome station, chairs and tables. And the usual crew of sales folks were in place including Steve Murane busy with getting guys the tickets they need for the Holiday Show!!
The chorus worked on the music for the show too (and a little time was spent on the up-tune for contest). Tony Colosimo did the warm ups and turned over the chorus to Director Joe for work on the new song for the show. He kept things moving, demanding good vocal production and meaningful interpretation. He used various tools all evening like pull out quartets or small groups, sent the gang out for sectionals, had guys taking private coaching lessons from Michael Gellert, who was with us for the evening, and provided the holiday music on the screen for all to use. Terry Reynolds had mouse duty. And assistant directors Tony, Will, and Mike helped Joe on certain songs.
Before break, operations guy Mark Klostermeyer recognized the birthday guys. Secretary Buechler presented the Man of Note pin to Phil Ferguson, his first YeEd thinks, for sponsoring Dave Kohls.
Membership guy Ken White introduced another crop of guests and welcomed some guys back we have not seen for a while like Roger Day, Bob Hirsh, and Phil Ferguson. Also former Harmonizer Jim Gammon was with us – he was a member ’73-’80, went to Hawaii, and is now in FL. He sang in a number of our chapter quartets.
For break we had a lot of goodies left from guest nite and a great birthday cake for somebody named Martin – not one of us but was a free cake from the Giant (thanks to Dick and Carolyn Hall).
After the break, Alan Wile continued the Harmo Hero project. Craig Kujawa reported on the weight loss project leading up to International. Music vp Terry Reynolds explained some details about music availability for the show.
Chuck McKeever and Tom Griffith updated us on John Pence’s health status and that he is progressing in the chemo treatment plan for multiple myeloma. They also reminded guys of the 5-K run on Sunday and that you could sign up to be on a team in support of our JP. He is at Fairfax Hospital, 3300 Gallows Rd. Rm. 964, Falls Church, VA 22042.
The chorus is not doing the Veteran’s Day sing out.
Final auditions for the CAPITAL FORCE is this weekend. See Tony.
The retreat for the outgoing and incoming chapter boards in this Saturday at Ken Fess’s office.
After the announcements, it was back to work on the show. One effort was to explain and drill the candlelight walk in singing “Silent Night.”
Here are more show details. (1) Roger Day wants us all to bring two big boxes wrapped in shiny paper without bows for the show. Bring em on Thursday for the dress rehearsal. Also come help on Friday for decorating the hall, riser set up, table setting and such.
(2) Bring four dozen holiday cookies with you to the show on Fri. nite and give them to Jack Pitzer for the dessert platters.
(3) Sell TICKETS. And buy the ones for your family and friends now cause the front row tables are starting to fill up. Fill out a form and give it to Steve.
(4) Contact Austin Cotton if you would like to buy a Harmonizer holiday music CD so you can review many of the songs we are doing on the show.
(5) There are a lot of solo spots in the show and those interested need to talk to Joe – next week is the try out time.
(6) Get your costume (toy or elf) ready. Don’t wait. Ask the veterans for ideas. They can’t be in bad taste, should not be Santa and can’t be so cumbersome you can’t walk around and serve food or help.
(7) Respond the emails from Don Dillingham about the silent auction or raffle. He is asking for help and items.
(8) Speaking of help – new guys who don’t know all of the songs can help at every show – box office, cookies, set up, welcoming guests, helping senior citizen get into their seats, serving and taking stuff down at the end.
Speaking of Santa. Bruce Minnick and Ginny are going to be our Mr. and Ms. Claus again this year. And Scott Kahler is managing the photos with Santa project.
Other news YeEd has to report: some of our guys have been working behind the scenes to scan all past issues of the chapter bulletin, The Echo, for historic purposes. Don’t know if I have a complete list of workers, but for sure Myles Glancy, Scipio Garling, Bert Phillips and Phil Ashford.
First Aid alert: if you need a help with first aid during a chapter meeting, be sure to ask for help from Kyle Blomgren. That is his work and he is prepared to assist. We have had our share of guys get hurt lately by dropping things on their foot or spraining an ankle!
Great to have Phil Fergeson back after his being gone a few weeks – and darn if he didn’t win the 50/50.
As usual there was a race to put things away, sing some tags, complete an audition or help a new guy prepare for an audition. And then we were off to the afterglow around the corner at Ernies.
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.)
Starting in DC, our youth chorus called CAPITAL FORCE sang their debut show as part of the DC chapter show Sat. afternoon and evening at the Greenberg Theater, part of American University. Tony Colosimo was their director, and they were a big hit! One star of the show was Alan Wile’s 11-year old grandson, Thomas, who sang tenor with Ryan Griffith.
A bunch of under-30 Harmonizers make up the 20-man group along with guys from Dundalk and DC chapters. They sang three songs, were dressed in jeans and long-sleeved white shirts and had fun on stage. They are working hard to make a good appearance at the Mid-Winter youth chorus contest in Vegas in January, 2011.
Also appearing was DA CAPO with Ryan Griffith, Tony Colosimo, Joe Sawyer and Wayne Adams. They were hot and YeEd is predicting a strong hit at the prelims contest March 11-12, 2011 in Harrisburg, PA. That is where a quartet has to score a high enough point level to be eligible to sing at the International quartet contest in Kansas City in July. (Interesting other point about the quartet – they cannot sing in the Southern Division contest nor compete at the district level since three of them sang together in a past district champ quartet, IGUANAS IN FLIGHT, 2005.)
Several Harmonizers sang in the DC chorus (Bob Wells, Bob Hirsh, Don Dillingham) and in some of the chapter quartets on the show – Kevin Roth, Bob Hirsh, Bruce Minnick and John Grant. And a good contingent of fans were there to lend support. Dixie Kennett was technical director.
Then in Dallas, TX, we had another contingent of Alexandria guys at the Society’s District Leadership Forum. This is a weekend session where officers of all 17 districts get specific training for their job. Two of us were faculty – Chris Buechler taught secretaries and Joe Cerutti taught chorus director development officers. Then the follow guys were there for training – Bob Eckman in the treasurer class, Chuck Harner in the chapter support vice president class, Keith Jones in the secretary class, Dan O’Brien in the membership services vice president class, and Gary Plaag in the Youth in Harmony vice president class. Several former members who serve as leaders in other districts were also there like Jack Stevens, John Rettenmayer, Steve Plumb and Larry Deters.
Tuesday nite – besides our busy work in preparation for the holiday show the first weekend in Dec. – there was a buzz thoughout Durant about the news the guys brought back from the Dallas school. (And it was confirmed on the Internet too!) Dallas Vocal Majority has decided not to compete in Kansas City.
Back in Virginia over the weekend, another crew of our chapter leaders was involved in the Mid-Atlantic District southern area leadership academy. It is one of three held to train chapter officers for their work next year. As you might expect, many of the instructors were from our chapter: Dick Newton taught the treasurer class, Bob Wachter taught the vocal production class, Terry Jordan taught the program officer class, Brad Jones taught the presidents class, and Scipio Garling and Steve Lingo did a special presentation regarding marketing.
Attendees from our chapter were Steve Murane and Phil Ashford. Both are new officers we just elected. Most of the other officers we elected have served before and/or were teaching the classes.
Now to report on Tuesday nite, Nov. 9th!
We were a little slow in filling up the risers at 7 but about 7:30 they were full. All the usual details were in play – get the risers out from under the stage, set up sound, screen, projector, welcome station, chairs and tables. And the usual crew of sales folks were in place including Steve Murane busy with getting guys the tickets they need for the Holiday Show!!
The chorus worked on the music for the show too (and a little time was spent on the up-tune for contest). Tony Colosimo did the warm ups and turned over the chorus to Director Joe for work on the new song for the show. He kept things moving, demanding good vocal production and meaningful interpretation. He used various tools all evening like pull out quartets or small groups, sent the gang out for sectionals, had guys taking private coaching lessons from Michael Gellert, who was with us for the evening, and provided the holiday music on the screen for all to use. Terry Reynolds had mouse duty. And assistant directors Tony, Will, and Mike helped Joe on certain songs.
Before break, operations guy Mark Klostermeyer recognized the birthday guys. Secretary Buechler presented the Man of Note pin to Phil Ferguson, his first YeEd thinks, for sponsoring Dave Kohls.
Membership guy Ken White introduced another crop of guests and welcomed some guys back we have not seen for a while like Roger Day, Bob Hirsh, and Phil Ferguson. Also former Harmonizer Jim Gammon was with us – he was a member ’73-’80, went to Hawaii, and is now in FL. He sang in a number of our chapter quartets.
For break we had a lot of goodies left from guest nite and a great birthday cake for somebody named Martin – not one of us but was a free cake from the Giant (thanks to Dick and Carolyn Hall).
After the break, Alan Wile continued the Harmo Hero project. Craig Kujawa reported on the weight loss project leading up to International. Music vp Terry Reynolds explained some details about music availability for the show.
Chuck McKeever and Tom Griffith updated us on John Pence’s health status and that he is progressing in the chemo treatment plan for multiple myeloma. They also reminded guys of the 5-K run on Sunday and that you could sign up to be on a team in support of our JP. He is at Fairfax Hospital, 3300 Gallows Rd. Rm. 964, Falls Church, VA 22042.
The chorus is not doing the Veteran’s Day sing out.
Final auditions for the CAPITAL FORCE is this weekend. See Tony.
The retreat for the outgoing and incoming chapter boards in this Saturday at Ken Fess’s office.
After the announcements, it was back to work on the show. One effort was to explain and drill the candlelight walk in singing “Silent Night.”
Here are more show details. (1) Roger Day wants us all to bring two big boxes wrapped in shiny paper without bows for the show. Bring em on Thursday for the dress rehearsal. Also come help on Friday for decorating the hall, riser set up, table setting and such.
(2) Bring four dozen holiday cookies with you to the show on Fri. nite and give them to Jack Pitzer for the dessert platters.
(3) Sell TICKETS. And buy the ones for your family and friends now cause the front row tables are starting to fill up. Fill out a form and give it to Steve.
(4) Contact Austin Cotton if you would like to buy a Harmonizer holiday music CD so you can review many of the songs we are doing on the show.
(5) There are a lot of solo spots in the show and those interested need to talk to Joe – next week is the try out time.
(6) Get your costume (toy or elf) ready. Don’t wait. Ask the veterans for ideas. They can’t be in bad taste, should not be Santa and can’t be so cumbersome you can’t walk around and serve food or help.
(7) Respond the emails from Don Dillingham about the silent auction or raffle. He is asking for help and items.
(8) Speaking of help – new guys who don’t know all of the songs can help at every show – box office, cookies, set up, welcoming guests, helping senior citizen get into their seats, serving and taking stuff down at the end.
Speaking of Santa. Bruce Minnick and Ginny are going to be our Mr. and Ms. Claus again this year. And Scott Kahler is managing the photos with Santa project.
Other news YeEd has to report: some of our guys have been working behind the scenes to scan all past issues of the chapter bulletin, The Echo, for historic purposes. Don’t know if I have a complete list of workers, but for sure Myles Glancy, Scipio Garling, Bert Phillips and Phil Ashford.
First Aid alert: if you need a help with first aid during a chapter meeting, be sure to ask for help from Kyle Blomgren. That is his work and he is prepared to assist. We have had our share of guys get hurt lately by dropping things on their foot or spraining an ankle!
Great to have Phil Fergeson back after his being gone a few weeks – and darn if he didn’t win the 50/50.
As usual there was a race to put things away, sing some tags, complete an audition or help a new guy prepare for an audition. And then we were off to the afterglow around the corner at Ernies.
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.)
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Looking Back on the Nov. 2nd Chapter Meeting
Streets were crowded around Durant with all the voters going in to cast their ballots. And traffic was bad. But by 7:15 or so – we had the risers full of guys ready to go to work in the all-purpose room of Jeff Houston School next door.
Usual action was going on before the singing began – guys trying to get down some dinner they had stopped and brought along, guys buying tickets for the shows, guys checking in with others guys about committee work or quartet schedules, and the usual work to unload the truck and set up for our meeting and rehearsal.
Lots of visiting too. Several guys were asking Victor about his college application process. Sandy and Mick Stamps were visiting with folks about the food service aspects of the holiday show. Several guys checked on Carolyn Hall when they bought some scrip cards for the upcoming holiday season.
Steve White shared with YeEd the details about the musical wedding over the past weekend for Pete Frank and his wife, Missy, in Erie. A bunch of our guys (Tony Colosimo, Joe Cerutti, Joe Sawyer, Bill Stewart and Steve) were on had to sing as a mini chorus and to support Pete when he sang for his bride during the ceremony. Steve was honored to have been asked to preside over the ceremony (which he was able to do in PA).
And many of us congratulated Bruce Roehm for having completed his second Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday. He came in 9,000th or so out of the 29,000 or so runners. He did the 26 miles in 4 hours, 31 minutes and 6 seconds. He was sporting his beautiful medal around his neck at chapter meeting. He was proud to have made it. He shared that the first 20 miles or so were really fun, but the last 6 were a little tougher and complicated because of the cold weather on Sunday. Congrats from all of us, Bruce!!!
When Mark Klostermeyer called the chorus to the risers at 7, Will Cox was on tap to do the warm ups. Then he passed the baton to Director Joe who launched right into work for the holiday shows coming up in Dec. He started with the new song “Blue Christmas” which is coming along great.
But it was pointed out that we only have four Tuesday nite rehearsals left before the show. So all the new folks are working hard at home too. In fact, several times Joe just asked the veterans to sing a few of the measures, or the key change to help all the new guys. New guys can also get or borrow one of our holiday CDs since many of the songs were on it.
Librarian Bob Mattes had prepared special holiday music books for guests and really new guys. Much of the holiday music is taught or reviewed from pdf pages from the computer on the screen. Thanks to Joe Sawyer who had mouse duties this week!
Joe alerted everyone to start working on toy or elf costumes for the Fri., Dec. 3rd (7:30 pm) and Sat Dec.4th (12:30 pm and 6 pm) shows at the First Baptist Church, 2932 King St., Alexandria, VA 22302. [If you don’t have such a costume, see some of the guys you stand near on the riser for ideas and sources of getting something. Don’t delay, in case you decide to order something.]
While the chorus was singing some of the holiday songs for the show, Joe also was happy to report that a good number of our singers had volunteered to be considered for the many solo spots in the show. Way to go, guys!
Before break, Joe moved into the new contest uptune for 2011 and surprised the guys by introducing coach Kirk Young who had slipped into the hall after the chorus was on the risers. Joe was tickled to have the guys demo their progress on the tag in Kirk’s arrangement. Kirk got all fired up and offered a few good pointers and explained briefly his intentions for some of the chords and swipes and such. It was great.
Klostermeyer started the pre-break meeting then with Secretary Buechler. Chris had a new Harmo name tag for returning member, Will Daniel Mudd-Simmons, who is at his fourth year of membership.
Chris also offered to order jackets from Lands End with the Harmo logo. The colder weather prompted several guys to dig out their Harmo jackets.
Jack Cameron reminded guys to pick up their chorus photos from the district contest.
Jack Pitzer substituted for membership vp, Ken White, who was en route to New York for a work event. We had several returning guests including some from last week’s event.
President Dick Newton was absent for a work event too. Tho he is still hobbling around after dropping something on his toe.
After break, additional announcements included a push from Tony Colosimo to sell the last few tickets he has for the DC show this weekend, featuring our youth chorus, CAPITAL FORCE, and our new quartet, DA CAPA. An anonymous member has agreed to match dollar-for-dollar all the tickets sales the “FORCE” generates for the show. So when you buy one of the $15 tickets, you are earning them double. Show starts at 7:30 at Greenberg Theater at American University, 4200 WI Ave, NE, in DC.
Alan Wile continued his work to get all of us to complete a Harmo Hero form to put up on the website.
Eric Wallen alerted us that there will be another Put Together Quartet contest after the holiday show. So start getting foursomes ready to sing, and start writing those funny parodies!!!
Chuck McKeever asked for the floor to report on the health situation for John Pence who has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma. JP has a tough 2-3 weeks ahead with a hospital stay most of that time. Keep JP in your thoughts.
Bob Mattes is also chair of the Holiday show. He offered a stack of color flyers for us to use in promoting ticket sales. Steve Murane has the box office open for business at chapter meetings, and the box office is also open online at www.harmonizers.org.
The flyer explains the three holiday shows are dinner events featuring lasagna dinner with salad, rolls, holiday cookie platter, served by the singers Harmonizer waiters. There will also be an appearance by Santa and Ms. Claus.
Bob explained how the serving will work and Joe worked on the song we sing to deliver the meals to the tables.
Roger Day was in the house and everyone was glad to see him back. Roger has agreed to coordinate decorating the church hall for our show again this year. Sooo – everyone is asked to bring in two or more large boxes wrapped in shinny paper. No bows or ribbons needed. Boxes like ten reams of paper come in are just right. Bring them to the dress rehearsal on Thurs. nite, Dec. 2nd. Mark your calendar for that too!
Roger is also eager to get some of us to help on Friday afternoon to transform the hall into holiday wonderland. Step up and let him know you will be there.
Besides wrapped boxes, each guy is asked to contribute four dozen holiday cookies to use as special desserts. You can bake or buy holiday cookies and bring them on Friday nite when you come for the first show and give them to Jack Pitzer. His team will use them to assemble the cookie platters that will go to each table near the end of the show along with the coffee. Try to get colorful and fancy cookies if you can.
Don Dillingham will manage the silent auctions at the shows that weekend. So we need to all be looking for gifts that can be put out for that – wedding presents you have never used that are still in the gift box; services you can offer such as picture framing, music arranging, a quartet appearance at a private party; a basket of goodies such as coffee things or bath things or cooking things; tickets for an airline or hotel rooms or restaurant meals you can get from some place you trade a lot. At some point we all need to alert Don what we are contributing, so he can prepare the auction sheets. The actual auction items will be brought to the show site when you come.
Then it was back to work on the music. Joe and the musical team have revived some of the fun stage moves for the show songs and have added some new wrinkles to give the show some surprises.
We worked right up til 10, then rushed to load it all back on the truck, so we could get to the afterglow at Ernies Crab Shed around the corner from 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.)
Usual action was going on before the singing began – guys trying to get down some dinner they had stopped and brought along, guys buying tickets for the shows, guys checking in with others guys about committee work or quartet schedules, and the usual work to unload the truck and set up for our meeting and rehearsal.
Lots of visiting too. Several guys were asking Victor about his college application process. Sandy and Mick Stamps were visiting with folks about the food service aspects of the holiday show. Several guys checked on Carolyn Hall when they bought some scrip cards for the upcoming holiday season.
Steve White shared with YeEd the details about the musical wedding over the past weekend for Pete Frank and his wife, Missy, in Erie. A bunch of our guys (Tony Colosimo, Joe Cerutti, Joe Sawyer, Bill Stewart and Steve) were on had to sing as a mini chorus and to support Pete when he sang for his bride during the ceremony. Steve was honored to have been asked to preside over the ceremony (which he was able to do in PA).
And many of us congratulated Bruce Roehm for having completed his second Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday. He came in 9,000th or so out of the 29,000 or so runners. He did the 26 miles in 4 hours, 31 minutes and 6 seconds. He was sporting his beautiful medal around his neck at chapter meeting. He was proud to have made it. He shared that the first 20 miles or so were really fun, but the last 6 were a little tougher and complicated because of the cold weather on Sunday. Congrats from all of us, Bruce!!!
When Mark Klostermeyer called the chorus to the risers at 7, Will Cox was on tap to do the warm ups. Then he passed the baton to Director Joe who launched right into work for the holiday shows coming up in Dec. He started with the new song “Blue Christmas” which is coming along great.
But it was pointed out that we only have four Tuesday nite rehearsals left before the show. So all the new folks are working hard at home too. In fact, several times Joe just asked the veterans to sing a few of the measures, or the key change to help all the new guys. New guys can also get or borrow one of our holiday CDs since many of the songs were on it.
Librarian Bob Mattes had prepared special holiday music books for guests and really new guys. Much of the holiday music is taught or reviewed from pdf pages from the computer on the screen. Thanks to Joe Sawyer who had mouse duties this week!
Joe alerted everyone to start working on toy or elf costumes for the Fri., Dec. 3rd (7:30 pm) and Sat Dec.4th (12:30 pm and 6 pm) shows at the First Baptist Church, 2932 King St., Alexandria, VA 22302. [If you don’t have such a costume, see some of the guys you stand near on the riser for ideas and sources of getting something. Don’t delay, in case you decide to order something.]
While the chorus was singing some of the holiday songs for the show, Joe also was happy to report that a good number of our singers had volunteered to be considered for the many solo spots in the show. Way to go, guys!
Before break, Joe moved into the new contest uptune for 2011 and surprised the guys by introducing coach Kirk Young who had slipped into the hall after the chorus was on the risers. Joe was tickled to have the guys demo their progress on the tag in Kirk’s arrangement. Kirk got all fired up and offered a few good pointers and explained briefly his intentions for some of the chords and swipes and such. It was great.
Klostermeyer started the pre-break meeting then with Secretary Buechler. Chris had a new Harmo name tag for returning member, Will Daniel Mudd-Simmons, who is at his fourth year of membership.
Chris also offered to order jackets from Lands End with the Harmo logo. The colder weather prompted several guys to dig out their Harmo jackets.
Jack Cameron reminded guys to pick up their chorus photos from the district contest.
Jack Pitzer substituted for membership vp, Ken White, who was en route to New York for a work event. We had several returning guests including some from last week’s event.
President Dick Newton was absent for a work event too. Tho he is still hobbling around after dropping something on his toe.
After break, additional announcements included a push from Tony Colosimo to sell the last few tickets he has for the DC show this weekend, featuring our youth chorus, CAPITAL FORCE, and our new quartet, DA CAPA. An anonymous member has agreed to match dollar-for-dollar all the tickets sales the “FORCE” generates for the show. So when you buy one of the $15 tickets, you are earning them double. Show starts at 7:30 at Greenberg Theater at American University, 4200 WI Ave, NE, in DC.
Alan Wile continued his work to get all of us to complete a Harmo Hero form to put up on the website.
Eric Wallen alerted us that there will be another Put Together Quartet contest after the holiday show. So start getting foursomes ready to sing, and start writing those funny parodies!!!
Chuck McKeever asked for the floor to report on the health situation for John Pence who has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma. JP has a tough 2-3 weeks ahead with a hospital stay most of that time. Keep JP in your thoughts.
Bob Mattes is also chair of the Holiday show. He offered a stack of color flyers for us to use in promoting ticket sales. Steve Murane has the box office open for business at chapter meetings, and the box office is also open online at www.harmonizers.org.
The flyer explains the three holiday shows are dinner events featuring lasagna dinner with salad, rolls, holiday cookie platter, served by the singers Harmonizer waiters. There will also be an appearance by Santa and Ms. Claus.
Bob explained how the serving will work and Joe worked on the song we sing to deliver the meals to the tables.
Roger Day was in the house and everyone was glad to see him back. Roger has agreed to coordinate decorating the church hall for our show again this year. Sooo – everyone is asked to bring in two or more large boxes wrapped in shinny paper. No bows or ribbons needed. Boxes like ten reams of paper come in are just right. Bring them to the dress rehearsal on Thurs. nite, Dec. 2nd. Mark your calendar for that too!
Roger is also eager to get some of us to help on Friday afternoon to transform the hall into holiday wonderland. Step up and let him know you will be there.
Besides wrapped boxes, each guy is asked to contribute four dozen holiday cookies to use as special desserts. You can bake or buy holiday cookies and bring them on Friday nite when you come for the first show and give them to Jack Pitzer. His team will use them to assemble the cookie platters that will go to each table near the end of the show along with the coffee. Try to get colorful and fancy cookies if you can.
Don Dillingham will manage the silent auctions at the shows that weekend. So we need to all be looking for gifts that can be put out for that – wedding presents you have never used that are still in the gift box; services you can offer such as picture framing, music arranging, a quartet appearance at a private party; a basket of goodies such as coffee things or bath things or cooking things; tickets for an airline or hotel rooms or restaurant meals you can get from some place you trade a lot. At some point we all need to alert Don what we are contributing, so he can prepare the auction sheets. The actual auction items will be brought to the show site when you come.
Then it was back to work on the music. Joe and the musical team have revived some of the fun stage moves for the show songs and have added some new wrinkles to give the show some surprises.
We worked right up til 10, then rushed to load it all back on the truck, so we could get to the afterglow at Ernies Crab Shed around the corner from 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.)
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Looking Back on the October 26th Chapter Meeting and Guest Nite
Everyone agreed – last nite was a great Harmonizer evening. The guests just kept rolling in. Ken White, membership guy, had enlisted help from Steve Lingo to coordinate the nite’s activities. Steve and his buddies in the Men of ’10 class did a great job. In fact all the chapter members helped in many ways by bringing guests, bringing goodies, spreading the word about the chapter and meeting guests during the evening and singing tags with them.
Director Joe did an awesome job in conducting an exciting and fun rehearsal and helping all have an enjoyable evening of singing. Even non-singing guests enjoyed it all.
One neat thing Joe did, after he got all the 100+ guys on the risers, was to ask a series of questions to help guests learn about who we are: how many had never sung barbershop before; who drives more than an hour to sing with the chapter; who has been a member over 20 years; who has been a member less than a year; who can sight read music etc.
After warm ups, Joe started work on “Blue Christmas” with members and guests all singing – by using the projection system with Terry Reynolds working the computer mouse! We then sang more of the standard holiday songs in prep for our Dec. holiday dinner shows.
Joe taught the guests “Sunshine is Bidding the Day Goodbye” tag along with the chorus. All evening he worked on good singing habits and didn’t just do gang singing for the guests.
Ken White introduced each guest by name and enlisted Lingo and Klostermeyer to pass out “I Sang With the Harmonizers” buttons. The guest crowd included former members, retired guys, family members of current singers, next generation of kids who will be Harmonizers some day, some folks who found us on the web and just happened to come on guest nite, barbershoppers from other chapters in the great metro area, show customers of some of the guys, and guys who don’t sing now but always stop be to check in and get a dose of Harmonizer pride!!
Secretary Buechler presented new member packets to Clark Chesser, sponsored by Alan Wile; Dave Kohls, sponsored by Phil Ferguson; and Chris Clark, sponsored by his uncle, Bill Clark.
Before we went to break, Brad Jones alerted members that they would be getting an email survey about the possible China trip for the chapter.
Operations guy, Mark Klostermeyer welcome guys to take a 15 minute break and enjoy all the homemade goodies brought in by the chorus members to share with our guests. He also invited the members to find a guest and sing one with him after raiding the chow table.
After the break, the guests all assembled in the main hall of Durant and the members adjourned to Room 2 to changing in to uniforms. The hall was crowded with so many people, all the risers set up back to the stage, the usual sales tables, refreshment area, piles of briefcases (the chorus manger had brought in coat racks for the guys uniforms).
We also put out the history display boards on tables in the lobby for guests (and our members) to review and enjoy.
Steve Lingo spoke to the guests and used a handout to review our history, our contest records, a few words about the BHS, and how singing can get into the chapter. He was brief and highlighted important points. He invited Sandy Stamps to welcome FRIENDS of the chapter and invited them to help support the chapter.
DA CAPO quartet, Ryan Griffith, Tony Colosimo, Joe Sawyer and Wayne Adams, taught the guests a couple tags to sing for the chapter.
Then the chorus came back from the dressing room onto the risers and did a mini show for all. The guests sand their first tag and then the chorus sang “Ob Li Di Ob Li Da,”
“Hello My Baby” [complete with full contest uniforms and tear away vests and yellow shirt and tie] and “Stars and Stripes.” Between songs DA CAPO sang two songs for us – great to officially welcome the foursome to our show team. MC duties for the mini show went to Scipio Garling, Dennis Ritchey and Steve Lingo.
Lots of guys helped do things around the hall like the usual crew who set up the risers along with tables and chairs, Scott Kahler was doing photo shoots for the PR guys, Dennis Richtey managed sound, Director Joe and some Men of ’10 set up the display boards in the lobby, FRIENDS gave out the sodas and water, and truck driver Bob Blair was load master to get it all loaded up at the end of the nite.
A couple quick things were offered at the end of the nite for all to note. First – Tony Colosimo has tickets for the Sat., Nov. 6th DC chapter show featuring our youth chorus CAPITAL FORCE and DA CAPO. We need to support this show as a way to offer financial support for “the FORCE” and their trip to the BHS midwinter event in Vegas. The tickets are only $15 each. We should fill up the hall.
Second – our chapter meeting and rehearsal will be in the Jeff Houston School adjacent to Durant on Tues Nov 2nd as it is election nite, and Durant is a voting place. Plan ahead for parking.
Third – YeEd got a note from Geri and Royall Geis. They recently spoke with Congressman Jim Moran. They reminded him of the time the Harmonizers gave is new baby boy a Harmo t-shirt. He says that son is 21 now, 6’5”, 300 lbs. and playing football for Yale. Congressman Moran did express his appreciation to our chapter for doing so much for the Alexandria community.
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.)
Director Joe did an awesome job in conducting an exciting and fun rehearsal and helping all have an enjoyable evening of singing. Even non-singing guests enjoyed it all.
One neat thing Joe did, after he got all the 100+ guys on the risers, was to ask a series of questions to help guests learn about who we are: how many had never sung barbershop before; who drives more than an hour to sing with the chapter; who has been a member over 20 years; who has been a member less than a year; who can sight read music etc.
After warm ups, Joe started work on “Blue Christmas” with members and guests all singing – by using the projection system with Terry Reynolds working the computer mouse! We then sang more of the standard holiday songs in prep for our Dec. holiday dinner shows.
Joe taught the guests “Sunshine is Bidding the Day Goodbye” tag along with the chorus. All evening he worked on good singing habits and didn’t just do gang singing for the guests.
Ken White introduced each guest by name and enlisted Lingo and Klostermeyer to pass out “I Sang With the Harmonizers” buttons. The guest crowd included former members, retired guys, family members of current singers, next generation of kids who will be Harmonizers some day, some folks who found us on the web and just happened to come on guest nite, barbershoppers from other chapters in the great metro area, show customers of some of the guys, and guys who don’t sing now but always stop be to check in and get a dose of Harmonizer pride!!
Secretary Buechler presented new member packets to Clark Chesser, sponsored by Alan Wile; Dave Kohls, sponsored by Phil Ferguson; and Chris Clark, sponsored by his uncle, Bill Clark.
Before we went to break, Brad Jones alerted members that they would be getting an email survey about the possible China trip for the chapter.
Operations guy, Mark Klostermeyer welcome guys to take a 15 minute break and enjoy all the homemade goodies brought in by the chorus members to share with our guests. He also invited the members to find a guest and sing one with him after raiding the chow table.
After the break, the guests all assembled in the main hall of Durant and the members adjourned to Room 2 to changing in to uniforms. The hall was crowded with so many people, all the risers set up back to the stage, the usual sales tables, refreshment area, piles of briefcases (the chorus manger had brought in coat racks for the guys uniforms).
We also put out the history display boards on tables in the lobby for guests (and our members) to review and enjoy.
Steve Lingo spoke to the guests and used a handout to review our history, our contest records, a few words about the BHS, and how singing can get into the chapter. He was brief and highlighted important points. He invited Sandy Stamps to welcome FRIENDS of the chapter and invited them to help support the chapter.
DA CAPO quartet, Ryan Griffith, Tony Colosimo, Joe Sawyer and Wayne Adams, taught the guests a couple tags to sing for the chapter.
Then the chorus came back from the dressing room onto the risers and did a mini show for all. The guests sand their first tag and then the chorus sang “Ob Li Di Ob Li Da,”
“Hello My Baby” [complete with full contest uniforms and tear away vests and yellow shirt and tie] and “Stars and Stripes.” Between songs DA CAPO sang two songs for us – great to officially welcome the foursome to our show team. MC duties for the mini show went to Scipio Garling, Dennis Ritchey and Steve Lingo.
Lots of guys helped do things around the hall like the usual crew who set up the risers along with tables and chairs, Scott Kahler was doing photo shoots for the PR guys, Dennis Richtey managed sound, Director Joe and some Men of ’10 set up the display boards in the lobby, FRIENDS gave out the sodas and water, and truck driver Bob Blair was load master to get it all loaded up at the end of the nite.
A couple quick things were offered at the end of the nite for all to note. First – Tony Colosimo has tickets for the Sat., Nov. 6th DC chapter show featuring our youth chorus CAPITAL FORCE and DA CAPO. We need to support this show as a way to offer financial support for “the FORCE” and their trip to the BHS midwinter event in Vegas. The tickets are only $15 each. We should fill up the hall.
Second – our chapter meeting and rehearsal will be in the Jeff Houston School adjacent to Durant on Tues Nov 2nd as it is election nite, and Durant is a voting place. Plan ahead for parking.
Third – YeEd got a note from Geri and Royall Geis. They recently spoke with Congressman Jim Moran. They reminded him of the time the Harmonizers gave is new baby boy a Harmo t-shirt. He says that son is 21 now, 6’5”, 300 lbs. and playing football for Yale. Congressman Moran did express his appreciation to our chapter for doing so much for the Alexandria community.
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.)
Monday, October 25, 2010
Looking Back on the October 19th Chapter Meeting
(Thanks to Alan Wile again for preparing the column this week while YeEd is in Indy.)
Risers were magically erected by Bob Blair and a team of others. Mike Kelly worked the sound. Carolyn and Dick Hall and Sandy Stamps greeted and sold. Dixie Kennett took attendance. Ken White manned the membership desk ... and the guests (and the four who recently passed their auditions -- Clark Chesser, Chris Clark, Thom Faircloth, and Dave Kohls) kept coming in!! All this while an artist reception was taking place in the lobby.
Assistant Director Will Cox took us through a variety of warm-up vocal and hand-slapping gyrations before turning the chorus over to Master Director Joe Cerutti (who headed off to the SAI convention in Seattle the next morning). Joe introduced “Blue Christmas.” Next it was the two sections of “What Do I Need With Love” (would you believe he actually picked on the baris!). He then turned the sections over to their leaders to work mainly on the latter song. [For the record, Joe picked on the baris a second time later in the rehearsal. What is the world coming to?]
Following, the chorus went rapidly (and not so) through a number of holiday songs (with help from Music VP Terry Reynolds at the projector): “The Chipmunk Song,” “The Christmas Song,” and “Ave Maria” ... with seven remnants of Cameron Station out front singing the counter melody.
At the break, VP Operations Mark Klostermeyer announced two birthday boys -- a pair of Jacks -- neither of whom were in the house: Jack McKendree and Jack Pitzer. Scrip-man Bob Eckman announced that chapter members purchased over $10,000 worth of scrip to pay hotel bills at the district convention in Lancaster ... netting over $800 for the chapter! Huzzah!
Chapter Secretary Chris Buechler presented membership cards to Kyle Blomgren (5 years), Thom Faircloth (12 years), Rob Korsan (5 years), and Josh Roots (4 years). Membership VP Ken White introduced six guests, including Dick Hall's brother Bob (from the Ambassadors of Harmony) and former member Will Mudd-Simmons (who'll likely be in the area for the foreseeable future and intends to re-join). Also welcomed was member Joe Wagovich, whom we've not seen for a while. Joe says he expects to be back full time now, too! Will Cox led us all in welcoming the guests ... and then it was time for refreshment (overseen by Victor Hills and his mother ... many thanks!).
The next round of Harmonizer Hero names were pulled from the boater: Chris Buechler, Brad Jones, Mike Kelly, Chuck McKeever, Brian Miller, and Alan Wile.
Chapter President Dick Newton announced that Noah Van Gilder had been hit by a car while riding his bicycle the previous night. He spent some time in the hospital for tests but they found nothing (you should take that as encouraging, Noah). Steve Lingo whipped up the crowd in anticipation of next week's guest night. Some changes in uniform requirements and other details will be out soon.
Back on the risers, Joe took the chorus through (or over) more holiday music, together with much uncharacteristic levity, including “Let It Snow” (WATCH OUT FOR THE TRIPLETS which Joe insists is the most difficult construction in music ... and wants us to get it right!), “Let All Mortal Flesh” (Joe's admitted favorite carol), “Jingle Bells,” “Do You Hear What I Hear” (for which there are two breaths in the entire song), “Caroling Caroling,” and “Silent Night.” Joe reminded us that our audiences come to the holiday shows to hear music they know and love and it is our responsibility to make each and every performance of every song memorable for them.
Scott Kahler was brought off the risers to take us out with “Keep The Whole World Singing.”
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.)
Risers were magically erected by Bob Blair and a team of others. Mike Kelly worked the sound. Carolyn and Dick Hall and Sandy Stamps greeted and sold. Dixie Kennett took attendance. Ken White manned the membership desk ... and the guests (and the four who recently passed their auditions -- Clark Chesser, Chris Clark, Thom Faircloth, and Dave Kohls) kept coming in!! All this while an artist reception was taking place in the lobby.
Assistant Director Will Cox took us through a variety of warm-up vocal and hand-slapping gyrations before turning the chorus over to Master Director Joe Cerutti (who headed off to the SAI convention in Seattle the next morning). Joe introduced “Blue Christmas.” Next it was the two sections of “What Do I Need With Love” (would you believe he actually picked on the baris!). He then turned the sections over to their leaders to work mainly on the latter song. [For the record, Joe picked on the baris a second time later in the rehearsal. What is the world coming to?]
Following, the chorus went rapidly (and not so) through a number of holiday songs (with help from Music VP Terry Reynolds at the projector): “The Chipmunk Song,” “The Christmas Song,” and “Ave Maria” ... with seven remnants of Cameron Station out front singing the counter melody.
At the break, VP Operations Mark Klostermeyer announced two birthday boys -- a pair of Jacks -- neither of whom were in the house: Jack McKendree and Jack Pitzer. Scrip-man Bob Eckman announced that chapter members purchased over $10,000 worth of scrip to pay hotel bills at the district convention in Lancaster ... netting over $800 for the chapter! Huzzah!
Chapter Secretary Chris Buechler presented membership cards to Kyle Blomgren (5 years), Thom Faircloth (12 years), Rob Korsan (5 years), and Josh Roots (4 years). Membership VP Ken White introduced six guests, including Dick Hall's brother Bob (from the Ambassadors of Harmony) and former member Will Mudd-Simmons (who'll likely be in the area for the foreseeable future and intends to re-join). Also welcomed was member Joe Wagovich, whom we've not seen for a while. Joe says he expects to be back full time now, too! Will Cox led us all in welcoming the guests ... and then it was time for refreshment (overseen by Victor Hills and his mother ... many thanks!).
The next round of Harmonizer Hero names were pulled from the boater: Chris Buechler, Brad Jones, Mike Kelly, Chuck McKeever, Brian Miller, and Alan Wile.
Chapter President Dick Newton announced that Noah Van Gilder had been hit by a car while riding his bicycle the previous night. He spent some time in the hospital for tests but they found nothing (you should take that as encouraging, Noah). Steve Lingo whipped up the crowd in anticipation of next week's guest night. Some changes in uniform requirements and other details will be out soon.
Back on the risers, Joe took the chorus through (or over) more holiday music, together with much uncharacteristic levity, including “Let It Snow” (WATCH OUT FOR THE TRIPLETS which Joe insists is the most difficult construction in music ... and wants us to get it right!), “Let All Mortal Flesh” (Joe's admitted favorite carol), “Jingle Bells,” “Do You Hear What I Hear” (for which there are two breaths in the entire song), “Caroling Caroling,” and “Silent Night.” Joe reminded us that our audiences come to the holiday shows to hear music they know and love and it is our responsibility to make each and every performance of every song memorable for them.
Scott Kahler was brought off the risers to take us out with “Keep The Whole World Singing.”
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.)
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Looking Back on the October 12th Chapter Meeting
(Thanks to Alan Wile for taking notes while YeEd had to slip out for a couple hours for an important board meeting.)
We had a great crowd for our annual meeting and election of officers.
The guys had a little trouble getting the risers out from under the stage where we store them. So some of the guys had to ride the “riser car” back under the stage with tools to tighten some wiring that had gotten loose and was hooking up on the risers. But the crew fixed it and we are back in action.
Dick and Carolyn Hall were back at their stations, (Yeah.) selling scrip cards. Chapter members and family members should plan ahead for Thanksgiving and other holiday needs and use the scrip cards from the chapter – for the holiday ham or turkey, gifts to send out of town, home repairs before the holidays, trips to visit relatives, or just to treat yourself whenever you pass a Starbucks!
Entertainment books were on sale. Sodas and water on sale by the chapter FRIENDS group.
Good to see Patrick Kim on the risers during the run of the musical, Altar Boyz, which he is appearing in at Gunston Theatre in Arlington. And great to have Terry Reynolds with us after a marathon work session for the last few weeks or so. He reports the project “went live” and so far all is going great! Congrats. The “masked man” was TJ Jones who didn’t want to spread his cold. Good idea.
Michael Gellert was with us tonite to provide private voice lessons again as part of the chapter’s musical education program.
This week’s chapter meeting period was the annual meeting and election of officers. The meeting was conducted by current president, Dick Newton. The nominating committee was chaired by Immediate Past President Brad Jones and committee members were Ken White, Will Cox, Mark Klostermeyer and Dennis Ritchey. Secretary Buechler confirmed there was a proper quorum and that no additional nominations had been received. Brad introduced the slate, listed below, who were properly elected. Congrats to all!
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 (actually completing his term)
Member At Large 2010-2011 – Phil Ferguson (actually completing his term)
Member At Large 2011-2012 – Ken Henderson
Member At Large 2011-2012 – Ian Poulin
Immediate Past President – Dick Newton
The 7 pm start time launched the singing session with assistant director Tony Colosimo doing the official warm ups. Director Joe was cheered for coming back from his “hard duty” in Hawaii.
Our musical directors took the chorus thru the songs for the show this weekend in St. Mary’s County, MD. Several visual team guys also helped remind guys of the presentation plans – TJ Jones, Chuck McKeever.
Before break, Mark Klostermeyer recognized the birthdays and welcomed the FRIENDS group back from their meeting. He also plugged the show this weekend and the special afterglow at Dave Reyno’s home on the way home from the show.
Show producer Greg Tepe was on hand to give all the details about arrivals, uniforms and routes and such for the Sat. show.
Secretary Buechler presented new member materials to Adam Bradley.
Before introducing the group of guests who had arrived, Ken White reminded all about the important guest nite on Oct. 26th with the emphasis that we should bring singers, fans, supporters, sponsors. Ken welcomed Jerry TePaske who had to leave early.
Break was busy with guys lining up quartet rehearsals, guests meeting other members and working on getting auditioned, and everyone raiding the goodies table and coffee. (Don’t forget to bring in some cookies for the guest nite. The cupboard is empty.)
After break, President Newton encouraged all members to be prepared to pay for their registration for next summer’s International convention (it will be in Kansas City). We need to all pay for our registrations so that the chapter can order a huge block and get the early-bird prices of $139 each for adults. Carl Kauffmann is contact for this effort. Don’t delay.
Alan Wile continued the Harmo Heroes project and pushed for guys to get in their info who are behind in submitting.
Tony Colosimo spoke about the upcoming rehearsal and appearance of CAPITAL FORCE – the youth chorus we support. They are gonna appear on the DC chapter show Nov. 6th. Some of our guys also sing in the youth chorus. CF plans to compete at the youth chorus festival at the BHS midwinter convention in Vegas, Jan. 2011. One way to help support the cost of getting them to Vegas is to buy tickets for the DC show – see Tony. He had a huge handful of tickets with him.
Other announcements were about the weigh-in for the 7-11 weight loss program this year leading up to Intl. and a reminder of learning materials available online.
The second block of chorus rehearsal for the evening was mostly work on the contest uptune, “What Do I Need With Love.” We did run thru the zany Ed Sullivan piece.
Joe also reflected more about his visit and coaching session in Hawaii. There are a lot of current members of our chapter who have sung with the Sounds of Aloha Chorus.
Coach Michael Gellert directed the closing song, “Keep The Whole World Singing” to close out the nite.
While most of the guys chipped in to put stuff away in the meeting hall and load the truck to go to MD this weekend, there were guests practicing in quartets and some lined up outside the kitchen area for their turn to audition. Another good crowd adjourned to the afterglow at Ernie’s Crab Shack. There was a buzz when Joe arrived at the afterglow with news that the three guys who auditioned passed!!!
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.)
We had a great crowd for our annual meeting and election of officers.
The guys had a little trouble getting the risers out from under the stage where we store them. So some of the guys had to ride the “riser car” back under the stage with tools to tighten some wiring that had gotten loose and was hooking up on the risers. But the crew fixed it and we are back in action.
Dick and Carolyn Hall were back at their stations, (Yeah.) selling scrip cards. Chapter members and family members should plan ahead for Thanksgiving and other holiday needs and use the scrip cards from the chapter – for the holiday ham or turkey, gifts to send out of town, home repairs before the holidays, trips to visit relatives, or just to treat yourself whenever you pass a Starbucks!
Entertainment books were on sale. Sodas and water on sale by the chapter FRIENDS group.
Good to see Patrick Kim on the risers during the run of the musical, Altar Boyz, which he is appearing in at Gunston Theatre in Arlington. And great to have Terry Reynolds with us after a marathon work session for the last few weeks or so. He reports the project “went live” and so far all is going great! Congrats. The “masked man” was TJ Jones who didn’t want to spread his cold. Good idea.
Michael Gellert was with us tonite to provide private voice lessons again as part of the chapter’s musical education program.
This week’s chapter meeting period was the annual meeting and election of officers. The meeting was conducted by current president, Dick Newton. The nominating committee was chaired by Immediate Past President Brad Jones and committee members were Ken White, Will Cox, Mark Klostermeyer and Dennis Ritchey. Secretary Buechler confirmed there was a proper quorum and that no additional nominations had been received. Brad introduced the slate, listed below, who were properly elected. Congrats to all!
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 (actually completing his term)
Member At Large 2010-2011 – Phil Ferguson (actually completing his term)
Member At Large 2011-2012 – Ken Henderson
Member At Large 2011-2012 – Ian Poulin
Immediate Past President – Dick Newton
The 7 pm start time launched the singing session with assistant director Tony Colosimo doing the official warm ups. Director Joe was cheered for coming back from his “hard duty” in Hawaii.
Our musical directors took the chorus thru the songs for the show this weekend in St. Mary’s County, MD. Several visual team guys also helped remind guys of the presentation plans – TJ Jones, Chuck McKeever.
Before break, Mark Klostermeyer recognized the birthdays and welcomed the FRIENDS group back from their meeting. He also plugged the show this weekend and the special afterglow at Dave Reyno’s home on the way home from the show.
Show producer Greg Tepe was on hand to give all the details about arrivals, uniforms and routes and such for the Sat. show.
Secretary Buechler presented new member materials to Adam Bradley.
Before introducing the group of guests who had arrived, Ken White reminded all about the important guest nite on Oct. 26th with the emphasis that we should bring singers, fans, supporters, sponsors. Ken welcomed Jerry TePaske who had to leave early.
Break was busy with guys lining up quartet rehearsals, guests meeting other members and working on getting auditioned, and everyone raiding the goodies table and coffee. (Don’t forget to bring in some cookies for the guest nite. The cupboard is empty.)
After break, President Newton encouraged all members to be prepared to pay for their registration for next summer’s International convention (it will be in Kansas City). We need to all pay for our registrations so that the chapter can order a huge block and get the early-bird prices of $139 each for adults. Carl Kauffmann is contact for this effort. Don’t delay.
Alan Wile continued the Harmo Heroes project and pushed for guys to get in their info who are behind in submitting.
Tony Colosimo spoke about the upcoming rehearsal and appearance of CAPITAL FORCE – the youth chorus we support. They are gonna appear on the DC chapter show Nov. 6th. Some of our guys also sing in the youth chorus. CF plans to compete at the youth chorus festival at the BHS midwinter convention in Vegas, Jan. 2011. One way to help support the cost of getting them to Vegas is to buy tickets for the DC show – see Tony. He had a huge handful of tickets with him.
Other announcements were about the weigh-in for the 7-11 weight loss program this year leading up to Intl. and a reminder of learning materials available online.
The second block of chorus rehearsal for the evening was mostly work on the contest uptune, “What Do I Need With Love.” We did run thru the zany Ed Sullivan piece.
Joe also reflected more about his visit and coaching session in Hawaii. There are a lot of current members of our chapter who have sung with the Sounds of Aloha Chorus.
Coach Michael Gellert directed the closing song, “Keep The Whole World Singing” to close out the nite.
While most of the guys chipped in to put stuff away in the meeting hall and load the truck to go to MD this weekend, there were guests practicing in quartets and some lined up outside the kitchen area for their turn to audition. Another good crowd adjourned to the afterglow at Ernie’s Crab Shack. There was a buzz when Joe arrived at the afterglow with news that the three guys who auditioned passed!!!
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.)
Thursday, October 7, 2010
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.)
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.)
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
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.)
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.)
Thursday, September 30, 2010
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.)
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.)
Monday, September 27, 2010
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.)
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.)
Thursday, September 23, 2010
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.)
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.)
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
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.)
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.)
Friday, September 10, 2010
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.)
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.)
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