This was third busy Tuesday nite meeting in a row with concentration on preparations for the holiday shows Dec. 2 and 3 at First Baptist in Alexandria.
And again, lots of guys arrived early to get in line to buy and pick up tickets from our ticket chairman, Ian Poulin. Any readers of this column who don’t have tickets should go online and see if they can still get seats for Friday nite. The two Sat shows are sold out.
Roger Day was set up to sell raffle tickets and to remind the guys to wrap two boxes for the show. He even brought in a half dozen empty boxes for guys who didn’t have them yet. Chuck Harner was set up to sell new Entertainment coupon books. We make good money on each one we sell, so help out. Take them on consignment.
Vocal warm ups were conducted by Will Cox. Then he introduced director Joe Cerutti. Joe thanked guys for all the behind-the-scenes work on the show and music. He was pleased with the huge leap on “Drummer Boy” and “Hallelujah Chorus” which we have added to our show this year.
Before the meeting started, music vp Terry Reynolds met with a group of volunteers (many of them family members, recent guests and applicants) to work on the special card flipping routine for the show. These folks will appear as Monks in the show. They did a fantastic job for their first try at it with the chorus, and got into the fun of the act. Scott Kahler gets credit for inventing the gizmo for Nick Leiserson and Terry Reynolds to use with their foot to flip up an extra card. You gotta see it to understand!
Speaking of behind the scenes: there was continual work on gathering the many little props for this show (visual cues as introduced by Jack In The Box). Steve Lingo is coordinating that job.
Lew Klinge has received the huge pile of boxes of paper plates and napkins and such and will haul them over to the church. Another crew has ordered food and contracted with the cooks at the church for food preparation. There are tech folks at work for sound and lights. And the helicopter pilot has gotten in some extra flight time to be ready for the show.
The evening’s rehearsal included walk and talk thru of script with the actors and quartets and TBD doing their parts. Many guys remarked this was one of the smoothest last rehearsals before a holiday show ever.
Ops vp Mark Klostermeyer conducted the chapter meeting period, as usual. Sandy Stamps, FRIENDS president, reminded everyone to grab some of the White House Ornaments the chapter is selling. Get them on consignment, as well. Make some sales. We need the profit and sales are low this year, so far.
Looking ahead, the FRIENDS group will only be selling bottled water beginning in January. Thanks to all of them who worked on the sodas sale for the last year or two.
Membership vp Phil Ashford welcomed back Jacob George who made a trip to India. Also good to see Dean Rust and Martin Banks in the hall. Phil introduced a crew of guests again. Great to have them come sing – most have applied for membership.
After break, Mark reminded everyone about several show matters: sell tickets to fill out Fri nite; bring in two big boxes wrapped in shiny paper; bring 4 dozen holiday cookies; respond to Drew Fuller’s request for items for the silent auction at the shows; and offer to bring in show props that are still needed – see Steve Lingo. Phil Ashford is coordinator of the crew of waiters and needs everyone to sign up if you really wanna serve a particular table (or he will assign us to tables). Show producer Bob Mattes spoke briefly and alerted all to watch for his detailed email about times and schedules. A crew of helpers was recruited for Wed morning at 8:15 to meet Bob Blair at the church to unload risers and then go get a couple truck loads of decorations and such from our storage unit.
The annual Put Together Quartet contest is Dec. 13th – a chapter contest for fun. There will be judges and an emcee and photographer and all – just like a Society contest. You would not expect the Harmonizers to do it any other way. Key is to form a quartet now. Work up some nutty parodies or get some fun costumes or at least an outlandish quartet name. Eric Wallen is Dr. Put and thus he is ready to help guys put-together a quartet if they wish. There are even trophies for the winners! There are two Tuesdays left to snag a good lead or one of the tenors!
Music vp Terry Reynolds reported that music for “Sweet Georgia Brown” is now on the website. We will start working on it the week after the show in preparation for our return to the contest at Southern Division in Roanoke, VA, the weekend of May 25 and 26, 2012. Plan ahead to take Fri afternoon off so you can get down there in time for an early morning rehearsal and prep for the chorus contest on Saturday.
President Steve Murane invited everyone to submit nominations for the 2011 chapter awards that will be given to members at an event the last weekend in January (probably). Stay tuned for details. This will be our chance to resume the Presidents Ball that was not held last year.
After the announcements, it was back to hard work on the songs for the holiday show.
Mark your calendar too for the Tues nite BASH in Glen Burnie, Dec. 27th. It’s an annual bash to celebrate the hobby with guys from all the chapters around the DC region. Usually some top quartets make the stage plus a bunch of put-together type quartets. Maybe our chapter winners will go represent us. There’s no Harmo meeting that nite, so form a car pool and lets all go. Last few years a huge crowd of us took in the fun, chow and cold drinks. Ask Steve White or Jack Pitzer about going.
A good crowd of us went to the afterglow at the Hilton across from King Street Metro station and we laughed and laughed about some of the corny gags in the show.
For chapter history, the memorial service for Alan Durick on Sat. Nov. 26th in Charlottesville was attended by 18 Harmonizers who worked with Alan in our chapter, sang with him in quartets and knew him as a friend. 4 MAN VOCAL BAND with Randy Lazear, Bob Bates, Larry Walker and Dave Cureton, sang. ALEXANDRIA’S RAGTIME BAND sang with Barry Galloway doing the bari, with Mike Wallen, John Adams and Craig Odell. In addition the Harrisonburg Harmonizers sang as did their quartet BLARNEY BROTHERS with Mike Calhoun, Gary Bibens and Dewey Feuerhelm. To close the celebration, all the barbershop singers sang “A Place on the Risers for You.” Alan his wife Lois were married 62 years. He was 82 and joined our chapter in 1974.
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. —YeEd.)
Friday, December 2, 2011
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Looking Back on the November 22nd Chapter Meeting
This was another busy Tuesday nite meeting with concentration on preparations for the holiday shows Dec. 2 and 3 at First Baptist in Alexandria.
And again, lots of guys arrived early to get in line to buy and pick up tickets from our ticket chairman, Ian Poulin.
Have you seen the new system he (the chapter) has for paying for things now? You can use a credit card and he can swipe it right there and you get a receipt via email. Makes life a lot easier that remembering a check book or bringing enough cash to buy a lot of tickets or scrip. (I did learn you can only charge scrip if the chapter’s percentage of return is adequate. Ask about it.
This is the time of year to buy cards for Honey Baked Ham stores, holiday shopping at Giant, and such.)
Before the meeting started, music vp Terry Reynolds met with a group of volunteers (many of them family members, recent guests and applicants) to work on the special card flipping routine for the show.
Great to see Dave Reyno in the house. He came from his home out in Maryland to get 100 more White House Ornaments. He has already sold 350. (Sales ideas from YeEd – get a couple yourself and have them out where relatives or co-workers or friends can see them. Let one of them just happen to be on top of your bag at choir rehearsal. Give one as a door prize at the office holiday party.)
When the 7 pm bell clanged, Tony Colosimo took the reins and conducted the vocal warm ups.
When director Joe Cerutti took over, he worked on the songs for the last set of the show.
Also we had some of the beginning sneak previews of the script and funny gags – including those the chorus is a part of. Sure hope the helicopter pilot can control his flight!!!
The chapter meeting period was conducted by operations vp Mark Klostermeyer. Membership vp Phil Ashford introduced two new members – Shawn Tallant and Mike Vlcej. Then he welcomed the line of guests – a big crew again with some first timers, a bunch of applicants (YeEd heard that a couple of them passed their auditions after chapter too), and three guests from the Germantown, MD, Chapter.
This week the cupboard was overflowing with goodies from the recent DELA barbershop weekend party hosted by the Harmonizer members of that group. The fudge was a hit!
After break, Mark reminded everyone about several show matters: sell tickets to fill out Fri nite as Sat shows are basically sold; bring in two big boxes wrapped in shiny paper; bring 4 dozen holiday cookies; respond to Drew Fuller’s request for items for the silent auction at the shows; and offer to bring in show props that are still needed – see Steve Lingo. Phil Ashford is coordinator of the crew of waiters and needs everyone to sign up if you really wanna serve a particular table (or he will assign us to tables).
Ken Henderson is chairing the Singing Valentine project for 2012. BIG CHANGE – we are only offering the service on Feb. 14th. He suggests guys put in for vacation or leave now. Also word is that we will market Singing Valentines by telephone or U-tube. Stay tuned.
The annual Put Together Quartet contest is Dec. 13th – a chapter contest for fun. There will be judges and an emcee and photographer and all – just like a Society contest. You would not expect the Harmonizers to do it any other way. Key is to form a quartet now. Work up some nutty parodies or get some fun costumes or at least an outlandish quartet name. Eric Wallen is Dr. Put and thus he is ready to help guys put-together a quartet if they wish. There are even trophies for the winners! There are two Tuesdays left to snag a good lead or one of the tenors!
After the announcements, it was back to hard work on the songs for the holiday show.
Mark your calendar too for the Tues nite BASH in Glen Burnie, Dec. 27th. It’s an annual bash to celebrate the hobby with guys from all the chapters around the DC region. Usually some top quartets make the stage plus a bunch of put-together type quartets. Maybe our chapter winners will go represent us. There’s no Harmo meeting that nite, so form a car pool and lets all go. Last few years a huge crowd of us took in the fun, chow and cold drinks. Ask Steve White or Jack Pitzer about going.
Jack told guys about the Messiah Sing-along at the Clarendon Methodist Church, Sun, eve at 7:30 pm. Bring your own score and join in the church-full-choir. There is an orchestra and soloists to do the traditional Christmas Messiah. What a treat.
Alan Wile reminded all of the Tuba Christmas event at the Kennedy Center on Dec 7 at 6 pm -- hundreds of tubas and euphoniums playing holiday music.
A good crowd of us went to the afterglow at the Hilton across from King Street Metro station.
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. —YeEd.)
And again, lots of guys arrived early to get in line to buy and pick up tickets from our ticket chairman, Ian Poulin.
Have you seen the new system he (the chapter) has for paying for things now? You can use a credit card and he can swipe it right there and you get a receipt via email. Makes life a lot easier that remembering a check book or bringing enough cash to buy a lot of tickets or scrip. (I did learn you can only charge scrip if the chapter’s percentage of return is adequate. Ask about it.
This is the time of year to buy cards for Honey Baked Ham stores, holiday shopping at Giant, and such.)
Before the meeting started, music vp Terry Reynolds met with a group of volunteers (many of them family members, recent guests and applicants) to work on the special card flipping routine for the show.
Great to see Dave Reyno in the house. He came from his home out in Maryland to get 100 more White House Ornaments. He has already sold 350. (Sales ideas from YeEd – get a couple yourself and have them out where relatives or co-workers or friends can see them. Let one of them just happen to be on top of your bag at choir rehearsal. Give one as a door prize at the office holiday party.)
When the 7 pm bell clanged, Tony Colosimo took the reins and conducted the vocal warm ups.
When director Joe Cerutti took over, he worked on the songs for the last set of the show.
Also we had some of the beginning sneak previews of the script and funny gags – including those the chorus is a part of. Sure hope the helicopter pilot can control his flight!!!
The chapter meeting period was conducted by operations vp Mark Klostermeyer. Membership vp Phil Ashford introduced two new members – Shawn Tallant and Mike Vlcej. Then he welcomed the line of guests – a big crew again with some first timers, a bunch of applicants (YeEd heard that a couple of them passed their auditions after chapter too), and three guests from the Germantown, MD, Chapter.
This week the cupboard was overflowing with goodies from the recent DELA barbershop weekend party hosted by the Harmonizer members of that group. The fudge was a hit!
After break, Mark reminded everyone about several show matters: sell tickets to fill out Fri nite as Sat shows are basically sold; bring in two big boxes wrapped in shiny paper; bring 4 dozen holiday cookies; respond to Drew Fuller’s request for items for the silent auction at the shows; and offer to bring in show props that are still needed – see Steve Lingo. Phil Ashford is coordinator of the crew of waiters and needs everyone to sign up if you really wanna serve a particular table (or he will assign us to tables).
Ken Henderson is chairing the Singing Valentine project for 2012. BIG CHANGE – we are only offering the service on Feb. 14th. He suggests guys put in for vacation or leave now. Also word is that we will market Singing Valentines by telephone or U-tube. Stay tuned.
The annual Put Together Quartet contest is Dec. 13th – a chapter contest for fun. There will be judges and an emcee and photographer and all – just like a Society contest. You would not expect the Harmonizers to do it any other way. Key is to form a quartet now. Work up some nutty parodies or get some fun costumes or at least an outlandish quartet name. Eric Wallen is Dr. Put and thus he is ready to help guys put-together a quartet if they wish. There are even trophies for the winners! There are two Tuesdays left to snag a good lead or one of the tenors!
After the announcements, it was back to hard work on the songs for the holiday show.
Mark your calendar too for the Tues nite BASH in Glen Burnie, Dec. 27th. It’s an annual bash to celebrate the hobby with guys from all the chapters around the DC region. Usually some top quartets make the stage plus a bunch of put-together type quartets. Maybe our chapter winners will go represent us. There’s no Harmo meeting that nite, so form a car pool and lets all go. Last few years a huge crowd of us took in the fun, chow and cold drinks. Ask Steve White or Jack Pitzer about going.
Jack told guys about the Messiah Sing-along at the Clarendon Methodist Church, Sun, eve at 7:30 pm. Bring your own score and join in the church-full-choir. There is an orchestra and soloists to do the traditional Christmas Messiah. What a treat.
Alan Wile reminded all of the Tuba Christmas event at the Kennedy Center on Dec 7 at 6 pm -- hundreds of tubas and euphoniums playing holiday music.
A good crowd of us went to the afterglow at the Hilton across from King Street Metro station.
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. —YeEd.)
Friday, November 18, 2011
Looking Back on the November 15th Chapter Meeting
Looking Back on the November 15th Chapter Meeting
This was a busy Tuesday nite meeting with concentration on preparations for the holiday shows Dec. 2 and 3 at First Baptist in Alexandria.
Lots of guys arrived early to get in line to buy and pick up tickets from our ticket chairman, Ian Poulin.
When the 7 pm bell rang, the chorus went right to work on the risers. Will Cox conducted the vocal warm ups. Director Joe Cerutti jumped right in to work on the newer holiday songs. The assistant chorus directors also conducted the rehearsals for the songs they will do in the show.
Scott Kahler filled in for ops vp Mark Klostermeyer and conducted the start of the business meeting period. He did a promotion about the sale of our new CDs and encouraged guys to get some for gifts or to sell. They can be picked up from the FRIENDS table along with the White House Christmas ornaments the chapter is also selling. Lots of guys need to get on that task soon.
Chapter secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Josh Roots for 5 years, Ken Henderson for 8 years and Len Dornberger for 27 years.
Membership vp Phil Ashford introduced the 8 guests present—six are applicants and the other two were first timers.
After the break for coffee and goodies and business matters like tickets and sales items (and audition or vocal placements for guests), it was back on the risers for the second half of our chapter meeting which K12 was back for.
Alan Wile gave his annual plug for the Tuba Christmas event at the Kennedy Center, Wed. Dec. 7th at 6 pm.
Tony Colosimo thanked all the guys who bought tickets for the Dundalk show which supported the CAPITAL FORCE. He also expressed thanks to the guys who sing in the CF.
Holiday show producer Bob Mattes reviewed a few points (that were not in his lengthy assignment sheet). Ian reported that the Sat. afternoon and evening shows are all but sold out, so switch sales to Fri. nite. (The web site will alert customers to consider Fri.)
Drew Fuller volunteered to head up a silent auction for the shows. So – that means we all need to be hunting for some items to donate, or making contact with suppliers or firms we deal with for donated items or services. In the past several members have donated services like voice lessons, piano tuning, meal preparation, picture framing, web design.
Roger Day showed us samples of wrapped boxes to bring for the show – two per member. He also needs a working crew on Friday morning, Dec. 2 between 10 and 11 am at the church.
Jack Pitzer reminded all to bring four dozen holiday cookies to use for the dessert platters.
Then it was back to work on the Christmas music. Joe used every trick in the book to get the guys fired up about learning the songs, new words/ parody for “Jingle Bells” and stage moves for a couple songs.
Earlier in the evening, Joe recognized Clyde Crusenberry who was back after a heart attack last week! He welcomed Brad Jones back. Good to see Lew Klinge back on the risers after his knee operation. Great to have John Hohl and Gary Plaag in the hall too.
Word is that the memorial service for Alan Durick will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26th, at Unity Church, 2825 Hydraulic Circle, Charlottesville, VA 29901. The “chorus” of barbershop singers present will sing “There Will Always Be a Place On The Risers for You” with members of ALEXANDRIA’S RAGTIME BAND, 4-MAN VOCAL BAND, and the Harrisonburg Chapter. Hope we’ll have a good Harmonizer presence, as well.
Reporters indicate about 25 men attended the Veteran’s Day singout at Oakton Elementary School. Their students were involved and the crowd of parents and military folks appreciated the Harmonizer presence. Greg Tepe was producer. Many of our men went out to lunch afterward and those who were retired military took advantage of the free-lunch offer at Chili’s restaurants for veterans.
Saturday nite, Nov. 12th, was the Dundalk, MD, Chapter show featuring our guys in MAD HATTERS (Steve White and Rick Taylor), and Tony Colosimo and our guys in CAPITAL FORCE. Headliner quartet was STORM FRONT who won gold at the International contest in 2010. They were a riot on stage. Rick Taylor is director of the chorus and some of our guys sang on this show – Chris Yates and Bob Hirsh. The chorus had sold a lot of tickets and the crowd was a typical cheering bunch of folks who love good singing. About a dozen Harmonizers and family members were in the seats – many had purchased their tickets in support of CF.
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. —YeEd.)
This was a busy Tuesday nite meeting with concentration on preparations for the holiday shows Dec. 2 and 3 at First Baptist in Alexandria.
Lots of guys arrived early to get in line to buy and pick up tickets from our ticket chairman, Ian Poulin.
When the 7 pm bell rang, the chorus went right to work on the risers. Will Cox conducted the vocal warm ups. Director Joe Cerutti jumped right in to work on the newer holiday songs. The assistant chorus directors also conducted the rehearsals for the songs they will do in the show.
Scott Kahler filled in for ops vp Mark Klostermeyer and conducted the start of the business meeting period. He did a promotion about the sale of our new CDs and encouraged guys to get some for gifts or to sell. They can be picked up from the FRIENDS table along with the White House Christmas ornaments the chapter is also selling. Lots of guys need to get on that task soon.
Chapter secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Josh Roots for 5 years, Ken Henderson for 8 years and Len Dornberger for 27 years.
Membership vp Phil Ashford introduced the 8 guests present—six are applicants and the other two were first timers.
After the break for coffee and goodies and business matters like tickets and sales items (and audition or vocal placements for guests), it was back on the risers for the second half of our chapter meeting which K12 was back for.
Alan Wile gave his annual plug for the Tuba Christmas event at the Kennedy Center, Wed. Dec. 7th at 6 pm.
Tony Colosimo thanked all the guys who bought tickets for the Dundalk show which supported the CAPITAL FORCE. He also expressed thanks to the guys who sing in the CF.
Holiday show producer Bob Mattes reviewed a few points (that were not in his lengthy assignment sheet). Ian reported that the Sat. afternoon and evening shows are all but sold out, so switch sales to Fri. nite. (The web site will alert customers to consider Fri.)
Drew Fuller volunteered to head up a silent auction for the shows. So – that means we all need to be hunting for some items to donate, or making contact with suppliers or firms we deal with for donated items or services. In the past several members have donated services like voice lessons, piano tuning, meal preparation, picture framing, web design.
Roger Day showed us samples of wrapped boxes to bring for the show – two per member. He also needs a working crew on Friday morning, Dec. 2 between 10 and 11 am at the church.
Jack Pitzer reminded all to bring four dozen holiday cookies to use for the dessert platters.
Then it was back to work on the Christmas music. Joe used every trick in the book to get the guys fired up about learning the songs, new words/ parody for “Jingle Bells” and stage moves for a couple songs.
Earlier in the evening, Joe recognized Clyde Crusenberry who was back after a heart attack last week! He welcomed Brad Jones back. Good to see Lew Klinge back on the risers after his knee operation. Great to have John Hohl and Gary Plaag in the hall too.
Word is that the memorial service for Alan Durick will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26th, at Unity Church, 2825 Hydraulic Circle, Charlottesville, VA 29901. The “chorus” of barbershop singers present will sing “There Will Always Be a Place On The Risers for You” with members of ALEXANDRIA’S RAGTIME BAND, 4-MAN VOCAL BAND, and the Harrisonburg Chapter. Hope we’ll have a good Harmonizer presence, as well.
Reporters indicate about 25 men attended the Veteran’s Day singout at Oakton Elementary School. Their students were involved and the crowd of parents and military folks appreciated the Harmonizer presence. Greg Tepe was producer. Many of our men went out to lunch afterward and those who were retired military took advantage of the free-lunch offer at Chili’s restaurants for veterans.
Saturday nite, Nov. 12th, was the Dundalk, MD, Chapter show featuring our guys in MAD HATTERS (Steve White and Rick Taylor), and Tony Colosimo and our guys in CAPITAL FORCE. Headliner quartet was STORM FRONT who won gold at the International contest in 2010. They were a riot on stage. Rick Taylor is director of the chorus and some of our guys sang on this show – Chris Yates and Bob Hirsh. The chorus had sold a lot of tickets and the crowd was a typical cheering bunch of folks who love good singing. About a dozen Harmonizers and family members were in the seats – many had purchased their tickets in support of CF.
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. —YeEd.)
Friday, November 11, 2011
Looking Back on the November 8th Chapter Meeting
Looking Back on the November 8th Chapter Meeting
Our chapter meeting had to be held in Jeff Houston school adjacent to Durant because our meeting place was being used as a voting place this week. So the setup crew had to haul things in from our truck. And many of our regular meeting-room items were not available – no guest sign in station, no coffee pot.
But folks managed to scare up some goodies to share thanks to Kevin Kaiser for the brownies and Ellen Dellert for the donuts. The Friends group had a meeting too and they were also busy helping the chapter sell White House Ornaments, the new CDs and drinks for the guys at break.
Ian Poulin was really busy with ticket sales for the show. He reported later in the meeting that we are gaining on the unsold seats but we can’t let up.
Will Cox did the vocal warm ups. Then director Joe Cerutti took over. He shared his experiences from visiting the Dallas Vocal Majority last week while in TX for the BHS board meeting.
Musically Joe had us work on a couple of the songs we will be singing on our show for Veterans Day at Oakton Elementary. Please email producer Greg Tepe if you can sing -- gtindc13@yahoo.com. Military uniforms or suit and tie are the dress code. Call time is 8:30 am. There is a need to help Bob Blair with riser set up early.
The rest of the singing time was used to prep for the holiday show. Chuck McKeever and crew introduced some simple stage presence moves for a couple of the songs. We also drilled the new words for the parity of “Jingle Bells” for the first part of the show.
The chapter meeting period was conducted by ops vp, Mark Klostermeyer.
Tony Colosimo had tickets for the Dundalk chapter show this Sat, Nov.12th. MAD HATTERS with Steve White and Rick Taylor are on the show, plus CAPITAL FORCE. CF is selling these tickets and will earn money for each ticket sold.
Scott Kahler asks all members to sign onto the new Groupanizer and indicate your singing part. Thanks to Scott who has done all the heavy lifting to get Groupanizer up and running. A number of folks have contributed quite a bit, but Scott has put in a monumental level of effort over the past bunch of months and without all his work and direction, many of us would not have been able to do much.
Membership vp Phil Ashford introduced our seven guests – lots of applicants and guys preparing to audition. Phil needs current members to offer to help these applicants with audition songs. Contact Phil to help.
After the break, shows vp Ken White gave details for the Nov. 11 singout.
He reminded us that we will sing holiday music at Market Square in Old Town Alexandria on Sat. Dec. 10th at 2 pm.
Dec. 2 and 3 holiday show producer, Bob Mattes, recapped some details – mostly he encouraged each of us to read the emails he sent out about props needed and another one about how the show weekend will unfold. Don’t forget to bring 4 dozen holiday cookies and two big wrapped boxes. Bob needs a coordinator for a silent auction at the shows.
Eric Wallen invited all singers, even those who are not active chorus members, to prepare a quartet for the annual Put Together Quartet contest, Tues. Dec. 13th. If you wanna be in a quartet, don’t know how it works, wanna song to use – contact Eric. That is why it is called a Put Together – either the guys put something together or Dr. Put does it for you. That includes a quartet name. Let’s have some fun new comedy numbers!!
That would be a good nite to bring a friend to chapter too.
Music vp Terry Reynolds is still looking for nonsingers to help with a comedy bit for the show – guests, adult family members. Contact Terry asap to offer your help.
Chapter president Steve Murane reminded board members of their meeting next Wed at Durant. AND the annual retreat meeting for the outgoing and incoming chapter boards from 8-3 on Sat Nov. 19.
Then it was back to work on the holiday music and review of some songs we have done in a while. Joe asked Tony Colosimo to direct the treble voices and Mike Kelly to direct the bass voices for “Drummer Boy” and it seemed to help the singers do their best on this new song.
And then it was 10 pm and time for the take down work to haul everything back out to the truck and prepare to depart.
Ticket chair Ian Poulin took us out as director of our closing song.
YeEd offers these notes from reporters who attended the DC Chapter show last weekend. “The show had a clever theme, melding poetry and music. Not only the Singing Capital Chorus (directed by Bill Colosimo and associate director Sheryl Berlin); but their ensemble Capital Assets (originally directed by John Hohl); chapter quartets (SURPRISE! with Bruce Minnick and Bob Hirsh, former Harmonizer John Grant, and J C O’Codonovan, and ROLL O’ THE DICE with Bill Colosimo), a contemporary folk ensemble (Shenandoah Run), and MAD HATTERS (the featured quartet with Rick Taylor and Steve White, former Harmonizer Scott Disney, and Rob Seay). Other Harmonizers on the risers included Don Dillingham and Bob Wells. Other Harmonizers reportedly seen in the audience included Brian Ammerman, Tony Colosimo, Alan Wile, John Hohl and Terry Reynolds.”
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. —YeEd.)
Our chapter meeting had to be held in Jeff Houston school adjacent to Durant because our meeting place was being used as a voting place this week. So the setup crew had to haul things in from our truck. And many of our regular meeting-room items were not available – no guest sign in station, no coffee pot.
But folks managed to scare up some goodies to share thanks to Kevin Kaiser for the brownies and Ellen Dellert for the donuts. The Friends group had a meeting too and they were also busy helping the chapter sell White House Ornaments, the new CDs and drinks for the guys at break.
Ian Poulin was really busy with ticket sales for the show. He reported later in the meeting that we are gaining on the unsold seats but we can’t let up.
Will Cox did the vocal warm ups. Then director Joe Cerutti took over. He shared his experiences from visiting the Dallas Vocal Majority last week while in TX for the BHS board meeting.
Musically Joe had us work on a couple of the songs we will be singing on our show for Veterans Day at Oakton Elementary. Please email producer Greg Tepe if you can sing -- gtindc13@yahoo.com. Military uniforms or suit and tie are the dress code. Call time is 8:30 am. There is a need to help Bob Blair with riser set up early.
The rest of the singing time was used to prep for the holiday show. Chuck McKeever and crew introduced some simple stage presence moves for a couple of the songs. We also drilled the new words for the parity of “Jingle Bells” for the first part of the show.
The chapter meeting period was conducted by ops vp, Mark Klostermeyer.
Tony Colosimo had tickets for the Dundalk chapter show this Sat, Nov.12th. MAD HATTERS with Steve White and Rick Taylor are on the show, plus CAPITAL FORCE. CF is selling these tickets and will earn money for each ticket sold.
Scott Kahler asks all members to sign onto the new Groupanizer and indicate your singing part. Thanks to Scott who has done all the heavy lifting to get Groupanizer up and running. A number of folks have contributed quite a bit, but Scott has put in a monumental level of effort over the past bunch of months and without all his work and direction, many of us would not have been able to do much.
Membership vp Phil Ashford introduced our seven guests – lots of applicants and guys preparing to audition. Phil needs current members to offer to help these applicants with audition songs. Contact Phil to help.
After the break, shows vp Ken White gave details for the Nov. 11 singout.
He reminded us that we will sing holiday music at Market Square in Old Town Alexandria on Sat. Dec. 10th at 2 pm.
Dec. 2 and 3 holiday show producer, Bob Mattes, recapped some details – mostly he encouraged each of us to read the emails he sent out about props needed and another one about how the show weekend will unfold. Don’t forget to bring 4 dozen holiday cookies and two big wrapped boxes. Bob needs a coordinator for a silent auction at the shows.
Eric Wallen invited all singers, even those who are not active chorus members, to prepare a quartet for the annual Put Together Quartet contest, Tues. Dec. 13th. If you wanna be in a quartet, don’t know how it works, wanna song to use – contact Eric. That is why it is called a Put Together – either the guys put something together or Dr. Put does it for you. That includes a quartet name. Let’s have some fun new comedy numbers!!
That would be a good nite to bring a friend to chapter too.
Music vp Terry Reynolds is still looking for nonsingers to help with a comedy bit for the show – guests, adult family members. Contact Terry asap to offer your help.
Chapter president Steve Murane reminded board members of their meeting next Wed at Durant. AND the annual retreat meeting for the outgoing and incoming chapter boards from 8-3 on Sat Nov. 19.
Then it was back to work on the holiday music and review of some songs we have done in a while. Joe asked Tony Colosimo to direct the treble voices and Mike Kelly to direct the bass voices for “Drummer Boy” and it seemed to help the singers do their best on this new song.
And then it was 10 pm and time for the take down work to haul everything back out to the truck and prepare to depart.
Ticket chair Ian Poulin took us out as director of our closing song.
YeEd offers these notes from reporters who attended the DC Chapter show last weekend. “The show had a clever theme, melding poetry and music. Not only the Singing Capital Chorus (directed by Bill Colosimo and associate director Sheryl Berlin); but their ensemble Capital Assets (originally directed by John Hohl); chapter quartets (SURPRISE! with Bruce Minnick and Bob Hirsh, former Harmonizer John Grant, and J C O’Codonovan, and ROLL O’ THE DICE with Bill Colosimo), a contemporary folk ensemble (Shenandoah Run), and MAD HATTERS (the featured quartet with Rick Taylor and Steve White, former Harmonizer Scott Disney, and Rob Seay). Other Harmonizers on the risers included Don Dillingham and Bob Wells. Other Harmonizers reportedly seen in the audience included Brian Ammerman, Tony Colosimo, Alan Wile, John Hohl and Terry Reynolds.”
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. —YeEd.)
Friday, November 4, 2011
Looking Back on the November 1st Chapter Meeting
This was an important rehearsal in preparation for the holiday shows on Dec. 2 and 3 at First Baptist Church. Have you gotten a ticket for your significant other and family and neighbors and co-workers who hear you talking about singing all the time? Don’t delay.
As usual, the sales tables were busy this week with Ian Poulin selling show tickets and scrip cards. Roger Day had the 50/50 sales. FRIENDS group was selling the new CDs and White House Ornaments. Chuck Harner had the entertainment books.
When the chorus took the risers at 7 pm, assistant director, Tony Colosimo, conducted the vocal warm up sessions.
Director Joe Cerutti and his music team worked on the “Hallelujah Chorus” and “Little Drummer Boy” a lot during the first half of the evening. We also separated into two rooms to work on the treble voice parts and bass cleft voice parts for the new arrangement of “Drummer Boy.”
When it was time for the chapter meeting portion of the evening, ops vp, Mark Klostermeyer, kept things flowing – with so many announcements about the show.
Chapter secretary, Chris Buechler, presented two-year renewal cards to Clark Chesser, Chris Clark and Dave Kohls.
Membership vp, Phil Ashford, introduced our guests – all four are applicants.
Craig and Linda Odell gave a tribute for Alan Durick, who died recently. They went to see Alan and his wife Lois, just before he died. Alan sent a message to the “guys in the Harmonizer family – he loved the chorus and all the guys. He spoke over and over about how much the chapter meant to him.” A service will be Saturday, Nov. 26th at 2 pm at Unity Church, 2825 Hydraulic Circle, Charlottesville, VA 22901. (There will be some additional planning about a possible chorus to sing that day.)
Alan was a Harmonizer since 1974 and earned a gold medal in the Society’s seniors quartet contest in 1995 in REMINISCE with John Adams, Scott Werner and the late Dick Whitehouse. Alan sang in 1985 M-AD champ quartet, ALEXANDRIA’S RAGTIME BAND, with Mike Wallen, Craig Odell and John Adams.
Holiday show producer, Bob Mattes, reminded all to sell tickets, talk to Ian Poulin if you have questions about tickets, get your uniform ready, call Bob if you need Holiday music to practice at home (hint!). [Bob is also chapter music librarian.] Jack Pitzer reminded each chorus member to bring 4-dozen colorful holiday cookies for the dessert trays of the dinner theater. Bring the cookies to Jack on Friday when you come to the show (or you can bring them when you come to the dress rehearsal on Thrusday or if you come to help Roger Day to decorate the hall on Friday at 11 am). Also each guy should wrap two large boxes with shiny colorful holiday paper and bring on Thursday.
Bob Blair is seeking a crew to help haul all of our supplies to the church on Wednesday. Contact him if you can help – he needs a large crew.
NOTE: the November 8th chapter meeting will be next door at Jeff Houston school since the hall at Durant will be used as an election location.
Tony Colosimo offered tickets for the Dundalk, MD, holiday show on Sat., Nov. 12th which will feature recent gold medalists, STORM FRONT; district champs, MAD HATTERS, with Steve White and Rick Taylor; and CAPITAL FORCE, the youth chorus managed by Tony and our chapter. CF earns a cut on each ticket they sell – thanks to the Dundalk Chapter! If you didn’t get your tickets for that show, see Tony next week.
Secretary Buechler spoke on behalf of president, Steve Murane, announcing that one of our members, Darryl Flinn, is undergoing a bypass operation. Keep him in your thoughts. Darryl was Society executive director and served a term as Society president and was a coach of our chorus.
Also Chris announced that the chapter board has determined to increase chapter dues for 2012 by $20. That increase will start appearing in invoices received from Society headquarters. Members over 70 or under 26 will only be increased by $10. This action by the board is prompted by a huge deficit after some low ticket sales in recent major shows.
Chris also expressed condolences for Brad and Adele Jones in the recent death of their son Brandon. And Joe alerted the chapter of the recent passing of Jim Miller, former director of the Louisville, KY, chorus, and Society icon.
Director Joe (and also director of the Carnegie Hall Youth Chorus concert) reports that the youth chorus for the Dec. 26th show up in NYC has been capped at 153 singers, ages 13-30, from 30 states, representing 64 barbershop chapters and 14 youth choruses. Youth singers will pay $50 each to sing. But we can all help support this project with cash donations to raise the operational costs. Individuals can lead the way from within our Alexandria chapter and make donations.
Back to singing … we worked on songs for the Veteran’s Day sing on Nov. 11 at Oakton Elementary School. Chorus call is 8:30 am. All military guys are welcome to wear their uniform. Rest of us will wear suit and tie. Let Greg Tepe know you will be attending.
And we worked more on the music for the holiday show, including some fun new parody words for “Jingle Bells” which will help carry out the theme of the show.
YeEd offers congrats to Mick Stamps and his team for the great packaging of the new “Choir of the World” CD. Be sure to get one for yourself and your relatives.
YeEd also offers congrats to Scott Kahler who was recently honored by the Woodbridge Dance Company for “Behind The Scenes” support and contributions. He is their tech guy.
Finally, YeEd wants to thank Don Thompson and Ken Henderson for helping with coffee and refreshments for the previous two chapter meetings.
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. —YeEd.)
As usual, the sales tables were busy this week with Ian Poulin selling show tickets and scrip cards. Roger Day had the 50/50 sales. FRIENDS group was selling the new CDs and White House Ornaments. Chuck Harner had the entertainment books.
When the chorus took the risers at 7 pm, assistant director, Tony Colosimo, conducted the vocal warm up sessions.
Director Joe Cerutti and his music team worked on the “Hallelujah Chorus” and “Little Drummer Boy” a lot during the first half of the evening. We also separated into two rooms to work on the treble voice parts and bass cleft voice parts for the new arrangement of “Drummer Boy.”
When it was time for the chapter meeting portion of the evening, ops vp, Mark Klostermeyer, kept things flowing – with so many announcements about the show.
Chapter secretary, Chris Buechler, presented two-year renewal cards to Clark Chesser, Chris Clark and Dave Kohls.
Membership vp, Phil Ashford, introduced our guests – all four are applicants.
Craig and Linda Odell gave a tribute for Alan Durick, who died recently. They went to see Alan and his wife Lois, just before he died. Alan sent a message to the “guys in the Harmonizer family – he loved the chorus and all the guys. He spoke over and over about how much the chapter meant to him.” A service will be Saturday, Nov. 26th at 2 pm at Unity Church, 2825 Hydraulic Circle, Charlottesville, VA 22901. (There will be some additional planning about a possible chorus to sing that day.)
Alan was a Harmonizer since 1974 and earned a gold medal in the Society’s seniors quartet contest in 1995 in REMINISCE with John Adams, Scott Werner and the late Dick Whitehouse. Alan sang in 1985 M-AD champ quartet, ALEXANDRIA’S RAGTIME BAND, with Mike Wallen, Craig Odell and John Adams.
Holiday show producer, Bob Mattes, reminded all to sell tickets, talk to Ian Poulin if you have questions about tickets, get your uniform ready, call Bob if you need Holiday music to practice at home (hint!). [Bob is also chapter music librarian.] Jack Pitzer reminded each chorus member to bring 4-dozen colorful holiday cookies for the dessert trays of the dinner theater. Bring the cookies to Jack on Friday when you come to the show (or you can bring them when you come to the dress rehearsal on Thrusday or if you come to help Roger Day to decorate the hall on Friday at 11 am). Also each guy should wrap two large boxes with shiny colorful holiday paper and bring on Thursday.
Bob Blair is seeking a crew to help haul all of our supplies to the church on Wednesday. Contact him if you can help – he needs a large crew.
NOTE: the November 8th chapter meeting will be next door at Jeff Houston school since the hall at Durant will be used as an election location.
Tony Colosimo offered tickets for the Dundalk, MD, holiday show on Sat., Nov. 12th which will feature recent gold medalists, STORM FRONT; district champs, MAD HATTERS, with Steve White and Rick Taylor; and CAPITAL FORCE, the youth chorus managed by Tony and our chapter. CF earns a cut on each ticket they sell – thanks to the Dundalk Chapter! If you didn’t get your tickets for that show, see Tony next week.
Secretary Buechler spoke on behalf of president, Steve Murane, announcing that one of our members, Darryl Flinn, is undergoing a bypass operation. Keep him in your thoughts. Darryl was Society executive director and served a term as Society president and was a coach of our chorus.
Also Chris announced that the chapter board has determined to increase chapter dues for 2012 by $20. That increase will start appearing in invoices received from Society headquarters. Members over 70 or under 26 will only be increased by $10. This action by the board is prompted by a huge deficit after some low ticket sales in recent major shows.
Chris also expressed condolences for Brad and Adele Jones in the recent death of their son Brandon. And Joe alerted the chapter of the recent passing of Jim Miller, former director of the Louisville, KY, chorus, and Society icon.
Director Joe (and also director of the Carnegie Hall Youth Chorus concert) reports that the youth chorus for the Dec. 26th show up in NYC has been capped at 153 singers, ages 13-30, from 30 states, representing 64 barbershop chapters and 14 youth choruses. Youth singers will pay $50 each to sing. But we can all help support this project with cash donations to raise the operational costs. Individuals can lead the way from within our Alexandria chapter and make donations.
Back to singing … we worked on songs for the Veteran’s Day sing on Nov. 11 at Oakton Elementary School. Chorus call is 8:30 am. All military guys are welcome to wear their uniform. Rest of us will wear suit and tie. Let Greg Tepe know you will be attending.
And we worked more on the music for the holiday show, including some fun new parody words for “Jingle Bells” which will help carry out the theme of the show.
YeEd offers congrats to Mick Stamps and his team for the great packaging of the new “Choir of the World” CD. Be sure to get one for yourself and your relatives.
YeEd also offers congrats to Scott Kahler who was recently honored by the Woodbridge Dance Company for “Behind The Scenes” support and contributions. He is their tech guy.
Finally, YeEd wants to thank Don Thompson and Ken Henderson for helping with coffee and refreshments for the previous two chapter meetings.
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. —YeEd.)
Friday, October 28, 2011
Looking Back on the October 25th Chapter Meeting
Looking Back on the October 25th Chapter Meeting
(YeEd was still in Indiana this week, so thanks to Alan Wile and a new reporter who teamed up to help, Nick Leiserson.)
Members began arriving shortly after 6:00 p.m. While a crew of Carl Kauffmann, Jacob George, Chuck McKeever, Mark Klostermeyer (K_12), Steve Lingo, Joel Golden, and others put up the risers, those performing other jobs and plying their wares at the edges included Ian Poulin (show tickets and scrip gift cards), Roger Day (50-50), Chuck Harner (Entertainment Books), Sandy Stamps & Mary Anne Cleaveland (Choir of the World CDs, White House Ornaments, and beverages), Bruce Lauther (Carnegie Hall show DVDs & engraved medals), Steve White (later relieved by Phil Ashford – Membership), Chris Buechler (chapter secretary functions), Terry Reynolds (laptop/projector), Dixie Kennett (attendance), Alan Wile (Harmonizer Hero and Heroine notebooks), Mike Kelly (sound).
As the clock moved close to 7 p.m. VP-Ops K-12 called the Harmonizers to the risers and Assistant Director Will Cox warmed us up before turning us over to Director Joe Cerutti. Joe had us sing the “Hallelujah Chorus” one time through while in our normal performance positions and then moved us into sections … and continued working the same song. He first selected an octet to perform the first few bars for the chorus and then asked them to select replacements. This was repeated four more times, with each group singing a bit more of the song each time. Finally, he asked for a volunteer quartet and when no lead members answered the call, one of our guests, John Carston, came forward [BRAVO!!!]. Not quite done, Joe drilled the chorus some more on the first part of the song.
Moving on, Joe worked the chorus on “The Little Drummer Boy,” concentrating on Chorus III to the end of the song. Joe was impressed with the progress the chorus made while he was at the Sweet Adelines convention.
Then, in preparation for the Veterans Day program in which we will be participating (on Friday, November 11th), we sang the “Armed Forces Medley” and “God Bless The USA.” Librarian Bob Mattes had copies of the music for new guys that might not have seen it before; Terry
announced that it should also be available on one of the websites early this week.
Joe then turned the program over to K-12 who announced that only one member, Craig Kujawa, was celebrating his birthday this week – October 28th. K-12 urged the members to purchase scrip, show tickets, Entertainment Books, CDs, WHOs, etc. during the break and noted that a second order for Carnegie Hall show DVDs would be going in this week for those who missed out the first time or who need additional copies. Chapter Secretary Chris Buechler announced one renewal for the week: Marketing VP Steve Lingo just finished his fourth year of membership.
Ian Poulin explained the hows and whys of our scrip/gift card program (which benefits the chapter) and promised to send out a list of all the participating stores by e-mail. He also stated he would accept credit cards to pay for cards for which the chapter gets a 4% (or more) return.
Membership vp Phil Ashford called our seven guests to come down front. There were a couple first-timers, one who came as a guest of another guest, Carlos Barillo, who has been with us the last few weeks. Phil introduced them all in suitable style and noted that three of them were applicants! WOW! When introductions were complete, Will directed the “Harmonizer Welcome Song” … and then we headed off the risers for a 10-minute break.
Back on the risers, holiday show producer Bob Mattes updated us on the progress and urged us to sell-sell-sell to ensure each performance will be sold out. Ian announced that all the premium seats are sold out for the Saturday evening performance. [Good job, guys!]
Music & Performance VP Terry Reynolds introduced the show script gurus, Scipio Garling and Josh Roots. Scipio gave us a preliminary look at what to expect: three acts, with the third being the time when we’ll sing our more traditional and serious seasonal songs. The first two acts will erupt as a play in which our lovable “Jack” (in the box) [played by Terry] will be confronted by adversary “Jingle” (the marketing elf from the Federal Department of Seasons and Holidays) [played by Ken White].
Terry mentioned that there will be a couple of parody songs to learn for the show: namely, altered lyrics to “Jingle Bells” as well as “Carol Of The *Sales*.”
He also reminded the chorus that we will be performing our patriotic songs on 11/11/11, for which the uniform will be military uniform or coat & tie. Chorus call is at 8:30 am, the performance starts at 9:30, and Harmonizers should expect to be finished by 10:30. Bob Blair announced that he was looking for volunteers for a riser crew at 8 am that morning.
Finally, Terry reminded the Music Committee of their upcoming meeting this Sunday at 1 pm at the Harmo House.
President Steve Murane informed the chapter about the passing of Brad and Adele Jones’ son, Brandon. Service details have been distributed by e-mail and were in The Washington Post this morning: visitation on Sunday, Oct. 30th; service on Monday, Oct. 31st.
Steve also announced he will be handling all China trip related business while Brad is away.
Standing back up on the risers, Joe rehearsed “Jingle Bells,” “Let All Mortal Flesh,” “O Holy Night,” “Sing We Now Of Christmas,” and “We Wish You A Merry Christmas.” Just when we thought we were done, Joe reprised “The Little Drummer Boy” in an attempt to cement what we’d done (learned … mastered) earlier.
Lastly, he noted that about 130 young singers have signed up to perform at the Carnegie Hall benefit concert on December 26th and urged any youngish singers (age 30 or younger) interested in joining the group to contact him in the next day or two.
Terry reminded that we’re to be off the music from measure 55 to the end of “Little Drummer Boy” by next week and announced that except for that song, none of the holiday music will be projected (i.e., look it over and master it this week!).
Tom Griffith highlighted the run/walk for Multiple Myeloma (for John Pence) on November 13th – the $25 registration fee gets you a tee shirt and the privilege of running/walking for a much needed cause.
K-12 read off the first 50-50 number … for cash … quickly claimed by Jack Cameron. The second 50-50 number (yes, we had a dual drawing this week) … for a discount certificate for framing (donated by K12 and suitable for framing)… was won by Alan Wile.
Taking us out, Jacob George did a masterful job directing “Keep The Whole World Singing.” Magically, all the risers, chairs, tables, sound equipment, Harmonizers, etc. disappeared by 10:30 p.m. as TDB rehearsed on the stage.
YeEd adds this news sent to us from Michael Calhoun and other Staunton, VA, area barbershoppers reporting on the health situation of Alan Durick: Alan was leaving the King's Daughters nursing home in Staunton, Oct. 25 to be at their home. A hospice worker will continue to visit Alan and Lois.
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. —YeEd.)
(YeEd was still in Indiana this week, so thanks to Alan Wile and a new reporter who teamed up to help, Nick Leiserson.)
Members began arriving shortly after 6:00 p.m. While a crew of Carl Kauffmann, Jacob George, Chuck McKeever, Mark Klostermeyer (K_12), Steve Lingo, Joel Golden, and others put up the risers, those performing other jobs and plying their wares at the edges included Ian Poulin (show tickets and scrip gift cards), Roger Day (50-50), Chuck Harner (Entertainment Books), Sandy Stamps & Mary Anne Cleaveland (Choir of the World CDs, White House Ornaments, and beverages), Bruce Lauther (Carnegie Hall show DVDs & engraved medals), Steve White (later relieved by Phil Ashford – Membership), Chris Buechler (chapter secretary functions), Terry Reynolds (laptop/projector), Dixie Kennett (attendance), Alan Wile (Harmonizer Hero and Heroine notebooks), Mike Kelly (sound).
As the clock moved close to 7 p.m. VP-Ops K-12 called the Harmonizers to the risers and Assistant Director Will Cox warmed us up before turning us over to Director Joe Cerutti. Joe had us sing the “Hallelujah Chorus” one time through while in our normal performance positions and then moved us into sections … and continued working the same song. He first selected an octet to perform the first few bars for the chorus and then asked them to select replacements. This was repeated four more times, with each group singing a bit more of the song each time. Finally, he asked for a volunteer quartet and when no lead members answered the call, one of our guests, John Carston, came forward [BRAVO!!!]. Not quite done, Joe drilled the chorus some more on the first part of the song.
Moving on, Joe worked the chorus on “The Little Drummer Boy,” concentrating on Chorus III to the end of the song. Joe was impressed with the progress the chorus made while he was at the Sweet Adelines convention.
Then, in preparation for the Veterans Day program in which we will be participating (on Friday, November 11th), we sang the “Armed Forces Medley” and “God Bless The USA.” Librarian Bob Mattes had copies of the music for new guys that might not have seen it before; Terry
announced that it should also be available on one of the websites early this week.
Joe then turned the program over to K-12 who announced that only one member, Craig Kujawa, was celebrating his birthday this week – October 28th. K-12 urged the members to purchase scrip, show tickets, Entertainment Books, CDs, WHOs, etc. during the break and noted that a second order for Carnegie Hall show DVDs would be going in this week for those who missed out the first time or who need additional copies. Chapter Secretary Chris Buechler announced one renewal for the week: Marketing VP Steve Lingo just finished his fourth year of membership.
Ian Poulin explained the hows and whys of our scrip/gift card program (which benefits the chapter) and promised to send out a list of all the participating stores by e-mail. He also stated he would accept credit cards to pay for cards for which the chapter gets a 4% (or more) return.
Membership vp Phil Ashford called our seven guests to come down front. There were a couple first-timers, one who came as a guest of another guest, Carlos Barillo, who has been with us the last few weeks. Phil introduced them all in suitable style and noted that three of them were applicants! WOW! When introductions were complete, Will directed the “Harmonizer Welcome Song” … and then we headed off the risers for a 10-minute break.
Back on the risers, holiday show producer Bob Mattes updated us on the progress and urged us to sell-sell-sell to ensure each performance will be sold out. Ian announced that all the premium seats are sold out for the Saturday evening performance. [Good job, guys!]
Music & Performance VP Terry Reynolds introduced the show script gurus, Scipio Garling and Josh Roots. Scipio gave us a preliminary look at what to expect: three acts, with the third being the time when we’ll sing our more traditional and serious seasonal songs. The first two acts will erupt as a play in which our lovable “Jack” (in the box) [played by Terry] will be confronted by adversary “Jingle” (the marketing elf from the Federal Department of Seasons and Holidays) [played by Ken White].
Terry mentioned that there will be a couple of parody songs to learn for the show: namely, altered lyrics to “Jingle Bells” as well as “Carol Of The *Sales*.”
He also reminded the chorus that we will be performing our patriotic songs on 11/11/11, for which the uniform will be military uniform or coat & tie. Chorus call is at 8:30 am, the performance starts at 9:30, and Harmonizers should expect to be finished by 10:30. Bob Blair announced that he was looking for volunteers for a riser crew at 8 am that morning.
Finally, Terry reminded the Music Committee of their upcoming meeting this Sunday at 1 pm at the Harmo House.
President Steve Murane informed the chapter about the passing of Brad and Adele Jones’ son, Brandon. Service details have been distributed by e-mail and were in The Washington Post this morning: visitation on Sunday, Oct. 30th; service on Monday, Oct. 31st.
Steve also announced he will be handling all China trip related business while Brad is away.
Standing back up on the risers, Joe rehearsed “Jingle Bells,” “Let All Mortal Flesh,” “O Holy Night,” “Sing We Now Of Christmas,” and “We Wish You A Merry Christmas.” Just when we thought we were done, Joe reprised “The Little Drummer Boy” in an attempt to cement what we’d done (learned … mastered) earlier.
Lastly, he noted that about 130 young singers have signed up to perform at the Carnegie Hall benefit concert on December 26th and urged any youngish singers (age 30 or younger) interested in joining the group to contact him in the next day or two.
Terry reminded that we’re to be off the music from measure 55 to the end of “Little Drummer Boy” by next week and announced that except for that song, none of the holiday music will be projected (i.e., look it over and master it this week!).
Tom Griffith highlighted the run/walk for Multiple Myeloma (for John Pence) on November 13th – the $25 registration fee gets you a tee shirt and the privilege of running/walking for a much needed cause.
K-12 read off the first 50-50 number … for cash … quickly claimed by Jack Cameron. The second 50-50 number (yes, we had a dual drawing this week) … for a discount certificate for framing (donated by K12 and suitable for framing)… was won by Alan Wile.
Taking us out, Jacob George did a masterful job directing “Keep The Whole World Singing.” Magically, all the risers, chairs, tables, sound equipment, Harmonizers, etc. disappeared by 10:30 p.m. as TDB rehearsed on the stage.
YeEd adds this news sent to us from Michael Calhoun and other Staunton, VA, area barbershoppers reporting on the health situation of Alan Durick: Alan was leaving the King's Daughters nursing home in Staunton, Oct. 25 to be at their home. A hospice worker will continue to visit Alan and Lois.
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. —YeEd.)
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Looking Back on the October 18th Chapter Meeting
Looking Back on the October 18th Chapter Meeting
(Thanks to Alan Wile for writing the column this week while YeEd is in Indiana.)
Bruce Lauther was the first through the door and set up to give up medals he’s had engraved and DVDs from our Carnegie Hall performance. Come on, guys – pick‘em up! Dick Hall busily worked to repair the wooden music stand used to hold the operations notebook. Steve White and Chuck Harner set up tables around the room, after which Chuck set up to sell/distribute four different Entertainment Books. Sandy and Mick Stamps set up with our new CDs (from the Choir of the World show), books by Joel Golden’s brother (Eaten By A Snake), and cold beverages.
Risers were assembled by Bob Blair, Carl Kauffmann, Bob Rhome, Chris Huber, Clyde Crusenberry, and others. The books containing all the Harmonizer Hero and Heroine forms submitted to date were set out for review. Roger Day hawked 50-50 “opportunities.” Ian Poulin sold tickets to the upcoming holiday show and scrip. Dixie Kennett took attendance and Steve White subbed for Membership VP Phil Ashford. Sound equipment was set out by Scott Kahler.
In the temporary absence of VP-OPS Mark Klostermeyer (K-12), Bob Rhome called “Harmonizers on the risers!” as the clock approached 7 p.m. and Assistant Director Will Cox warmed us up with catchy hand-clap sequences and an assortment of vocal arpeggios, after which we were directed to reassemble in sections.
Director Joe Cerutti was in Houston for the Sweet Adeline International contest and convention. A bunch of our members were there also. Joe’s SAI chorus, the Pride of Baltimore, came in 12th. Congats to our friends in POB.
Since Joe was gone, our assistant directors worked with the chorus on the show music. We rehearsed “It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year” and “Caroling, Caroling” and then changed directors to work on “The Chipmunks Christmas Song,” “Blue Christmas,” and “Do You Hear What I Hear?” while VP-Music & Performance Terry Reynolds ran the projector. Tony directed “Ave Maria” before sending us off to sectionals to work on the “Hallelujah Chorus” and “The Little Drummer Boy.” Thanks to Joel Golden for preparing a learning track for the upper basses on the latter.
K-12 announced birthdays of the week: Jack McKendree on the 20th, Jack Pitzer on the 21st, and Bill Colosimo (Tony’s dad) on the 23rd. Steve White called all the guests down and introduced them – all 8 and all repeaters! He also acknowledged Roger Day’s presence, who announced that, “I am back!” We were also pleased to see Jack Stonesifer, who just finished his freshman year at Marshall University. After Will directed the “Harmonizer Welcome Song,” all were excused for a 10 minute break.
Returning to the risers, Roger Day announced that the 50-50 has been reinstated (which he began a few years ago). Roger is our holiday show decorator extraordinaire. In this role, he asked that every member wrap two large (copy paper size) boxes with shiny paper and that he’ll be in need of a host of volunteers to come early to help bring the venue to “holiday life.”
VP-Shows Ken White reminded us about our participation in the Veterans Day program (again) at the Oakton Elementary School AND that we’ll be performing at Market Square on Saturday, December 10th.
Terry Reynolds emphasized the need to be off the music on the more traditional holiday music AND to adhere to the learning schedule for both the “Hallelujah Chorus” and “The Little Drummer Boy.”
Chapter President Steve Murane reminded members of the current and next year’s board that the annual leadership retreat will be held on Saturday, November 19th. Also, he stressed the necessity for next year’s board members to attend the Leadership Academy classes on Saturday, October 29th. [Alan’s note: LA classes are open to anyone who would like to attend; the application is on the district website.]
Attendance, taken most nights by Dixie Kennett, is on our Groupanizer site. All members were encouraged to check it weekly to ensure that it is accurate as the site will name those who have repeated absences … and none of us want to be on that list if we can help it.
Back in standing position, still in sections, Will worked the “Hallelujah Chorus,” followed by Tony on “The Little Drummer Boy,” which brought us to the end of the evening.
K-12 drew the lucky 50-50 number and although TJ Jones tried to claim the prize ($42 … not shabby at all), Scott Kahler actually had the winning ticket. Taking us out was our returning college man, Jack Stonesifer, who directed “Keep The Whole World Singing.” Risers were disassembled and placed under the stage, chairs and tables put back in their appointed places and, once the room was cleared, a few stalwarts reassembled at the Hilton for an afterglow gathering.
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. —YeEd.)
(Thanks to Alan Wile for writing the column this week while YeEd is in Indiana.)
Bruce Lauther was the first through the door and set up to give up medals he’s had engraved and DVDs from our Carnegie Hall performance. Come on, guys – pick‘em up! Dick Hall busily worked to repair the wooden music stand used to hold the operations notebook. Steve White and Chuck Harner set up tables around the room, after which Chuck set up to sell/distribute four different Entertainment Books. Sandy and Mick Stamps set up with our new CDs (from the Choir of the World show), books by Joel Golden’s brother (Eaten By A Snake), and cold beverages.
Risers were assembled by Bob Blair, Carl Kauffmann, Bob Rhome, Chris Huber, Clyde Crusenberry, and others. The books containing all the Harmonizer Hero and Heroine forms submitted to date were set out for review. Roger Day hawked 50-50 “opportunities.” Ian Poulin sold tickets to the upcoming holiday show and scrip. Dixie Kennett took attendance and Steve White subbed for Membership VP Phil Ashford. Sound equipment was set out by Scott Kahler.
In the temporary absence of VP-OPS Mark Klostermeyer (K-12), Bob Rhome called “Harmonizers on the risers!” as the clock approached 7 p.m. and Assistant Director Will Cox warmed us up with catchy hand-clap sequences and an assortment of vocal arpeggios, after which we were directed to reassemble in sections.
Director Joe Cerutti was in Houston for the Sweet Adeline International contest and convention. A bunch of our members were there also. Joe’s SAI chorus, the Pride of Baltimore, came in 12th. Congats to our friends in POB.
Since Joe was gone, our assistant directors worked with the chorus on the show music. We rehearsed “It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year” and “Caroling, Caroling” and then changed directors to work on “The Chipmunks Christmas Song,” “Blue Christmas,” and “Do You Hear What I Hear?” while VP-Music & Performance Terry Reynolds ran the projector. Tony directed “Ave Maria” before sending us off to sectionals to work on the “Hallelujah Chorus” and “The Little Drummer Boy.” Thanks to Joel Golden for preparing a learning track for the upper basses on the latter.
K-12 announced birthdays of the week: Jack McKendree on the 20th, Jack Pitzer on the 21st, and Bill Colosimo (Tony’s dad) on the 23rd. Steve White called all the guests down and introduced them – all 8 and all repeaters! He also acknowledged Roger Day’s presence, who announced that, “I am back!” We were also pleased to see Jack Stonesifer, who just finished his freshman year at Marshall University. After Will directed the “Harmonizer Welcome Song,” all were excused for a 10 minute break.
Returning to the risers, Roger Day announced that the 50-50 has been reinstated (which he began a few years ago). Roger is our holiday show decorator extraordinaire. In this role, he asked that every member wrap two large (copy paper size) boxes with shiny paper and that he’ll be in need of a host of volunteers to come early to help bring the venue to “holiday life.”
VP-Shows Ken White reminded us about our participation in the Veterans Day program (again) at the Oakton Elementary School AND that we’ll be performing at Market Square on Saturday, December 10th.
Terry Reynolds emphasized the need to be off the music on the more traditional holiday music AND to adhere to the learning schedule for both the “Hallelujah Chorus” and “The Little Drummer Boy.”
Chapter President Steve Murane reminded members of the current and next year’s board that the annual leadership retreat will be held on Saturday, November 19th. Also, he stressed the necessity for next year’s board members to attend the Leadership Academy classes on Saturday, October 29th. [Alan’s note: LA classes are open to anyone who would like to attend; the application is on the district website.]
Attendance, taken most nights by Dixie Kennett, is on our Groupanizer site. All members were encouraged to check it weekly to ensure that it is accurate as the site will name those who have repeated absences … and none of us want to be on that list if we can help it.
Back in standing position, still in sections, Will worked the “Hallelujah Chorus,” followed by Tony on “The Little Drummer Boy,” which brought us to the end of the evening.
K-12 drew the lucky 50-50 number and although TJ Jones tried to claim the prize ($42 … not shabby at all), Scott Kahler actually had the winning ticket. Taking us out was our returning college man, Jack Stonesifer, who directed “Keep The Whole World Singing.” Risers were disassembled and placed under the stage, chairs and tables put back in their appointed places and, once the room was cleared, a few stalwarts reassembled at the Hilton for an afterglow gathering.
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. —YeEd.)
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Looking Back on the October 11th Chapter Meeting
Tuesday was a hard working nite to keep the ball rolling for the Holiday Shows set for Fri. Dec. 2 and Sat. Dec. 3. There was a good crowd of singers on hand and several non-singing members in the house for the annual meeting and election.
Will Cox did warm ups and turned the singing time over to our director, Joe Cerutti. Music vp, Terry Reynolds, helped manage the music work by operating the computer/projector.
We had lots of singing guests too. Almost all of them are applicants and eager to move along in their quest to become a member. Members can lend a hand with that by offering to help the applicants practice singing an audition song in a quartet. The musical team also has approved a few holiday songs to use for audition (sorry YeEd doesn’t have the complete list but remembers “Blue Christmas” and “Jingle Bells”). Librarian, Bob Mattes, also has volunteered to help any guest get a look at some holiday music for practice for the show and for auditioning.
With so many guys in the process of joining, we all have to help them with the music, uniforms, customs and traditions, and meeting the other guys.
Speaking of guys helping, next week is the Sweet Adeline International convention in Houston. Director Joe will be there as the director of the Pride of Balitmore Chorus. The Harmonizers all wish the POB chorus well! Several of our members with be there too as Friends of the POB which includes our membership vp, Phil Ashford. So step up and help with guests next week. Ken White and Steve Lingo are gonna fill in since YeEd will also be gone on travel.
Linda Odell reported that daughter, Erin, is competing in the quartet contest in Houston in a quartet called SHADES OF JADE.
When it was time for the chapter business meeting, operations vp, Mark Klostermeyer was in charge. He made general announcements about buying Entertainment Books, Scrip, White House Ornaments, and of course tickets for the show.
Bob Mattes is also show chairman for the holiday event. He invited guests and members to check out the various segments of the show to learn the holiday music for one or two segments. You might be able to sing a couple segments and then skip the others. Also he has plenty of tasks for guys to help with that weekend too.
Don’t forget to work on costumes. And to plan to bring 4 dozen colorful holiday cookies.
Ian Poulin is the ticket guy, so make contact if you have questions. SUGGESTION: buy a table of ten and then sell the tickets. Several of us have done that already, so tables are selling fast.
There will be a silent auction again this year and Bob is eager for someone to step up and manage it.
Chapter secretary, Chris Buechler, presented membership renewal cards to Tom Griffith for 24 years, and Phil Ashford for 34 years.
Chris also announced the slate of officers and board members as presented by the nominating committee (Brad Jones, chair; Will Cox, Ken White, Bob Rhome). The slate was elected by acclamation.
Position Name
President Steve Murane
VP Chapter Development Phil Ashford
VP Operations Scott Kahler
VP Music & Performance Dan O'Brien
VP Shows Brian Ammerman
VP Marketing & PR Steve Lingo
Secretary Chris Buechler
Treasurer Dave Welter
Member At Large 2011-2012* Ken Henderson
Member At Large 2011-2012* Ian Poulin
Member At Large 2012-2013 Troy Hillier
Member At Large 2012-2013 Nick Leiserson
Immediate Past President* Bradley Jones
* - Continuing term - not up for election.
After break, chapter IT coordinator, Scott Kahler, presented the emerging plans to switch our website and operation to Groupanizer. He expressed our chapter thanks to Nick Aiuto who had launced the out-going website for the chapter. Scott’s visual presentation helped guys get a feel for what is coming this weekend. He also offered FAQ and is willing to respond to questions via email.
The new technology has a lot of useful tools for chapter leaders and for the members as well. Thanks to Scott for the tons of work he has put into this transition, and his willingness to help us learn to use it.
After the presentation, it was back to work on the risers. Often during the nite, Joe moved vocal sections to different parts of the riser. There was a lengthy sectional rehearsal on “Hallelujah Chorus” and we also got our first shot at “Little Drummer Boy.”
Reminder of holiday show details: Fri nite Dec. 2 at 7:30 pm, Sat afternoon Dec. 3 at 12:30 pm and Sat nite at 6 pm. At First Baptist Church, 2932 King St., Alexandria 22302. A dinner theater with singing waiters. Great for the whole family. Santa likely will stop by.
Tickets at 571-969-1377 or www.AlexandriaHarmonizersPresent.com
It was good to see several guys back with us like Dave Welter, Kevin Roth, John Hohl, Mike Everard, Terry Jordan and Bob Wachter. There was a FRIEND OF HARMOY dinner meeting also.
Reminder: if you are under 30 and wanna sing the show at Carnegie Hall Dec. 26th, see Joe Cerutti right away.
And also please consider contributing some goodies for the cupboard at break time. The supply is low!
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. —YeEd.)
Will Cox did warm ups and turned the singing time over to our director, Joe Cerutti. Music vp, Terry Reynolds, helped manage the music work by operating the computer/projector.
We had lots of singing guests too. Almost all of them are applicants and eager to move along in their quest to become a member. Members can lend a hand with that by offering to help the applicants practice singing an audition song in a quartet. The musical team also has approved a few holiday songs to use for audition (sorry YeEd doesn’t have the complete list but remembers “Blue Christmas” and “Jingle Bells”). Librarian, Bob Mattes, also has volunteered to help any guest get a look at some holiday music for practice for the show and for auditioning.
With so many guys in the process of joining, we all have to help them with the music, uniforms, customs and traditions, and meeting the other guys.
Speaking of guys helping, next week is the Sweet Adeline International convention in Houston. Director Joe will be there as the director of the Pride of Balitmore Chorus. The Harmonizers all wish the POB chorus well! Several of our members with be there too as Friends of the POB which includes our membership vp, Phil Ashford. So step up and help with guests next week. Ken White and Steve Lingo are gonna fill in since YeEd will also be gone on travel.
Linda Odell reported that daughter, Erin, is competing in the quartet contest in Houston in a quartet called SHADES OF JADE.
When it was time for the chapter business meeting, operations vp, Mark Klostermeyer was in charge. He made general announcements about buying Entertainment Books, Scrip, White House Ornaments, and of course tickets for the show.
Bob Mattes is also show chairman for the holiday event. He invited guests and members to check out the various segments of the show to learn the holiday music for one or two segments. You might be able to sing a couple segments and then skip the others. Also he has plenty of tasks for guys to help with that weekend too.
Don’t forget to work on costumes. And to plan to bring 4 dozen colorful holiday cookies.
Ian Poulin is the ticket guy, so make contact if you have questions. SUGGESTION: buy a table of ten and then sell the tickets. Several of us have done that already, so tables are selling fast.
There will be a silent auction again this year and Bob is eager for someone to step up and manage it.
Chapter secretary, Chris Buechler, presented membership renewal cards to Tom Griffith for 24 years, and Phil Ashford for 34 years.
Chris also announced the slate of officers and board members as presented by the nominating committee (Brad Jones, chair; Will Cox, Ken White, Bob Rhome). The slate was elected by acclamation.
Position Name
President Steve Murane
VP Chapter Development Phil Ashford
VP Operations Scott Kahler
VP Music & Performance Dan O'Brien
VP Shows Brian Ammerman
VP Marketing & PR Steve Lingo
Secretary Chris Buechler
Treasurer Dave Welter
Member At Large 2011-2012* Ken Henderson
Member At Large 2011-2012* Ian Poulin
Member At Large 2012-2013 Troy Hillier
Member At Large 2012-2013 Nick Leiserson
Immediate Past President* Bradley Jones
* - Continuing term - not up for election.
After break, chapter IT coordinator, Scott Kahler, presented the emerging plans to switch our website and operation to Groupanizer. He expressed our chapter thanks to Nick Aiuto who had launced the out-going website for the chapter. Scott’s visual presentation helped guys get a feel for what is coming this weekend. He also offered FAQ and is willing to respond to questions via email.
The new technology has a lot of useful tools for chapter leaders and for the members as well. Thanks to Scott for the tons of work he has put into this transition, and his willingness to help us learn to use it.
After the presentation, it was back to work on the risers. Often during the nite, Joe moved vocal sections to different parts of the riser. There was a lengthy sectional rehearsal on “Hallelujah Chorus” and we also got our first shot at “Little Drummer Boy.”
Reminder of holiday show details: Fri nite Dec. 2 at 7:30 pm, Sat afternoon Dec. 3 at 12:30 pm and Sat nite at 6 pm. At First Baptist Church, 2932 King St., Alexandria 22302. A dinner theater with singing waiters. Great for the whole family. Santa likely will stop by.
Tickets at 571-969-1377 or www.AlexandriaHarmonizersPresent.com
It was good to see several guys back with us like Dave Welter, Kevin Roth, John Hohl, Mike Everard, Terry Jordan and Bob Wachter. There was a FRIEND OF HARMOY dinner meeting also.
Reminder: if you are under 30 and wanna sing the show at Carnegie Hall Dec. 26th, see Joe Cerutti right away.
And also please consider contributing some goodies for the cupboard at break time. The supply is low!
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. —YeEd.)
Friday, October 7, 2011
Looking Back on the October 4th Chapter Meeting
Director Joe Cerutti was back from his coaching trip to Germany and a lot of guys were back from summer breaks. The set up crew did their usual good job – risers, screen, computer, sound stuff, guest chairs, admin tables to sell stuff.
Joe was full of funny stories about the language differences (you need to ask him the word in German for an A flat!). He also thanked Brian Ammerman again for a great fall show, and thanked his assistant directors Will Cox, Mike Kelly and Tony Colosimo for carrying the ball on the guest nite.
After the vocal warm ups, Joe got right to work on the holiday show music – especially the new songs we are adding. Music vp Terry Reynolds operated the projector and we all used the screen for music. Made it a lot easier for all members and the many guests present.
Speaking of guests – we had a huge crop of 13 visitors. Many of the guys were recent guests including returnees from the special guest nite; a few were barbershoppers from other chapters, and some new men who came with another member. Will and Tony conducted a number of vocal assessments to help the guests move along in their “joining” process. Many members also helped welcome our guests up onto the risers, sang tags with them, and helped explain what it means to be a Harmonizer.
The chapter meeting period was managed by operations vp, Mark Klostermeyer. He announced this week’s birthdays. And he filled in for chapter secretary, Chris Buechler, who could only stay at Durant a little while after having some eye work done during the day. Mark gave membership renewal cards to Bob Blair for 12 years and Terry Reynolds for 28 years.
Terry then did a wrap up of news from the fall district contest including honoring our quartets. MAD HATTERS won the quartet contest with our guys Steve White and Rick Taylor singing with Rob Seay and former Harmonizer Scott Disney. Steve White won his fifth district championship and that makes him the guy with the most M-AD champ medals.
MAYHEM with Ken White and Mike Pinto was the fourth place quartet.
The district championship trophy left Alexandria after 11 years and was presented by district officials to Voices of Gotham, this year’s district chorus champ. Funny story about that trophy – while Joe was in Germany he was visiting with some American barbershoppers who were there helping with the school where Joe was coaching and they were telling a funny story about a chapter who had lost the chorus trophy. And that made Joe stand up from his chair and run out to get a message to Scott Kahler --- the M-AD chorus trophy is at the Harmo House! Luckily, Scott got the message and Cheryl Wallen rescued the trophy and got it to Lancaster.
A previous Looking Back column reported all of the other news and more complete details from the contest in Lancaster last weekend.
President Steve Murane was back from his trip to HI and brought greetings from the barbershop chapter there. He reminded everyone that the annual chapter meeting and election is next week, Oct. 11th. Everyone needs to attend, cast a vote for the slate of board and officer nominations and make sure we have a quorum. The slate listed below was presented to the chapter by the nominating committee headed by Brad Jones.
Position Name
President Steve Murane
VP Chapter Development Phil Ashford
VP Operations Scott Kahler
VP Music & Performance Dan O'Brien
VP Shows Brian Ammerman
VP Marketing & PR Steve Lingo
Secretary Chris Buechler
Treasurer Dave Welter
Member At Large 2011-2012* Ken Henderson
Member At Large 2011-2012* Ian Poulin
Member At Large 2012-2013 Troy Hillier
Member At Large 2012-2013 Nick Leiserson
Immediate Past President* Bradley Jones
* - Continuing term - not up for election.
President Steve also reported that the chapter had received a check for just over $2,000 from Harmony Foundation during the House of Delegates meeting in Lancaster. These monies are the result of our members making contributions to Harmony Foundation and ear marking a percentage of it to be returned to their chapter.
After coffee and goodies (thanks to those who brought homemade treats) we were back on the risers to prepare for the holiday show.
Show details as YeEd knows them: Fri nite Dec. 2 at 7:30 pm, Sat afternoon Dec. 3 at 12:30 pm and Sat nite at 6 pm. At First Baptist Church, 2932 King St., Alexandria 22302. A dinner theater with singing waiters. Great for the whole family. Santa likely will stop by.
Chorus members should start working on their costumes – new members check with some of the guys who have done the show before for ideas. Plenty of free parking.
Also chorus members will be asked to bring 4 dozen homemade or extra good goodies to use to make dessert trays for the shows.
Be prepared to get a table of seats reserved for your customers as these shows will likely be sold out. Prices announced are $30 adults 15 and over, $25 seniors 66 and over, $15 kids between 5 and 14, kids under 5 free but ticket required. There will also be 30 premium seats sold up by the stage for each show at $40.
Tickets at 571-969-1377 or www.AlexandriaHarmonizersPresent.com
Work continued on the holiday music right up until 10 pm.
Before we dismissed, the chapter sang to Bert Phillips who is moving to TN. He was a great sport and we teased him a lot about his southern accent. We also presented him with a new Harmo name tag listing him as Chapter Vice President in Charge of Lamp Post Relocation (as a joke about his moving the lamp across the stage during the fall show). Bert’s wife Susan was there when we sang the traditional “There Will Always Be a Place on the Risers for You.”
Bert took us out for our last song and then a good crowd went to the afterglow at the Hilton.
Reminder: if you are under 30 and wanna sing the show at Carnegie Hall Dec. 26th, see Joe Cerutti right away.
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. —YeEd.)
Joe was full of funny stories about the language differences (you need to ask him the word in German for an A flat!). He also thanked Brian Ammerman again for a great fall show, and thanked his assistant directors Will Cox, Mike Kelly and Tony Colosimo for carrying the ball on the guest nite.
After the vocal warm ups, Joe got right to work on the holiday show music – especially the new songs we are adding. Music vp Terry Reynolds operated the projector and we all used the screen for music. Made it a lot easier for all members and the many guests present.
Speaking of guests – we had a huge crop of 13 visitors. Many of the guys were recent guests including returnees from the special guest nite; a few were barbershoppers from other chapters, and some new men who came with another member. Will and Tony conducted a number of vocal assessments to help the guests move along in their “joining” process. Many members also helped welcome our guests up onto the risers, sang tags with them, and helped explain what it means to be a Harmonizer.
The chapter meeting period was managed by operations vp, Mark Klostermeyer. He announced this week’s birthdays. And he filled in for chapter secretary, Chris Buechler, who could only stay at Durant a little while after having some eye work done during the day. Mark gave membership renewal cards to Bob Blair for 12 years and Terry Reynolds for 28 years.
Terry then did a wrap up of news from the fall district contest including honoring our quartets. MAD HATTERS won the quartet contest with our guys Steve White and Rick Taylor singing with Rob Seay and former Harmonizer Scott Disney. Steve White won his fifth district championship and that makes him the guy with the most M-AD champ medals.
MAYHEM with Ken White and Mike Pinto was the fourth place quartet.
The district championship trophy left Alexandria after 11 years and was presented by district officials to Voices of Gotham, this year’s district chorus champ. Funny story about that trophy – while Joe was in Germany he was visiting with some American barbershoppers who were there helping with the school where Joe was coaching and they were telling a funny story about a chapter who had lost the chorus trophy. And that made Joe stand up from his chair and run out to get a message to Scott Kahler --- the M-AD chorus trophy is at the Harmo House! Luckily, Scott got the message and Cheryl Wallen rescued the trophy and got it to Lancaster.
A previous Looking Back column reported all of the other news and more complete details from the contest in Lancaster last weekend.
President Steve Murane was back from his trip to HI and brought greetings from the barbershop chapter there. He reminded everyone that the annual chapter meeting and election is next week, Oct. 11th. Everyone needs to attend, cast a vote for the slate of board and officer nominations and make sure we have a quorum. The slate listed below was presented to the chapter by the nominating committee headed by Brad Jones.
Position Name
President Steve Murane
VP Chapter Development Phil Ashford
VP Operations Scott Kahler
VP Music & Performance Dan O'Brien
VP Shows Brian Ammerman
VP Marketing & PR Steve Lingo
Secretary Chris Buechler
Treasurer Dave Welter
Member At Large 2011-2012* Ken Henderson
Member At Large 2011-2012* Ian Poulin
Member At Large 2012-2013 Troy Hillier
Member At Large 2012-2013 Nick Leiserson
Immediate Past President* Bradley Jones
* - Continuing term - not up for election.
President Steve also reported that the chapter had received a check for just over $2,000 from Harmony Foundation during the House of Delegates meeting in Lancaster. These monies are the result of our members making contributions to Harmony Foundation and ear marking a percentage of it to be returned to their chapter.
After coffee and goodies (thanks to those who brought homemade treats) we were back on the risers to prepare for the holiday show.
Show details as YeEd knows them: Fri nite Dec. 2 at 7:30 pm, Sat afternoon Dec. 3 at 12:30 pm and Sat nite at 6 pm. At First Baptist Church, 2932 King St., Alexandria 22302. A dinner theater with singing waiters. Great for the whole family. Santa likely will stop by.
Chorus members should start working on their costumes – new members check with some of the guys who have done the show before for ideas. Plenty of free parking.
Also chorus members will be asked to bring 4 dozen homemade or extra good goodies to use to make dessert trays for the shows.
Be prepared to get a table of seats reserved for your customers as these shows will likely be sold out. Prices announced are $30 adults 15 and over, $25 seniors 66 and over, $15 kids between 5 and 14, kids under 5 free but ticket required. There will also be 30 premium seats sold up by the stage for each show at $40.
Tickets at 571-969-1377 or www.AlexandriaHarmonizersPresent.com
Work continued on the holiday music right up until 10 pm.
Before we dismissed, the chapter sang to Bert Phillips who is moving to TN. He was a great sport and we teased him a lot about his southern accent. We also presented him with a new Harmo name tag listing him as Chapter Vice President in Charge of Lamp Post Relocation (as a joke about his moving the lamp across the stage during the fall show). Bert’s wife Susan was there when we sang the traditional “There Will Always Be a Place on the Risers for You.”
Bert took us out for our last song and then a good crowd went to the afterglow at the Hilton.
Reminder: if you are under 30 and wanna sing the show at Carnegie Hall Dec. 26th, see Joe Cerutti right away.
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. —YeEd.)
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Looking Back on the 2011 M-AD Fall Convention
The fall district contest weekend was in Lancaster, PA, at the Marriott and adjacent convention center. (And by the way, across the street was the Central Market with all the good eats for lunch and breakfast!)
As a little history lesson, the quartet contest started with 23 entries who had qualified at one of the division contests earlier this spring. This was the district quartet contest. All entries sang in the Friday nite session and the top 10 highest scoring quartets sang in a finals round on Saturday nite.
Our guys did great! MAD HATTERS with Rob Seay, Scott Disney, Rick Taylor and Steve White placed first and are the new district quartet champs. The popular district quartet that has helped our chapter with the youth festival, FRANK THE DOG, was second. A new quartet with Ryan Griffith’s dad on tenor, LIMELIGHT, was third. MAYHEM, with Richie Lavene, Pookie Dingle Jr., Mike Pinto and Ken White, was fourth.
YOUTH RECLAMATION PROJECT with Mike Wallen was 13th (one of their songs, “I’m Glad I’m Not Young Anymore,” was an arrangement by John Hohl); and ROLL O’ THE DICE with Bill Colosimo was 16th.
The top scoring senior’s quartet was LEGACY and they will go on to represent the district at the Mid-Winter BHS convention in January.
The district chorus contest (and concurrent International preliminary chorus contest) was on Saturday. There were 23 choruses who had scored high enough at the spring division contests to be in Lancaster. District champ and rep to the International chorus contest is Voices of Gotham from Hell’s Kitchen, NY. They had 26 on stage. Second place went to The Big Apple Chorus, Manhattan, NY, with 50 singers; third place went to the Chorus of the Chesapeake, Dundalk, MD, with 73 singers; and fourth place went to Long Island Sound, Five Towns College, NY, with 17 singers.
Several current or former Harmonizers were directors of other choruses and some guys were on stage with other choruses too: Mike Wallen directed Richmond, Mike Geipel and Paul Lensch were on the risers; Rick Taylor directed Dundalk, Sam McFarland, Bob Hirsh and Brad Jones were on the risers; Richard Lewellen directed Fairfax; Steve Guy sang with Patapsco Valley; Bill Colosimo directed Washington, DC, Don Dillingham, Bob Wells and Bob Hirsh sang on the risers; Dewey Feuerhelm, Gary Bibens and Michael Calhoun sang with Harrisonburg, VA; Bob Ulibarri sang with LaPlata, MD; Jim Herrick sang with the host chapter chorus, Lancaster.
Two Harmonizers were guest judges as candidates for the weekend – Tony Colosimo in the singing category and Dan O’Brien in the music category. Chuck Hunter’s dad, Chuck Sr., was contest administrator. Our coach, Brandon Guyton, was a singing judge.
Gary Plaag and Dennis Ritchey were emcees for contest sessions. Both did a great job of keeping the audience entertained and involved in the contest.
Eric Wallen and Joe Sawyer were hosts for the webcast of the weekend. Mike Kelly and Mary Anne Cleaveland coordinated the video filming for the contestants.
Saturday nite the evening began with a tribute to OLD SCHOOL who won the 2011 quartet championship in July and represented our district.
Other events on the program included a chorus of past district quartet champs – Mid Atlantic District Association of District Champions (MADAQC). Bill and Tony Colosimo were directors of that chorus during the presentation to name this year’s new district champs. Jay Butterfield was their emcee. Other guys at the convention representing past district champs included Mike Kelly, Joe Sawyer, Mike Pinto, Gary Plaag, Rick Taylor, John Hohl, Mike Wallen, Wayne Adams, Ryan Griffith, and Steve White.
Always important to recognize our chapter members who also serve our district as leaders: Gary Plaag, immediate past president; Bill Colosimo, executive vp; Bob Eckman, treasurer; Keith Jones, secretary; Dennis Ritchey, board member at large; Chuck Harner, vp chapter support & leadership training, and vp southern division; Gary Plaag, vp youth in harmony; Alan Wile, vp financial development; Mike Kelly, chief information officer; Carl Kauffman, district events team treasurer. Thanks for going the extra mile. They also represented our chapter at the House of Delegates meeting on Sunday in Lancaster. During the chorus contest, Chris Buechler filled in as vp contest and judging for John Santora, who was competing.
For fun, YeEd will take a chance at listing the many other “Harmonizer family” guys who were at the convention and not mentioned above: Tim Buell, Dean Martin, Arthur Louis, Lew Klinge, Terry Reynolds, Terry Jordan, Andrew Havens, Jack Pitzer, Noah Van Gilder and Bruce Minnick.
Thanks to Alan Wile our new CD was on sale this weekend in the Harmony Marketplace.
Next year’s fall convention will be in Ocean City, MD. The headquarters hotel will be The Grand Hotel, 2100 Baltimore Ave.
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.)
As a little history lesson, the quartet contest started with 23 entries who had qualified at one of the division contests earlier this spring. This was the district quartet contest. All entries sang in the Friday nite session and the top 10 highest scoring quartets sang in a finals round on Saturday nite.
Our guys did great! MAD HATTERS with Rob Seay, Scott Disney, Rick Taylor and Steve White placed first and are the new district quartet champs. The popular district quartet that has helped our chapter with the youth festival, FRANK THE DOG, was second. A new quartet with Ryan Griffith’s dad on tenor, LIMELIGHT, was third. MAYHEM, with Richie Lavene, Pookie Dingle Jr., Mike Pinto and Ken White, was fourth.
YOUTH RECLAMATION PROJECT with Mike Wallen was 13th (one of their songs, “I’m Glad I’m Not Young Anymore,” was an arrangement by John Hohl); and ROLL O’ THE DICE with Bill Colosimo was 16th.
The top scoring senior’s quartet was LEGACY and they will go on to represent the district at the Mid-Winter BHS convention in January.
The district chorus contest (and concurrent International preliminary chorus contest) was on Saturday. There were 23 choruses who had scored high enough at the spring division contests to be in Lancaster. District champ and rep to the International chorus contest is Voices of Gotham from Hell’s Kitchen, NY. They had 26 on stage. Second place went to The Big Apple Chorus, Manhattan, NY, with 50 singers; third place went to the Chorus of the Chesapeake, Dundalk, MD, with 73 singers; and fourth place went to Long Island Sound, Five Towns College, NY, with 17 singers.
Several current or former Harmonizers were directors of other choruses and some guys were on stage with other choruses too: Mike Wallen directed Richmond, Mike Geipel and Paul Lensch were on the risers; Rick Taylor directed Dundalk, Sam McFarland, Bob Hirsh and Brad Jones were on the risers; Richard Lewellen directed Fairfax; Steve Guy sang with Patapsco Valley; Bill Colosimo directed Washington, DC, Don Dillingham, Bob Wells and Bob Hirsh sang on the risers; Dewey Feuerhelm, Gary Bibens and Michael Calhoun sang with Harrisonburg, VA; Bob Ulibarri sang with LaPlata, MD; Jim Herrick sang with the host chapter chorus, Lancaster.
Two Harmonizers were guest judges as candidates for the weekend – Tony Colosimo in the singing category and Dan O’Brien in the music category. Chuck Hunter’s dad, Chuck Sr., was contest administrator. Our coach, Brandon Guyton, was a singing judge.
Gary Plaag and Dennis Ritchey were emcees for contest sessions. Both did a great job of keeping the audience entertained and involved in the contest.
Eric Wallen and Joe Sawyer were hosts for the webcast of the weekend. Mike Kelly and Mary Anne Cleaveland coordinated the video filming for the contestants.
Saturday nite the evening began with a tribute to OLD SCHOOL who won the 2011 quartet championship in July and represented our district.
Other events on the program included a chorus of past district quartet champs – Mid Atlantic District Association of District Champions (MADAQC). Bill and Tony Colosimo were directors of that chorus during the presentation to name this year’s new district champs. Jay Butterfield was their emcee. Other guys at the convention representing past district champs included Mike Kelly, Joe Sawyer, Mike Pinto, Gary Plaag, Rick Taylor, John Hohl, Mike Wallen, Wayne Adams, Ryan Griffith, and Steve White.
Always important to recognize our chapter members who also serve our district as leaders: Gary Plaag, immediate past president; Bill Colosimo, executive vp; Bob Eckman, treasurer; Keith Jones, secretary; Dennis Ritchey, board member at large; Chuck Harner, vp chapter support & leadership training, and vp southern division; Gary Plaag, vp youth in harmony; Alan Wile, vp financial development; Mike Kelly, chief information officer; Carl Kauffman, district events team treasurer. Thanks for going the extra mile. They also represented our chapter at the House of Delegates meeting on Sunday in Lancaster. During the chorus contest, Chris Buechler filled in as vp contest and judging for John Santora, who was competing.
For fun, YeEd will take a chance at listing the many other “Harmonizer family” guys who were at the convention and not mentioned above: Tim Buell, Dean Martin, Arthur Louis, Lew Klinge, Terry Reynolds, Terry Jordan, Andrew Havens, Jack Pitzer, Noah Van Gilder and Bruce Minnick.
Thanks to Alan Wile our new CD was on sale this weekend in the Harmony Marketplace.
Next year’s fall convention will be in Ocean City, MD. The headquarters hotel will be The Grand Hotel, 2100 Baltimore Ave.
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 29, 2011
Looking Back on the September 27th Chapter Meeting
First off – have you Harmonizers that are 30 years of age or younger seen this announcement about a youth chorus singing at Carnegie Hall? Our director Joe is coordinator for it. So see him or email him if you wanna do it!
For those of you 30 and under who have "a performance at Carnegie Hall" on your bucket list, getting to perform at that famous venue may be as easy as the old adage: "Practice, practice, practice!"
Carnegie Hall will be producing a free USA-Japan Goodwill Concert on Monday, December 26, which will feature a youth Barbershop Chorus comprised of male singers up to age 30 from all over the US and Canada, under the direction of Joe Cerutti of the Alexandria Harmonizers. Also performing will be Prestige, 2011 International Collegiate Quartet Champions, Tim Waurick of Vocal Spectrum fame, plus many other guests. The concert will also feature a joint performance with the youth chorus and a 3-time gold medal 100-piece youth orchestra from Japan. You will also be participating in a worthy charitable cause, since even though the concert is free, Carnegie Hall is producing this show as a fund-raiser for the victims of the earthquake and tsunamis that struck Japan this year, and donations will be accepted.
Bring your collegiate quartet or youth chorus, in part or in full; individual singers are also welcome. The chorus will prepare 5-6 songs (one of which will be back-up for a Tim Waurick solo). Participants will be expected to arrive in NYC the morning of the 26th, rehearse all day, and perform that night. Arrangements for hotel, food, and busing will be made for a nominal cost. Participants must be able to learn songs and choreography without formal rehearsals, and will be tested in random octets upon arrival in NYC (music and learning tracks can be downloaded after registration. Click HERE for details and registration or contact Joe Cerutti by EMAIL, or call 703-401-7114. Make sure your state/chapter/district is represented!
Now back to the report about the September 27th chapter meeting.
Everyone was pumped after the successful fall show the past weekend and there was a standing ovation for our fellow Harmonizer Brian Ammerman for his dedication to make it happen. In the brief time he had to thanks folks, he did recognize his wife, Chris, for her support and all his fellow Harmonizers for hanging in there and making it a good show in every way. He sent out a much more detailed thank you via email.
AND it was guest nite. A great follow up to the show weekend.
Since our director Joe Cerutti was in Germany coaching barbershop groups there, music vp, Terry Reynolds, managed the schedule for the evening. He enlisted help from the assistant directors, Will Cox, Mike Kelly and Tony Colosimo, who did warm ups, taught or ran through Holiday songs and met with the guests to teach them tags and such. Everyone worked hard to help the guests learn about the chapter and its musical program.
Ryan Killeen was in town from Nashville where he is on the staff of the Harmony Foundation. He spoke to his fellow Harmonizers about the great support the Foundation gets from our chapter as well as reported how Foundation dollars are being used to help youth learn more about singing barbershop.
The set up crew put the risers backed up to the stage and a large group of guest and audience chairs facing the risers. We used the computer and projector for all the music for the evening so guests were not without music.
Membership vp, Phil Ashford, introduced the 10 guests for the evening. As usual, some were former barbershoppers from other places and others were brand new to the hobby.
During the chapter meeting period conducted by operations vp, Mark Klostermeyer, Chuck Harner launched sales for the Entertainment books – coupons books for DC, VA and/or MD. We make a good chunk for each book we sell.
Sandy Stamps, FRIENDS group president, also launched sale of the 2011White House Christmas ornaments. They are $20 this year.
She also is helping sell the new CD produced by the chapter from the Concert of the World show in 2010.
And she also reminds us that the FRIENDS group sells sodas and water on Tuesday nite to go with the refreshments.
We did get a 15-minute break this week and so everyone had time to dig in and get some goodies. Thanks to those who brought things. And thanks to those who drop a dollar or two in the jar every now and then to help pay for the cups, creamer and coffee. If you wanna bring some goodies, that would be good too.
After the break, the guests adjourned to another room with Tony, Phil, Steve White and Jeremy Richardson. This was an opportunity for chapter leaders to tell about our history, explain the membership and audition process, help them discover how much fun it is to sing barbershop harmony and to teach them a tag to sing for the chorus.
While they were out, K12 conducted more of the business meeting. Bruce Lauther reported on Bob Wachter health condition indicating he is making some progress but it is slow. Cards and letters to Bob would be great.
Steve White, filling in for quartet promotion chairman,
, recognized the guys who will be competing in the fall contest this weekend in Lancaster and representing our chapter.
Mike Wallen in YOUTH RECLAMATION PROJECT
Bill Colosimo in ROLL O’ THE DICE
Kenny White and Mike Pinto in MAYHEM
Steve White and Rick Taylor in MAD HATTERS
It is not too late for you to consider going up. Always plenty of tickets at the door. Semifinals round of quartets is Friday evening at 6 pm in Lancaster Marriott. Chorus contest starts at 9 am on Saturday.
Steve also reports that Joe Sawyer and Eric Wallen will be hosts on the webcast of the weekend contest. You can find out about that cast from the district website – www.harmonize.com/MAD/
When the guests came back, they sang for us. And then we did a little show for them singing “Great Day” and “Summertime” with TBD doing a spot before the chorus sang “Stars and Stripes.”
Tony invited the guests to the risers to sing with the chorus on the tag of “Great Day” and then we taught them the stage presence for the tag.
Brian Ammerman took us out on “Keep the Whole World Singing.”
We adjourned and put things away with plenty of time for auditions, tag singing and then a big crowd went over to the Hilton for an afterglow. Since we were outside, there was plenty of space for more tag singing.
YeEd reports it was great to see Chris Clark, Andrew Havens and Andrew Plocher up on the risers. As a reminder, the chapter annual meeting and election officers is October 11th. Be sure to attend and cast your vote. See the recent email from chapter secretary, Chris Buechler, with the slate submitted by the nominating committee, and details about self nomination or further nominations.
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. —YeEd.)
For those of you 30 and under who have "a performance at Carnegie Hall" on your bucket list, getting to perform at that famous venue may be as easy as the old adage: "Practice, practice, practice!"
Carnegie Hall will be producing a free USA-Japan Goodwill Concert on Monday, December 26, which will feature a youth Barbershop Chorus comprised of male singers up to age 30 from all over the US and Canada, under the direction of Joe Cerutti of the Alexandria Harmonizers. Also performing will be Prestige, 2011 International Collegiate Quartet Champions, Tim Waurick of Vocal Spectrum fame, plus many other guests. The concert will also feature a joint performance with the youth chorus and a 3-time gold medal 100-piece youth orchestra from Japan. You will also be participating in a worthy charitable cause, since even though the concert is free, Carnegie Hall is producing this show as a fund-raiser for the victims of the earthquake and tsunamis that struck Japan this year, and donations will be accepted.
Bring your collegiate quartet or youth chorus, in part or in full; individual singers are also welcome. The chorus will prepare 5-6 songs (one of which will be back-up for a Tim Waurick solo). Participants will be expected to arrive in NYC the morning of the 26th, rehearse all day, and perform that night. Arrangements for hotel, food, and busing will be made for a nominal cost. Participants must be able to learn songs and choreography without formal rehearsals, and will be tested in random octets upon arrival in NYC (music and learning tracks can be downloaded after registration. Click HERE for details and registration or contact Joe Cerutti by EMAIL, or call 703-401-7114. Make sure your state/chapter/district is represented!
Now back to the report about the September 27th chapter meeting.
Everyone was pumped after the successful fall show the past weekend and there was a standing ovation for our fellow Harmonizer Brian Ammerman for his dedication to make it happen. In the brief time he had to thanks folks, he did recognize his wife, Chris, for her support and all his fellow Harmonizers for hanging in there and making it a good show in every way. He sent out a much more detailed thank you via email.
AND it was guest nite. A great follow up to the show weekend.
Since our director Joe Cerutti was in Germany coaching barbershop groups there, music vp, Terry Reynolds, managed the schedule for the evening. He enlisted help from the assistant directors, Will Cox, Mike Kelly and Tony Colosimo, who did warm ups, taught or ran through Holiday songs and met with the guests to teach them tags and such. Everyone worked hard to help the guests learn about the chapter and its musical program.
Ryan Killeen was in town from Nashville where he is on the staff of the Harmony Foundation. He spoke to his fellow Harmonizers about the great support the Foundation gets from our chapter as well as reported how Foundation dollars are being used to help youth learn more about singing barbershop.
The set up crew put the risers backed up to the stage and a large group of guest and audience chairs facing the risers. We used the computer and projector for all the music for the evening so guests were not without music.
Membership vp, Phil Ashford, introduced the 10 guests for the evening. As usual, some were former barbershoppers from other places and others were brand new to the hobby.
During the chapter meeting period conducted by operations vp, Mark Klostermeyer, Chuck Harner launched sales for the Entertainment books – coupons books for DC, VA and/or MD. We make a good chunk for each book we sell.
Sandy Stamps, FRIENDS group president, also launched sale of the 2011White House Christmas ornaments. They are $20 this year.
She also is helping sell the new CD produced by the chapter from the Concert of the World show in 2010.
And she also reminds us that the FRIENDS group sells sodas and water on Tuesday nite to go with the refreshments.
We did get a 15-minute break this week and so everyone had time to dig in and get some goodies. Thanks to those who brought things. And thanks to those who drop a dollar or two in the jar every now and then to help pay for the cups, creamer and coffee. If you wanna bring some goodies, that would be good too.
After the break, the guests adjourned to another room with Tony, Phil, Steve White and Jeremy Richardson. This was an opportunity for chapter leaders to tell about our history, explain the membership and audition process, help them discover how much fun it is to sing barbershop harmony and to teach them a tag to sing for the chorus.
While they were out, K12 conducted more of the business meeting. Bruce Lauther reported on Bob Wachter health condition indicating he is making some progress but it is slow. Cards and letters to Bob would be great.
Steve White, filling in for quartet promotion chairman,
, recognized the guys who will be competing in the fall contest this weekend in Lancaster and representing our chapter.
Mike Wallen in YOUTH RECLAMATION PROJECT
Bill Colosimo in ROLL O’ THE DICE
Kenny White and Mike Pinto in MAYHEM
Steve White and Rick Taylor in MAD HATTERS
It is not too late for you to consider going up. Always plenty of tickets at the door. Semifinals round of quartets is Friday evening at 6 pm in Lancaster Marriott. Chorus contest starts at 9 am on Saturday.
Steve also reports that Joe Sawyer and Eric Wallen will be hosts on the webcast of the weekend contest. You can find out about that cast from the district website – www.harmonize.com/MAD/
When the guests came back, they sang for us. And then we did a little show for them singing “Great Day” and “Summertime” with TBD doing a spot before the chorus sang “Stars and Stripes.”
Tony invited the guests to the risers to sing with the chorus on the tag of “Great Day” and then we taught them the stage presence for the tag.
Brian Ammerman took us out on “Keep the Whole World Singing.”
We adjourned and put things away with plenty of time for auditions, tag singing and then a big crowd went over to the Hilton for an afterglow. Since we were outside, there was plenty of space for more tag singing.
YeEd reports it was great to see Chris Clark, Andrew Havens and Andrew Plocher up on the risers. As a reminder, the chapter annual meeting and election officers is October 11th. Be sure to attend and cast your vote. See the recent email from chapter secretary, Chris Buechler, with the slate submitted by the nominating committee, and details about self nomination or further nominations.
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. —YeEd.)
Looking Back on the Fall Show Road to Harmony Sept 24th 2011
This one has gotten go down as one of the best shows in years for the Harmonizers. Huge credit goes to Brian Ammerman, who seemed to be working for months on every detail to make it a success. Besides the admin and planning tho, the singing and performing was great by the chorus and the quartets were a big WOW!
Thanks to Brian for his comprehensive thank you email to all.
What treat for all of us to hear and see CROSSROADS, the 2009 BHS gold medal winners. It was especially fun for us since we had worked with baritone Brandon Guyton as our coach, and most of us knew bass singer, Jim Henry, as director of the Ambassadors of Harmony. Their show set was awesome and their afterglow set was even better. Again – WOW.
YeEd was proud of our own quartet guys who also had terrific hits for our audiences. MAYHEM (with Ken White and Mike Pinto) was fun and had a good bit with Joe Cerutti. We wish them well next weekend at the district contest. And DA CAPO (with Ryan Griffith, Tony Colosimo, Joe Sawyer, Wayne Adams) keeps getting better. Also fun to have all four of them in the chorus and on the risers for shows, and to help with musical leadership and front row duties.
Can’t believe all the uniform changes the chorus made! Looked good tho and all made sense and added to the entertainment and surprises. As usual, it was funny to watch the email exchanges about missing uniform parts and watch guys meeting family members or friends who brought out a missing shirt!! Kudos to Tom Kern, unsung hero as Harmo uniform chairman.
The script was just corny enough to bring a laugh and for sure, it allowed us to work in some really diverse songs. Sure fun to see the audience get into “That’s Amore” every show. Terry Reynolds makes it happen.
Big thanks to Scott Kahler who was stage manager and did a lot of voice over emcee work. Good amount of humor for those of us in the audience. Thanks to Craig Odell who worked most of Saturday morning with a steamer to take the wrinkles out of that huge American flag we fly during “Stars and Stripes.” He was assistant stage manager and had his own walk on part as maitre d’ for the restaurant scene. Appreciated the classy emcee intros by Scipio Garling for two special numbers during the show.
Also great to have such fine props for the show. Thanks to Tom Griffith, props manager and the many Harmonizers who contributed.
Actors Mike Kelly and Mary Anne Cleaveland were great at carrying off the theme of the scripted part of the show. Fun when Bob Blair’s grandsons, Cavin and Jackson Collins, came running on stage to be the children of Dez and Molly.
As usual it takes a lot of helpers to pull off a big show like this. The staff at the new venue, Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas were great including the tech folks and the ushers and the box office. Seems the audience liked being able to get a coffee or beer in the lobby too.
Our FRIENDS group was pressed into service to sell the CDs for CROSSROADS as well as the new Harmonizer CD. Be sure to get your copy on Tuesday nite from the FRIENDS table. (ASLO their president, Sandy Stamps tells YeEd she will be selling sodas and 2011 White House Christmas ornaments too.)
Chorus manager, Mark Klostermeyer, kept the troops in line and provided classy signage for the guest quartet rooms. There was also a room for Master Director, Joe Cerutti. He and his musical team did good work to keep us singing well and having fun. Nice to see the assistant directors, Tony Colosimo, Mike Kelly and Will Cox, out front for songs during the show. Gotta also give credit to the visual team and the way they helped the chorus keep the performance level so high. Music vp, Terry Reynolds, helped show producer Brian keep the songs and script flowing during warm ups and rehearsal/stage time. You knew things were clicking along when he had his clip board out!
Emcee for the show was Bill Colosimo who handled important announcements including a couple plugs for our guest nite, Tuesday, Sept. 2th at Durant. All the singers need to be on hand for this one, as we expect a big turnout of guests in response to our recent membership drive. Actually YeEd recognized a number of recent guests in the audiences at the show. Also fun to see our fellow barbershoppers from neighboring chapters in VA and MD and DC.
Thanks to the riser crew who put up and took down and loaded back on the truck - Bob Blair was truck captain; John Pence for making the song boards for the stage; Sam McFarland and Keith Jones for getting the water and snacks for the cast backstage. The printed program for the show and its collection of advertisements was the work of Nick Leiserson. Great job on that task for one of our new guys.
The afterglow was a huge success. Thanks to Cheryl Wallen for her hard work getting the great bar-b-q meal for us along with desserts and drinks. The room right there in the Hylton Center made it easy for everyone to get there. Ken White, Eric Wallen, Jack Pitzer, Kevin Kaiser, Patrick Kim, Catherine Colosimo and Scott Kahler helped too. Noah Van Gilder was emcee for the glow and got us all laughing.
There were a number of familiar faces in the audience from the Harmonizer family – present and past (these are just the ones YeEd saw – no doubt there were others): Chuck Botts, Martin Banks, Don Harrington, Edris Qarghah Larry Silva, Tom Yengling, Bede Bender, Gary Mankin, Jim Shoenhard, Tom Griffith, Dean Martin, Royall and Geri Geis, Doug Smith, Bill Sowers, Glenn Williamson, Mike Schwartz, Brian Miller, Mike Geipel, Jerry TePaske, Terry Jordan, Jack McKendree, Bruce Minnick, Chuck Harner, Bob Caldwell and Larry Fagley.
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.)
Thanks to Brian for his comprehensive thank you email to all.
What treat for all of us to hear and see CROSSROADS, the 2009 BHS gold medal winners. It was especially fun for us since we had worked with baritone Brandon Guyton as our coach, and most of us knew bass singer, Jim Henry, as director of the Ambassadors of Harmony. Their show set was awesome and their afterglow set was even better. Again – WOW.
YeEd was proud of our own quartet guys who also had terrific hits for our audiences. MAYHEM (with Ken White and Mike Pinto) was fun and had a good bit with Joe Cerutti. We wish them well next weekend at the district contest. And DA CAPO (with Ryan Griffith, Tony Colosimo, Joe Sawyer, Wayne Adams) keeps getting better. Also fun to have all four of them in the chorus and on the risers for shows, and to help with musical leadership and front row duties.
Can’t believe all the uniform changes the chorus made! Looked good tho and all made sense and added to the entertainment and surprises. As usual, it was funny to watch the email exchanges about missing uniform parts and watch guys meeting family members or friends who brought out a missing shirt!! Kudos to Tom Kern, unsung hero as Harmo uniform chairman.
The script was just corny enough to bring a laugh and for sure, it allowed us to work in some really diverse songs. Sure fun to see the audience get into “That’s Amore” every show. Terry Reynolds makes it happen.
Big thanks to Scott Kahler who was stage manager and did a lot of voice over emcee work. Good amount of humor for those of us in the audience. Thanks to Craig Odell who worked most of Saturday morning with a steamer to take the wrinkles out of that huge American flag we fly during “Stars and Stripes.” He was assistant stage manager and had his own walk on part as maitre d’ for the restaurant scene. Appreciated the classy emcee intros by Scipio Garling for two special numbers during the show.
Also great to have such fine props for the show. Thanks to Tom Griffith, props manager and the many Harmonizers who contributed.
Actors Mike Kelly and Mary Anne Cleaveland were great at carrying off the theme of the scripted part of the show. Fun when Bob Blair’s grandsons, Cavin and Jackson Collins, came running on stage to be the children of Dez and Molly.
As usual it takes a lot of helpers to pull off a big show like this. The staff at the new venue, Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas were great including the tech folks and the ushers and the box office. Seems the audience liked being able to get a coffee or beer in the lobby too.
Our FRIENDS group was pressed into service to sell the CDs for CROSSROADS as well as the new Harmonizer CD. Be sure to get your copy on Tuesday nite from the FRIENDS table. (ASLO their president, Sandy Stamps tells YeEd she will be selling sodas and 2011 White House Christmas ornaments too.)
Chorus manager, Mark Klostermeyer, kept the troops in line and provided classy signage for the guest quartet rooms. There was also a room for Master Director, Joe Cerutti. He and his musical team did good work to keep us singing well and having fun. Nice to see the assistant directors, Tony Colosimo, Mike Kelly and Will Cox, out front for songs during the show. Gotta also give credit to the visual team and the way they helped the chorus keep the performance level so high. Music vp, Terry Reynolds, helped show producer Brian keep the songs and script flowing during warm ups and rehearsal/stage time. You knew things were clicking along when he had his clip board out!
Emcee for the show was Bill Colosimo who handled important announcements including a couple plugs for our guest nite, Tuesday, Sept. 2th at Durant. All the singers need to be on hand for this one, as we expect a big turnout of guests in response to our recent membership drive. Actually YeEd recognized a number of recent guests in the audiences at the show. Also fun to see our fellow barbershoppers from neighboring chapters in VA and MD and DC.
Thanks to the riser crew who put up and took down and loaded back on the truck - Bob Blair was truck captain; John Pence for making the song boards for the stage; Sam McFarland and Keith Jones for getting the water and snacks for the cast backstage. The printed program for the show and its collection of advertisements was the work of Nick Leiserson. Great job on that task for one of our new guys.
The afterglow was a huge success. Thanks to Cheryl Wallen for her hard work getting the great bar-b-q meal for us along with desserts and drinks. The room right there in the Hylton Center made it easy for everyone to get there. Ken White, Eric Wallen, Jack Pitzer, Kevin Kaiser, Patrick Kim, Catherine Colosimo and Scott Kahler helped too. Noah Van Gilder was emcee for the glow and got us all laughing.
There were a number of familiar faces in the audience from the Harmonizer family – present and past (these are just the ones YeEd saw – no doubt there were others): Chuck Botts, Martin Banks, Don Harrington, Edris Qarghah Larry Silva, Tom Yengling, Bede Bender, Gary Mankin, Jim Shoenhard, Tom Griffith, Dean Martin, Royall and Geri Geis, Doug Smith, Bill Sowers, Glenn Williamson, Mike Schwartz, Brian Miller, Mike Geipel, Jerry TePaske, Terry Jordan, Jack McKendree, Bruce Minnick, Chuck Harner, Bob Caldwell and Larry Fagley.
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 22, 2011
Looking Back on the September 20th Chapter Meeting
Busy rehearsal for the show and lots going on in the hall at Durant.
Show chairman/producer/ticket sales guru/props collector/and guy with the most positive attitude and cheerful approach anywhere, Brian Ammerman, had tickets for sale before the meeting. Don Dillingham and Chuck Powell helped staff the sales tables for the afternoon and evening shows.
After the musical warm ups, Director Joe Cerutti went right to work on the fall show music. Music vp, Terry Reynolds, and Brian helped things move along with some pointers on how the show will flow, and what the actors will do (sort of staging plans) and what the script will be like. (Never fear – it is a corny as any show we have ever done! Our audiences will love it.)
Good to see Chuck McKeever back. (He is back after a health incident (blacked out at home in his kitchen a couple weeks ago) but has gotten all-clear results from a huge list of tests.) He helped with reminders of the chorus choreography for the show songs. And he was thankful for the help from TJ Jones and Chuck Powell at previous rehearsals.
Operations vp, Mark Klostermeyer, conducted the chapter meeting portion of the evening. He encouraged the guys to take care of ticket sales, afterglow ticket purchases, picking up International chorus photos and medals.
Chapter secretary, Chris Buechler, presented a 25-year pin and renewal card to Chuck McKeever, and a 46-year renewal card to Jack Pitzer (YeEd).
Membership vp, Phil Ashford, introduced us to six guests – four are applicants.
Brian just had a few items t: reminder of the 10:30 am chorus call on Saturday; there will be time to get out of the theater for dinner, watch for email from Keith Jones and Sam McFarland about nearby eateries; the chapter could use the names of a bunch more students to give tickets to and fill the seats.
Scipio Garling reminded everyone of the special guest nite on Sept. 27th. There will be special events to welcome them and not overwhelm them. He suggested we should all follow up with the names of prospects we submitted earlier. Be there! Bring some goodies to share too – the cupboard is a little empty.
Brad Jones spoke about filling out the forms for those going to China. He sent out an email with the details. He reports about 143 going from our chapter with about 70 of them being singers. A good number are also coming from Toronto Northern Lights.
After the break it was back to show run-thru. The assistant directors also worked with the chorus on their songs.
We worked hard right up til the 10 pm bell. TJ Jones took us out for the nite and then everyone pitched in to take down and put away or load onto the truck for this weekend.
A good crowd gathered on the outside patio of the Hilton across from the Metro.
It was good to see some guys in the hall that we have missed recently – Dean Rust, Terry Jordan, Martin Banks, Mick Stamps and Craig Odell.
Busy weekend. AND then we need everyone back into the routine of regular Tuesday nite rehearsal as we dig into a bunch of new holiday music for the show.
Great to hear than Dean Martin has resumed his HarmoCast with a new one with Brandon Guyton. Dean hopes to be down to the show from his home in PA.
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. —YeEd.)
Show chairman/producer/ticket sales guru/props collector/and guy with the most positive attitude and cheerful approach anywhere, Brian Ammerman, had tickets for sale before the meeting. Don Dillingham and Chuck Powell helped staff the sales tables for the afternoon and evening shows.
After the musical warm ups, Director Joe Cerutti went right to work on the fall show music. Music vp, Terry Reynolds, and Brian helped things move along with some pointers on how the show will flow, and what the actors will do (sort of staging plans) and what the script will be like. (Never fear – it is a corny as any show we have ever done! Our audiences will love it.)
Good to see Chuck McKeever back. (He is back after a health incident (blacked out at home in his kitchen a couple weeks ago) but has gotten all-clear results from a huge list of tests.) He helped with reminders of the chorus choreography for the show songs. And he was thankful for the help from TJ Jones and Chuck Powell at previous rehearsals.
Operations vp, Mark Klostermeyer, conducted the chapter meeting portion of the evening. He encouraged the guys to take care of ticket sales, afterglow ticket purchases, picking up International chorus photos and medals.
Chapter secretary, Chris Buechler, presented a 25-year pin and renewal card to Chuck McKeever, and a 46-year renewal card to Jack Pitzer (YeEd).
Membership vp, Phil Ashford, introduced us to six guests – four are applicants.
Brian just had a few items t: reminder of the 10:30 am chorus call on Saturday; there will be time to get out of the theater for dinner, watch for email from Keith Jones and Sam McFarland about nearby eateries; the chapter could use the names of a bunch more students to give tickets to and fill the seats.
Scipio Garling reminded everyone of the special guest nite on Sept. 27th. There will be special events to welcome them and not overwhelm them. He suggested we should all follow up with the names of prospects we submitted earlier. Be there! Bring some goodies to share too – the cupboard is a little empty.
Brad Jones spoke about filling out the forms for those going to China. He sent out an email with the details. He reports about 143 going from our chapter with about 70 of them being singers. A good number are also coming from Toronto Northern Lights.
After the break it was back to show run-thru. The assistant directors also worked with the chorus on their songs.
We worked hard right up til the 10 pm bell. TJ Jones took us out for the nite and then everyone pitched in to take down and put away or load onto the truck for this weekend.
A good crowd gathered on the outside patio of the Hilton across from the Metro.
It was good to see some guys in the hall that we have missed recently – Dean Rust, Terry Jordan, Martin Banks, Mick Stamps and Craig Odell.
Busy weekend. AND then we need everyone back into the routine of regular Tuesday nite rehearsal as we dig into a bunch of new holiday music for the show.
Great to hear than Dean Martin has resumed his HarmoCast with a new one with Brandon Guyton. Dean hopes to be down to the show from his home in PA.
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. —YeEd.)
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Looking Back on the September 13th Chapter Meeting
(Many thanks to Jacob George and Alan Wile for taking notes for this report. YeEd)
While the risers were retrieved from under the stage and set up, a number of Harmonizers were seated behind tables for the following purposes: Show Producer Brian Ammerman – hawking fall show tickets; Bruce Lauther – returning engraved medals; Ian Poulin – scrip and fall show afterglow ticket sales; Jack Cameron distributed chorus pictures from the Kansas City contest; Bob Blair collected registration forms for the China trip [deadline is 9/15 so get ‘em in if you intend to go!]; and Dan O’Brien, filling in as VP-Membership, greeted guests. Attendance was taken by .
At 7:00 p.m., sharp, VP-Operations Mark Klostermeyer (K-12) called “Harmonizers on the Risers” and Assistant Director Will Cox warmed us up. Immediately afterwards the chorus dispersed for sectionals on page 2-3 of the “Hallelujah Chorus.”
Turning to the songs to be performed on our fall show, Master Director Joe Cerutti first tackled “If I Loved You.” Next, it was “New York, New York.” “What Shall We Do With The Drunken Sailor” followed … during which Joe invited the basses to leave the room to work out a couple of sections.
Then it was “Summertime.” Just prior to the break we rehearsed “I’ll Be Seeing You.” VP-M&P Terry Reynolds was “out front” for several songs, as was TJ Jones who coached us on the choreography.
K-12 announced the following birthdays for this week. Secretary Chris Buechler presented our newest member, Paul Douglas, with the symbols of membership. Chris also presented Joe Wagovich with his 30-year membership card and lapel pin. Other members receiving membership renewal cards were Don Thompson (19 years), Bob Wilson (34 years), and Randy Lazear (with a whopping 37 years).
VP-Shows Ken White asked all members to sign up on the paper lists for the two performances on the 24th and Brian Ammerman asked that the members do the same for the afterglow, together with the number of tickets purchased/needed.
K-12 noted that Chris Buechler had Harmonizer logo shirts for those who ordered them.
Substitute VP-Membership Dan O’Brien introduced our six guests, after which Will Cox directed the “Harmonizer Welcome song.”
In addition, it was GREAT to see some members who returned from summer vacations, etc., and the following members who are not often present were in evidence: Terry Jordan, Bob Wilson, Al Herman, and Tom Kraus, and package show producer Greg Tepe.
Following the break (yes, there were goodies in the kitchen for the taking thanks to Bob Wilson), Brian Ammerman briefed us on the status of the fall show (not all good news):
o Sign up to perform – on both performances
o Riser crew needed at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 23rd, to help Harmo-Van Driver Bob Blair set up and dress the risers
o Catering Team – Sam McFarland and Keith Jones
o Uniform requirements: yellow and blue shirts; yellow, blue & black ties; black suit, white tie/tails
o Ticket Sales: We need to sell about 500 tickets to break even. Currently less than 400 have been sold. Use your Facebook accounts to “like” and “share” news about the show … and do it more than once. Call friends to remind them about the show and encourage them to get tickets if they’ve not done so already. There will be an ad in The Washington Post and 3,200 postcards will be sent out to our patrons. Less than 2 weeks to go.
Directors Joe and Tony worked on “Hello, My Baby” and TJ Jones and Chuck Powell helped with the choreo. Joe returned to work “What Do I Need With Love” (with and without the Front Row, which was dismissed to work in the lobby). He briefly revisited some sections of “Hello, My Baby” before turning to “O Holy Night” – which brought us to 10:00 p.m.
K-12 urged all to sell tickets to the show one more time before asking Lew Klinge to “take us out” by directing “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. —YeEd.)
While the risers were retrieved from under the stage and set up, a number of Harmonizers were seated behind tables for the following purposes: Show Producer Brian Ammerman – hawking fall show tickets; Bruce Lauther – returning engraved medals; Ian Poulin – scrip and fall show afterglow ticket sales; Jack Cameron distributed chorus pictures from the Kansas City contest; Bob Blair collected registration forms for the China trip [deadline is 9/15 so get ‘em in if you intend to go!]; and Dan O’Brien, filling in as VP-Membership, greeted guests. Attendance was taken by .
At 7:00 p.m., sharp, VP-Operations Mark Klostermeyer (K-12) called “Harmonizers on the Risers” and Assistant Director Will Cox warmed us up. Immediately afterwards the chorus dispersed for sectionals on page 2-3 of the “Hallelujah Chorus.”
Turning to the songs to be performed on our fall show, Master Director Joe Cerutti first tackled “If I Loved You.” Next, it was “New York, New York.” “What Shall We Do With The Drunken Sailor” followed … during which Joe invited the basses to leave the room to work out a couple of sections.
Then it was “Summertime.” Just prior to the break we rehearsed “I’ll Be Seeing You.” VP-M&P Terry Reynolds was “out front” for several songs, as was TJ Jones who coached us on the choreography.
K-12 announced the following birthdays for this week. Secretary Chris Buechler presented our newest member, Paul Douglas, with the symbols of membership. Chris also presented Joe Wagovich with his 30-year membership card and lapel pin. Other members receiving membership renewal cards were Don Thompson (19 years), Bob Wilson (34 years), and Randy Lazear (with a whopping 37 years).
VP-Shows Ken White asked all members to sign up on the paper lists for the two performances on the 24th and Brian Ammerman asked that the members do the same for the afterglow, together with the number of tickets purchased/needed.
K-12 noted that Chris Buechler had Harmonizer logo shirts for those who ordered them.
Substitute VP-Membership Dan O’Brien introduced our six guests, after which Will Cox directed the “Harmonizer Welcome song.”
In addition, it was GREAT to see some members who returned from summer vacations, etc., and the following members who are not often present were in evidence: Terry Jordan, Bob Wilson, Al Herman, and Tom Kraus, and package show producer Greg Tepe.
Following the break (yes, there were goodies in the kitchen for the taking thanks to Bob Wilson), Brian Ammerman briefed us on the status of the fall show (not all good news):
o Sign up to perform – on both performances
o Riser crew needed at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 23rd, to help Harmo-Van Driver Bob Blair set up and dress the risers
o Catering Team – Sam McFarland and Keith Jones
o Uniform requirements: yellow and blue shirts; yellow, blue & black ties; black suit, white tie/tails
o Ticket Sales: We need to sell about 500 tickets to break even. Currently less than 400 have been sold. Use your Facebook accounts to “like” and “share” news about the show … and do it more than once. Call friends to remind them about the show and encourage them to get tickets if they’ve not done so already. There will be an ad in The Washington Post and 3,200 postcards will be sent out to our patrons. Less than 2 weeks to go.
Directors Joe and Tony worked on “Hello, My Baby” and TJ Jones and Chuck Powell helped with the choreo. Joe returned to work “What Do I Need With Love” (with and without the Front Row, which was dismissed to work in the lobby). He briefly revisited some sections of “Hello, My Baby” before turning to “O Holy Night” – which brought us to 10:00 p.m.
K-12 urged all to sell tickets to the show one more time before asking Lew Klinge to “take us out” by directing “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. —YeEd.)
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Looking Back on the September 6th Chapter Meeting
(Many thanks to Alan Wile for taking notes for this report. YeEd)
We met tonight at the Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School (in the development that once was Cameron Station) because of scheduled work on the floor of the Durant Center. We met in a mini-auditorium … and it got a bit “humid” over the course of the evening. Although the Harmo-truck was there, the risers were unnecessary, given the fact that the room had built-in “terraced steps.”
At 7:00 p.m. VP-Operations Mark Klostermeyer (K-12) called the (30+) Harmonizers to take their places. Assistant Director Tony Colosimo conducted the warm-up as our numbers increased, before relinquishing his position “out front” to Master Director Joe Cerutti.
Keith Jones quietly took attendance, while our ever-faithful Ellen Dellert spent the evening with us, as did Mary Anne Cleaveland.
Director Joe spent nearly half an hour working us in sections on the “Hallelujah Chorus,” followed by a few minutes on “Most Wonderful Time Of The Year.” Next, he worked the chorus on “Ob La Di, Ob La Da,” “No More Sorrow,” and “Stars And Stripes Forever.” Leads and basses were “invited” to leave to get portions of “S&S” right.
The opening chords of “That’s Amore” were less than pleasing to Joe, and he asked Tony to take over on that one. And Tony did … for about 20 minutes … really working out the musical elements … with help from Chuck McKeever and TJ Jones on the choreography. Joe then rehearsed the chorus on “Great Day.”
VP-M&P Terry Reynolds stressed the need to be at our next two rehearsals on time and ready to perform as we have a lot of ground to cover (and perfect) before our show on September 24th.
Chapter Secretary Chris Buechler presented Jack Cameron with his new membership card … celebrating his 42 years in the Society.
Ian Poulin announced that members will shortly be able to pay for tickets, etc., electronically, that he’s taking over scrip sales (for which we’ll be able to use credit cards), and that he has show afterglow tickets available for $20 each.
Fall show producer Brian Ammerman noted:
• The Hylton fall calendar lists only three shows, only one of which features great singing – ours! He’s designed the show to include themes of love, romance, and heartache … but also has a happy ending.
• Tickets – Need to get those seats filled!!!! Last chance to get your ticket requirements met by Brian: get your needs to him by this Friday at 2:00 p.m. if you want him to get them for you (for delivery next Tuesday night) … or deal directly with the box office.
• See Ian for afterglow tickets.
• Nick Leisersen is taking ad requests for the show program book up to this Saturday!
• Props: Still some needs – e.g., a park bench; two small “café” type tables; two children (about 10-12 years old).
• Uniforms: blue and yellow shirts; blue, yellow, & black ties; black suit; white tie, vest, tails, etc. Be sure all are clean, bright, and ready. Possibly tear-away vests. More to come.
• Chorus call: 10:30 sharp on Saturday, 9/24 ‘cause we have a lot to do before getting dressed/made-up.
For the last time Bruce Lauther took medals for engraving and orders for DVDs of the Carnegie Hall performance. President Steve Murane reminded that the Board will meet Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. at the Durant Center and announced that he would be taking reservation forms for the China trip tonight and that Bob Blair would be doing so next week – all checks are to be made out to “Alexandria Harmonizers.” Jack Cameron distributed international contest pictures to members of the chorus.
Terry Reynolds asked that EVERYONE bring their tear-away vests next week to practice using them … and to see if it will be feasible to use them in the show. Those without them need to see Uniform Coordinator Tom Kern.
VP-Membership Phil Ashford introduced three first-time guests (amazing that they actually found us at this rather remote and unique meeting venue): Joe (whose mother and grandmother both sing with Pride of Baltimore Sweet Adeline Chorus); Dave (who sings with and is the membership VP for the Arlington Good Times Chorus of Arlington, TX); and Ross (who is with the Air Force and just assigned to the area). Tony Colosimo directed the Harmonizer Welcome Song … followed by a very brief break.
Returning to the pseudo-risers, Joe directed “I’ll Be Seeing You,” “What Do I Need With Love,” and “Hello My Baby” (with emphasis on the choreography and help from Chuck McKeever and TJ Jones).
Finally, Noah Van Gilder “took us out” as he directed “Keep The Whole World Singing.”
YeEd says thanks for news about a put-together quartet that sang for a retired choir friend of Randy Lazear’s birthday. Randy got the call and since his quartet, FOUR MAN VOCAL BAND, was not available, he asked Bob Blair, Mike Swartz and Mike Kelly to join him to do the gig. Even tho the honoree has lost his voice and speaks only with a synthetic voice box, he mouthed the words to a couple songs the foursome sang. Great to have guys out representing our chapter and the barbershop society. They sang some barberpole cat songs and a couple current chorus numbers.
Fun to sing the new holiday song arranged by Jay Giallombardo. FYI he has returned as director for the New Tradition Chorus in Chicago.
Our guys in TBD sang a gig with the DC Chapter as guest for the Alexandria Singers on their show at Market Square on Sept. 10th. Bill Collosimo directs the DC Chapter and the Singers.
Don’t forget to wear your (or a) name tag at all Harmonizer functions. Maybe keep it in your barbershop briefcase. It helps the guests and newer members!
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. —YeEd.)
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Looking Back on the August 30th Chapter Meeting
Looking Back on the August 30th Chapter Meeting
A big crowd of members, their families and guests were on hand for the presentation and information session about our chapter’s trip to China in 2012.
Representatives from a Toronto travel agency made the presentation and answered a lot of questions about the trip. They provided a specific color brochure about the Harmo trip. They explained the highlights of the trip, reviewed travel details including VISA and Passport necessities and how we could adapt the trip for personal plans.
The brochure included a form that is due Sept. 15. Members can get their form from Brad Jones or Steve Murane (or Bob Blair if those two are on travel). Brad is our chapter coordinator and will provide some very detailed email messages for all to use in making their plans. It is not too late to sign up even if you didn’t make an earlier deposit. Departure is estimated for Sept 2, 2012, depending on how many go and obtaining a flight(s) for our group.
Brad spoke briefly about our joint concert with the Toronto Northern Lights Chorus while in China.
In short, don’t delay if you are interested. See Brad and get started in making your plans.
After the hour talk, we had break time and celebrated John Pence’s 75th birthday with huge chocolate chip pizza-like cookies.
The chapter meeting was held after the break. Secretary, Chris Buechler, presented membership renewal cards to Bob Mattes for 13 years; Joe Sawyer for 16 years; Alan Wile for 24 years; Ken Fess for 27 tears; and Mike Kelly for 31 years.
Operations vp, Mark Klostermeyer, invited Bob Rhome to explain details about a different meeting location on Sept. 6 while the floor in Durant is replaced.
The Harmonizers will relocate their meeting on Sept 6 to Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School, 435 Ferdinand Day Dr., Alex 22304, just off Pickett and Cameron Station Blvd. The main entrance for the chorus will be the one on Ferdinand Day Dr. Park in the Armistead Booth Park and follow the path to the Harmonizer truck at the entrance for us to use.
Show guru, Brian Ammerman, made 5 points regarding the fall show, Sept. 24th at the Hylton Center in Manassas.
1. If you are on Facebook, use it to promote the show.
2. Call people you know to check on them after the Hurricane and then change the subject to promote the show.
3. Invite significant others to help sell tickets too.
4. Brain has some jobs to be filled for the show, and promises an email with details, especially for making or finding props for the show.
5. He has consignment tickets to sell members with him.
Bruce Lauther will be help you get engraving done on the medals you earned in Kansas City. He needs to get them in the next two weeks.
A get-well card was circulated for Bob Wachter. He is reportedly making some progress but still can’t accept calls. Keep him in your thoughts.
Membership vp, Phil Ashford, introduced a number of guests. Some had been with us before.
Then we went to work singing. Director Joe Cerutti, explained the plan to add several new holiday songs for shows and CDs. We also worked on the revival of our 1995 contest ballad.
Joe recognized Dan O’Brien and Tony Colosimo who were recently named candidate judges in the BHS Contest and Judging program
Jack Cameron was distributing the chorus photos that were taken at International. Don’t delay in getting your picture, if you ordered one.
Don’t forget to wear your (or a) name tag at all Harmonizer functions. Maybe keep it in your barbershop briefcase. It helps the guests and newer members!
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. —YeEd.)
A big crowd of members, their families and guests were on hand for the presentation and information session about our chapter’s trip to China in 2012.
Representatives from a Toronto travel agency made the presentation and answered a lot of questions about the trip. They provided a specific color brochure about the Harmo trip. They explained the highlights of the trip, reviewed travel details including VISA and Passport necessities and how we could adapt the trip for personal plans.
The brochure included a form that is due Sept. 15. Members can get their form from Brad Jones or Steve Murane (or Bob Blair if those two are on travel). Brad is our chapter coordinator and will provide some very detailed email messages for all to use in making their plans. It is not too late to sign up even if you didn’t make an earlier deposit. Departure is estimated for Sept 2, 2012, depending on how many go and obtaining a flight(s) for our group.
Brad spoke briefly about our joint concert with the Toronto Northern Lights Chorus while in China.
In short, don’t delay if you are interested. See Brad and get started in making your plans.
After the hour talk, we had break time and celebrated John Pence’s 75th birthday with huge chocolate chip pizza-like cookies.
The chapter meeting was held after the break. Secretary, Chris Buechler, presented membership renewal cards to Bob Mattes for 13 years; Joe Sawyer for 16 years; Alan Wile for 24 years; Ken Fess for 27 tears; and Mike Kelly for 31 years.
Operations vp, Mark Klostermeyer, invited Bob Rhome to explain details about a different meeting location on Sept. 6 while the floor in Durant is replaced.
The Harmonizers will relocate their meeting on Sept 6 to Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School, 435 Ferdinand Day Dr., Alex 22304, just off Pickett and Cameron Station Blvd. The main entrance for the chorus will be the one on Ferdinand Day Dr. Park in the Armistead Booth Park and follow the path to the Harmonizer truck at the entrance for us to use.
Show guru, Brian Ammerman, made 5 points regarding the fall show, Sept. 24th at the Hylton Center in Manassas.
1. If you are on Facebook, use it to promote the show.
2. Call people you know to check on them after the Hurricane and then change the subject to promote the show.
3. Invite significant others to help sell tickets too.
4. Brain has some jobs to be filled for the show, and promises an email with details, especially for making or finding props for the show.
5. He has consignment tickets to sell members with him.
Bruce Lauther will be help you get engraving done on the medals you earned in Kansas City. He needs to get them in the next two weeks.
A get-well card was circulated for Bob Wachter. He is reportedly making some progress but still can’t accept calls. Keep him in your thoughts.
Membership vp, Phil Ashford, introduced a number of guests. Some had been with us before.
Then we went to work singing. Director Joe Cerutti, explained the plan to add several new holiday songs for shows and CDs. We also worked on the revival of our 1995 contest ballad.
Joe recognized Dan O’Brien and Tony Colosimo who were recently named candidate judges in the BHS Contest and Judging program
Jack Cameron was distributing the chorus photos that were taken at International. Don’t delay in getting your picture, if you ordered one.
Don’t forget to wear your (or a) name tag at all Harmonizer functions. Maybe keep it in your barbershop briefcase. It helps the guests and newer members!
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. —YeEd.)
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