Monday, May 14, 2012


Looking Back on the May 8th Chapter Meeting

The Harmonizer meeting and rehearsal started with a brief listening session (our av team plays something chosen by the music team) which also serves as a welcome to the risers and a reminder for members to put paperwork away and to join the guys on the risers.

This week we heard the 2001 performance by our own chapter at the International contest in Nashville, singing “Alexandria’s Ragtime Band.”

Associate director Tony Colosimo did a terrific warm up session and there was some teasing by director Joe Cerutti that Tony and assistant director Will Cox are in competition for the best warm up routines in the nation!

Joe announced that new member Doug White and his wife were likely at the hospital for birth of a new baby. 

Joe also shared that he was invited to judge this year’s World Choir Games in Cincinnati, OH.  It is a major event in the music world.  The barbershop contestants compete the week after Portland convention.  Congrats Joe!

Before we got to serious work on our music, all the new members since last July’s contest went with chapter admin and music leaders for new-guy-boot-camp.

First song we worked on was “I’m The Music Man” and Joe was very pleased with the progress on this new show opener.

The rest of the first half of the evening was used on the contest package.  In the end, stage left sang for stage right. Two weeks left before we compete in Roanoke.

Mark Klostermeyer filled in for ops vp Scott Kahler who is out of town.  First up was secretary Chris Buechler, who reminded several guys that they need to have paid their dues before the contest. He presented a 25-year renewal card and lapel pin to Paul Grimes. Renewal membership cards were presented to the following: Chris Buechler for 27 years; Bob Eckman for 28 years; Al Herman for 29 years; and Dick Hall for 48 years.

Show producer Nick Leiserson reminded guys to use the pending coffee break time to speak with Tom Kern for uniform needs for contest as Tom will on travel for two weeks. And Nick suggested guys stop and speak with him or shows vp Brian Ammerman about getting consignment tickets for the June 9 show.

Membership vp Phil Ashford welcome our guests – all are applicants.

There was a 10 minute break.

Then back to our meeting session. Brad Jones, our China trip coordinator, alerted guys about departure plans and to watch for an important email about passports.

Nick spoke more about plans for this important spring show on June 9th.  Sell tickets, and sell ads or sponsorships.  Director Joe held up a stack of 350 tickets.  He suggested that we must sell all of them to at least break even.  He offered again that if a member buys some tickets and gives them to Joe, Joe will give them to youth who have not heard barbershop.  Nick also reminded guys to mark their calendar for a show on Sun, June 10th too!

Chapter president Steve Murane reminded the board of their next meeting on May16th at 7 pm.  He also announced that the draw for appearance of quartets in Portland was this afternoon. Four of the seven M-AD quartets have Harmonizers in them!  TOP SHELF with Andrew Havens sings 8th; DA CAPO with Tony Colosimo, Joe Sawyer, and Wayne Adams sings 15th;  MAYHEM with Mike Pinto and Ken White sings 46th; and  MAD HATTERS with Rick Taylor and Steve White sings 52nd

Next on the agenda was the weekly barbershop craft session conducted by Tony. He repeated an axiom “breath the vowel” again, but this time he developed several new points.

After Tony’s strong session, Craig Kujawa began instruction of the visual plan for “I’m The Music Man” which the guys were excited about.

Pretty much then, the rest of the nite was working on “Jersey Boy” with emphasis on the stage presence including Chuck McKeever teaching us the rest of the moves we had not learned before.

The risers were full all nite and everyone at the afterglow agreed it was hardworking but successful nite.  And warm!  The hall was also full with all the FRIENDS of HARMONY who were having their regular meeting.

 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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Monday, May 7, 2012


Looking Back on the May 1st  Chapter Meeting

First off, here is important info from Alan Wile and Mike Kelly about this year’s educational weekend for all barbershoppers in the area.



Immerse Yourself in a Weekend of MAD Barbershop!

Jun 14-17, 2012
Salisbury, MD - Salisbury State University

Often called “The GREATEST weekend for barbershopping on the East Coast!” Harmony College East is held each year at Salisbury University in Salisbury, MD. Tuition for the full 3-night stay (which includes 6 meals, all courses, and two barbershop shows) is $215.  Other time and financial arrangements are also available.

Top vocal and performance coaches from across the US and Canada, provide classes and coaching for individual singers, quartets, choruses and also directors and prospective directors.  In order to make class selection easier a number of "tracks" have been created with suggested courses.  The tracks include the following:
  • Becoming a (Better) Quartetter
  • Becoming a Better Chorus Singer
  • Courses for HCE Chorus Participants
  • Courses for Directors
  • Courses for Members of Choruses that are being Coached
  • Courses for Musical Leaders (M&P, Section Leader, Chapter Leader)
  • Improving Your Coaching Skills
  • Show Production
Check it out on www.MidAtlanticDistrict.com/HCE.  Need help or advice?  Talk to Mike Kelly or Alan Wile … or any number of past attendees.



The May 1st Harmonizer meeting was a full and busy session in prep for our many shows plus contest.  A good crowd of singers was on the risers too.  The evening started with a listening session of an awesome new arrangement by Jim Clancy in TX of “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother.”

Assistant director Will Cox did the vocal warm-ups and turned over the “ready” chorus to director Joe Cerutti.  Before we started singing, tho, all the guys who have joined the chapter since last year’s International contest went to a “boot camp” or orientation session with Will Cox, some officers and board members to help those new guys catch up on being an active Harmonizer.

Joe and the visual team worked on “Jersey Boys” with some hiccups and the evidence that we need to work on it at home. After that session, we worked on reviewing and teaching “Hello My Baby” including teaching the newer members.

Then we jumped over to sing “I’m The Music Man” and it was fun to see how much progress the chorus has made to learn that one so fast.  Now to add the visual plan to it.

Both “Jersey Boys” and “Music Man” are gonna be needed for the many upcoming shows in June!  So there is no time to waste.

The chapter meeting session was conducted by operations vp Scott Kahler.  First up was chapter secretary Chris Buechler.  He presented new member materials to Tom Frederick and Bob Griesemer.  Austin Cotton was presented his 37 year renewal card, and Alan Kousen was presented his 45 year renewal card and lapel pin marking his longevity in the BHS.

Next Mary Anne Cleaveland, representing the Pride of Baltimore Sweet Adeline Chapter, invited us to buy tickets to, or sponsor a table for, their annual tea, Saturday, May 12th from 12-3 pm. For ticket info call Jackie at 410-789-7172.  Good way for us to support their chapter like they do by coming to our holiday show every year.

Membership vp Phil Ashford introduced our guests this week including Ron Rogers, a former member who is active in Texas these days.  We have seen him recently on stage at the international contests.

We had a good long break, then back to chapter meeting time.  Mike Kelly plugged attendance at the Harmony College East in June (see info above).

Shows vp Brian Ammerman and show producer Nick Leiserson gave us more details about the major spring show on June 9th at George Mason Perf Arts Center.  [First off, it appears there is a good chance Erin Odell’s quartet will be able to perform!!! Hurray. And our congrats to Erin for all of her miraculous successes in the last few weeks with her quartet, chorus (with Joe filling in as director), and progress in getting better.]

Secondly, everyone is asked to sell or buy an ad for the program.  See Chris Clark (clark.christopher.j@gmail.com). Idea: YeEd bought an ad to promote another group in the community as a donation to that group.

And of course, sell tickets. Get out the flyers.  Tell your friends you are singing and to come see you and enjoy the great music.  7:30 pm show.

Finally, prepare yourself for the songs on that show. As a reminder, besides the contest set we will be performing: “I'm the Music Man” (with choreo!); “Ob La Di;” “Hello, My Baby” (with choreo!); “Summertime” (with choreo); “Stars and Stripes;” “Jersey Boys” (with choreo); “Great Day” (with choreo); and “Music of the Night.”

Brian also reminds us of the show we have on Sunday, June 10th in MD.  And the major show at Constitution Hall on June 19th (for those old timers around who read this column, it is like another Kennedy Center Honors show.

Another item from Brian was a shout out to Len Dornberger for telling a meeting planner he knows thru his profession about the Harmonizers as entertainers.  May yield a show.  All of us should follow his example.

Scott Kahler used the emergency text messaging system for the chapter to alert us all about the change in meeting location tonite.  If you did not get a text on your cell phone about 5 pm or so on Tuesday nite, email Scott to report.  You should have gotten one. As they say, “This Was A Test.”

Brad Jones, China trip coordinator, reports that the agency is making flight arrangements.  But each traveler should be careful in making any preliminary flights and check first.

Bob Blair reported a fun story and a nice income source for the chapter. He and Howard Nestlerode and Carl Kauffmann did the work for a couple riser rentals to local singing groups.  Their motto – U Call, We Haul!  Earned the chapter a little over $1000.

Tony Colosimo announced the release of the new DA CAPO cd titled “Beginnings” which you can order online or get from Tony next week.  $15.

Then it was back to singing on the risers with associate director Tony conducting another excellent barbershop craft session. This week’s theme was “your voice matters” and he had us demonstrate a number of ways that is true.  It led to some great singing of the contest songs too!

He actually directed the package and Joe coached – always a very successful exercise. The good singing also meant more emotion and story-telling.

YeEd also reports that Bob Sutton is listed as one of the editor in the BHS magazine, PRESERVATION which deals with all sorts of barbershop history and trivia.  You can get it online, free.  Just ask to be added to the list. 

Great to hear the chatter around the halls at Durant of quartets gearing up to compete at Southern Division in Roanoke.  Talk of uniforms to wear. When to arrive.  Forms to be submitted in order to enter. Who is well this week. When to practice next.  This is so good to see. YeEd has asked around and finds there are some guys in a couple quartets too.

The members of the chorus worked hard to hurry and get the rehearsal equipment put away so tag singing could happen. And a nice big crowd made it over to the Hilton for the afterglow.  Come just us next week.  As weather gets nice, we will likely be out on the patio.

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 May 1st  Chapter Meeting

First off, here is important info from Alan Wile and Mike Kelly about this year’s educational weekend for all barbershoppers in the area.



Immerse Yourself in a Weekend of MAD Barbershop!

Jun 14-17, 2012
Salisbury, MD - Salisbury State University

Often called “The GREATEST weekend for barbershopping on the East Coast!” Harmony College East is held each year at Salisbury University in Salisbury, MD. Tuition for the full 3-night stay (which includes 6 meals, all courses, and two barbershop shows) is $215.  Other time and financial arrangements are also available.

Top vocal and performance coaches from across the US and Canada, provide classes and coaching for individual singers, quartets, choruses and also directors and prospective directors.  In order to make class selection easier a number of "tracks" have been created with suggested courses.  The tracks include the following:
  • Becoming a (Better) Quartetter
  • Becoming a Better Chorus Singer
  • Courses for HCE Chorus Participants
  • Courses for Directors
  • Courses for Members of Choruses that are being Coached
  • Courses for Musical Leaders (M&P, Section Leader, Chapter Leader)
  • Improving Your Coaching Skills
  • Show Production
Check it out on www.MidAtlanticDistrict.com/HCE.  Need help or advice?  Talk to Mike Kelly or Alan Wile … or any number of past attendees.



The May 1st Harmonizer meeting was a full and busy session in prep for our many shows plus contest.  A good crowd of singers was on the risers too.  The evening started with a listening session of an awesome new arrangement by Jim Clancy in TX of “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother.”

Assistant director Will Cox did the vocal warm-ups and turned over the “ready” chorus to director Joe Cerutti.  Before we started singing, tho, all the guys who have joined the chapter since last year’s International contest went to a “boot camp” or orientation session with Will Cox, some officers and board members to help those new guys catch up on being an active Harmonizer.

Joe and the visual team worked on “Jersey Boys” with some hiccups and the evidence that we need to work on it at home. After that session, we worked on reviewing and teaching “Hello My Baby” including teaching the newer members.

Then we jumped over to sing “I’m The Music Man” and it was fun to see how much progress the chorus has made to learn that one so fast.  Now to add the visual plan to it.

Both “Jersey Boys” and “Music Man” are gonna be needed for the many upcoming shows in June!  So there is no time to waste.

The chapter meeting session was conducted by operations vp Scott Kahler.  First up was chapter secretary Chris Buechler.  He presented new member materials to Tom Frederick and Bob Griesemer.  Austin Cotton was presented his 37 year renewal card, and Alan Kousen was presented his 45 year renewal card and lapel pin marking his longevity in the BHS.

Next Mary Anne Cleaveland, representing the Pride of Baltimore Sweet Adeline Chapter, invited us to buy tickets to, or sponsor a table for, their annual tea, Saturday, May 12th from 12-3 pm. For ticket info call Jackie at 410-789-7172.  Good way for us to support their chapter like they do by coming to our holiday show every year.

Membership vp Phil Ashford introduced our guests this week including Ron Rogers, a former member who is active in Texas these days.  We have seen him recently on stage at the international contests.

We had a good long break, then back to chapter meeting time.  Mike Kelly plugged attendance at the Harmony College East in June (see info above).

Shows vp Brian Ammerman and show producer Nick Leiserson gave us more details about the major spring show on June 9th at George Mason Perf Arts Center.  [First off, it appears there is a good chance Erin Odell’s quartet will be able to perform!!! Hurray. And our congrats to Erin for all of her miraculous successes in the last few weeks with her quartet, chorus (with Joe filling in as director), and progress in getting better.]

Secondly, everyone is asked to sell or buy an ad for the program.  See Chris Clark (clark.christopher.j@gmail.com). Idea: YeEd bought an ad to promote another group in the community as a donation to that group.

And of course, sell tickets. Get out the flyers.  Tell your friends you are singing and to come see you and enjoy the great music.  7:30 pm show.

Finally, prepare yourself for the songs on that show. As a reminder, besides the contest set we will be performing: “I'm the Music Man” (with choreo!); “Ob La Di;” “Hello, My Baby” (with choreo!); “Summertime” (with choreo); “Stars and Stripes;” “Jersey Boys” (with choreo); “Great Day” (with choreo); and “Music of the Night.”

Brian also reminds us of the show we have on Sunday, June 10th in MD.  And the major show at Constitution Hall on June 19th (for those old timers around who read this column, it is like another Kennedy Center Honors show.

Another item from Brian was a shout out to Len Dornberger for telling a meeting planner he knows thru his profession about the Harmonizers as entertainers.  May yield a show.  All of us should follow his example.

Scott Kahler used the emergency text messaging system for the chapter to alert us all about the change in meeting location tonite.  If you did not get a text on your cell phone about 5 pm or so on Tuesday nite, email Scott to report.  You should have gotten one. As they say, “This Was A Test.”

Brad Jones, China trip coordinator, reports that the agency is making flight arrangements.  But each traveler should be careful in making any preliminary flights and check first.

Bob Blair reported a fun story and a nice income source for the chapter. He and Howard Nestlerode and Carl Kauffmann did the work for a couple riser rentals to local singing groups.  Their motto – U Call, We Haul!  Earned the chapter a little over $1000.

Tony Colosimo announced the release of the new DA CAPO cd titled “Beginnings” which you can order online or get from Tony next week.  $15.

Then it was back to singing on the risers with associate director Tony conducting another excellent barbershop craft session. This week’s theme was “your voice matters” and he had us demonstrate a number of ways that is true.  It led to some great singing of the contest songs too!

He actually directed the package and Joe coached – always a very successful exercise. The good singing also meant more emotion and story-telling.

YeEd also reports that Bob Sutton is listed as one of the editor in the BHS magazine, PRESERVATION which deals with all sorts of barbershop history and trivia.  You can get it online, free.  Just ask to be added to the list. 

Great to hear the chatter around the halls at Durant of quartets gearing up to compete at Southern Division in Roanoke.  Talk of uniforms to wear. When to arrive.  Forms to be submitted in order to enter. Who is well this week. When to practice next.  This is so good to see. YeEd has asked around and finds there are some guys in a couple quartets too.

The members of the chorus worked hard to hurry and get the rehearsal equipment put away so tag singing could happen. And a nice big crowd made it over to the Hilton for the afterglow.  Come just us next week.  As weather gets nice, we will likely be out on the patio.

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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