Looking Back on the Nov. 27^th Chapter Meeting

Lots of great news coming from the Harmonizers this week. The SOLD OUT Holiday shows for starters!! Maybe our first ever sell out.

(YeEd thinks it is pretty neat that Steve Lingo stepped up to the plate and is managing a wait list for holiday show tickets. If you need to unload or acquire some, send him an email with the details and he’ll attempt to connect the dots with a reciprocal party. Include: which show, number of tickets, and the class of each ticket. And if you're trying to unload, let him know if you personally have possession of them or if they are Will Call.)

 

Assistant director Will Cox did warm ups and he kept us guessing as to what clapping routine he was gonna follow.  When he turned the chorus over to director Joe Cerutti, Joe stepped to the front with more exciting news about the 100+   guys signed up for the International chorus contest in Toronto in 2012, and 90+ singers signed up to make the 2014 trip to Normandy, France.  (Joe was pleased to introduce a friend and guest tonite who sings barbershop and is from France.)

Joe was also fired up about the post-show schedule for December – the caroling around Old Town on Dec. 4^th; another fun Put-Together-Quartet Contest on Dec. 11^th on the stage in Durant; and then a show at the Masonic Temple for kids and families sponsored by the George Washington National Memorial and Federal Lodge No. 1. (It will be mostly our holiday show.)  And all these events with 85-90 guys on the risers.

After working a couple of the  big numbers for the show like our new “Sleigh Bells” piece and then a drill with the “monks” for Hallelujah chorus, we embarked on a sing-thru of the show with the speaking parts and comedy.  Thanks loads to the character actors and soloists and others who have been working to learn their parts.

Mark Klostermeyer conducted the chapter meeting. There had already been a lot of “business” at the admin tables between 6-7 pm.  But he reminded us all to take care of things you need like scrip cards for holiday spending, entertainment books and White House Ornaments for gifts.

Calvin Schnure reminded guys to get a quartet ready to sing in the chapter contest on Dec. 11^th.  There are trophies for the top three comedy quartet, trophies for the top regular quartet and trophies to the top overall quartet.  Lew Klinge is preparing material for his usual emcee job that nite. There is also a trophy for the guy who sings in the most quartets that nite – it is named after George Azzam who sang in many each year and one year had pictures of himself as he tried to sing all four parts!!!

If any of the new guys wanna give it a shot (and they should),  let Calvin or Joe know you are interested and want ideas of other guys to sing with.

Chapter secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Gerry Fuller for two years and Dave Hood for 15 years.

Membership vp Phil Ashford welcomed the guests for the evening.

Show announcements included reminders to bring wrapped boxes on Thrus nite for the dress rehearsal that starts at 6:30.  Decorating crew is needed Fri at 10 am to work with Roger Day.  Bob Blair asked for helpers 5 pm Wed. nite to load and unload the huge amount of decorations we have in storage and will use to convert the church hall into Santa’s workshop. 

Also there was a reminder each guy to bring 4 doz. good cookies for the dessert part of the meal.  Bring them on Friday (or Thursday if you wish) and give them to Jack Pitzer.

Josh Roots announced the tech nite session on Wed. He pledged an email would come to all members about staging for the show.

He announced times for things:

·        Thrus dress rehearsal (tho not really wearing our costumes or uniforms) – 6:30 pm

·        Fri eve show – chorus call is 6 pm (plan for traffic, get rides from the Metro, etc.)

·        Sat matinee show – chorus call is 11 am

·        Sat nite show – chorus call is 4:30 pm

Nick Leiserson will lead us in tear down after the show.  Don’t destroy the wrapped boxes as they will be hauled away by Potomac Harmony Sweet Adelines to use for their show.

Brad Jones reported solid sales so far in the online auction.  That phase of the auction will end at 9 pm Thrs. nite. Show patrons will have an auction catalog on their table to place orders for items.

After break for refreshments, we heard from package show producer GregTepe about the Dec. events mentioned earlier.

Then it was back to work on the risers singing and polishing and giving soloists a shot at doing their work with the chorus.

We actually got done before 10 pm and a good crowd went over to the Hilton for a quick afterglow. YeEd expects we will all go someplace next week after singing in Old Town. Wear scarf and gloves – check the weather as we walk from restaurant to restaurant and sing for their patrons.  Meet at Durant at the usual time and we will go from there.

Joe promises that one nite in December we will get a sneak preview of our contest songs for Toronoto!!

Risers were put away and some guys started working on quartets for the Dec. 11^th contest!

For the many new guys in the chapter, note that there will be no rehearsal on Dec. 25^th nor Jan. 1^st.  However there will be the annual barbershop gathering in MD for guys and family members to enjoy some quartet singing and food/drink/and/fellowship. It is hosted by the Dundalk Chapter and held Thurs. Dec. 27^th at 7:30-11:59 pm, at Michael’s 8^th Avenue, 7220 Grayburn Dr., Glen Burnie, MD  $15 fee. Last year there were a lot of Harmonizers there and many of them sang in quartets in the impromptu quartet contest.  Maybe some of our chapter put-together quartets will go enter.  

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 Nov. 20^th Chapter Meeting

No surprises this week – hard work on preparation for our Holiday dinner theater show. But it was different that other years – we were working hard to keep up the high level of musical performance on the routine songs vs. just singing thru them.

Assistant director Will Cox did warm ups and he included some fun movement on the risers. Director Joe Cerutti stepped to the front with exciting news that we have SOLD OUT all three holiday shows.

Joe thanked Carl Kauffman for his work in representing the chapter last weekend on the annual “FAM” Trip (that stands for familiarity) that allows choruses in the Toronto International contest to see the contest venue, check out the prospective hotels and such.  Alexandria will sing 23^rd in the chorus contest. Carl and our board have already reviewed the options he found on the trip and have responded to the Society as to our needs (things like a hotel with rehearsal space, close to contest venue, etc.)

YeEd learned this past weekend that our Mid Atlantic District will have four choruses in the contest – Alexandria; Hell’s Kitchen; Hamilton Square, NJ; and Dundalk, Md.  And Westchester County NY will be the mic tester chorus.

Joe also welcomed his dad, Joe Sr., who has moved to the area (and is looking for a job!).

To start us off with our best voices, associate director Tony Colosimo conducted a very effective barbershop craft session that helped the individual singers develop their personal skills.

Then we sang and reviewed and added dynamics to the songs for the show.

Before break, Mark Klostermeyer conducted the weekly chapter meeting.

Mark also announced a board meeting during the break.

Secretary Chris Buechler suggested that anyone who needed to turn in housing or registration information for Toronto to give it to Dixie Kennett during the break.  She also was accepting Harmo logo shirt or fleece orders.

Chris also presented a renewal card for Chris Clark for three years. (Congrats to Chris and Lauren – just back from their wedding.)

Jack Cameron has photo orders from the fall chorus contest. See him if you wanna confirm or change or add an order.

Brad Jones has done great work in getting the Harmo auction online and working sales are going well.  And many members have gotten us great items to sell.

This word from Brad:  Some exciting new items have been added to the now over 150 items listed on our online auction. One of the most exciting is the opportunity to sit at Joe's table at the Presidents Ball Also added recently are a laser signed 2012 Redskins Team Ball donated by the Washington Redskins, several toy items for the little ones and additional artwork pieces. Be on the lookout later this week for several watches including a Seiko Ladies Watch with Diamonds. We have already made good sales on the online and silent auction! We can make even more if we just get the word out to more people to visit www.32auctions.com/harmonybids. Thanks to all for your donations and for getting the word out to people about our auction!

Members who need a red tie for the last act of the Holiday show – see Tom Kern at break.

Membership vp Phil Ashford introduced our guests including two new applicants, including Joe Sr.!

During the break there was a lot to do such as White House Ornaments from Sandy Stamps, Entertainment books from Chuck Harner, deposits for Normandy trip in 2014, sale of scrip cards for holiday purchases from Ian Poulin and getting some goodies and coffee.

After the break, TJ Donahue invited guys to a new afterglow location tonite – Bistro LaFayette at the corner of Fayette and King. (YeEd reports it was fun, nice place, totally ours for the nite so we could sing and visit. All are invited.)

Here are the show related announcements:

Roger Day reminded all to bring two large boxes wrapped with shiny gift wrap to the dress rehearsal for the show on Thursday.

Jack Pitzer explained the need for each member to bring four dozen colorful holiday cookies. They are used to create dessert platters that are served as part of the dinner theater atmosphere of our show. They can be brought on Thursday nite or Friday nite.

Co-chair Josh Roots confirmed the show has SOLD OUT. He thanked all for making the auction a success. He reviewed that there is a tech rehearsal for principals on Wed. Nov. 28^th.  There is a chorus run-thru on Thrs. Nov. 29^th.  Then there is set up and decorating on Fri. Nov. 29^th starting at 10 am which is a good way for new guys to help and meet other members.

Calvin Schnure has organized a Put Together Quartet contest for Tues. Dec. 11^th. So start forming quartets to enter – one song, comedy or regular entries allowed, no time limit. Trophies for best comedy, regular and overall.  Also award for guy in most quartets – the George Azzam award.  Judges to be announced. Watch for a detailed email but start working on a quartet.  Invite some of our new guys to join you.

Also be looking for an email about Singing Valentine program details.

President Steve Murane reported that Bob Ulibarri had a quadruple heart operation recently and Lew Klinge had a partial knee replacement on Monday.  Both are reportedly at home and progressing well.

After all the announcements, it was back on the risers and we sang right up til 10 pm.

Then Joe announced the soloists he chose from the auditions for the show. Chuck Hunter won the 50/50 and took us out on KTWWS.

Many guys were headed out of town on Wed. to visit family and friends for Thanksgiving. Others were getting together in the DC area since they could not get home.

Just a reminder that we will go strolling in Old Town on Tues Dec. 4^th   (look for a surprise guest that nite, plus college student member should be back), the Put Together contest is on Tues Dec. 11^th, and we will sing at the Masonic Temple over on King Street on Tues Dec. 18^th. Then there will be no rehearsal on Dec. 25^th nor Jan. 1^st.

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 Nov. 13^th Chapter Meeting

First off – some related news from the chapter family.

First – we got a nice thank you note from dual member Bill Colosimo, who also directs the DC Chapter, expressing his appreciation for those of us who went out to the DC show right after the big storm hit the DC Metro area. ACME CHORD COMPANY was their guest quartet.

Second – we had a wonderful sing on Veterans Day at Oakton Elementary School. We have done is for a few years now and is a heart-warming event to see the youngsters so intend in listening and smiling and trying so hard to be quiet.  Producer Greg Tepe reports that there were 30 of us on the risers.  A big riser crew helped set up four sets in the gym at the school. Each class had a VIP Veteran to host and all the Veterans and active duty guys in the chorus were also introduced by the school staff.

Staff at the school shared with us that the kids have been asking since September if the Harmonizers were gonna come sing again. YeEd must report the laughs we had when even our director started singing the wrong song, even after the emcee said the title!!!! Oooops.

Bob Blair and Howard Nestlerode drove the Harmo truck. Assistant director Terry Reynolds did the warm ups. Shawn Tallant debuted as emcee – good job too.  Director Joe Cerutti was in rare form getting us to sing our best – even tho so early in the morning.  It was Gary Fuller’s first performance with the chorus.

After the risers were reloaded into the truck, Craig Kujawa helped organize a lunch outing for all that had time.  Many of us who were former or retired military or are still active took advantage of TGI Friday’s offer of free lunch for those folks.

Third – got a replay after last week’s Looking Back from Kirk and Dana Riffer: “Let everyone know that Kirk and I had a little girl in October 16. Her name us Chelsea Elizabeth. We are thinking of you all and miss you all.  Take care – Dana”

Fourth – YeEd heard that a number of our members were in Vegas for a Society leadership event.  Bob Eckman reports the following: “We were there from Friday, Nov. 9 to Sunday morning, the 11th. The Society board met during the day on Friday. The district leadership teams arrived during the day and things kicked off with dinner Friday night, followed by a general session and then each discipline had their first meeting together. Saturday was a full day of meetings until about 5 when we all got together for a wrap up session with our outgoing president Alan Lamson, incoming president Shannon Elswick and new CEO Marty Monson.”

“It was at Green Valley Ranch Resort, just outside Las Vegas. The following Harmonizers in attended – Chris Buechler,  secretary class instructor; Joe Cerutti and Gary Plaag, Society Board members; Bill Colosimo, incoming district president; Chuck Harner, district vp; Keith Jones, district secretary; and Bob Eckman, district treasurer. The Leadership Forum brings together district and society leaders once a year to help align plans for the coming year. One of the great aspects of the event is that each district officer gets to meet their counterparts from across the Society.”

 

“Some of us arrived in Vegas early and/or stayed late for a little sight-seeing. There were many jokes about district treasurers seen sitting at the slots. This one managed to break even (with his own money).”

 

Fifth – our own MAYHEM quartet sang on the Kilmarnock, VA, show this past weekend.  Lew Klinge drove them down there in his antique Cadillac, with their four bright color top hats in the back window. They were a huge hit for the packed house at the chapter show.

As you can imagine, our meeting on Tuesday nite, Nov. 13^th was totally used to prepare the chorus for their singing duties at the Holiday Shows coming up soon.

There was a lot going on in advance of the singing time.  Basses came at 6:30 to work on a new song with bass section leader Mike Kelly.  Chuck McKeever was helping new singers with the SP for “Jersey Boys” and such. Terry Reynolds was working with some volunteers who will do the comedy “monk” routine for the show. And there were long lines at the admin/sales tables for show tickets from Ian Poulin, White House Ornaments from Mick and Sandy Stamps, Entertainent (coupon)  Books from Chuck Harner, scrip sales from Ian, and raffle tickets from Dick and Carolyn Hall.

Assistant director Will Cox did the vocal warm ups. Then director Joe Cerutti took us right into songs for the show. Several times during the nite, he “invited” a section to go clean up a passage of a song.

So we worked hard on songs til mid evening break, using the screen and projector as needed during the first half.  Mark Klostermeyer conducted the chapter meeting portion of the nite.  Assistant director Terry Reynolds reminded any singers interested to be ready to audition for show solos tonite.  He also introduced chapter librarian Bob Mattes to the new guys and suggested that Bob had the caroling books if they wanted one.

Secretary Chris Buechler reminded all that he was collecting contributions to send to NJ for repair of the grand Ocean Grove auditorium after storm damage (the Harmonizers have sung there several times over the years). He then presented a Man of Note Award to Martin Banks for bringing us Stan Quick; presented a new name badge to Dave Hood; and a renewal card to Shawn Tallant for 6 years.

Membership vp Phil Ashford welcomed a group of guests including a couple first timers, an applicant, and some State Department friends of Chuck Hunter who sang with him in Bagdad.  Terry Jordan and Michael Calhoun were in the house for part of the evening too.

After a long but busy break, there were announcements about the show that guys needed to hear. Roger Day asks for two big boxes wrapped in shiny gift wrap from each guy.  Bring them on Thursday to the dress rehearsal. Jack Pitzer asks each man to bring four dozen colorful holiday cookies to the show when they arrive on Friday.  These cookies are needed for the dessert platters for the dinner shows. Tom Kern needs to get back any red ties from guys who went to China but who won’t be singing in this show.  Brad Jones thanked guys for the support of the auction, but asked for continued efforts to tell others about it being online. Bob Mattes is also coordinator for waiters and table captains for the dinner part of our shows.  Watch for important emails with details!

Co-producer of the show, Scipio Garling, asked guys to use Facebook to get more folks buying Friday nite tickets. We have about 75 to sell.  Joe stepped up to the mic and asked us to really work to sell out the show – it will mean huge demand for future years.

Speaking of numbers, Joe also reminded everyone to get in their deposit to go to France for the show in Normandy in 2014.  We need 80 singers for this one. Give your deposit of $50 per person to Ken Fess before the show.

Ben Roberts announced his high school production of “Oklahoma” and offered flyers for all.  Ben has the lead in the show and some who have seen it report he is great!! Go to www.mvcct.org for info.

Terry Reynolds clarified some important plans for the Tuesday nites after the show:

·        Dec. 4 we will meet as usual at Durant, sing some and then head into Old Town to stroll on King Street and sing in restaurants there.

·        Dec. 11 we will get some new music (hint: maybe our new contest pieces) and then second half is this year’s Chapter Put Together Quartet Contest.  Start forming quartets now. Songs can be funny, serious, chapter songs. No time limits.  There will be judges and trophies to best comedy or regular quartet and an overall prize too. Calvin Schnure is chair this year.

·        Dec. 18 we will do a show at the Masonic Temple on King Street for a children’s program.

·        Also stay tuned for a small group performance at the White House.

In answer to a question from the risers, there will NOT be a show at Market Sq in December.

President Steve Murane reminded the members of the board about their meeting on Wed nite at Durant. And he solicited nominations for chapter awards that will be given at the annual awards banquet Sat., January 26, 2013.  We will also install the officers at that event.

It was a busy nite for chapter business, but not unusual with the show so close.  So it was back to singing, but first a barbershop craft session taught again by associate director Tony Colosimo.

Nearer to 10 pm, assistant directors Will Cox, Mike Kelly and Terry Reynolds (actually he will be directing as Jack-in-the-Box) directed show carols while Joe auditioned soloists for the show.

Before we closed TJ Donahue invited guys to the Hilton for tonite’s afterglow. There is movement to relocate the afterglow, so watch or listen for details next week.

Until next time – editorjack!

 (This message is prepared for your review if you were there, for your information if you had to miss, and as a historical record of the great things going on each week at an Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter meeting. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on the Nov. 6^th Chapter Meeting

First off – the chapter meeting on Oct. 30^th was canceled due to Hurricane Sandy that hit the east coast.  Durant was closed. We have not heard that any Harmonizers had serious damage, thankfully.  We do know, however, that some of our fellow barbershoppers in NJ and NY were hit hard.

So after missing a week, everyone was ready for some barbershop on Nov. 6^th – the election nite.  That meant Durant was a polling place, so we met in the adjoining school.  And we worked hard in preparation for the holiday shows. 

The parking lot was full behind Durant, but Howard Nestlerode got the Harmo truck in and a crew of guys jumped in to unload and set up the risers and av equipment we needed.  We used the projector and screen for all the holiday music.  And of course the mics for directors.

Will Cox did the vocal warm ups and turned over a big chorus for director Joe Cerutti to take thru the nite’s work and preparation.

First, Joe commented about the Sweet Adeline International convention with reports about some folks the chapter might know. And he stressed that we only have three Tuesday nite sessions left before the show (the extra rehearsal set for Nov. 15^th has been canceled), and a dress rehearsal on Thurs. Nov. 29^th.

Early in the evening, show producers and assistant directors met with the huge number of guys who have never sung in a Harmonizer holiday show to go over details, planning, uniforms ideas, and suggestions for that weekend.

And assistant director Terry Reynolds met with volunteers to be “monks” for this year’s show.

Our first singing work was on the new song for the show – “Sleigh Ride” – which we have sung in years past.  Sounds like there will be percussion devices used on the song too like sleigh bells and a clapping sound like a whip. 

Bruce Lauther and president Steve Murane honored special guests present with us from the George Washington Masonic Lodge group to thank them for their support of our chapter and especially our Youth Harmony Festival last spring.  We gave them framed photos and applauded their comments and pledge of future support.

Associate director Tony Colosimo did a brief barbershop craft session on breathing techniques.  It was a terrific lesson.

We then worked on more of the songs for the show.

Mark Klostermeyer conducted the weekly chapter meeting.  Secretary Chris Buechler presented new member materials to Jared Gollnitz and Carlos Correa.  Alan Kousen received a Man of Note Award for inviting Carlos to join. And then membership renewal cards to Ross Felker for two years, Clark Chesser for three years, Roger Day for 24 years, and David Welter for 36 years.

Josh Roots went over many details about the holiday shows, Fri. nite Nov. 30^th at 7:30 pm and Sat. Dec. 1^st at 1 pm and at 6 pm.  The shows are held at First Baptist Church, 2932 King St., Alexandria, VA.  There is plenty of free parking.  It is not close to a Metro station, tho. 

Saturday nite is basically SOLD OUT.  Saturday afternoon is nearly SOLD OUT.  And there are about 100 seats left for the Friday nite show. Keep selling them.

Everyone is asked to submit their costume plan to Scipio immediately.

Roger Day is coordinating the decorations for the hall.  He asked for more helpers and got some volunteers.  He also asked each member to wrap a large empty box with shiny gift wrap paper and bring them to the dress rehearsal on Thursday, Nov. 29^th at 7 pm.

Jack Pitzer reminded each singer to bring 4 dozen colorful holiday cookies to use for the dessert platters.  The cookies should go to Jack on Thursday and/or Friday nites when you first arrive.

Brad Jones reported on the online auction and silent auction for the show.  Sales have already started.  He thanked all the guys for bringing auction items to him tonite – his car was packed!

After introducing the guests, including Don Harrington who was with us to help with the show, we were on break.  Some folks had brought goodies and left over Halloween things.  And of course Ian Poulin was swamped with guys getting their actual tickets to give out to customers.

Ken Fess was busy, too, collecting $50 reservation fees for each person going to Normandy France in 2014. Those reservation fees need to be given to Ken in the next week or so.

After break Chris Buechler offered to collect donations any guys wanna make to send to help repair the Ocean Grove Auditorium damaged by the Hurricane. The Harmonizers have sung in the historic auditorium several times over the years.

Package show producer Greg Tepe reviewed details for the Veteran’s Day sing on Monday Nov., 12^th at Oakton Elementary, 3000 Chain Bridge Rd., Oakton. Chorus call is 8:30 am.  Riser crew needed at 8. Uniform is military uniform or suit and tie.

Craig Kujawa suggested that anyone who wanted to get a free lunch afterward needs to bring their military discharge DD214 or military ID. Details that day.

TJ Donahue took a head count for this week’s afterglow at Theisman’s.  We have started going there and it is working out well. We need to give them a count in advance.

Sam McFarland had handmade scarves on sale made by members of the Pride of Balitmore Sweet Adeline chorus.

After all the announcements, we worked hard til closing time on more of the show music, trying to apply the lessons learned from our craft session.

The whole chorus worked to take down and put onto the Harmo truck.

And before he let us go, Joe thanked the chorus for a great rehearsal and for doing their homework.  He suggested some important items to work on this week.  Mike Kelly asked the bass section to be at Durant at 6:30 next week for some extra work on a spot or two.

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.)

Greeting all - theses notes were prepared by Ross Felker. Thanks for
that. YeEd is in Indianapolis for FFA meeting.


Looking Back on Oct 23 Chapter Meeting and Recording

Location: First Baptist Church of Alexandria, on King Street

- Initially brought risers off the truck to set up in the fellowship
hall. However, leadership determined that the choir room on the second
floor would be a better location for recording. A team of guys helped
load the risers back on the truck.
- Will Cox directed our warm up in the fellowship hall.
- Upstairs to sing and record “Music Man,” “Summertime,” and “No More
Sorrow.”
- Mike Kelly and Cameron Weifenbach volunteerd their time and expertise
to set-up and operate the sound recording equipment.
- Joe said we sounded great; hopefully, we got some good recordings.

Announcements:
Bob Blair called for one volunteer to help with renting the risers on
Saturday at 10:00 am at the Lee Center. Someone did volunteer.

Chuck Harner was selling Entertainment Coupon books out of the back of
his car tonight.

Reminder for the Holiday Show the phone number for purchasing tickets
is on the website. Messages are checked daily by Ian Poulin.

Terry Reynolds announced that there are just 5 rehearsals left before
the Holiday Show. We need to be prepared for “Sleigh Ride” and “Santa
Baby.” Off the music in two weeks.

President Steve Murane announced that the Harmony Foundation charity,
which provides scholarships for youth educational opportunities,
presented a check to the Harmonizers for over $1800. The Harmony
Foundation presents these checks twice a year and this amount results
from contributions of Harmonizer members. Steve said we have about 30
Harmonizers in the Harmony Foundation—imagine what the checks would be
if we had 100 Harmonizers participate in the Harmony Foundation! Alan
Wile said a membership of $10 a month gets Ambassador Status, and a
percentage can be donated to our district and chapter.

Steve Murane congratulated the Harmonizers who participated in quartets
at the District Contest and presented checks to the quartets.

After announcements, we reviewed about 5 songs for the holiday show.

Afterglow was announced to be at Joe Theismans.

Looking Back on the Oct 16th Chapter Meeting

After such a successful fall contest weekend, no wonder that Durant was full of excitement and high energy. 

It was also the annual meeting nite and alumni were invited.  A good crowd of alumni joined us.  They were on the risers, as they desired, to sing holiday music and to watch the video of the 1995 gold medal package and the 2012 fall contest show. 

Allen Hanenbaum

Bob Wells

Bede Bender

Chuck Botts

Ross  Johnson

Dave Reyno

Dave Ermlick

Jon Abel

Jerry TePaske

Don Harrington

Bill Sowers

Pat Duffey

Martin Banks

Bill Aarhus

Jerry Kindred

JT Price

Royall Geis

 

At 6 pm, the work began to set up risers and av equipment, and a lot of chairs for the many guests. Plus the coffee pot was on early.

Assistant director Will Cox did vocal warm ups.  When he turned the riser full of singers over to director Joe Cerutti, there was a cheer for the successful contest weekend. Joe shared his joy again with the chorus for their dedication in recent months and the support and work by many.  He shared that he was proud of our performance by the 98 singers on the contest stage.  He shared too that we missed Ken Ives and Bruce Lauther who both had wives in the hospital. (Both men report things are progressing along now.)

And there was also a cheer for the many quartet guys who represented us so well at the contest.

First song out of the box for the nite was “Hallelujah Chorus” for the holiday show.  It went so well that Joe had time to work on a new song – “Sleigh Ride.”  Word is that we will be doing the “monks” card routine again with “Hallelujah” and there is a call for non-singers who can do it.

Associate director Tony Colosimo conducted a terrific lesson about the voice and vocal mechanism.  His maxim this week was working on “tall in the back and small in the front.”

Acting operations vp Mark Klostermeyer conducted the chapter meeting.  Chuck Harner explained briefly the Entertainment Books the chapter sells as a fund raiser.  These coupon books make us $5 per sale. Chuck can issue you books on consignment. There are books for DC, No VA, MD and Richmond regions.

Sandy Stamps is also issuing lots of White House Ornaments on consignment.  This is an easy sell as witnessed to YeEd last nite by a new guy who took some to work and discovered they were a hit.  He took 20 more in to work today.

Secretary Chris Buechler offered our 50-year history books to new members or anyone who didn’t get one. He also was selling left over teal short sleeve shirts at discount.

Then Chris presented membership renewal cards to Adam Bradley for 3 years; Edris Qarghah for 4 years; Eric Wallen for 15 years; and Jared Gollnitz for 9years altho he is a new Harmonizer having been a member of Kentucky Vocal Union.

Next the chapter secretary announced the opening of the chapter meeting; that he had received a slate of candidates; and no other nominees had been presented before the deadline.  Current president Steve Murane conducted the election.

Officers and board members for 2013 will be:

President - Alan Wile
Treasurer - Dave Welter
Secretary - Chris Buechler
VP - Operations - Bob Rhome
VP - Shows - Ken Rub
VP - Music & Performance - Brad Jones
VP - Marketing & PR - Scipio Garling
VP - Chapter Development (Membership) - Mark Klostermeyer
Member at Large (two positions) - Josh Roots, Greg Tepe (Nick Leiserson and Troy Hillier will continue on from this year)

Immediate Past President - Steve Murane

 

Klostermeyer continued the meeting then with announcement of a change in location for the weekly afterglow.  (YeEd reports: this week we returned to Theisman’s where we were well received, had our own room and waiter, and a good time for the 20 or so guys who made it.)

Josh Roots spoke on behalf of the Holiday Show management team with news that the Saturday nite show is almost sold out, Saturday matinee still has seats to fill, and Friday nite has a good number of seats to sell.  

Show team Nick Leiserson alerted all to watch for two important emails this coming week – one about the many props needed for the show; and a second one about getting non-singers signed up for the ‘monks’ project.  Nick also solicited volunteers to help on Friday of show weekend to decorate at 10 am.

Singing Valentine chair Calvin Schnure started the push for quartet sign up, as we will be selling SVs at the show.

Silent Auction chair Brad Jones suggests members start bringing in their donations for that auction.  Brad also thanked new member Carlos Correa for his work on making personal visits to  get donations from commercial firms in Alexandria.

Alan Wile reminded all the guys and the many guests to check out the notebooks of Harmo Hero

Before the break, the meeting continued and membership vp Phil Ashford welcomed all the alumni by name. Then we met the several singer applicants in house for the nite.

President Murane also announced that we have a chairman for the trip to France for the D-Day Landing Anniversary in June of 2014.  Past chapter president Ken Fess will head up the team to plan and coordinate that activity.

We had a long break to celebrate with our alums with special cakes decorated with a picture of the 1995 gold medal chorus.  Thanks to Kevin Kaiser for helping with the food and to those who brought goodies to share.

After the break, we watched the videos.  Mike Kelly reminded us that these videos are on the district website to be downloaded.

Joe made more comments about the contest work and invited the Harmo family to comment from the risers.  It was a lively and positive discussion and served as a reminder of the strengths of the chapter.

Then we reviewed three songs for next week’s recording session.  Usual time but at the First Baptist Church, 2932 King Street in Alexandria.  We will be in the sanctuary.  A new person will be helping with the technical recording work – a contact from the Pride of Baltimore chorus family, Cam Weiffenbach. Plan ahead for a new route and for rides from the Metro as it is too far to walk from King St. Metro to the church.

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.)