Looking Back on the Mar. 5^th  Chapter Meeting

There was another huge crowd at Durant this week all ready to go at 6pm. The stage was full of guys reviewing the moves for the contest uptune with Carl Kauffmann, filling for  Chuck McKeever who had to go to Indiana for a family funeral.  And like last week, our front row guys were hard at work in the lobby learning and drilling for the uptune package.

 

Guess we will get used to large crowds with a prospect of over 120 guys planning to sing in Toronto.  We also are having more and more non-singing guests in the “peanut gallery” each week.  Operations vp Bob Rhome has invited Keith Jones to be host for that section of Durant on Tuesday nites making sure there are enough chairs out, that visitors have signed in if needed, and are made welcome. 

 

Something else YeEd noticed this week – a printer on a table behind the risers.  The music and performance team is using it for reproducing the eval forms used by the evaluators.  And other details they need quickly at chapter.

 

The setup crew did a good job being ready for start time.  YeEd also noticed that the av crew had a speaker set up behind the risers to improve hearing of announcements and directors who use mics.  The Mylar “mirrors” are being put up at current chapter meetings too and they are a huge help in working on stage presence.

 

So at 7 pm when the music was played as a reminder to get on the risers, assistant director Will Cox did the vocal warm ups.  He was also busy during the evening doing vocal assessments for several first time guests.

 

He turned over the ready chorus to director Joe Cerutti who had associate director Tony Colosimo direct “Anything Goes” for us to sing and perform.  We did this several times with Joe coaching and our choreographer Carlos Barillo making notes for points to drill more.

 

Joe sent us to sectionals to smooth out points of interp and to distribute to each section a handout with dynamics, breaths, non breath points, and such prepared to get us all on the same page.  It was effective and immediate results were noted.  Assistant director Terry Reynolds reports that the chart will be posted soon.

 

Midway in the evening, operations vp Bob Rhome conducted the chapter meeting. He reminded all of the 9am-5pm coaching session and rehearsal on Sat. March 23^rd at Durant. Our coach will be gold-medal quartet guy and a coach we used before, Tony DeRosa.  Knowing Tony it will be fun, and we will get great advice on musical performance of the package.  Coffee and donuts will be ready for early arrivals that day.

 

Jeremy Richardson extended an invite to guys to come over to LaPorta for the weekly afterglow – at Duke and Payne Streets .  A growing crowd has been attending and there is good tag singing for those who wish to try it. Food prices are good and service is good. Parking is easy in a lot right next door.  Guys who ride the Metro are managing it well since the station is just a 5 minute walk away.

 

Membership vp Mark Klostermeyer, with help from Kenny White, introduced our guests this week. Several were first-time guests and there were a lot of good singing guests up on the risers!

 

Calendar items announced include the sixth annual Youth Harmony Festival at Durant on April 6^th.  Nick Leiserson is coordinator.  Special guest directors are Richard Lewellen for the boys and Karen Rourke for the girls.  The teaching quartets will be SHAMELESS for the boys and EPIC  for the girls.  Scipio Garling will be choreographer for the singers.

 

Everyone needs to get out their calendar and using the weekly, and very thorough, memo from Steve White, be sure you have all events posted.  Here are some:

 

March 15-16 – Prelims quartet contest in Parsippany, NY – (we have 3 quartets singing there)

March 19 – Recording session on Tuesday nite

April 6 – Youth Harmony Festival, Durant

April 16 – Another possible recording session

April 17 – Vocal Studios

April 20 – Show Event at Lincoln Theater in DC

April 26-27 – Southern Division Quartet and Chorus Contest, Reston. We are host chapter.

April 29 – Vocal Studios’

 

We had a 20-minute break for refreshments, tag singing, personal time to prepare for recording or self-evaluation sessions, meeting guests, and catching up with fellow members. NOTE:  with so many new guys in the chorus, it would be awesome if all of us would wear our name tags on Tuesday to rehearsal.  Put it in your car so you always have it, or in the bag you bring to chapter with music, pencil and such.

 

After the break, Tony conducted another of his very helpful barbershop craft sessions.  Then the chorus worked a chunk of time on “All The Things You Are” with special emphasis in learning the musical interp Joe has planned and with an emphasis on making it flow – now that many of us have gotten the music down. Chuck Hunter taught us the new tag to add to the ballad.

 

During the evening we did several runs of the uptune so more guys could sing “live” for their evaluator. That gave the whole chorus several chances to record themselves and/or make personal improvements on their personal breathing plans and dynamics.

 

Joe gave the chorus a chance to sing thru a couple of the songs we will be singing at the recording session on March 19^th at First Baptist Church, 2932 King St. (enter the social hall, and make an immediate left to the door that goes up to choir suite).

 

Before we left, the chorus sang our farewell, “A Place on the Risers,” to Ross Felker who is being deployed to Germany next week.  He will be missed in the bass section and is sad to have to miss Toronto.

 

Other Harmonizer news:  the current edition of Alexandria Visitors Guide has the Harmonizers listed in the Theater and Performance section. Copy blurb reads: Internationally recognized men’s a cappella chorus, electrifying audiences with tight harmonies and high-energy choreography from barbershop to Broadway. Public and private performances with youth programs keep the melody ringing for generations.

 

Currently we have nine men planning to sing with us in Toronto that we call “Special Forces.” All live a distance from Alexandria, are members of the chapter, sing in competing quartets, and have agreed to special attendance criteria to qualify.  They include tenors Mike Geipel, Bob Wilson and Dave Ellis; leads Pookie Dingle, Sean Devine and Kevin McKenzie; baris Pete Frank and Dan Cook; and bass Craig Odell. 

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 during the 65^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on the Feb. 26^th Chapter Meeting

There was a huge crowd at Durant early this week – like at 6. The stage was full of guys reviewing the moves for the contest uptune with our trainer Chuck McKeever.  The growing front row was hard at work in the lobby learning and drilling their very exciting uptune package. Guests were rolling in and many members offered a hand to set up the hall for our rehearsal and meeting including the cameras used by Chuck and TJ Jones to make the learning review materials we receive after the meeting .

 

Last week after the meeting, we all got the following note from operations vp Bob Rhome: There was an unfortunate incident at the Durant Center Tuesday evening in which someone apparently threw a brick through a parked car window and a cell phone was stolen. It didn't happen to a Harmonizer, but it has been a very long time since we have seen incidents of vandalism around our home at the Durant Center. Forewarned is forearmed. Please do not leave items of value in plain sight in your car while parked - - anywhere. If you see suspicious activity around the Durant Center on Tuesday nights, please notify me right away.

 

Associate director Tony Colosimo did the vocal and visual warm ups this week.  He turned the
“ready to go” chorus over to director Joe Cerutti.  And Joe was eager to welcome some SPECIAL FORCES guys with us this week – Bob Wilson, Mike Geipel, Kevin McKenzie, and David Ellis.  Joe also welcomed Geoff Berman back.

 

Next Joe welcomed Tom Lee, executive director of the National Theater in DC who was with us  to  evaluate the chorus for an exciting opportunity in the near future.

 

And finally, we welcomed with loud cheers and excitement Cindy Hansen who came to drill our uptune.  She also brought us David Ellis, her husband, to sing with us!

 

We went right to work on the uptune and sang and did as much visual as we had learned for Cindy. She quickly endorsed the work and creative plan we have gotten from our own member Carlos Barillo. She also complimented the work done by Chuck McKeever in teaching us the details of the plan.

 

When we broke from singing, operations vp Bob conducted the chapter meeting. President Alan Wile was first up. He welcomed Martin Banks as new chapter historian. Alan presented a framed photo of the chorus from the fall M-AD chorus contest to our director in appreciation for his hard work every week.

 

Alan presented checks to chapter treasurer David Welter that came from the Singing Valentine program – and especially from the work done by FOUR FROM THE HEART quartet.  Thanks Bruce Lauther and his fellow singers!!

 

Secretary Chris Buechler presented Harmonizer history books to newer member who did not have one yet. And new member Josh DesPortes received his first nametag from his Dad, David.  Great to have them both onboard with us.   Membership renewal cards were presented to Clyde Crusenberry for 3 years and to Bob Watcher for 61 years!!  That earned him a standing O from his fellow Harmonizers.

 

Bob Rhome reported that we have two riser rentals this week – thanks to those guys who haul and lift them.  He thanked Martin for the Harmo History board display this week.  And Bob suggested that during the upcoming break, guys get their contest pixs, get some 50/50 tickets, or get in an order with Chris Buechler for Harmo logo clothing items.

 

Membership vp Mark Klostermeyer and Ken White welcomed and introduced the guests this week. 

 

After the break, we did several runs of the contest ballad.  Then back to work on reps of the uptune.  Part of the time the front row worked with Carlos and the chorus with Joe, Cindy and Chuck.  The drills were making a big difference as we all learned more of the details.

 

During the nite we also implemented the self evaluation and recording and review process with the help of assistant director Terry Reynolds. Seems to be working pretty well so far.

The Alexandria Harmonizers are proud to offer 2-3 scholarships for our members to Harmony University. This legendary experience in Harmony education will be held July 28- August 4, 2013. The University is held at Missouri Western State College in St. Joseph, MO. You can get more information at http://www.barbershop.org/harmony-college.html.

There is one month before the March 26th deadline for quartet registration for the Southern Division contest... there's still plenty of time to form a quartet and get two songs ready for the competition in April, but you should be starting NOW! We have some chapter members with GREAT quartet credentials who are volunteering to help coach any foursome that wants to get on stage--and that by itself is a good reason to consider singing! Let Calvin Schnure know if you are in a quartet planning to enter the contest, or are looking for the 4th man (or 3rd man... or 2nd man) for that quartet. If you are a new quartet and have questions about registering, song selection, or anything else, please ask--if I can't help you, there are plenty of men in the Harmonizers who can.

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 during the 65^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd.)

 Looking Back on the Feb. 19^th Chapter Meeting

This week’s set up crew had to add the “mirror” panels to the wall facing the risers for our use during stage presence work.  And a huge crowd of guys came early to work with visual trainer Chuck McKeever on the stage in review of the new contest uptune.

 

Assistant director Will Cox did the warm up session.  Jim Lake was on duty, as always, was our pitch man.

 

Director Joe Cerutti got us right to work on the contest songs. Then he dismissed the sections to work with their section leaders in separate rooms.

 

After we all returned to the risers, we worked with our own Carlos Barillo to learn the rest of the choreo for the uptune.  The front row worked in the lobby of the building.  It was another great session. At some point we put the front row guys in and did a run thru a couple times.

 

Next week we will have Cindy Hansen with us to coach and offer help with polishing the choreo.

 

Operations vp Bob Rhome conducted the chapter meeting. Jack Cameron has contest photos for those who ordered them. Secretary Chris Buechler is collecting orders for Harmonizer jacket for anyone who wishes one.  Chris also presented name tags to two new members Sean Devine and Mike Ibay.

 

Ike Evans was set up to take new or replacement photos for the display board of all members that is hung in Durant each week. See Ike if you pix doesn’t look like you on the board!!

 

Mark Klostermeyer, membership vp, with help from Ken White, welcomed this week’s good number of guests – some new applicants, some guys from other chapters and relatives and friends of members.

Word from music and performance vp Brad Jones: The Alexandria Harmonizers are proud to offer 2-3 scholarships for our members to Harmony University. This legendary experience in Harmony education will be held July 28- August 4, 2013. The University is held at Missouri Western State College in St. Joseph, MO. You can get more information at http://www.barbershop.org/harmony-college.html.

After our coffee break, the meeting continued. President Alan Wile reminded members of his desire to hear from any members willing to offer financial or travel or housing assistance for members who might need support to go with us to Toronto.  See Alan or Joe.

Alan also displayed an auction item (print with an Joanne Woodward autograph) given to the chapter and hinted that it is never too early to be on the lookout for items for our next auction.

Earlier in the evening, there was a boot camp session for the MANY members who have never sung with us at International – to help them prepare and know what to expect.  In the second half of the meeting, those members were reminded that if they don’t have a room reservation in Toronto, see Craig Kujawa.  If those members don’t have a convention registration, which they must have to sing, they should see Bob Rhome. Actually that applied to any member planning to sing in Toronto.

Calvin Schnure offered to help any members who want to sing in a quartet in the Southern Division contest in Reston, April 26-27 at the Reston Hyatt.  See Calvin right away.

Associate director Tony Colosimo presented another great barbershop craft session with major emphasis on body posture.

Then assistant director Terry Reynolds initiated a process for vocal evaluation, assigning singers to specific evaluators. We sang the uptune for each evaluator to listen to a singer in his group and try out the system. Everyone else was on the risers in those groups and most all were preparing their personal recording.

Back to regular riser positions for more training with Carlos. We ended the evening with a drill of “Hello My Baby” before putting everything away.

 

After the meeting a special note came out from operations vp Bob Rhome to all members: Forewarned is forearmed! Do not leave items of value in plain sight in your car while parked - - anywhere. If you see suspicious activity around the Durant Center on Tuesday nights, please notify me 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 during the 65^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on the Feb. 12^th Chapter Meeting and Recording Session

There was a good crowd of singers and even guests who found their way to First Baptist Church on King Street for this week’s recording session. We actually met in the third floor music department of the church and operations vp Bob Rhome had good signage posted for all to find the room.  We are fortunate to have found a great room with good sound qualities and a comfortable space. There was even room for some break outs for sectionals.

 

A number of guys offered a hand to haul in recording equipment for Cameron Wiffenbach who was our recording engineer again.  Mike Kelly and Doug White helped him set up the mics and such. (And YeEd noted that they carried everything back to Cam’s van, after recording and while the rest of us worked on the new contest stage presence.)

 

The front row came to the church early and used the social hall to drill their work for the new contest package.  And later in the evening, they worked with Carlos Barillo, our in-house choreographer, on the “Anything Goes” package.

 

After a warm-up session conducted by Will Cox, director Joe Cerutti went right to work on “Hello My Baby” to start the recording process. Guests and new members sat quietly.  We had about 90 singers on hand for this session.  We also recorded “Circle of Life” (without the patter, and without the quartet intro).  Both to be added later.

 

The chapter meeting included some important announcements.  President Alan Wile spoke about the need to support our tradition of providing “angel” support for members who might need financial support to go to Toronto in July.  He spoke particularly about guys who might be able or interested in providing some materials things for the cause such as an extra registration, a ride if you are driving, a room to share, money of course, scrip cards, or airfare using extra miles or points you have.  See Alan or Joe ASAP with any offers to help.  And if you might need such help, also speak to those two guys.

 

Alan also thanked Calvin Schnure and Bruce Lauther for their many extra efforts to fulfill a large number of Singing Valentine requests the chapter has received.

 

Alan reminded his board of directors of the meeting on Wed at 7 pm at Durant.  It is an open meeting so any member may attend.  Next year’s board designates are particularly welcome.

 

Craig Kujawa (on the mend after a little back problem last week) spoke about housing in Toronto. First, if you have a reservation that you might not need, don’t cancel it.  Let Craig know, because you likely have it at a lower rate and the chapter can change it to another member.

If you don’t have a reservation, the rates go up again on Fri., Feb. 15^th.

 

And finally, our Toronto planning committee with Carl Kauffmann as head are arranging for a hospitality room on Friday and Saturday nites in our hotel.  They need someone who might like to sleep in the bedrooms of that hospitality suite.  Speak to Carl or Craig.

 

Chapter secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to several guys present: Bob Rhome for 12 years; Tom Kern for 15 years; TJ Jones for 22 years; Matt Kahn for 24 years; and Dean Rust for 33 years.

 

Guests this week included guys who have been in the que for joining for a few weeks; some here to audition and prepare to sing in Toronto; and one who was in town on a job interview.  Cross your fingers for his success. As usual we had guests from other chapters, some first time guests and some guys who have been gone for a while due to the flu and other colds and sickness of late.

 

After the business meeting and a little stretch break to buy scrip cards and pick up chorus photos, we worked on a review of the moves for the uptune.  Chuck McKeever had studied them in detail and was able to teach us the finer points of execution.  When Carlos came in with the front row, he seemed tickled with our progress.  And the front row put on quite a show of their progress too!

 

At ten pm, everyone pitched in and helped put things back to where we found them.  And a crowd went over to Laporta’s for the afterglow.

 

YeEd noted that assistant director Terry Reynolds was not in the hall, something that rarely happens.  Turns out Terry went to a family reunion in New Orleans last weekend and decided to stay for Mardi Gras! 

 

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 during the 65^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on the Feb. 5^th Chapter Meeting

This was another busy and crowded nite at Durant.  The 11sets of risers fill a major part of the hall. And it seems we have more and more folks coming to watch and listen – families and friends of the chapter – to sit in the non-singing guest seats.  Plus everyone has a warm winter coat to pile someplace, so the stage and all the tables are full. 

 

The guests kept rolling in. And the music team and av team were working to kick things off at 7. The listening piece to set the stage and get us all up on the risers was the new contest ballad again – and many guys enjoyed the chance to sing along.

 

Associate director Tony Colosimo kicked things off with vocal warm ups.  When director Joe Cerutti came up front, he welcomed some guys back with us – Joe Sawyer, Gary Mankin, Phil Ferguson and Rick Wagner.

 

He spoke about all the chapter meetings on Feb. 30^th at Durant including the successful Open Auditions nite coordinated by Noah Van Gilder; the productive music and performance committee meeting with Brad Jones as chair; and our president Alan Wile and our community services chairman Clyde Crusenberry meeting with the city leaders about our grant.  All important behind the scenes work by chapter leaders.

 

But before we got to sing, assistant director Terry Reynolds announced a new chorus line up and had everyone get down from where they had been standing the last couple weeks, and returned to the risers as Terry announced their location.

 

Then it was singing time.  We worked hard on the contest songs.  One time Joe sent the basses out to fix something and then he could work on the other three parts. Before the nite was over we also had our first chance to make personal learning tapes to be reviewed by the singer for self improvement.

 

Tonite was our first chance to work with our own Carlos Barillo as choreographer.  He has developed a fantastic plan for our contest uptune and earlier had presented it to the row captains and musical leaders, then to the front row at a special rehearsal this past week.  Carlos comes to us with a long bio of success as a coach, choreographer and dancer/performer, including a tour of
“Anything Goes” and appearances on RCL cruise line and at Kings Dominion. He currently teaches at Winston Churchill High School in MD.

 

After the singers on rows 2-5 worked a while on the plan, the front row rejoined us and we put the exciting plan together.

 

After the first half of the nite, operations vp Bob Rhome began the chapter meeting period.  He announced that the meeting on Feb. 12^th would not be at Durant, but in the choir room of The First Baptist Church, 2932 King Street, Alexandria 22302, at 7 pm. We will be recording.  The city will be painting the main hall of Durant at the time.  (Also thanks to Bob Blair and team, we have added safety latches for the doors on the riser storage area under the stage – to prevent those doors from falling open when children or other users of the facility might bump them.)

 

President Alan asked all members to make note and post on their calendars that our chapter is hosting the combined Southern and Western Division quartet and chorus contests April 26-28 in Reston. Since this is the first time the district has combined these contests, it means there will be more contestants and thus a need for more volunteers.  The chapter will earn some monies for the work.  Chuck Harner has agreed to be our chairman for weekend.

 

Alan also thanked Dick Hall for agreeing to serve as Sunshine chairman this year.  He is the person to keep informed if you hear that a member or his family is under the weather.

Alan also reminded everyone that any chapter calendar inputs should go to Bob Rhome since Bob is the one who maintains it.

 

Chris Clark will be keeping track of donations and contributions to the chapter this year. And there can still be Singing Valentines delivered – contact Calvin Schnure.

 

Chapter secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Mark Klostermeyer for 32 years, and to Frank Fedarko for 11 years.

 

Membership vp Mark Klostermeyer, with assistance from Ken White, introduced and welcomed another long line of guests.  As is often the case these days, several were applicants, some are transferring in from other chapters, several new guests from the last couple of weeks including those who attended the Open Audition nite.

 

After our coffee break period, a few more announcements were made.

 

TJ Donahue invited everyone to try, yet again, another afterglow spot.  (We went to La Porta’s at 1600 Duke St.  It was fun, lots of space, cheerful waiters, reasonably priced eats with a kitchen open til 11 pm, and just a little walk to Metro.  So come join the fun next week.)

 

Bob Blair thanked all those who had signed up to join the Harmo Truckers Crew – 6 or 7 guys signed up.  And Bob Griesemer and Chris Clark are planning to drive our Harmo truck to Toronto, but we need a sub for the ride home, as Chris has to fly back.  So – see Bob Blair if you can help.

 

Then back on the risers and more work on the rest of the uptune with Carlos.

 

Before we left Durant, there was a review of “Hello My Baby” and “Circle of Life” which will be the songs we record next Tuesday nite.

 

At ten pm, everyone pitched in and helped put things all 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.)

Looking Back on the Jan. 29^th Chapter Meeting

This week it was so warm, guys arrived with their coats over their shoulders.  But again the hall was packed with members and guests and all of the equipment we use for a meeting.

Before the meeting, the director Joe Cerutti and the soon-to-be-announced visual row captains and Chuck McKeever met on the stage for a sneak-preview of the visual plan for the uptune.  Carlos Barillo is developing the plan and he and the team will begin teaching it next week, it appears.

The usual admin/sales tables were set up.  And the membership team was busy signing in guests.

This week’s listening time to get the guys up on the risers (which starts right at 7 bells) was a chance for all to hear the new contest ballad “All The Things You Are” arranged by Steve Delehanty.

Assistant director Will Cox did the warm ups and then turned the chorus over to Joe.  First Joe welcomed some Bobs we have seen for a while – Bob Sutton and Bob Wilson.

Then Joe had the chorus bring out “Hello My Baby” for review.  And then he sent us to sectionals to work on the ballad starting at measure 25.

When we came back onto the risers, Joe was able to pull the sections together and start adding some of his interpretation to the plan.

Midway into the evening, operations vp Bob Rhome began the chapter meeting period. Ken Fess was the first to come up and remind guys the need to make those payments for the Normandy trip.

Chapter secretary Chris Buechler presented BHS registration papers to our chorus section leaders who are make up a registered quartet, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.  This quartet has been registered by the chapter for 26 years.  This year’s version of the quartet includes Rick Savage, Tony Colosimo, Ken Ives and Mike Kelly.

Then Chris presented membership renewal cards to Brian Ammerman for 19 years; Drew Fuller for 23 years; Bob Sutton for 29 years; and Don Harrington for 33 years.

Ken White made introductions of a long line of guests present tonite, on behalf of the membership team headed this week by Jeremy Richardson.  There were a number of applicants in the guest line; a large contingent of family members with Ben Roberts; several first time guests of Carlos Barillo, and some gents from others chapters visiting us.

Regarding membership, Noah Van Gilder reminded all about the Open Audition event on Wed., Jan. 30^th from 7-9:30 to at Durant.  There are already seven signed up and the audition team can handle lots more. Encourage your prospects to go to harmonizersauditions@gmail.com to sign up for a report time and to get the details.

Assistant director Terry Reynolds confirmed that self-recordings should start next week.

President Alan Wile was pleased to announce the recipients of the 2012 chapter Distinguished Service Awards that were presented at last Saturday’s awards banquet. They were reported in an earlier Looking Back summary.

Alan also read a letter from the M-AD thanking the chapter for its regular support to the District Endowment Fund – some of it is the result of the weekly monies collected in the 50/50 drawing (the winner gets half, the chapter gets the other half and it is sent to the Endowment Fund). The chapter donated close to $500 in the last six months of 2012.  He also reported on other gifts to that fund from a Harmonizer’s family.

Alan presented a check of over $1000 to the treasurer that was earned by the online Razoo donation program that allows friends and supporters of the chapter to make contributions.

Finally, Alan shared that there will be some Singing Valentine operations next month. Calvin Schnure will arrange for quartets to fill long-standing requests and already-received requests and any special requests the members might have.

After the break for coffee and goodies and various business matters and some tag singing and working with guests to get them set up, it was back on the risers. First off was associate director Tony Colosimo to give us another barbershop craft session on the maxims needed to be better and successful.  This session seemed mostly to stress ‘your voice matters.’

Then the chorus worked on “No More Sorrow” and “Great Day” for review and filming.

We sang and worked right up to 10 bells and rushed to put it all away again, so there was more time for tag singing and working with guests. During the evening, Sandy Ulibarri was taken to the hospital after a call to 911.  Joe reported at the end of the nite that she was stable but being kept overnite for observation.  Our thoughts are with she and Bob.

A small but dedicated crowd made it to the Hilton for an afterglow.

Until next time – editorjack!

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

 

Looking Back on the 2012 Chapter Awards Dinner and Installation of 2013 Board

The 39^th annual Alexandria, Virginia, BHS Chapter Presidents’ Awards Banquet and 2013 Board Installation was held Sat. nite Jan. 26th at the Durant Rec Center at 6 pm.

Immediate Past President Steve Murane, who had served two terms as president in 2011 and 2012, was host for the evening.  Steve and his special friend Robyn McQueen also did the organizing and work to pull off the event.  There were 11 tables of 10 Harmonizers and guests present.  Tables were bedecked with black and/or silver settings with balloon clusters for each table on mirror centers.  It was great to see so many of the new members at this year’s banquet.

The chapter provided the main entrée for the meal ( BBQ chicken or vegetarian lasagna) and all members and FRIENDS IN HARMONY brought dishes to share.  There was a huge spread of great foods and desserts.  Plus there was coffee and teas and a full bar the whole evening.

Social hour and visiting went from 6-7, then the meal and then the program.

IPP Steve invited special guests for the evening including the patrons from the Holiday show who had paid to have a dinner with director Joe Cerutti.  Current Mid Atlantic District President Bill Colosimo and family also were present; as was Paul Dolinsky from the George Washington Masonic Memorial; and FRIENDS OF HARMONY president Sandy Stamps.

The event was co-hosted by all the past presidents of the chapter including ten present: Steve, Brad Jones, Mick Stamps, Alan Wile, Rick Wagner, Ken Fess, Bob Wells, Chris Buechler, Chuck Harner and Jack Pitzer.

Steve thanked those who came early to set up, his nephews who came to be servers (they did get to sing some tags in the kitchen after the event); operations vp Bob Rhome for getting licenses for the bar and for arranging for the hall; Bob Blair for the coat racks; Chris Buechler for helping order the plaques; Mike Kelly for sound set up; Robyn for help preparing the printed program; and Bruce Lauther for helping compile the chapter’s milestones for 2012.

The first part of the program was to recognize the recipients of the chapter memorial awards that are given each year. Here is the run-down of the awards with a description of the award and this year’s winner:

New Note of the Year Award

 (Nominated by the President, VP-Membership/Chapter Development, and VP-Operations; selected by the Board of Directors).  Given to a Harmonizer who has contributed outstanding service to the Chapter in his first year of membership.  All new members for the previous 18 months prior to October 31 of the current year will be considered.  Attendance, attitude, and accomplishments of duties, both volunteer and assigned, shall be considered.

 

2012 recipient – Nick Leiserson for his energy in helping with show production and creation, service in membership recruitment, singing in the  a cappella group TBD and willingly accepting other assignments from chapter leaders.

Spirit of Harmony Award

 (Selected by the Board of Directors).  Presented to the Harmonizer who during the past year best exemplified the fundamental Society membership qualities of congeniality and good character and worked hardest to encourage participation in vocal harmony by Chapter visitors and members.  The awardee must reflect the spirit and ideals of O.C. Cash (Society founder) by his enthusiasm for good fellowship and good harmony and by his unselfish dedication to and obvious joy in barbershopping.

2012 recipient – Tim Buell for his dedication to welcoming guests and encouraging them and newer members to sing in a quartet, to help new members prepare for audition or to get other members to consider being in a quartet.

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Ibbianne and Wilbur Sparks Award

 (Selected by the Board of Directors).  Given to recognize the important contribution of Harmonizer family teams to the success and well-being of the Chapter.  The award will be made only to a truly outstanding team which has contributed greatly both in volume and quality of services over a period of time.  The team can be a Harmonizer and any family member or significant other.

2012 recipient – Janene and John Pence for their willingness to help with a large variety of creative work needed for the chapter such as signs and posters and flyers and mailers. Plus they are efficient at proofreading copy.  He also always has a song board with the pitch noted for every one of our shows and singing gigs.  

 

Harmonizer Honor Award

 (Selected by the Board of Directors).  Given to a Harmonizer for service which is above and beyond the usual service expected of members during the past year.  It is not intended as a reward for discharging a single specific duty, but for continuous service in several activities.

 

2012 recipient – Brian Ammerman for dedicated attention to details needed for shows and events all during the year. He never let up on the tasks to keep an extremely active music program moving.

 

Oz Newgard Memorial Award

 (Nominated by the President, VP-Music & Performance, and Musical Director; Selected by  the Board of Directors).  Presented in memory of Oz Newgard (Musical Director 1962-70).  It is given to the Harmonizer who has made a significant contribution to the musical program of the Chapter during the past year.  The awardee's contribution need not be highly visible or of a technical musical character, but it must be related directly to the musical program. It should show the intent to make the musical program superior and enjoyable for all members.  The awardee should be a dedicated Harmonizer who has endeavored to improve the Chapter image in the Society and in the Alexandria community through musical excellence.  Any Harmonizer who has been a chapter member for more than one year shall be eligible for the award.

 

2012 recipient – Craig Kujawa for his leading example of timeliness, precision for both music and performance, for leadership with the front row’s extra efforts at shows and contests, and for effectively communicating matters to the chapter regarding contests and shows.

 

Harmonizer Memorial Award

 (Selected by the Board of Directors).  Presented in memory of those men who died while members of the Chapter.  It is the highest recognition which the Chapter can bestow on a member.  It is given to the Harmonizer who, during his entire period of chapter membership, has devoted himself most unselfishly in rendering outstanding service to the Chapter.  The award is made only to a truly outstanding member who has regularly attended Chapter activities and who has contributed greatly both in volume and quality of services over a long period of time.

 

2012 – Bruce Lauther for long-time dedicated service to getting us shows and performances and appearances all around the world.  He was recognized for his efforts to reach out and find opportunities for the chapter and its quartets to be seen and heard in helping entertain others.  Plus he was thanked for getting chorus medals engraved each time we earned a new one.   

 

Award of Harmony

(Given to a person selected from the community who best represents through his or her life and efforts, the truest meaning of harmony.)

 

2012 – Paul Dolinsky for stepping up and shining light on the chapter’s Youth Harmony effort from his vantage point as an official of the Freemason’s Lodge at the George Washington Memorial in Alexandria.  Paul and his group have welcomed the chapter to their stage and have provided significant funding for youth programs. 

 

After the award recognition period, district president Bill Colosimo installed the 2013 officers and board following appropriate comments about this chapter’s four major characteristics that are recognized by the BHS and its members: musical excellence, administrative excellence, fraternity and being an example of strength and completeness to other chapters and their members.

 

The board for 2013 is

 

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 last year)

Immediate Past President - Steve Murane

 

 

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.)