Looking Back on the April 29th Chapter Meeting

The guys had to find parking and run thru hard rain and jump over flooding streets and curbs this week. But the risers were crowded even before the 7pm start time.  The music team and chorus manager Mark Klostermeyer did some shifting of guys to spread out clumps of basses and to even out the number of guys in rows (mostly moved from second and third up to fourth and fifth).  Thanks to all the guys who are making the changes and relearning the stage presence.

No doubt next week’s review of stage presence at 6pm will attract another big crowd to work with riser coach Chuck McKeever.

Our special coach and friend, Cindy Hansen, was with us for the evening and we worked hard to take advantage of her time to add soooooo much detail and performance “enHansenments” to our already good stage plan.  She worked with director Joe Cerutti on almost all of the songs for our trip to France.

After a welcome-to-the-risers with the Harmonizer recording of the “Summertime” performance which Cindy had helped us choreograph in 2004; and then assistant director Will Cox did the warm ups.

The organizing team for Normandy, Ken Fess and Mick Stamps, was busy too before chapter – a long line of members making their final payments for the trip, and/or ordering a trip shirt from Peter Hubbard.

To set the mood for our work in Normandy, Mick and Joe told the story of Billie D. Harris who was shot down in France, and his widow, Peggy, who has frequently paid tribute to her soldier husband by visiting his grave and sending flowers.  It turns out we will meet her in Les Ventes, France, where the mayor has invited us to sing in honor of the man they consider their hero for having turned his plane away from the town before he crashed and was killed.  Chris Huber, who discovered this story, spoke to the widow and the local town leaders and learned that a 12-year old boy got to the plane crash in time to see the name tag on the pilot.  He had to run away tho, because the Germans were coming.  He is also still living. Ken Fess and Chris have worked to make this extra stop happen for us.  Can you imagine singing “Bring Him Home” there?

Joe and Cindy worked as a team to add another layer of performance to the songs along with inputs from choreographer Carlos Barillo.

Early in the evening while the chorus worked, associate director Tony Colosimo auditioned men who wished to try out for solos in some of the songs for France.

Operations vp Bob Blair conducted the chapter meeting and found Chris Huber without his name badge, so he was awarded the huge “Ooops I Forgot My Badge.”

Ken Fess, also chairman of this fall’s Harmony on the Harbor show prior to the SAI convention, reported that whole sections of the hall are sold out.  Be sure to get your friends and family their tickets. 

Bob reported that all of the chapter’s uniforms and materials normally stored in the back at Durant were moved to a chapter storage unit on Saturday.  Nathan Ritter helped Bob coordinate the work. This temporary relocation will be for several months while the City of Alexandria works on refurbishing the building (where our chapter was founded 66 years ago).

President Terry Reynolds reported that Rick Wagner is home now and making progress. Yeah! Sandy Stamps reported that Rick is facing a lot of physical therapy – fortunately at their home. Before the evening ended, Joe had the chorus sing a Get Well message for Rick – thanks for help to do that from Mike Kelly.

Terry also reported that John Thompson’s wife, Sara, was still in Mt. Vernon Hospital.  Bob Wachter seemed to be up-to-date on her status.

And Terry announced that next week, the WORD OF MOUTH group that won our recent Aca Challenge will be at our chapter meeting to sing for us and we to sing for them.

Terry stressed that all of us should be making travel plans and clear the calendar for the chorus retreat on Saturday, May 17^th, at First Baptist Church, 2932 King St., Alexandria 22302. We will set up on Fri nite and some guys will be needed to help.  Then Saturday at 9am we start – with coffee and DONUTs  available too! Chuck McKeever is retreat master.

In the afternoon we will have our World War II tribute show with local dignitaries, several WWII vets and other military and senior citizen groups.  Families and friends are welcome too for the 3pm send-off show.  The chorus will debut our songs for France.  There will be refreshments too – each chorus member is asked to bring two dozen cookies to go with the coffee and lemonade we will serve our guests. Randall Eliason heads up the committee of guys working on this event, along with Sandy Stamps and the FRIENDS IN HARMONY members. NOTICE: first, the retreat will resume after the tribute until 9pm, and second, new guys or SPECIAL FORCES guys need to plan ahead for transportation from a Metro station to the church.  It is really too far to walk and bus service might be really slow.  Ask someone to pick you up his way to the church.

Terry suggests having members organize events like this are another reason why “It Is Great to Be a Harmonizer!”

Secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Dean Sherick for two years; Rich Hewitt for three years; Ken Henderson for 10 years; Joe Cerutti Jr. for 13 years; Tom Berkey for 17 years; and Chris Huber for 22 years. Dick Newton got a card for his 30 years and membership lapel pin. Jim Gammon got a card for 40 years and a lapel pin. Our chapter buys lapel pins for members’ milestone years of membership.

Rich Hewitt filled in for membership vp Jeremy Richardson, who was on travel, and introduced our guests for the evening including several first timers.

We had a good break and then it was back on the risers.

First thing we did was sing our traditional farewell song, “A Place on the Risers for You” to Tony LaRosa who has only gotten to be a Harmonizer for a few months.  His job is taking him to TN.   Darn!!

Cindy met with the musical leadership and visual team while Joe worked with the chorus.

At the end of the nite, high-schooler member Tommy Garner won the 50/50 again and directed “Keep the Whole World Singing” for the chorus.

The crews put things away and emptied the room for the Rec Department.  Joe and Cindy joined the big crowd at the afterglow.

Bob Rhome has encouraged all members of the Harmo family to begin making housing arrangements and purchase convention registration tickets for the M-AD Fall Convention and Contest in Wildwood, NJ (October 24-26). Many of the hotel/motels are already fully booked or reserved, so don’t delay. There are condos available near the Convention Center at very reasonable prices. Please go to Groupanizer to note your intentions (30 men have already done so, thanks). Let’s set a goal of over 120 men. This will be the next step in our run towards the Pittsburgh International Convention in July 2015. The current plan for district is to perform “Anything Goes” and our “new ballad” which will be introduced in the coming weeks. For International next year, there will be terrific new uptune with crazy-fun front row choreography.

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

  Looking Back on the April 22^nd Chapter Meeting

Durant was mighty hot this week – no air conditioning and lots of great singing!

The usual set up crew work was done on time and another large crowd was around for the stage presence review on the stage with Chuck McKeever and help from some of his visual team members.

Associate director Tony Colosimo did the warm ups for the nite and turned the ready-chorus over to director Joe Cerutti.  He welcomed the big crowd on the risers; saluted Dick Hall on his 82^nd birthday and lead the singing to celebrate; and reported that Rick Wagner was in the queue after his operation today. 

Sandy Stamps reported on a call from Rick’s wife, Peggy, that he was able to sit up and even make some sounds.  YeEd received a call on Wednesday afternoon relayed thru Gary Mankin: Gary had spoken with Rick, who was upbeat and is eating solid foods. They took out 35% of the leg muscle and a chunk of tissue the size of a Nerf football. They are waiting for pathology reports and for word as to physical therapy.  He is in the Walter Reed Bethesda facility and of course cannot have visitors at this time. YeEd suspects we will get word as things unfold.  Our thoughts are with Rick and his family!!

France trip project leader, Ken Fess, did a narration with photos about the situation in France in 1944. Very informative and moving details.

Then it was right to work on songs for the Normandy trip and shows in 2014.  Tony conducted a barbershop craft session and then we held three more rounds of “Make Me Better” where evaluator/listeners stand in front of a volunteer who sings with the chorus.  There is time for some feedback and each volunteer singer gets written notes from his listener.

Operations vp Bob Blair conducted the chapter meeting. He encouraged members to note the business opportunities during the break for scrip, 50/50, France shirts, Harmony on the Harbor tickets, and Crescendo tickets. He continued his push to get members to wear their name badges.

Ken Fess was at his station this week to meet with anyone who needed to see him regarding payments or submitting information requested. Peter Hubbard was taking order for t-shirts for the trip.

Bob Blair announced that the chapter will be moving all of its stored materials in the back of Durant to storage units which building improvements are made.  Those men who volunteered to help will be working this Saturday starting at 11am.

Calvin Schnure welcomed more tag singers to join him in the lobby at break.,

Anyone interested in applying for a Harmonizer scholarship to attend Harmony University in Nashville this summer should speak with Steve White to apply. This is a $640 value.

Lou Bergner was on the risers this week and it was announced that he sang in the Ontario District Seniors’ Quartet champs, ACCAPELLA UNPLUGGED, at the prelims up there recently.

Membership vp Jeremy Richardson with help from Rich Hewitt welcomed the guests this week.  Congrats to Jeremy for tackling refurbishing the Harmo Membership Kiosk.  In researching how long it has been a Harmo icon, YeEd has spoken with Scott Werner and John Adams. Dick Hall spoke to Terry Jordan and Jack Crickenberger. Crickenberger joined in 1950 and he says he recalls signing things on that cabinet. For sure, Dick and Jack and all the others we spoke with know it was being used in 1964-66 when we joined. Soooo -- it is nearly as old as the chapter (which begins its 66th year this month). Doug White helped get the new rolling platform for the cabinet.  Jeremy reports that when he sanded the cabinet he found several colors of paint including green and not-surprising, some red/white/blue.

 

After break, we worked hard on more of our music and the visuals with choreographer Carlos Barillo.  It was a good work session, including sectionals to relearn “Music of the Night” to sing with the Ambassadors of Harmony on the June 21^st Crescendo show.

Looking ahead to our fall season and life after Normandy, music and performance vp Steve White suggests that, “While we are all very busy preparing for the Veterans Tribute Show, the France/Germany Trip, and the Crescendo Show, please do as Bob Rhome has encouraged and begin making your housing arrangements and purchase a convention registration for the M-AD Fall Convention and Contest in Wildwood, NJ (October 24-26). Many of the hotel/motels are already fully booked or reserved, so don’t delay. There are also condos available near the Convention Center at very reasonable prices. You can go to Groupanizer right now to note your intentions (30 men have already done so, thanks). Let’s set a goal to stage no less than 110 men … aw heck, let’s just make it 125 and blow the roof off the place. This will be the next step in our run towards the Pittsburgh International Convention in July 2015, and our District seeding will be important in getting that all-important buzz going across the Society. The current plan for District is to perform “Anything Goes” and our “new ballad” which will be introduced in the coming weeks. For International next year, there will be terrific new uptune with crazy-fun front row choreography.

Harmonizers can support two of our youngest members in their school performance of  “SPAMalot”  Ben Roberts (as Sir Galahad) and David Jarzen (as Sir Robin) at West Potomac High School,  May 1st-3^rd.  Our own Peelee Clark is their teacher, director and choreographer for the show. They would most like us to be at the Saturday, May 3rd show at 7pm, as this performance will be their entry into the National Capital Area Cappies Awards program.  For tickets you may go to www.westpotomactheatre.org. They are $12.

NOTE that next Tuesday we have a fun nite with coach Cindy Hansen Ellis in the house.  Don’t miss this chance to improve your performance skills.

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

Looking Back on the April 15^th Chapter Meeting

The evening started like many others, altho a lot of the guys had to fight their way to Durant thru bad rainstorms and significant traffic backups. Coach Chuck McKeever worked on the stage to help guys with their moves for “Soldier” with choreographer Carlos Barillo helping him.

Assistant director Will Cox did the vocal warm ups. Good crowd again – there were some crunch times when some rows on the risers needed to shift so everyone could get in the right row.

He turned over the chorus to director Joe Cerutti who welcomed the four men accepted for membership at the Open Audition on Wed. April 9^th.  Membership vp Jeremy Richardson thanked Joe and Carlos for doing the auditions, and Rich Hewitt for coordinating the evening.

We worked on songs for the Normandy trip – inviting the many guests to step off the risers while we did the visual plans a couple times. Ken Fess lead another history review to set the mood for our work in preparation for the shows we will do.

Before the break ,the music team did launch the “Make Me Better” program this week. Joe assured all that this is not program to eliminate any singers, but to provide all singers with  suggestions as to how well they are implementing the current vocal standards for the Harmonizers.   There were 12 or so “listeners” who had a clip board with a form to make notes for the volunteer singers.  Those volunteer singers faced the chorus so they could see Joe, the listeners face the volunteers.  We sang a portion of one song and did it for three batches of volunteers.  After the singing, listeners had a couple minutes to give feedback.  Joe used those minutes to review stage moves. Michael Gilmore helped coordinate the paper work with our current printer we have in the hall.

Operations vp Bob Blair conducted the weekly chapter meeting.  Steve Murane got to wear the “Oops I Forgot My Name Badge” sign.  And Stan Quick was the 7^th person to shake hands of the mystery hand-shaker guy winning a new BHS t-shirt.

Quartet promotion chairman Calvin Schnure will have a different tag every week to teach any taggers at break or after the meeting.  Usually in the lobby at Durant. His project mean guys can do some tag-singing during the trip to France.

Marketing vp Noah Van Gilder took a straw poll about a possible sing out with the Ambassadors when they are here at the World War II Memorial, on June 20^th at 6 pm.

ALERT: if you need any uniform parts you need to see uniform guru Tom Kern BEFORE April 26^th.  That is a likely date when the back-of-the-building will no longer be usable for our uniform inventory. Also, get you new tie from Tom for the Normandy trip.   $7 each.

President Terry Reynolds reported that TJ Jones is getting around after his accident, but has also been busy with work.

Terry clarified the date for the 2014 Presidents Award Banquet – Sat. Feb. 7^th.

Finally Terry presented a framed picture from our Toronto trip – the “75” scene with an inset of the medal. You too can have one – see K12.  Terry suggests that getting that photo taken on the fly was another reason why “It Is Great to Be a Harmonizer!”

The membership team welcomed a lot of guests – some family folks in town during spring break (funny since it was freezing outside).  Members Dave Reyno and Ross Johnson were in the house this week.  The FRIENDS IN HARMONY met tonite too in order to plan for their part of the WWI Tribute show May 17^th at First Baptist Church on King Street in Alexandria.  (This is the same weekend as our chorus retreat to prepare for France.

Last Saturday all four chorus sections met at First Baptist to work on new music.

The remainder of this week’s rehearsal was used to get the new music ready to perform. In fact we did a two-show performance spot to get in the practice.

In other news, YeEd and Kevin Kaiser went to the Johnny Appleseed District Prelims in Pittsburgh this past weekend.  FRANK THE DOG quartet from our M-AD sang there for score and qualified with an 81.5% to earn a slot in the contest in Vegas this summer.  Our own Darryl Flinn sang in the winning seniors quartet – BABY GRAND.  Fun to see him and fellow Harmoniser, Joe Witmer, on stage with the Canton chorus.  Chatted with both of them and they send regards. HOT AIR BUFFOONS quartet was a riot, sang well and will be in Vegas for the International contest too. Kevin also sang in the Joe Barbershopper Mic Tester Chorus directed by Jim Bagby.

As part of the revision of Durant, things have to go a new place in the weeks ahead.  Coffee and refreshment supplies will fit under the stage.  Doug White has helped Jeremy get some rolling platforms to mount under the membership kiosk so it can roll on and off the Harmo truck each 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 during the 66^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on the April 8^th Chapter Meeting

As usual, things at Durant were busy starting way before 6 pm, with the good news the air conditioning was working!!! Guys and family members everywhere working to set up, review stage presence plans with Chuck McKeever, make the coffee and put out goodies for those guys who come right from work and grab a snack before chapter.

(BTW – a growing number of members gather at Hard Times Café on King Street about 5 pm on Tuesdays for some dinner before chapter. Come join us.  YeEd)

Then at 5 til 7, we heard Dallas Vocal Majority singing “Runnin’ Wild” over the loud speaker system and that was out signal to get on the risers.  Assistant director Will Cox did the warm ups.

Director Joe Cerutti took over then and thanked all for a great youth harmony festival last Saturday with special appreciation to Brad Jones. Joe welcomed John Pence with us this week.

And finally Joe shared some great new details about our singing in France for many major events to honor the veterans.

We worked hard the first half of the evening on our songs for France and took a chunk of time to review the visual plan for “Something About a Soldier” with choreographer Carlos Barillo.

Operations vp Bob Blair conducted the chapter meeting.  He presented the “Ooops I Forgot My Badge" badge to Brad.

The mystery handshaker this week was Jack Pitzer – the 7^th guy to shake his hand, and wearing a name tag, was Tom Kern, who got a new BHS logo t-shirt.

Reminder:  there is an all-sectionals work session at First Baptist, 2932 King Street on Saturday, April 12^th at 9am.

Randall Eliason announced the plans for a D-Day Veteran’s Tribute show as part of the Normandy preparation retreat at First Baptist Church, May 17^th (which is also Armed Forces Days).

President Terry Reynolds announced the date for the 2014 Presidents’ Award dinner will be Feb. 8^th, 2015, with BHS CEO Marty Monson as our guest.

Terry also reports that the chapter received a thank you note from Michelle Obama for singing at the White House during the Christmas holidays.

Terry presented a check from Harmony Foundation for $4008.15 to our treasurer David Welter to deposit.  These monies are a result of 36 of our members contributing to the Foundation and designating the chapter to receive a “give back” to the chapter.

Terry saluted the great Youth Harmony Festival too and suggested it was another example of why “It Is Great to Be a Harmonizer!”

Membership vp Jeremy Richardson with help from Rich Hewitt introduced and welcomed the guests for the evening.  And Jeremy reminded us of the Open Auditions event on Wednesday eve at Durant.

After coffee break, associate director Tony Colosimo conducted his barbershop craft session.

A new effort to prepare the chorus for singing in Normandy will be launched next week and will continue for the following 3-4 Tuesdays, The “Make Me Better” program for all singers performing in Normandy is being to managed by Michael Gilmore for the music team. It is not a qualification process; rather, an opportunity for section leaders or assigned listeners to see how each man is doing on using craft maxims etc. in their singing. There will be time each week to do some parts of songs and then a few minutes for follow up.

For the rest of this week’s rehearsal, we worked hard on our music for shows and the trip to France in ’14. This included some work on some old songs too.  Joe also announced that we would be asked to sing the National Anthem and a two-part-harmony piece with a marching band when we are in France.

In other news about our members: John Pence has announced plans for a memorial service for Janene at 2pm on May 31 at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax. Specifics on the service to be announced later.

Dick and Carolyn Hall celebrated their 60^th wedding anniversary this past week.  Congrats to them both.

A former Harmonizer, Frank Perka, died recently in Alexandria.  He was a member 1970-74, He was born in 1919.

Our friend TJ Jones has had some tough physical accidents of late including the last fall on ice after the last snow we had, breaking the lower extremity of the fibula bone. So he is back to sitting in a chair again for a number of weeks, instead of being on the risers.

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

Looking Back on the 6^th Harmo Youth Harmony Festival 2014

The Harmonizers held its sixth all-day Youth Harmony Festival Saturday April 5^th at Durant Center.  There were 24 boys and 29 girls participating. There were five music educators involved for the day too. The chapter sponsored the event with additional support from Barbershop Harmony Society, our friends at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, and Sweet Adelines International.

 

Brad Jones was coordinator of this year’s successful event and offered this thank you note: “thanks to everyone who helped make the weekend such a success. The kids had a great time and many have already said they can't wait until next year. Thanks to all who brought snacks and desserts for the Festival. One of the greatest compliments we receive on comment forms is for the food we provide during the day and you all contribute to that success.

 

”Thanks also to our faculty - Joe Cerutti, Tony Colosimo, Erin Cook, Carlos Barillo who conducted the workshops for the youth.  Helping them with training, tag singing and encouragement were GIMME FOUR quartet from NJ and SHADES OF JADE Sweet Adeline quartet. The students soaked up the information these folks provided and Carlos' approach to putting moves and meaning to the songs opened up a lot of performance concepts the students had not seen before.

 

“Our volunteers from the Harmonizers and FRIENDS IN HARMONY were amazing from setup on Friday night through the cleanup at the end of the day. I'm sure I've missing some folks who pitched in when I was in other areas of the building but just a stab at those who helped includes - Sandy and Mick Stamps, Jack and Pat Pitzer, Chris Buechler, Dixie Kennett, Ken Fess, Ellen Dellert, Chuck Harner, Christine and Todd Ryktarsyk, Bob and Sandy Ulibarri, Alan Wile, Bob Wachter, Carl Kauffman, Keith Jones, Bridgette Cerutti, Catherine Colosimo, Dean Rust, Bob Rhome, Steve Murane, Austin Cotton, Ben Roberts, Tom Berky, Michael Gilmore, TJ Donahue, Peelee Clark, Terry Reynolds, Kris Zinkievich and many others who pitched in during the setup and cleanup.

 

“A special thanks to TBD, our a cappella group, and the 60 chorus members who performed on the evening show and helped show the students that singing is for life beyond school!  The chorus sang four songs including their debut of “Bring Him Home” with Tony doing the solo.

 

“A couple of our members sang with the youth boys’ chorus – Tommy Garner and Ben Roberts.  New member Peelee Clark operated the sound board for the show.”

 

A girl’s youth quartet sang on the show as did the boys’ chorus and girls’ chorus. The finale was a combined chorus of the boys and girls. Many parents and family members attended as did Harmonizer family members and friends. 

 

And as president Terry Reynolds always says...all the above is one more reason "It's great to be a Harmonizer!"

Each student was given a Youth Festival burnt-orange t-shirt with the great logo (design by Scipio Garling). Brad has a few adult size shirts left as follows: small - 1, medium -5, large - 5, and XL - 2. He will have them at rehearsal on Tuesday and they are available for $10 each.

 

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.)

Looking Back on the April First Chapter Meeting

This was a work nite with 107 singers on the risers, a huge contingent of guys from Mt. Vernon Chapter’s Harmony Heritage Singers with us for the evening, and lots of efforts of individuals to get uniforms lined up or tickets ordered or last minute check of the sheet music for some of the new songs.

As usual, there was a good-sized contingent of guys on the stage at 6pm to review visual plans. The many Special Forces guys who are going to sing with us in Normandy appreciate Chuck McKeever providing this instruction.

The educational sharing about what it was like in Normandy when the soldiers landed, set the mood for our work. Thanks to Ken Fess and Mick Stamps who shared material provided by Ike Evans. There was an email follow-up to the story and phtotos.

The music this week to get us ready to go to work and get on the risers was the ACOUSTIX quartet singing David Wright’s arrangement of “Stars and Stripes Forever” in recognition of our coach for tonite’s rehearsal.

After warm ups by associate director Tony Colosimo, director Joe Cerutti welcomed David to our meeting and introduced him to the 20 new guys who had not been in a coaching session with David and the Harmonizers.  Joe welcomed the many Special Forces guys here tonite, and TJ Donahue who is back with us this week.

Joe had the chorus perform one of the three-song sets we will be using this year so David could get a feel for the music and work we have been doing.  David was encouraging for all of the music we have added and congratulated us for the concept that we wanted to make all of our repertoire top-notch, not just a couple contest songs!

Mid-evening, Bob Rhome conducted the chapter meeting on behalf of operations vp Bob Blair.

Top on the list of details were reminders about the Youth Harmony Festival this weekend at Durant, coordinated by Brad Jones.  About 60 students and several music educators are coming. MEMBERS ARE REMINDED TO BRING SOME COOKIES AND GOODIES on Friday nite or Saturday morning.

Set up Friday nite is at 5 pm.  Start on Saturday is 9am with no early-entry to the building, so we need to get things ready Fri eve so we can start.  YeEd plans to have coffee for the adults to kick start the day!  Chorus call for our appearance Sat nite is 5:30pm wearing black camp shirts, jeans and appropriate shoes. Tony is dean for the school and encouraged everyone to take part and join him for this effort to introduce good singing in the barbershop style to these young men and women.

Ken Fess spoke to remind all Normandy travelers that the final payment is due this month.  He also asked for more personal stories from the D-Day landing. Peter Hubbard is selling travel tour shirts for any who wish to order them.  Check the email he sent to help us place orders.

Alan Wile thanked David DesPortes for his work to organize the many Harmo Heroes documents on the Groupanizer site.

Alan also has Harmo logo lapel pins ($2), cufflinks ($10) and tie tac ($5).

Ken Fess is also coordinator of the Harmony on the Harbor show we are sponsoring with the Pride of Baltimore Sweet Adeline chapter.  Ticket sales have started and are already moving fast.  BEWARE that if you want your family and friends to get seats, you need to get those tickets soon from Ken. Show is Monday, November 3^rd in Baltimore.

Chapter secretary Chris Buechler presented new-member-materials from the BHS to Chris Odell, Peelee Clark and Aaron Simoneau, and a second Man of Note award to Carlos Barillo for sponsoring Peelee.

Secretary Chris also presented membership renewal cards to Dave Branstetter for 9 years; Dan O’Brien for 10 years; Kevin McKenzie for 15 years; Bruce Lauther for 28 years; and Will Cox for 36 years.

The music team reminds all of that there is an all-sectionals work session at First Baptist, 2932 King Street on Saturday, April 12^th at 9am.

President Terry Reynolds announced the sad news that John Pence’s wife, Janene, died last Friday morning after her battle with pulmonary fibrosis.  A memorial service will be held in late May.

Terry reports that our fellow riser-mate, Rick Wagner, has completed his radiation treatments. Keep up the battle Rick.

Terry asked all members to consider offered to host some of the Ambassadors in Harmony for the weekend of our June 211st show.  Please respond to Reed Livergood’s email.

And finally, Terry suggested getting to work with a great coach and teacher like David Wright is another reason “It is Great to Be a Harmonizer!”

Membership vp Jeremy Richardson with help from Rich Hewitt introduced our newest applicant and our guests, including all the Harmony Hertiage guys.

During the break, many guys picked up consignment tickets for the June 21^st show from Steve Murane.  Don’t delay.

After break, it was back on the risers for more work with our coach on songs for Normandy and a long session working on “Stars and Stripes.”

In other news, congrats to DA CAPO as they travel to sing on the Mt. Rushmore Chapter spring show with the Shrine of Democracy Chorus on May 10th. The quartet will also minister to the youth in area schools in Rapid City, South Dakota on May 9th. Great to have them on the quartet circuit and representing us.

Until next time – editorjack!

(This message is prepared for your review if you were there, for your information if you had to miss, and as a historical record of the great things going on each week during the 66^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd.)

Looking Back on the March 25^th Chapter Meeting

It was a busy nite for the Harmonizers as we roll forward from the A CA CHALLENGE to the next shows and concerts.  There were a lot of important announcements, especially regarding the trip to France.

Chuck McKeever conducted a visual review on the stage at 6. A big crew of guys got the room ready for singing, coffee break and seating for the guests.

When the gong sounded at 7, we heard music by the Bowling Green OH University chorus.  Assistant director Will Cox did the vocal warm ups.

When director Joe Cerutti took over, he started with thanks for the great CHALLENGE event and we all enjoyed hearing about the many standing ovations we earned. Many men on the risers shared fun stories from customers or family or from their own observations. 

Joe shared his excitement that David Wright is coming to coach us next Tuesday nite and particularly work with us on “Stars and Stripes” which is one of the songs we will sing with the Ambassadors on the June 21^st Crescendo Show.

Joe also announced that our friend and member Chuck Hunter, stationed in Turkey, has made plans to sing with us in France. In addition to Chuck, YeEd hears the following guys are planning to sing with us: Jay Butterfield, Bob Eckman, Jim Gammon, Don Johnson, Jim Kew, Alan Lamson, Jim Lucey, Jim McConnell, Dick Newton, Chuck Roots, John Santora, and Fr. Joe Witmer.

We worked hard on more songs for Normandy and we listened to a message from Gen. Dwight Eisenhower that he sent to all of his troops. This is part of the effort by chapter leaders to help us prepare mentally for our important mission in honor of WWII heroes.

Next, choreographer Carlos Barillo introduced his exciting visual plan for “Something About a Soldier” and the chorus grasped his plan and really was able to do it all from the start. 

Associate director Tony Colosimo conducted another important barbershop craft session for us.

Then operations vp Bob Blair began the chapter meeting for this week.  As promised, he presented the “Oops I Forgot My Nametag” large nametag to Rick Wagner.  Beware next week.

Creator of the A CA CHALENGE, Ken Rub, thanked all the many helpers personally (as reported in the previous Looking Back column).

Shows vp Nick Leiserson announced many details about shows coming up such as Crescendo,  June 21^st. He announced that Steve Murane is handling consignment ticket sales for that show.  Get Steve word how many tickets you want to get.  Reed Livergood is helping with the project of hosting the Ambassadors in our homes – we need many more families to offer to host. Shawn Tallant is coordinating the afterglow for that major show and is about to announce the location and details.

Ken Fess explained many details about the Normandy trip, and announced that Peter Hubbard is selling the shirts for those who want one for the trip and is helping with many other details. Ken is expecting immediate responses to emails in order to make the trip a success.

Brad Jones is coordinating the Youth Harmony Festival event on Saturday April 5^th for over 60 youth and several music teachers. We all need to help – especially to contribute cookies, snacks or goodies for the youth.  Bring these items on Tuesday April 1 or Friday nite April 4 when you come to help set up the tables and chairs and such for the event.  AND we sing on Saturday nite of the Festival.

Quartet promotion chairman Calvin Schnure encouraged quartet singers or prospective quartet singers to register for the Southern Division Contest in May in Roanoke. Calvin also offered to help guys find others to form a quartet.

Alan Wile spoke to the chorus about contributions to the Harmony Foundation, plus introduced a new Harmo item that is about to come on the market –  Harmo Logo cufflinks for $10.  The similar lapel pins are just $2.

Guys who need to update their mug shot photo on the board in the hall were asked to meet with Ike Evans at the break for a new shot.

President Terry Reynolds asked for good support for the Youth Festival, the May 17^th retreat in preparation for Normandy; and suggested that hard workers like Ken Rub are the reason why “It is Great to Be a Harmonizer!”

Secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Bob Griesemer for 3 years; Joel Golden for 9 years; Harold Weinberger for 20 years; and Bruce Minnick for 37 years.

Membership vp Jeremy Richardson with help from Rich Hewitt welcomed and introduced the many guests present this week.

After coffee break, it was back to work on the risers including a successful first-time-through “Deep River” and work right up til closing time on other songs.  We did a performance of three songs that will be performed as a package.

YeEd forgot last time to report on the M-AD House of Delegates meeting held Sunday, March 16^th as part of the Prelims weekend.  Our chapter president Terry Reynolds attended as our voting delegate. Terry Jordan reports to YeEd that he and a long list of other Harmonizers were also present including Bill Colosimo, Keith Jones, Bob Eckman, Alan Wile, Mike Kelly, John Santora, Chris Buechler, Gary Plaag and Sean Devine.

In other news, former member Mark Rodda's quartet ZERO HOUR earned a slot in the BHS contest in Vegas this summer to represent the Carolinas District.  Mark’s dad, Brian, was a front row Harmonizer for years and sang with the NOVA CHORDS quartet from our chapter who qualified to sing at International from 1967-78. Brian died some years ago, but his wife Ceil is an avid barbershop fan and lives in SC these days.  She was the first president of the chapter’s auxiliary group in 1966.

At that same contest, current member John Adams was in the first place seniors quartet, THE HARDLY BOYS.  He is a past president of our chapter and retired to NC. He sang with the NOVA CHORDS too and was tenor in REMINISCE  with Scott Werner, Alan Durick and Dick Whitehouse when they won the BHS Seniors Quartet gold medal in 1995.

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Did you see Dick Dangel and Drew Fuller on the evening news piece Monday nite about the District of Columbia annual celebration for Centenarians?  They were in a quartet POTOMAC RIVER RASCALS with Bob Scarlett and Wes Kriebel who are members of the Harmony Heritage Singers.  Dick has been doing this gig for several years with various pick-up quartets.  He reports that the quartet made a lot of folks happy strolling among the tables to serenade the honorees and did a couple songs from the stage.  Good job guys.

Many guys were wearing special t-shirts in support of our buddy Rick Wagner as he fights thru the radiation treatments.

Thanks to the guys who brought in goodies (such as boxes of Girl Scout cookies) for coffee break. Contributions are always welcome!

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