Looking Back on the Aug 7^th Market Square Sing

It was a lovely nite in Old Town Alexandria for this year’s Market Square sing out.  Despite threats of rain all day, the evening was cool and dry.  That helped the crowd grow as the people strolled thru the city.

 

A really good crew of Harmonizers made this annual show that we do as appreciation for support from the City of Alexandria.

 

Our riser crew and sound crew worked hard to set it all up.  Mike Kelly with Doug White did the sound – Mike was using all of our newly acquired sound equipment for this big show (including what looked like a I-pad to hold and direct sound even if he were singing on the risers).

 

Our a cappella group TBD wowed the audience with a couple of new songs – and using their new individual mics.

 

A chapter quartet of Rick Savage, Tony Colosimo, Drew Fuller and Steve White sang “God Bless the USA” and then the chorus did the last part with them and the tag.

 

Our audience really responded to this revamped patriotic package. They totally got into the “Armed Forces Medley” and clapped along for the “Stars and Stripes Forever.  ”

 

Dennis Richtey and Gary Fuller did the emcee work for the show.

 

The finale with the chorus moving off the risers out into the crowd was fun for all – and we were given nice postcard sized flyers about the Icon show to pass out.  Me might have even gotten a singer to come next Tuesday.

 

Associate director Tony Colosimo did the warm ups and was the soloist for “Bring Him Home.” Director Joe Cerutti was up front for the show and prompted a good review before the show inside City Hall. Tony and Terry Reynolds were soloists in “Tribute to World Peace.”

 

Community service guy Clyde Crusenberry helped with the contacts and chorus manager Mark Klostermeyer coordinated gathering and returning complimentary parking passes for the lot under the Square. Greg Tepe was show producer.

 

We wore our black casual chorus shirts and jeans.

 

Many members of the Harmonizer family went out to dinner with friends after the show.

 

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 67^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd.

 

 

Looking Back on the July 28^th Hospital Sing and Aug 4th Chapter Meeting

On Tuesday July 28^th, we continued a many-year tradition of singing at Alexandria Hospital in July – usually right after International convention or when many men in the musical leadership team are out of town for Harmony University.  Because all the directors were gone, assistant director emeritus Will Cox did the honors.  Men wore some kind of Harmo logo shirts for the occasion.  According to Alan Wile, reporter, “We began to gather in the lobby at 6:30 p.m. Will warmed us up. With Community VP Clyde Crusenberry in the lead, we were on our way through the wards by 7:10. We sang at the nursing stations. Songs included “Sweet and Lovely,” “Sweet Caroline,”  “Stars & Stripes Forever,”  “Lullaby,”  “Let Me Call You Sweetheart,” “Heart of My Heart,”  and even “Jingle Bells.” We were done by 8:20 and dispersed. There were 24 of us.

 

Tuesday, Aug. 4 it was back to our normal routine.  Many hands were at work for set up, getting refreshments ready (including left overs from the picnic when we hosted the German ladies’ chorus recently – who by-the-way thanked the chapter during their show appearance at Harmony U last week), and welcoming many guests and helping applicants work on their audition songs.

The risers were full and director Joe Cerutti was in good spirits after taking over from bari section leader, Reed Livergood,  who did the vocal warm ups.

 Joe shared that his voice was worn and he was tired from his week away at Harmony University.  Joe (who was a dean of part of the school; associate director Tony Colosimo who taught and coached; tech advisor Mike Kelly who helped the HU staff; president Terry Reynolds who taught/coached leadership for choruses; and choreographer Carlos Barillo who coached choruses and quartets enrolled for the school were all on the staff of  the week-long BHS school held at Belmont College in Nashville. Four members of the chapter attended the school (YeEd heard that all enrolled in the director’s college aspect of the week) – three of our section leaders: Andrew Havens, Josh DesPortes, Reed Livergood; and Chris Buechler.

Joe also shared the successful efforts for the BHS to invite non-barbershopper music educators to HU – there were 100 attending this year from 14 countries. 

Joe shared the good news that had come out earlier in the day from Rick and Peggy Wagner that Rick was declared cancer free!!!  You can bet that brought about a huge cheer of congratulations.

Our first singing for the nite was to sing one of the tag’s Joe taught us during our prep for the Pittsburgh contest.  It was written by Gene Cokeroft, a giant in the BHS, who died just prior to HU. 

Then we went right to work on the songs for the Market Square show at Market Square in Old Town Alexandria. The show is at 7:30.  Chorus call is 6:30 with riser crew at 6. Uniform is black chorus shirt, jeans with black accessories. Plus your medal. Stay tuned for final word from chapter leadership in case of cancelation due to predicted rain that nite. New members are welcome to come sing songs they know.  Family members are urged to come too – bring chairs to sit on.  Park under the Square. If you park on the street, be sure to prepare to feed the meter late into the evening!

Shows vp Nick Leiserson announced tickets for our fall show went on sale, online on Aug. 2^nd.  "AMERICAN ICON", is our concert tribute to some of America's greatest male popular singers (including Nat King Cole, Billy Joel, Frank Sinatra, Bruno Mars, Johnny Cash, Pharrell Williams, and Michael Jackson). The shows are Saturday, September 19 at Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, 4916 East Campus Dr., Alexandria, VA 22311.) at 2 pm and 8 pm. Tickets prices range from $20 to $32 with box seats at $50. Parking is available onsite. For more information, go to tickets@harmonizers.org.

Bruce Lauther offered one more week for guys to get their Pittsburgh medals engraved. $8 paid when you turn in the medal to him.

Ken Fess offered free CDs he had collected during his years of membership – free to any takers.  The chapter history team got first-look to get a complete set of the CDs that our chapter produced.  Thanks Ken.

President Terry Reynolds shared that Steve Szyszka was to appear on TV Wednesday morning early where he is singing in a choir that is appearing at the Knights of Columbus convention in Philadelphia.

Terry reported a number of health situations for our members:  John Pence is facing a move to Hospice care now and is eager to hear from his brother Harmonizers; Ross Johnson fell and broke his leg; and Darryl Flinn who just was 80 recently is battling a serious bacterial infection. When Jeremy Richardson arrived Joe noticed the sling – Jeremy had some major shoulder surgery and is doing therapy now.

Calendar reminders: all sectionals Sat. Aug 15 at First Baptist at 9 am.

And Aug 25^th is our annual trip down to Manassas to sing for all of the other barbershop chapters in the area at the event called “Dog Days” – an extra event during these hot summer days when many chapter take the nite off.  The event is hosted by the Manassas Chapter who provides refreshments too.  We sing last so more of our guys can get on down there after work.  Watch for exact details. Guys who can’t sing should plan to come too – it is fun to share the nite with our buddies from nearby chapters.  Families are welcome to attend this event too. Good chance for family and friends of the many new members to hear the chapter in performance.

President Terry reports that the chapter board did in fact vote to form a 501(c)3 organization, Alexandria Harmonizers, Inc., at the board meeting recently. Related to that - Terry proudly shared that the BHS had invited major chorus/chapter groups to send representatives to a pre-HU think tank session.  Our leaders, which YeEd heard included community board member Liz Birnbaum, met with reps from the Vocal Majority, Great Northern Union, Toronto Northern Lights, Ambassadors of Harmony, Sound of the Rockies.  One of things they learned is that we are just one chapter who is forming a related not-for-profit organization.

After break we worked more on songs for the Icon show coming up Sept. 19^th.

In other news, YeEd got this nice note from Peggy and Rick Wagner after they visited the widow of past Harmo president Jack Shields: Rick, April, and I just had a wonderful visit with Ginny Shields and daughter Marrianne and son-in-law Rob Henry in Irvine, CA. Ginny is now living with Marianne, and she is enjoying the wonderful weather in California. Even though she is in a wheelchair due to leg weakness and pain, she is doing very well and gets along nicely. She enjoys exercise, meditation, and ukulele classes. She said to tell all of the Harmonizers hi, and she misses everybody back in VA. We talked a lot about Jack and reminisced about the "good ole days" with the chorus and at Massanutten. By the way, she is selling the Massanutten house if anyone is interested. We had a great time!! And she sends her congratulations to everyone! – Peggy

Kudos to the fine coverage in the recent district newsletter, Mid ‘L Antics, by our marketing guys Dave Branstetter.

Another good sized crowd of members and guests came to the afterglow at LaPortas at 1600 Duke Street where there is lots of good tag singing for those who want to join in.  And there is plenty of fellowship and food too.

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 67^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd.

 

Looking Back on the July 21^st Chapter Meeting

In other news that happened before Tuesday nite, our a cappella group, TBD, performed for the summer show at Carlisle Park at 7 pm Thurs. July 16.  They were great and attracted a good sized audience in the park.  Mike Kelly was sound engineer and used the new mics to make the performance really fill the space.  Some other chapter members attended as well.

 

And Saturday July 18^th, there was an all sectionals rehearsal at First Baptist Church in Alexandria from 9-noon.  Tony was overall director and then the section leaders worked in break out sections in various parts of the music suite at the church.  New member Tom Jackson was recently named as a bass section leader to join Andrew Havens and replace Jim Lake had left the chapter. We worked on songs for the Icon show mostly.

 

On Tuesday, the set up crew was hard at work early and the risers were in place by 6 pm.  Then the other crews went to work for sound, av, refreshments, membership, seating for guests, and a FRIENDS IN HARMONY meeting.

 

Associate director Tony Colosimo did the vocal warm ups and then director Joe Cerutti pushed right into singing on the shows for the Icon show in Sept.  He did welcome the many guests who are members of Barbershop in Germany (BING) who are staying in the area hosted by members of our chapter and several other chapters and Sweet Adeline chapters. 

 

After we sang a while, Joe invited Tony to explain a plan from the executive music committee (Cerutti Jr, T Colosimo, Reynolds, S White, Barillo, Kelly) to implement a Certified Singer Program for the fall and then the summer contest seasons. A pilot group of 25 will be named to start the process and work out any details before all members will be added.

 

Operations vp Todd Ryktarksyk conducted a chapter meeting.  Bruce Lauther is coordinating engraving of the Pittsburgh medals - so see him to pick up or drop off your medals. Just $8 to get them engraved with the logo and your info.

 

Craig Kujawa explained using our scrip sales program a new way – using your phone to buy scrip onsite at restaurants and stores when you need it.  He asked about interest from the members and got a good response.  So he will develop a handout about how it works.

 

Secretary Buechler has announced membership renewals for some long-time Harmonizer guys we don’t see at chapter meeting regularly: Scott Werner - 53 years, Don Johnson - 47 years, Phil Stern - 29 years, JJ Jackson -28 years and Dave Cureton - 24 years. Chris also reminded members to pay dues in order to be eligible to sing in the fall contest.

Josh Roots announced that when David Hood left for his military assignment, he donated his 2002 car to the fund raising team of the chapter.  Josh offers it first to any member who needs a car at the Blue Book price.  Contact Josh immediately as he plans to sell it on the market this weekend if no member takes it.

President Terry Reynolds welcomed again the BING members and reminded everyone about the BBQ picnic Thursday nite at 6 pm.  Be sure to sign up online so planners know who to expect.

Terry also promises that Icon show tickets should be on sale online by Aug.1^st  - if not before!!

Finally Terry happily reported that the chapter has received a grant for fiscal year 2016 of $10,548 from the Alexandria Commission for the Arts and the Office of the Arts.  Thanks to Clyde Crusenberry, our community service chairman, for his work to submit the paperwork for this grant.

Membership vp Rich Hewitt welcomed a ton of guests this week including the singers and friends from the BING group. And then there were several new local guests in various stages of membership – first timers, returnees, applicants.  He presented Jeff Burkey as our newest member.  Rich also announced the next Open Auditions nite for Wed. Sept. 23^rd – right after our Icon show.

After our break for lemonade and cookies and snacks, it was back to singing.  The Ladies First chorus from BING sang for us as well.

Another good sized crowd of members and guest came to the afterglow at LaPortas at 1600 Duke Street where there is lots of good tag singing for those who want to join in.  And there is plenty of fellowship and food too.

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 67^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd.

 

Looking Back on the July 14^th Chapter Meeting

This week was another busy one for the Harmonizers. We had a huge number of guests, a big crowd on the risers and there was lots of work to do musically and administratively.

 

Associate director Tony Colosimo did the vocal warm ups and then director Joe Cerutti welcomed all the singers and some special guests from Germany – John and Marci Warner from Germany where they sing barbershop and she is a director. They have worked with Joe in coaching sessions. But there is more – her Dad is former Harmonizer Seth Huisman. And

 Seth was with them. He had a great time renewing friendships with guys he sang with 1975-81 in the chorus and quartets such as Walt Page, Jack Pitzer, Randy Lazear, Rick Savage and Steve White who Seth brought to barbershop.

 

Joe started the singing with patriotic music which will be our package for city shows like Market Square in Old Town Alexandria on Fri. eve Aug. 7.  These are mostly the same songs we used last year for our trip to Normandy France.

 

Then we worked on some parts of the songs we will use for the American Icon show on Sat Sept 19. 

 

After the music work, Joe welcomed about 25 of Peelee Clark’s theater students from West Potomac Hi School.  They have been invited to the Fringe Festival in Scotland this summer and so they came to sing one of their numbers for us.  They sang a number from their show “Spelling Bee” which brought the chorus to their feet in cheering.  The West Potomac Theater Dept will present the whole show at their school Thurs and Fri July 23 and 24 at 7 pm, and then on Sat 25^th at 2 and 7.  Tickets are $12 at the door one hour before show time.  The school is at 6500 Quander Rd., Alexandria VA 22307.  Several of the guys in the group had joined the chorus on the risers for the first part of the evening including our own David Jarzen.

 

Operations vp Todd Ryktarsyk conducted the chapter meeting.  We heard from Chuck McKeever that our retreat contact at McDaniel College, Wesley Brown, had joined the Carroll County chorus up in Maryland. He was motivated to find a chapter after watching us  and singing tags with us at retreat.

 

Pittsburgh chairman Craig Kujawa expressed his personal thanks to the admin team that made things move smoothly for housing, tickets, travel, equipment hauling, meeting space and events like the Togetherness Breakfast.  He asked us all to respond to a survey he will issue soon.

 

Bruce Lauther is heading up the plan to get our recently acquired medals engraved.  You fill out a simple form for him and put it in an envelope he provides with $8 and your name on the outside of the envelope.  It comes back to you in a week or so.

 

Secretary Chris Buechler presented new member certificate and materials from BHS to our newest member, Nathan Vomocil.  Chris changed hats to his duties as a member of the BHS contest and judging committee and presented Master Director Joe a plaque in recognition of his 5 years as a music judge.

 

President Terry Reynolds reported that John Hohl had a mild stroke over the weekend but has headed home to FL where he can consult with his own doctors. Austin Cotton’s wife is still in the hospital.

 

Terry announced that our a cappella group, TBD, will be the singers for the summer show at Carlisle Park at 7 pm Thurs. July 16.

 

The chapter is helping host a ladies chorus from Germany this month who are on their way to Harmony University in Nashville.  There will be a barbeque for all the evening of the 23^rd. Stan Quick is helping coordinate this project.

 

Membership vp Rich Hewitt then tackled the huge job of welcoming all the guests in addition to those already mentioned.  There were several prospective singers, some barbershoppers from other chapters on vacation in the DC area, some new arrivals to the DC area and some applicants who are in the process of joining.

 

For break there were tons of chips and goodies AND a delicious dark chocolate cheese cake made by Marvin Evans to share with us all. It was a hit!

 

After break it was back into the main hall for a meeting/presentation by president Terry with input from community board member Liz Birnbaum.  The thrust of the report (which will likely be coming to all members soon), was a proposal to form a parallel 501(c)3 organization called Alexandria Harmonizers, Inc. The current board will decide at their July 22^nd meeting if they will go ahead.  Much of the work for this proposal came out of a governance review committee headed by Liz, with  John Roots, Chris Buechler, Brad Jones and Nick Leiserson plus Terry.  There was time for a few basic questions with a promise to offer a chance next Tuesday nite as well.

 

Then we got to see the webcast performance of our contest package in Pittsburgh. 

 

Joe then spoke about some major upcoming events as part of the new direction of community outreach for our chapter.  He spoke of some major social events as well.

 

Finally we sang “A Place on the Risers for You” for Jim Lake who has decided to leave the chapter.

 

We closed the nite with “Keep the Whole World Singing” directed by our guest from Germany, Marci Warner.

 

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 67^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd.

 

Looking Back on the 2015 International Contest and Convention, Pittsburgh

 

Amazing numbers of current and former members of the Alexandria Chapter were at the 77^th annual BHS International Convention and Contest in Pittsburgh, PA, July 1-4, 2015. All there to sing, rehearse, earn a medal, work and volunteer, attend meetings, cheer for our friends from M-AD, meet old friends and hang out with each other.

 

And the much-talked-about Harmonizer chorus returned to the International stage with 120 singers plus our director Joe Cerutti. Our ballad was “Someone Like You” from Jekyll and Hyde and arranged by Steve Tramack, and our uptune was “Me Ol’ Bamboo” from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and arranged by Clay Hine. We earned 2706 points, 90.2% and a fourth place medal! The choreography for the package was created by our own choreographer Carlos Barillo.

 

This was the 19^th medal earned by the Alexandria Harmonizers, including the four golds in ’86. ’89, ’95 and ‘98. We have competed at 25 International chorus contests since our first one in 1978 when we placed fourth.

 

Master director Joe Cerutti and his music team kept the week fun and productive.  Rehearsals began on Tuesday evening when the huge Harmo family started arriving in Pittsburgh. Many guys drove, some came via bus (YeEd heard that one bus had a breakdown so our guys were on the side of the road for a few hours.  So they got out and did their front row gestures!!), and some men took flights. Some guys combined the trip with family vacations.

 

 Joe was instrumental in having lots of folks come to see and hear us, some sang for us and there were some special moments of harmony and fellowship with other choruses such as our M-AD friends  Voices of Gotham from Hell’s Kitchen NY who were in our hotel and placed sixth in the contest. We also shared time with the men of Central Standard from Kansas City area.  One of the founders of that chapter was our own Mike Louque who had joined our chapter when he was 19 or so. Their chorus of 45 placed third.

 

In both visits, we sang for them and they sang for us, then we combined to sing something together.

 

Westminster, CA, chorus won the contest (and their director mentioned in their champs show on Saturday nite about their time to share homes with Harmonizers when they came to sing a show with us when the contest was in Philadelphia) with 97.5%.  Our friends from the Ambassadors of Harmony were second with 95.6%. Nashville was fifth. Our fellow M-AD chorus Brothers in Harmony from Hamilton Square NJ was eighth.

 

Interesting how many current and former members were on stage with other choruses: Carolina Vocal Express: John Adams, Mark Rodda; THX: Jim Gammon, (our own Marvin Evans also sang with THX this year.); Brothers in Harmony: Sean Devine; Heralds of Harmony: Lynn Hineman, Joe Kane; Music City: Larry Deters, Paul Wietlesbach; The Marcsmen: Jack Stevens; Northwest Vocal Express: Ken Potter director; Vocal Majority swan song: Ron Rogers. Steve

Tramack was a music judge for the contests.  Jay Butterfield and Jim Haggarty were on the practice judging panel.

 

We had three quartets in the contest with Harmonizer members.  MAYHEM placed 25^th with Matt Fellows, Pookie Dingle, Mike Pinto and Ken White. BSQ placed 29^th with Rob Seay, Kevin King, Rick Taylor and Al Mazzoni.  LAST MEN STANDING placed 32^nd with TJ Barranger, Drew Feyrer, Ed Bell and Mike Kelly. The other M-AD quartet was GIMME FOUR that placed 19^th.  They have been the coaches for our Alexandria Youth Harmony Festival.

 

INSTANT CLASSIC from Cardinal District won the quartet gold medals. FOREFRONT also from Cardinal won second. MAIN STREET from Sunshine District with our coach Tony DeRosa won third.  Former member Sean Devine sang in THROWBACK that placed fifth.  Our arranger Clay Hine sang in A MIGHTY WIND from Dixie District that placed sixth.   The winner of the collegiate quartet contest was TROCADERO from Sweden.

 

The Harmonizer convention week began with rehearsals at the Wyndham Grand Tuesday nite, June 30^th .  The hard working 20 men in the 2015 front row,  Scip Garling, Doug White, Randall Eliason, Peter Hubbard, Carlos Barillo, Steve White, Josh Roots, Ken Rub, Terry Reynolds, Craig Kujawa , David Jarzen, Peelee Clark, Dave Branstetter, Josh DesPortes, Alvin Figer, Bruce Roehm, Rusty Orvik, Todd Ryktarsyk, Dennis Ritchey and Reed Livergood met at 8:30 pm.

 

Then the entire chorus and family gathered for a 9 pm session. There was a lot of excitement with folks having had to get off flights or find parking, getting settled in rooms in our hotel or headquarters hotel, and seeing who had made it so far.  As usual there were a number of crews at work such as Dennis Ritchey and TJ Donahue who continued to add details to the props; av crews who kept the sound equipment running; and uniform folks sewing and adding cobalt and bling to uniforms.  Rich Payton and his Dad, Joe who is a barbershopper in NV, drove the Harmo truck from Alexandria. It was not until Thursday when all 120 of us were on the risers since some guys could not get off work all week, or some guys were working at the convention or competing in quartets.

 

There were seven 2015 Special Forces guys who sang with us in Pittsburgh and who had made over-and-above efforts to travel and be with us for preparation – Mike Geipel - Richmond, Bill Conway - SC, TJ Donahue - Denver, Alan Lamson - CT, Mike Fasano - DE, Len Dornberger - DE, Craig Odell - Richmond.   Other long distance travelers included Jim McConnell - Richmond, Gene Swartz - Roanoke, Tom Berkey - Williamsburg, Peter Hubbard – Atlanta and Kevin McKenzie - Cumberland.

 

Tuesday nite we had the first check for the bright blue bandanas of the 24 members of the  Class of 2015 (those are guys who had never sung on the International stage with the Harmonizers): Peelee Clark, Mike Edison, Marvin Evans, Mike Fasano, Ross Felker, Alvin Figer, Garrett Garner, Tommy Garner, David Jarzen, Alan Lamson, Reed Livergood, Jim McConnell, Mike Moncibaiz, Chris Odell, Rusty Orvik, Rich Payton, Ron Precup, Elliot Roseman, Todd Ryktarsyk, John Santora, Aaron Simoneau, Gene Swartz, Spencer Wight and Kris Zinkievich.

This year’s chorus included two father-son teams – Tommy and Garrett Garner, and Josh and Dave DesPortes.

As usual there were lots of announcements and organizational details, often managed by chorus manager Mark Klostermeyer and assistant director/chapter president Terry Reynolds. 

 

We were especially honored to have president-elect of the American Choral Directors Association, Tom Shelton, with us on Tuesday nite to observe a chorus in action.  He has been emcee of the collegiate quartet contest earlier in the evening.  And CEO of the BHS, Marty Monson, stopped by to thank us for supporting the convention and for bringing top quality entertainment to Society members.

 

All week there were former or non-singing Harmonizers who stopped in to check on us, greet old pals and share a few moments of our prep time.  On Tuesday we saw Kirk Riffer, Ron Rogers, Jim Kew, Joe Wagovich, Bob Wilson.

 

Wednesday morning rehearsals began with warm ups conducted by choreographer Carlos Barillo and associate director Tony Colosimo.  Keith Jones helped the chorus manager take attendance.  Greg Tepe began his weeklong effort to work on last minute uniform details. You could tell the front row was getting serious as they started using their knee pads!

 

Clay Hine, who arranged our uptune, came to check on us and hear us perform his arrangement during the morning session. Cindy Hansen Ellis, our friend and presentation coach, also was on hand for all of our rehearsals and went with us to the stage on Friday. She gave us assurances and kept us on our toes as performers!!

 

The FRIENDS IN HARMONY helped right from the start of the first rehearsal:  cheering and creating excitement, helping with uniforms and preparing to recognize each guy with a gift and fun “open every door” flyers slipped under the doors of the chorus guys’ rooms during the nite on Thursday. Many thanks to our families and friends!

 

There are many Harmonizer traditions during International convention week.  One special one is the surprise on the director.  And this year it really worked – we almost gave him a heart attack when after the emotional “but if” chords in the ballad, we went right into “Sweet Caroline.”  It was another one of our best-ever director surprises!

 

Harmonizers who came by on Wednesday included John Hohl, Tom Gannon, Lew Klinge, Walt Page, Chuck Botts, Jack Stevens, John Adams, Lynn Hineman, Martin Banks.

 

Thursday sessions started early with both the front row and second row present a half hour early to do some uniform checks and solidify plans for bringing props onto the stage. Then the full chorus arrived at 9 with Tony doing the warm up session. Special guests this session included our hosts from the show we did in Germany last year.

 

We did salute our quartet men who had competed and represented our chapter so well. 

 

Then before we adjourned, we sang for Central Standard Chapter and they sang for us. And we combined on the risers to sing “Stars and Stripes Forever” which both choruses happen to have in their repertoire. One surprise guest during our rehearsal was a high school mixed chorus from the Pittsburgh area who did two songs for us that they would later sing on the Saturday nite show.  Carlos had worked with them in prep for that show.  The students were awesome and prompted a loud standing ovation from the Harmo gang.

 

Later on Thursday, the chorus returned to the hotel after the semi-finals quartet round for a full rehearsal.  Tony did the warm ups for us. Harmonizer guests on Thursday included Dick Newton, JT Price, Ken White, Bede Bender.

 

Terry Reynolds introduced his Mom who had come to hear us and Jeremy Richardson’s parents were on hand for the rehearsal too.

 

During this rehearsal session we fulfilled our tradition to bid farewell to men who are leaving us.  We sang our “A Place on The Risers for You” for David Hood being transferred to Germany for military duty, Peter Hubbard who has already moved to Atlanta because of job changes for he and his wife, and Ross Felker who recently retired from the Air Force and is moving to TX after a summer in Michigan. We will miss them all for their friendship and musical talent.

 

A member of the Vocal Majority and his son came to see us and left a gift for each Harmonizer from their chorus, the 2014 gold medal chorus.

 

We concluded our evening session with our singing with and for Voices of Gotham. 

 

Friday we started the day with our Togetherness Breakfast at 8 am.  Every Harmonizer was invited and many members had guests of family members and friends.  Randall Eliason and Steve Murane helped us all get our tickets in the weeks before convention.

 

When we were allowed into the banquet room, we all noticed the bamboo-themed table decorations from the FRIENDS IN HARMONY.  They were terrific to include bamboo straws in our water glasses.

 

President Terry was master of ceremonies for this event, and invited the 236 attendees to sing “The Old Songs” before the meal was served.  After the meal, he welcomed some VIP guests: current Harmonizer board member and likely the first ever female chapter board member in the BHS, Liz Birnbaum; former Harmonizer director John Hohl; BHS president Don Fuson who brought greetings and thanked the chapter for its leadership; and M-AD President Ig Jakovac who presented a check from the district in support of our trip to contest.

 

Christina Ammerman, president of the FIH, spoke about their eagerness to help the chapter and presented a check for our travel fund from the FIH. She rallied her fellow FIH members and they gave every singer a token of support to take onto the stage with them.

 

Terry spoke briefly about the state-of-the-chapter and then, as is the tradition at this event, asked the president of this year’s class to give remarks from the “new guys” perspective.  Spencer Wight shared how the new guys try to cope with learning all the names and music and traditions and rehearsal habits.  Jack Pitzer shared many heart-felt stories from long-time members about the glimmers of gold in the life of our great chapter.

 

Coach and friend Cindy Hansen spoke from the heart too about the joy of being part of the Harmonizer family.  Director Joe wrapped up the remarks with a great insight into the “effect of yet” -- based on a story that the student that didn’t fail the exam did not get a failing grade, but instead was given a grade of “not yet” thereby preserving the possibility that passing could be achieved.

 

We concluded the event with the traditional “It’s Great to Be a Harmonizer” cheer, and reassembled on the risers already in the ballroom to warm up and get in the groove for our contest stage time. 

 

That session lasted only a short time and then the chorus was adjourned to dress for the stage and return to the risers. 

 

After we reunited for a few final pointers, a major tradition was conducted again when chorus manager Mark Klostermeyer asked all the men to step off the risers.  He then invited guys to return to the risers based on their international class to rebuild the 2015 chorus in historical order. Five guys from the class of 1978 took the risers first – Don Johnson, Randy Lazear, Jack Pitzer, Rick Savage, and Steve White. When all past classes were on the risers, Mark presented the Class of 2015 and told them to discard their blue bandanas. When applause ended, we were 121!

 

We were off then and headed to three buses which took us directly to a stage door area at the CONSOL Energy Center.  Greg Tepe came with us to work with the lighting crew to call the cues for our performance.

 

We entered the stage about 1 pm to a screaming and eager audience.  Director Joe saluted each man as we took the stage. We sang and gave it our best!  The standing ovation at the end of our package was most rewarding!!

 

The chorus members rushed into the hall to hear the last few chorus contestants of the first half.  Then most returned to the Wyndham to change, grab some food and get back for the second half of the contest. Then, as scores were being totaled, the Vocal Majority, 2014 chorus champs, did their swan song. Wow.

 

As is also tradition, many of  the Harmonizer guys had gathered around the Harmo seating block, even if they had been sitting in other spots in the hall, to be together for the results announced by the contest officials. Those officials reported 1,848 men sang in the chorus contest.

 

Finally we got the contest results and cheered and applauded the other choruses for their successes.  And we adjourned to socialize and celebrate with our friends. A huge crowd made it to the Harmo Hideaway/ Suite hosted this year by Rick and Peggy Wagner.  They had a great spread of food and snacks – especially appreciated since we had not eaten much for lunch. Thanks also to those who helped finance the suite or made contributions.

 

Saturday we loaded our truck to head back to VA.  We enjoyed the city and the BHS events such as a series of Harmony University classes. Bill Colosimo taught a class on leadership as part of HU.

 

MAYHEM sang for the Pittsburgh 4^th of July events at Point State Park stage in the afternoon on Saturday. Some of our front row guys danced on the Saturday nite Spectacular Show with guys from the Voice of Gotham – Craig Kujawa, Bruce Roehm, David Jarzen, Peelee Clark, Carlos Barillo, Terry Reynolds, Doug White and Randall Eliason.

 

John Santora serves on the BHS board of directors and attended their meetings early in the week.  Chris Buechler and Alan Lamson attended those meetings too.  Chris attended Society Contest and Judging Committee meetings, and Gary Plaag attended district contest and judging committee meetings. Chris is category specialist for contest administrators and therefore served in that position for all of the quartet contest sessions. The BHS board announced Los Angeles as the 2020 convention city and San Antonio as 2017 midwinter city.

 

Chuck Harner serves on the board of trustees of the Harmony Foundation and was reelected to a second three-year team.  This year was the first time director Joe and choreographer Carlos had duties as BHS staffers as well as leaders for our chorus in competition.  

 

Joe has recognized his musical team: associate director Tony Colosimo; assistant directors Terry Reynolds and Mike Kelly; choreographer Carlos Barillo; pitchman Jim Lake; section leaders Rick Savage, Josh DesPortes, Reed Livergood, Jim Lake and Andrew Havens.  The visual team with riser coach Chuck McKeever; assistant riser coaches Keith Jones and TJ Jones; front row coaches Craig Kujawa, Bruce Roehm, Peelee Clark; faces coach Randall Eliason; the visual row leaders Chuck Powell, Brian Ammerman, Kevin McKenzie, Don Thompson, Bob Blair, Nick Leiserson, Ian Poulin and Don Dillingham..

 

Joe also acknowledged the admin team for the chapter’s convention appearance: chairman Craig Kujawa; housing Bob Rhome; convention registrations Ian Poulin; truck and riser manager Bob Blair; the riser rats who always volunteer; contest entry and music approval Chris Buechler; togetherness tickets Steve Murane and Randall Eliason; T-shirt sales Don Thompson; photo sales Frank Fedarko; and many angels (members or couples) who provided funds or tickets or travel support for those members who needed it.

 

There were many folks who reached out by phone or email to send their congratulations or encouragement such as Dick and Carolyn Hall, and former tag master Chuck Hunter from his post in Turkey.

 

And in an effort to get everyone’s name in this report, here is the list from Dixie Kennett (who helped YeEd proof this report) and Keith Jones of all the former and current members that were at convention (and not mentioned above) who did not sing on the risers (YeEd has his fingers crossed we did not miss anyone!)  : Sam McFarland, Ross Johnson, Bert Phillips, Al Hanenbaum, Al Herman, Dave Reyno, Bill Sowers, Dan Cook, Tom Griffith, Dwain Chambers, Ryan Killeen, Ryan Griffith, Bob Hirsh, Bob Caldwell, Thom Faircloth, Fred Womer, Pete Frank and  Richard Lewellen. 

 

It is Great to Be a Harmonizer!

 

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 during the 67^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd.)