Looking Back on the April 12^th Chapter Meeting

Usual set up with risers and av equipment for a busy work nite at Durant.  Bari section leader Reed Livergood did the warm ups assisted by choreographer Carlos Barillo.

Before our director Joe Cerutti took over, president Randall Eliason introduced Julie Rizzo who was staffing a Help Table for guys who would participate in Spring2Action for Alexandria nonprofits. She is a community board member of the AH, Inc.

Joe expressed his gratitude for the work of the staff and members at this past weekend’s Youth Harmony Festival. He also alerted us that he would entertain suggestions for talent groups to participate with us on our holiday show. Email him.

Musically we worked hard on the uptune.  And then Joe and Carlos teamed up to help us start physically interpreting the ballad.

Executive Director Terry Reynolds reminded guys that Ike Evans was taking pixs in Room 3 for the chapter photo board.   Good news – John Smith has agreed to take the chapter historian position on the chapter ops team.  John works as an archivist in the military here in DC.

Terry reminded guys to check their calendars for visual studios on 5/7 and then watch for word about vocal studios.

The important retreat with Dr. David Wright in Westminster MD will be the first weekend in June beginning at 8 pm on Fri nite.  (Note that earlier start time.)  Plan ahead and get car pools set up.  Also you can email Chuck by May 31^st about roommates in the suites.

Speaking of contest work, the rehearsal after Milk starts the mandatory rehearsals leading up to Nashville.  Also note that the schedule of rehearsals in Nashville is on Groupanizer.

Complete details about report times and uniform for the Milk show came to us all today from the chapter communications director Scipio Garling.  

Mark your calendar for the Armed Forces Show at Ft. Myer Chapel at 2 pm on May 21^st.  Stay tuned.

This week was the 78^th anniversary of the Barbershop Harmony Society. DA CAPO was on Ch. 5 Television here in the DC market to promote the milestone.

President Randall presented checks from the chapter to quartets that will be competing at the International Prelims this weekend in Reading, PA.  These are the Harmonizers in the quartets:

HANDSOME REWARD - Michael Gilmore, Mike Edison

WAREHOUSE FLATS - Steve White

FORECAST - Dan Cook

DA CAPO  - Tony Colosimo, Andrew Havens

LAST MEN STANDING - Mike Kelly

CABIN FEVER  - Alan Kousen, John Santora, Calvin Schnure

Membership director Rich Hewitt welcomed guests/applicants.

In other news, recently Jordan Haedtler competed in the FWD’s combined NE and NW Division contest in a quartet with his father (David), and with his brother (Patrick – gold medal lead with MASTERPIECE) and with Rob Menaker (good medal with NIGHTLIFE and MASTERPIECE) called DON’T TELL MOM.  They scored 79.8 singing “You’re the Girl I Love” and “Sweet Pea.”  The quartet will now compete in the FWD fall contest in Riverdale.  Congrats to Jordan.

Brian Miller invites all singers to the remembrance/celebration for Michellle Bruns Miller from 2-5 at the Carlyle Place Apartment club house at 2251 Eisenhower Ave in Alexandria.

Also it was announced that Bob Mattes mother passed away in recent days.  Sympathy to the family.

 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 April 9^th Youth Harmony Festival in Alexandria

Coodinator Bill Colosimo sends this thank you message to all of the

Harmonizer family:

 

As I reflect on the wonderful Youth Harmony Festival this weekend, I am humbled to recall the selfless help of so many of you to make this event a resounding success. The overwhelmingly positive “in the moment” responses from students, music educators, family members and guests—including so many of you who witnessed the fruits of the amazing work the young men and women put in—still resound in my memory! There are countless stories which will fill the full “report” of the event, complete with photos and video interviews, which attest to the ways in which you, through your commitment and skill, enriched the lives of some extraordinary young people by offering a first-class barbershop festival experience.

 

The gift of music education you provided stirred the hearts of the first five TC Williams students to ever attend such an event, and they committed to spread the word to the other students in their outstanding choral program that this is an event “not to be missed” next year! In fact, that’s true of ALL the student participants! Imagine the exchange student from the Eastern European Republic of Moldova, for whom such a special, new experience inspired her to “tell EVERYONE in (her) country about BARBERSHOP HARMONY!” The skill of our incredible clinicians, Anthony Colosimo  and Vera Crouse, along with the superlative teaching quartets, C’EST LA VIE and THE NEWFANGLED FOUR, convinced the loyal music educators present to align with us in aggressive promotion of ALL our “CHOYCE” initiative programs to their school district colleagues. Finally, the performances by all our ensembles, including an outstanding appearance by the Harmonizers chorus, convinced parents, family and other guests—many of whom had never witnessed our art form in person—of the wonderful value of what we teach and what we do…and the tremendously positive impact it can have on the lives of young people.

 

I am most indebted to Vickie Dennis, as Harmonizer Director of Education, for her tireless work and encouragement to help make this event so successful. Terry Reynolds and Joe Cerutti constituted the remainder of our “planning team;” I am grateful to them for their invaluable help. I must also single out Brad Jones, whose experience as past chair and quiet, steady countenance throughout the planning stages contributed to the smoothing of many “behind the scenes” processes. We have publicly thanked the clinicians and quartets who gave their “all” to us Saturday. But it is impossible, without unfortunate omission, to appropriately acknowledge ALL the other Harmonizers, family members and friends who contributed in ANY way to the day’s event. PLEASE know our hearts are full of gratitude for everything, every task, and every minute of time you contributed, large or small, momentary or—in some cases—all day and evening! Your selflessness and the clear joy you exhibited throughout the event speaks volumes about your commitment to help us continue to broaden our youth outreach initiatives, including our NEXT Festival in 2017!

 

One final, affirming note for all of you. Just today, I attended the Alexandria Commission for the Arts’ Grant Task Force meeting, open to the public and all applicants’ representatives, during which the Harmonizers’ grant application was discussed by the panel. Although I was there primarily to represent The Alexandria Singers, I was present for and attentive to the discussion regarding the Harmonizers. Suffice it to say that the “number one plus” of all the positive comments regarding the Harmonizers’ grant proposal was the extent of successful YOUTH OUTREACH, current and planned, embodied in the proposal, with particular reference to the CHOYCE initiative. (In fact, the designated “presenter” of the grant for consideration by the panel even took the time to translate the acronym: "Comprehensive Harmonizers Outreach for Youth Choral Education!”) This year’s festival is one component of the fine work for which the Harmonizers are justifiably recognized.

 

Congratulations on YOUR success…and thank you for allowing me the opportunity to work closely with all of you!"  Bill Colosimo

 

This was the 9^th annual youth harmony festival the chapter has hosted. About 60 youth attended and about 10 music educators. Many parents and family friends attended the Saturday nite show to hear the student groups and the Harmo chorus at Convergence Church.  Social time, breaks and meals were hosted by the chapter during the day in the Convergence Lab building across the street.

As a surprise, Elizabeth Ryktarsyk, daughter of Todd, filled in on a song with the guest quartet on the show too. Congrats!!

Devon Thompson, son of Don, sang in the boy’s chorus. And the only student tenor in the boy’s chorus was our own “milkman” singer – Masahisa Takahaski. Congrats to them too!

The chorus sang “America, “Lullaby,” “Bring Him Home,” and “Stars and Stripes Forever.” Tony directed and sang the solo.

 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 April 5^th Chapter Meeting

So much going on with our chapter this month, but two big ones are done, Youth Harmony Festival is this weekend, and soon comes the Milk show!!  Great to see such dedication from the singers and leaders and admin teams.

Tuesday we had to meet at First Baptist cause Durant Rec Center was undergoing some repair work on the floors. The 6 pm time slot was filled with front row guys working up a sweat in a side room on their routines for the uptune. Set up crews jumped right to work when the Harmo truck arrived and got the risers, sound and av materials ready to use.

There were a number of us under the weather this week, but the show must go on.

Associate director Tony Colosimo did the warm ups and then turned the chorus over to director Joe Cerutti.  Joe was full of excitement about the successful nite at the UMD men’s invitational (and the warm comments from other musical directors at that event).  It was clear the message go thru to the younger college singers there that barbershop can be a great option for singing after college.

Joe took time to knock out the rhythms and tricky work combinations for the back part of the uptune.  And choreographer Carlos Barillo introduced some basics for the ballad.

Chapter executive director Terry Reynolds welcomed some members we don’t see often – Al Hannenbaum, Bob Sutton; Terry thanked Bob Mattes for preparing the music books for us to use at UMD. Chapter director of education Vickie Dennis was in house too as the chair for this weekend’s Youth Harmony Festival.

Many hands will be needed during the day on Sat (and some in fact on Fri eve for set up).  Chorus call is 5:45 pm with casual uniform and tennis shoes.  Also chorus is asked to park on the streets so parents and families of the youth will find parking when they come to hear their child sing.

Terry suggests we all be alert for emails in case Durant is not ready to go back on Tues.

Then the Milk show rehearsals are Mon, Tues, Thursday and Saturday at Strathmore. 

Finally there were sign-up sheets for attending visual studios.

President Randall Eliason spoke about the Spring2Action campaign for non-profits in our community. He has asked some guys to be precinct captains to help us all do our parts.

Chapter secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Art Medici for 7 years; Kevin McKenzie for 17 years; Tom Jackson for 21 years; Brad Jones for 24 years; Dennis Ritchey for 24 years; Sam McFarland for 29 years; Bob Sutton for 32 years; and Will Cox for 38 years.  Both Al Hannenbaum and Bruce Lauther received their 30 years and customary lapel pin.

Director of membership Rich Hewitt introduced applicants and guests and had Will Cox direct the welcome song.

In other news, congrats to Tom Berkey who stayed in DC last Sat nite so as to be ready for the Cherry Blossom Run around the tidal basin very early Sunday morning.   Congrats.

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 April 2nd Men’s Chorus Invitational

This was a first for the Harmonizers, but fun and great way to help other men see what a barbershop chorus is like.  Also a great chance to help younger college men see that singing can continue into their later lifetime.

It was at the University of Maryland in the Memorial Chapel and coordinated by Greg Graf who also directs the U of MD Men’s Chorus.

Other invitees were University of Maryland Men’s Chorus, The Rock Creek Singers from the Gay Men’s Chorus of DC, Towson University Men’s Chorus, Washington Men’s Camerata, and MannerMusik. About 200 singers. Each chorus sang a set and then we lined the circle of the chapel and sang three songs together.

 The concert was free for audience guests and there were several Harmonizer friends with us.

Many Harmonizers arrived via Metro and all of us walked onto campus to have some dinner. And we got home before the huge wind storm in the DC area hit.

Proud of Josh Desportes who sang one of the solos in “Ave Maria.”

Director Joe Cerutti was upfront with us the whole time and helped us prepare and warm up and do a good job.  Some guys did some tag singing with other guys there.

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 March 29^th Chapter Meeting

Set up crews were hard at work at 6, and special presentation work groups met as well.

Bass section leader Tom Jackson did the warm up session again and then director Joe Cerutti thanked the singers and administrators for the great Aca Challenge event on Sat in DC.  Then he went right to work on our contest music – shaping and contouring the ballad first, then pushing us to know the final part of the uptune we just got.  Contest work took us right up to the mid-way break.

But first Terry Reynolds, executive director, briefed us on some business matters: thanks again to Reed Livergood who headed up the Aca Challenge; Thursday is a full nite working on “milk” at Durant with entrance restricted to 7 pm for riser set up and people entry; Sat is the Men’s Invitational at the University of Maryland with a call time of 1:45 pm; Joe was pleading for more guys to sign up to do the U of MD show which is free for listeners at 8 pm; our Youth Harmony Festival is Sat April 9^th at Convergence Church complex and the chorus will sing; next week’s chapter meeting will be at First Baptist Church at 7 pm. (See announcements email issued by the chaper.)

Membership director Rich Hewitt welcomed some guys to the risers from the specialforces ranks – Mike Fasano and Mike Geipel.  TJ Jones was back with us for the evening. And Rich welcomed applicants and guests in the house this week.

Thanks to those who brought goodies to add to the storeroom for break time.  Everyone is reminded to drop some cash in the can to cover those expenses.  Thanks again.

After the break we concentrated on songs for the invitational and spent time on the last new song for “milk” and next week’s meeting. Tom Jackson provided the piano support.

In other news, the chapter recognized Tyler Sturgill last week as he is departing as our host and staff person at Durant Center.  He will be in the area and hopfully he will come sing with us someday!

 

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 March 26^th Aca Challenge Event

The Harmonizers hosted its third Aca Challenge at Lincoln Theater on U Street in DC (This theater was once part of Black Broadway and is a landmark.) on Saturday, March 26^th at 8 pm. This was our largest audience for Aca Challenge with over 700 tickets sold.

 

The chapter invited DC area a cappella groups to audition – many submitted materials and 6 were chosen to compete. The competitors this year were

• The District, an all-female Washington-based vocal ensemble who were in the Challenge last year;
• The JMU Overtones, founded in 1997, from Virginia’s James Madison University, have just released their eighth album, Synesthesia;
• All Natural, formed from alums of several University of Maryland a cappella groups:
• S#arp Attitude, founded in 2011 at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and will make an appearance on the reality TV show Sing It On!;
• The Oberlin Overtones, founded in 1984, the only all-male a cappella group at one of America’s major music schools; and
• Catch 22, formed in 2012, North Carolina vocal band were the audience favorite at SingStrong’s 2015 Aca-Idol.

The chapter offered a $1000 first prize, $500 for second, $250 for third, and $100 for all others.  Judges for the event were Catherine Lewis, musical arts writer; Rolando Sanz, executive producer at Strathmore; and Tom Kraus founder of TBD. Also the audience was invited to vote via text during the contest for their favorite.

 

First place winner was All Natural.  They received their “big” check presented by last year’s winners Vox Pox. Second place was S#arp Attitude and third place was Catch 22. Emcee for the night was Tony Colosimo.

 

Here is a recap from producer Reed Livergood:  “The complete list of volunteers who were helpful in making the 2016 ACA Challenge is too long to mention here, but a sincere "Thank you!" to everyone who helped in some capacity for creating such a wonderful musical experience! I would like to extend, however, a special thanks to our judges (Catherine Lewis, Tom Kraus, Rolando Sanz), our own Tony Colosimo as Emcee, and the Lincoln Theater staff. Also, our production crew of Nick Leiserson (Associate Producer), Todd Ryktarsyk (Associate Producer), Scipio Garling (Talent Scout, Communications, Marketing, Program design, Script), Robyn Murane (House Manager), Greg Tepe (Stage Manager), Mike Kelly (Technical Coordinator), Ken Rub (Harmonizer venues, VIPs), Terry Reynolds (Harmonizer Executive Dir), Josh Roots (voting manager), and our dedicated riser crew staff who always willing and able to come early / leave late. Thank you all of making this year's edition of the ACA Challenge successful in every way!”

 

The song package (“America,” “Stars and Stripes Forever,” “Yesterday,” and “Friday Night in the Castro”) was a huge success with this mostly young a cappella-fan-crowd that filled the auditorium and balcony. They particularly reacted to our presentation of “Friday Night in The Castro” from “I Am Harvey Milk” with the front row “club dancers” and the fun music.  Rolando Sanz did the solo for us on this number.

 

 The audience also cheered wildly for our own TBD modern a cappella group with their new mics and enlarged group. Currently the group includes Scipio Garling, Noah Van Gilder, Jeremy Richardson, Josh Roots, Nick Leiserson, Terry Reynolds, Kellen Herz, Troy Hillier, Todd Ryktarsyk, Joshua Desportes, Clark Chesser and Jeff Burkey. Reed Livergood is the musical leader of the group.

 

The chorus assembled about 5 pm and did warm ups with Tony outside and some prep outside in the parking lot. We did our sound check and stage check time and then went to the Walker Memorial Baptist Church around the corner on 13^th for a long practice time with director Joe Cerutti.  Our uniform was the black suit, hidden button white shirt, red tie, dress black shoes, black sox and belt – and our bronze medals.

 

There was a fun and successful afterglow down the street from the theater at the Saloon upstairs.  (Thanks to Ken Rub for locating this venue.)

 

Robyn sent a thank you to the following who helped her with the house:

 

“- Connie Lauther, Peggy Wagner, Sandi Ulibarri, Judi Kern, Martha Moncibaiz, and Ginny Wells, for ushering and welcoming our guests so graciously!

- Lydia Golden, who in addition to ushering, stocked the judge's room with treats!

- Amy Roots for timing the contestants!

- Saundra Deltac for wrangling our guests out in front of the theater, getting them into the correct line ... Tickets-in-Hand, Will Call or Groupon!

- Brigit Gilvary and Ninamarie Maragioglio for helping backstage, keeping all of the moving parts moving in the right direction!

- Keith Jones for escorting and supporting the judges!

- Carol Dangel for sitting by that open door with the brisk breeze and selling CDs! (not to mention the motorcycle noise and skunk fragrance!)

- And Christina Ammerman and Ellen Delert for processing 300 Groupon tickets, seating groups together and making it look easy!

 

You are a great team, and the Lincoln Theater staff was so impressed by your professionalism, and dedication.”

 

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 March 15th Chapter Meeting

This week was another Harmonizer work session in prep for contest and the Harvey Milk concert.

Huge set up crew needed each week to do risers, chairs, av and refreshment things, guest chairs, admin tables and such.  Great that many folks pitched in including some family members who arrived before 6.  The front row was working on the stage again using the mirrors for their dance work with Carlos Barillo, and there was a choreo review in room 5 with Chuck McKeever.

Associate director Tony Colosimo did the warm ups this week and was lead director this week as Joe Cerutti was out of town.  (He did visit us via Skype and offered comments and notes via email to executive director Terry Reynolds.

The work included contest songs on the risers, a review of the Harmonizer welcome song, quick run of the songs we will sing at the U of MD men’s invitational, and finally Milk music.

Terry did the announcements (here is a brief recap since they were also emailed to all members): all singers need to get in their first recording of the ballad by Mar 22, Milk rehearsal Mar 17 at 7 pm at Convergence Church, Mar 29^th will be all contest work, 31^st will be Milk with the musical director of that event at Durant, April 2 is U of MD gig, April 9 is Aca Challenge.

Aca Challenge is Sat Mar 26, chorus call is 5 pm, uniform is black suit outfit with medal. Chorus will sing at the Harmonizer Youth Harmony Festival Sat April 9^th at Convergence church.

Craig Kujawa encouraged those who have not followed his advice to officially register their room for Nashville to do it now.  Don’t delay.

Secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Jay Sorensen for 4 years, Joe Kirkland for 6 years, Nick Leiserson for 6 years, Andrew Havens for 7 years, Joel Golden for 11 years, Tim Cash for 17 years and Chris Huber for 24 years.

Terry also announced that Ike Evans was gonna be in room 5 to take mug shots for the Harmo photo display board.

Membership director Rich Hewitt welcomed applicants and a guest and Joe Sawyer who stopped in to see us.

In other news, a plug for some of our guys who are in the rock group Riptide – Huber, Golden, Hertz, Cerutti Sr. who had a gig this past weekend and some other members went to see them.

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 March 8th Chapter Meeting

This week the guys came in ready to go to work on the contest package as a follow up to the fun and successful retreat with Tony DeRosa over the past weekend.   Director Joe Cerutti has asked us all to bring our music in order to make notes about final changes or revisions. Joe was full of praise for the good work by the chorus on Saturday!

In the end, Joe had to be on travel.  But he was with us via Skype and went over all the points he wanted to make with us.  It worked great.

Associate director Tony Coloismo was there to take Joe’s notes and help us apply them to the ballad.  We also heard that more of the contest uptune is on Groupanizer for all to get.

Bari section leader Reed Livergood did the vocal warm ups for a big chorus on the risers.  The set up folks had worked hard to put a lot of chairs up for the second half of the rehearsal and the usual av equipment, guest chairs, admin tables and such.  Coffee crews had goodies ready too.

There were a bunch of meetings prior to the start of chapter meeting too: front row on the stage in prep for Nashville with Carlos Barillo; choreo review for Harvey Milk with Chuck McKeever in Room 5; Board meeting in office; and finance committee in lobby.

Important reminder of all-sectionals this Saturday 9-12 at Convergence Church Lab across the street on Crestwood. The published announcements on Wed. also included songs, uniforms and such for Aca-Challenge appearance Mar 26 at Lincoln Theater; U of MD Men’s Chorus invitational Sat April 2 on UMD Campus; and our Youth Harmony Festival Sat April 9 at Convergence.

President Randall Eliason reported on some other barbershop chapter events coming up: Voices of Gotham in NYC event March 19-20 featuring our own DA CAPA quartet plus our friend and coach David Wright; and the Fairfax Chapter 60^th annual show is Mar 19^th.  The Washington Men’s Camerata will have its spring concert at 4 pm Sun. April 3.  See David Kohls for tickets.

Randall presented another President’s Valor Award this week – this one to Bob Rhome for his decade of work as facilities coordinator getting us meetings spaces and making arrangements for chorus, sectionals, meetings auditions and such.  And in recent years in lots of other venues besides our home base at Durant Rec Center. Congrats and thanks from all of us Bob!

Chapter secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to John Smith for two years; Chris Odell for seven years; Tom Frederick for 23 years; Ken Ives for 31 years and Rick Wagner for 35 years. Rick also was given his 35-year lapel pin.

Director of membership Rich Hewitt introduced our two newest applicants and this week guests.

After break, we welcomed our “milkmen” singers to work on the oratorio for the rest of the nite.

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 March 5^th Retreat

Our Saturday retreat on March 5^th was fun and lots of hard work!  Coach Tony DeRosa made it fun even when he was telling you to do more, or to change things.  He had our director Joe Cerutti and all of us laughing as we worked.  The all-day work session yielded a ballad ready to work on for the months ahead.

There was coffee and donuts (thanks to Jack Pitzer and Terry Reynolds), along with plenty of bottled water for all.  Bob Rhome had arranged for us to all get into Durant early, so coffee was on and a crew had the risers and chairs set up along with the av equipment. Bob also did some repairs for our storage area under the stage.

Great to see some guys back to do contest with us such as Gene Swartz, Kris Zinkievich, Michael Fasano and Paul Grimes. All 105 singers were encouraged to get onto the risers in our traditional contest positions with the many new members finding a home for now.

Associate director Tony Colosimo did the warm ups for us while Joe was getting our coach from the airport.  We did some work on the uptune during that time, but we worked all day until 5 pm on the ballad.  Coach Tony met with the music team over lunch from 12:30 – 2 while the rest of the chorus found places in Old Town to get chow (the traditional St. Patrick’s Day Parade was happening in the center of the city too.)

Before the day ended, the chorus was also given time to make a self recording. Chuck McKeever produced a video of the final product and has already released it to members for review.

Another fun moment was when Joe played the Beatles’ song “Day in the Life” that is the verse of the ballad arranged by David Harrington. 

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 March 1st Chapter Meeting

This week’s chapter meeting was at First Baptist Church on King Street since Durant was a polling place for the VA primary.

Lots of guys helped haul in the risers and equipment to get set up for our work session.  Chuck McKeever conducted a 6 pm choreo review session for Friday Night from the Harvey Milk music.  A good crowd of guys were there to drill and reinforce their homework on it using the videos Chuck makes and sends out.

Associate director Tony Colosimo did the warm up session and then turned the chorus over to director Joe Cerutti. We worked hard on the contest ballad and even allowed time for more guys to make their personal recordings to submit.  It seems we are ready for the retreat this Saturday with our coach Tony DeRosa.

And we worked on the uptune helping more guys get it under their belt for the retreat.

After the break, we returned to the risers with all our “milkmen” pals to work on the Harvey Milk music.  Joe was at the piano as well as directed with Tony as well.

Executive Director Terry Reynolds made announcements (which were emailed today to all members).  Highlights include reminder of the Thursday nite, Mar. 3 rehearsal at Convergence Church Black Box Theater; reminder of the retreat this weekend at Durant from 9-5 –donuts and coffee served.

President Randall Eliason explained the chapter’s angel fund that helps anyone needing some financial assistance with chapter matters such as dues or convention registration. Anyone in need should speak privately with Randall, and anyone who can make a contribution to help our brothers should also talk to Randall.

Personal announcements regarding Harmonizer family include the recent passing of Will Cox’s father who was 94; the sudden passing of Brian Miller’s wife Michelle; and a health update that Frank Fedarko is on the mend.

Congratulations to fellow Harmonizer Rick Taylor who joined Harmony Foundation International in early February as National Development Manager. Based at his home just outside Baltimore, Maryland, Rick will be representing the foundation at chapter meetings and events all over the country.

Chapter secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Joe Cerutti for 15 years; Tom Kern for 18 years; Calvin Schnure for 21 years; Walt Page for 22 years; Keith Jones for 38 years; and Bob Wachter for 64 years!!!

Director of membership Rich Hewitt introduced our guests,  current applicant and newest member, Jay Sorensen.  Rich also was asking for volunteer help on planning and operating the afterglow following the Aca Challenge.

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