Looking Back on the April 3^rd 2018 Chapter Meeting 

This week we worked on a lot of music – both contest and fall anniversary show.  Director Joe Cerutti did the vocal warm ups when we assembled at Convergence.

Joe was eager to share news about the great recording of our appearance at the Intercollegiate Men’s Chorus event. 

Joe worked from the piano and had each section assemble around the piano and out of the pews in the sanctuary.  He built an interp plan for the ballad and drilled it often enough for all to learn.

We took a mini break and listened to one of the small learning groups formed recently.  This one included Savage, McKenzie, White, Huber, Grimes, Barnovsky. They worked before the start of the chapter meeting with associate director Tony Colosimo and then sang the uptune for us.  Tony took a few minutes to demonstrate some coaching points for them that everyone might learn from.

Since Terry Reynolds is in Ireland visiting Greg Tepe, Steve White conducted the chapter meeting.  Next week we are back at Convergence. The “Iron and Coal” rehearsals continue in preparation for the actual performance at Strathmore in early May.

President Shawn Tallant had a list of announcements for the members:  be sure to get measured by Rick Savage for the new chorus suits; the chapter board meeting is April 17^th; plan to participate in the Youth Harmony Festival on Fri. April 13^th, and Aca-Challenge on Sat. April 14th. 

He reminded guys to turn in their payment for the chorus retreat to Howard Nestlerode. The chorus retreat will be June 8-9-10 at McDaniel College in Westminster, MD, (about 70 miles from Springfield).  Friday June 8^th will be mandatory for front row and optional for all others with special sessions for the small groups to be coached. There are many good restaurants in town and it is a good social time on Friday nite. Fees include lodging; three meals on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday; plus linens and a Saturday evening party. There are three price levels – Friday-Sunday attendees ($114); Saturday-Sunday attendees ($83); and commuters who won’t be staying any nite ($78). Non-competing members are welcome to attend. Fees are due in advance and should be given to Howard Nestlerode, or Jack Cameron if Howard is not present, before May 29^th. All requests for roommate assignments are due to retreat master, Chuck McKeever, by Tues. May 8th.

Speaking of McDaniel College, here is info about our district operated Harmony College East at McDaniel June 14-17.  Here is a link to the brochure: www.midatlanticdistrict.com/pdf/HCE_BROCHURE_2018.pdf

 

President Shawn also reminded everyone to please respond to the survey about travel to Brazil in 2019.

In preparation for this weekend’s International quartet preliminary contest is Reading, we had a performance by one of our chapter quartets that will compete: CAPITAL CITY CHORD COMPANY singing 4th - Mario Sengco, Jordan Haedtler, Chuck Hunter, Ken White.

Shawn presented checks from the chapter to all quartets that will represent us at the event including VOICES IN MY HEAD singing 5th with Tim Buell; SILVER ALERT, singing 16th (as a senior quartet) with Rick Savage, Mike Edison, Will Cox, Steve Murane; SRIRACHA singing 22nd with Pookie Dingle; and BLIND WIVES singing 24th as a mixed quartet with Tony and Elizabeth Colosimo and Andrew and Heather Havens

Members who decide to attend prelims can get tickets at the door. The event is at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 1741 Papermill Rd., Wyomissing, PA 19610.  These “prelims” choose the quartets that will represent our district in Orlando.  It is also combined with a Northern Division contest, so there will be a chorus contest on Saturday morning and a youth quartet adjudication Saturday afternoon.

Again, note that Fri. April 6^th semi finals starts at 2:27 pm. The Sat. chorus contest starts at 9:27 am and several Harmonizers will sing in the mic tester chorus as members of DELASUSQUEHUDMAC.  The youth adjudication starts at 12:57 pm that day. The quartet finals start at 7:27 pm and then a wrap up extravaganza starts about 9 pm

.

Chapter secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Dave Branstetter for 13 years and to Chris Huber for 26 years.

Ben Watsky announced an opportunity to support the Armed Services Arts Partnership.  Stay tuned for other possible details.  Then Ben introduced our singing guests this week: Alex, Jeff, David and Janigan. Great to see Jon Frank back with us.

After the meeting, we went to work on songs for the anniversary show including “Great Day” and “Glenn Miller Medley.”

Tony is heading our Youth Harmony Festival on Fri. April 13^th.at Restoration Anglican Church, 1815 N Quincy St., Arlington.  Many helpers will be needed during the day – about 8 am to register and welcome the teachers and their students, help pass out supplies, get snacks ready and then helpers about 11 am-1 pm for the lunch and 4 pm - 5pm for the dinner. The chorus will sing three songs in the evening with a 6 pm chorus call for the 7 pm show.  Uniform will be black camp shirt, jeans, black shoes.

Jason Lee is heading our fifth-annul Aca-Challenge the next nite, April 14^th at the Sixth and I Historic Synagogue in DC (600 I St. NW) from 7-10 pm. Presented by the Harmonizers, hosted by contemporary a cappella spokesperson Deke Sharon, and co-sponsored by the venue. Five east coast groups will compete for a $2000 prize from the chapter and chosen by the judges with input from the audience.  Tickets are $25 for general admission or $45 for VIP seats which includes ticket to an afterglow with Deke and the contestants. Attendees who need to use the lift for entry may call 202-408-3100 to make arrangements for entry to the building and seating. Our chapter’s a cappella group, TBD, will do a set on the show while the results are being tallied. The chorus will not sing but everyone is encouraged to buy tickets and attend, plus promote the event on social media.

Aaron Simoneau got to choose the closing song for the nite and he chose “Sweet and Lovely.”

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

Looking Back on the March 27th 2018 Chapter Meeting 

This week’s set up crew worked hard to get risers and av equipment and tables and chairs and refreshments all up for the 7 pm start at Durant. 

New dad Reed Livergood did the vocal warm ups.

Director Joe Cerutti welcomed our coach Kevin Keller from the St. Louis area and the Ambassadors of Harmony.  Kevin worked with us at Harmony University last summer too.

Earlier in the evening there had been a huge crowd of Harmonizers come in to Hard Times chili parlor on King Street including our coach, in his Harmo shirt from last summer!

Kevin went right to work on helping the chorus improve their performance of the uptune for contest.  We did that for whole first half of the nite.

Executive director Terry Reynolds conducted the chapter meeting and reminded all that next week the chapter will be back at Convergence at 7 pm. Ike Evans set up in room 5 at Durant to take photos of all the new members to be posted on the picture board of all chorus members that goes up each week.

Past president Randall Eliason suggested everyone mark their calendar for Spring2Action on
April 25^th and reminded us that the day will conclude at Virtue Feed and Grain in Old Town, like last year, where we sing for their patrons and get a share in the sales that nite. Joe suggested that ever member should be prepares to make one or two online donations that day – no matter how large the amount. And to get our family and friends to do so too.  The number of donors plays a big part in the amount the arts group earns. Last year we earned a healthy sum of cash income as participants in the city’s Spring2Action event.

There were a couple remimders to get measured for the new uniform (see Rick Savage if you have not done it yet). Also note the recent email from uniform chairman Robyn Murane about what to keep and what you can turn in from your closet at home.  Robyn will be selling uniform parts (in fact, she is looking for someone with experience on E-bay or Craig’s list to help with that) to other choruses.

Chapter president Shawn Tallant alerted us that the survey to get our intentions about going on the trip to Brazil in 2019 would be coming on Wednesday.

Terry asked each man to check the posted lists in the room on the wall, during break, indicating his  plans for singing at International and for singing at “Iron and Coal” at Strathmore. He announced that another anniversary show song, “Great Day,” is now online, and that several others of the nine songs for that show are coming online very soon.

Terry also thanked Steve Murane and Stan Quick for their weekly efforts to get us announcements and info for upcoming events.

Terry also reminded everyone about the Youth Harmony Festival all day on Fri. April 13^th.at Restoration Anglican Church, 1815 N Quincy St., Arlington.  Many helpers will be needed during the day – stay tuned for volunteering.  The chorus will sing three songs in the evening with a 6 pm chorus call for the 7 pm show.  Uniform will be black camp shirt, jeans, black shoes.

The fifth-annul Aca-Challenge is the next nite, April 14^th at the Sixth and I Historic Synagogue in DC (600 I St. NW) from 7-10 pm. Presented by the Harmonizers, hosted by contemporary a cappella spokesperson Deke Sharon, and co-sponsored by the venue. Five east coast groups will compete for a $2000 prize from the chapter and chosen by the judges with input from the audience.  Tickets are $25 for general admission or $45 for VIP seats which includes ticket to an afterglow with Deke and the contestants. Attendees who need to use the lift for entry may call 202-408-3100 to make arrangements for entry to the building and seating. Our chapter’s a cappella group, TBD, will do a set on the show while the results are being tallied. The chorus will not sing.

Chapter secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Dave DesPortes for 11 years, Brad Jones for 26 years, Dennis Ritchey for 26 years, and Chuck Hunter for 46 years.

Membership director Dave Kohls asked for five guys to help with membership recruitment at the Aca-Challenge. Available members should contact Dave.

Ben Watsky welcomed our guests this week.  Chad, Ryan and Allison; Jared; Jeff, Dana and Sophie; and Janagan. Also great to have Ben Roberts back singing on the risers!

Before break Jack Pitzer continued the Moments in Harmo History.  This time to tell a story related to last week’s pirate story about Will Cox.  It seems that Brian Miller played a pirate too - when he was singing with the Iowa City chorus. He was “SeeMore” the two-patched pirate. Brian is a great sport and is a great addition to our chorus tenor section!!

During the break, attendees were encouraged to pay Howard Nestlerode for their chorus retreat fees. The chorus retreat will be June 8-9-10 at McDaniel College in Westminster, MD, (about 70 miles from Springfield).  Friday June 8^th will be mandatory for front row and optional for all others with special sessions for the small groups to be coached. There are many good restaurants in town and it is a good social time on Friday nite.. Fees include lodging; three meals on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday; plus linens and a Saturday evening party. There are three price levels – Friday-Sunday attendees ($114); Saturday-Sunday attendees ($83); and commuters who won’t be staying any nite ($78). Non-competing members are welcome to attend. Fees are due in advance and should be given to Howard Nestlerode, or Jack Cameron if Howard is not present, before May 29th  All requests for roommate assignments are due to retreat master, Chuck McKeever, by Tues. May 8th.

After break, it was back to work on the risers with our first good work session on the new contest ballad arranged by David Wright, “We Kiss in a Shadow.” 

After putting everything away, a good crowd ventured out  for the afterglow at LaPorta’s. 

In other news, here are the quartets competing at the International Preliminary contest in Reading, PA, on Fri, April 6th.  Members who might be planning to attend should note that the Fri nite first round of the quartet contest starts at 2:27 pm!!  And a couple of our quartets will be singing that afternoon.

CAPITAL CITY CHORD COMPANY sings 4th - Mario Sengco, Jordan Haedtler, Chuck Hunter, Ken White

VOICES IN MY HEAD sings 5th with Tim Buell.

SILVER ALERT, sings 16th (as a senior quartet) with Rick Savage, Mike Edison, Will Cox, Steve Murane

SRIRACHA sings 22nd with Pookie Dingle.

BLIND WIVES sings 24th as a mixed quartet with Tony and Elizabeth Colosimo and Andrew and Heather Havens

Members who decide to attend prelims can get tickets at the door. The event is at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 1741 Papermill Rd., Wyomissing, PA 19610.  These “prelims” choose the quartets that will represent our district in Orlando.  It is also combined with a Northern Division contest, so there will be a chorus contest on Saturday morning and a youth quartet adjudication Saturday afternoon.

Again, note that Fri. semi finals starts at 2:27 pm. The Sat. chorus contest starts at 9:27 am and several Harmonizers will sing in the mic tester chorus as members of DELASUSQUEHUDMAC.  The youth adjudication starts at 12:57 pm that day. The quartet finals start at 7:27 pm and then a wrap up extravaganza starts about 9 pm.

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

Looking Back on the March 20th 2018 Chapter Meeting 

This week’s gathering at Convergence was a very busy one, but the first day of spring with a winter storm approaching bringing in snow/ice/sleet/rain caused the numbers to be small.  Associate director Tony Colosimo did the vocal warm ups, was in charge of the music for the nite, and opened the evening with work on the first “bring back” song for our 70^th anniversary show – “Glenn Miller Medley.”

The support team had brought projector and screen for us to project the music for all to see.

Chapter leaders then presented info about our possible trip to Brazil in 2019.  Brad Jones, project manager for the trip, introduced Sean Fagan, president of Opus Performance Tours agency, who reported plans for the possible trip.  Currently scheduled for early August in 2019 and departing from Dulles. This trip idea is an outgrowth of a request to help launch new barbershop singing groups in their country and thus the trip will include several concerts or performances in local venues.  

Our chapter president Shawn Tallant summarized the next steps for the chapter: a survey will go to all members soon seeking a “go or no go” vote.  Members and any family members they wish to pay for will be part of the trip. A guest quartet will likely be invited to make the trip with us. The chapter is seeking some possible financial support for the trip too, but everyone will pay their own fees.

During the chapter meeting, president Shawn also announced a plan to acquire new performance suits.  Carlos Barillo show-cased two choices and there was unanimous support for one. Chapter leaders have determined that we will manage this acquisition differently that in the past – this time each member will buy his own outfit (about $100) and maintain them. New uniform chairperson Robyn Murane previewed some steps on how chorus members will be responsible for their uniforms.

The plan is to use the new outfits for our contest appearance in Orlando in July and for our 70^th anniversary show on Sept. 8^th, 2018. Everyone needs to be measured right away – so be sure you are included on the order sheet with correct sizes. Current plans do include a new tie but we will wear the current white shirt we have been wearing with the all black suits.  Those black suits will be turned in and offered for sale to other groups. 

Terry Reynolds, executive director, reminded us that next week the meeting is back at Durant with coach Kevin Keller present to help us prepare our contest package.

Terry also reminded everyone about the Youth Harmony Festival all day on Fri. April 13^th.at Restoration Anglican Church, 1815 N Quincy St., Arlington.  Many helpers will be needed during the day – stay tuned for volunteering.  The chorus will sing three songs in the evening with a 6 pm chorus call for the 7 pm show.  Uniform will be black camp shirt, jeans, black shoes.

The fifth-annul Aca-Challenge is the next nite, April 14^th at the Sixth and I Historic Synagogue in DC (600 I St. NW) from 7-10 pm. Presented by the Harmonizers, hosted by contemporary a cappella spokesperson Deke Sharon, and co-sponsored by the venue. Six east coast groups will compete for a $2000 prize from the chapter and chosen by the audience.  Tickets are $25 for general admission or $45 for VIP seats which includes ticket to an afterglow with Deke and the contestants. Attendees who need to use the lift for entry may call 202-408-3100 to make arrangements for entry to the building and seating. Our chapter’s a cappella group, TBD, will do a set on the show while the results are being tallied. 

President Tallant asked members to buy tickets,  and for sure, to promote and sell tickets to others.

Because of the bad weather this week, the Private Voice Instructions will resume in two weeks.

Good news that Dick Hall’s name will be on the Keeping America Ringing Wall at BHS headquarters in Nashville.  Terrific that many have made a donation to make that happen thru Harmony Foundation International.

Jack Pitzer continued the series of Moments in Harmonizer History – this time explaining why we shout “Hark” each time Will Cox comes up to direct our welcome song for guests.

Some rehearsal plans for the chorus in Orlando were announced, There will be only three rehearsals – morning sessions on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  The Togetherness breakfast will be changed to a dinner event during the week. Long-time members who always attend the International convention should take special note in the major changes in the week’s schedule.

The chorus retreat in preparation for Orlando will be June 8-9-10 at McDaniel College in Westminster, MD, (about 70 miles from Springfield).  Friday June 8^th will be mandatory for front row and optional for all others with special session for the small groups to be coached. There are many good restaurants in town and it is a good social time on Friday nite.. Fees include lodging; three meals on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday; plus linens and a Saturday evening party. There are three price levels – Friday-Sunday attendees; Saturday-Sunday attendees; and commuters who won’t be staying any nite. Non-competing members are welcome to attend. Fees are due in advance and should be given to Howard Nestlerode or Jack Cameron before May 29th  All requests for roommate assignments are due to retreat master, Chuck McKeever, by Tues. May 8th.

Chapter secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewals to Bob Rhome for 17 years; Walt Page for 24 years; Dean Rust for 38 years; and Will Cox for 40 years.  He also was given his 40-year lapel pin.

Last week, YeEd missed a couple things. First, chapter secretary Chris Buechler presented new member packets to Gary Cregan, Connor Goss, and Jerry Jayjohn. And Ken Ives received his membership renewal for 33 years. Second, president Shawn Tallant announced that past president Randall Eliason was in MN with family matters since his mother-in-law was placed in hospice recently. 

Guest this week was David Wagner.  Welcome to him.

After the chapter meeting, musical work continued on our contest music.  Assistant director Chuck Hunter helped do some of the coaching/teaching. 

Then about 8:45, the work moved to the music for “Iron and Coal’ for those who will be singing at that event.

In other news, Keith Jones was in a car accident (a tractor trailer side-swiped him while he was stopped at an intersection) near Richmond last Friday, on his way to relocate to Florida. He was not injured or hurt, thankfully. He spent the nite with former Harmonizer Paul Laurenz while he waited for auto repair shops to open.

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