Looking Back on the August 28th Dog Days Event

The Harmonizers sang with fellow barbershoppers from other Northern Virginia BHS chapters on Tuesday eve, Aug. 28^th at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manassas. This was the 38^th annual of these events hosted by the Prince William County chapter.

Our own Dick Dangel performed with his accordion during the pre-event time – also a tradition for this event.

The host chapter welcomed all singers and the many family members and friends in the hall for the concert.  He also thanked the Harmonizers for bringing sound equipment and risers (although we had truck battery issues and were a little late setting up). Thanks too for our truck drivers, riser guys and Mike Kelly with our sound set up.

The first group to sing was the Mount Vernon Harmony Heritage Singers, directed by Drew Fuller and Bruce Minnick (and emeritus director Bob Wachter seated in the audience). Bob was welcomed to the show and the crowd cheered for him.  There was also a report on Mike Everard’s health improvements.
Their riser singers included many familiar faces such as Bruce and Drew, Jim Kirkland, Paul Greiner, Lou Manfre, and Bruce Lauther.

Several of their chapter quartets help them present a World War I package of songs.

The second group was the Fairfax Jubilaires directed by John Knueven.  Both Minnick and Fuller sang with them as did Sam McFarland.  Their package featured songs made famous by the “Rat Pack.”  They too had quartets as part of their set.

Third group up was the Chorus of the Old Dominion from Loudon County directed by John David Mayberry. They posted several quartets along with their chorus.

Fourth chorus was our hosts, the Bull Run Troubadours, directed by Glenn Williamson. Bruce Lauther sang with them and in a quartet. Their chapter used a number of quartets for their show time.

Bringing up the end of the show was the Harmonizer chorus.  Terry Reynolds used the mic to welcome the guys to the risers (we didn’t warm up nor drill before we sang – came prepared and watched the other groups perform). Associate director Tony Colosimo was maestro. Terry explained that we would be singing songs from our up-coming anniversary show (songs chosen by fans and members).  And of course Terry promoted ticket sales at our sales counter in the hall staffed by Ian Poulin and a team of show
production folks offering to help customers – Rebecca Conner, Rob Langston and Krissi Folsom.

This was the first show with the chorus for new members Jacob Broude and Peter Cermak. Our last song for our set was our long-time favorite “I’ll Be Seeing You” and Terry invited any Harmonizers in the hall to come sing it with us.

There were a lot of familiar faces in the hall besides those mentioned above including Geoff Berman, Walt Page, Martin Banks, Joe Cerutti Sr., Lew Klinge, Jay Sorensen, Tom Frederick, Larry Silva, Terry Jordan, JT Price, and Bob Bates.  Recent guess Dylan Smith attended too.

All of the choruses joined us on the risers at the end for “Keep The Whole World Singing” which Tony directed.  And all of us enjoyed the goodies provided by the Prince William chapter.

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 August 21st Chapter Meeting 

It was another work session for the chorus and the director.  But things are shaping up nicely for the Sept. 8^th show. Director Joe Cerutti took time during the evening to share how the show will flow and how the songs will be introduced and intertwined with video of past performances.

After warm ups with Joe, the there a concentrated work period on “Steppin Out” with the choreo.  Bruce Roehm did the training and reminder coaching for this song including the work with the front row.  There was also time spent on the coat exchanges and tear-away items that made this song a spectacular contest number in the past.

Another block of time was used for “Great Day” with Craig Kujawa doing the reminding for this song.
Prior to the meeting there was work by the front row for those songs and for “Miller Medley.”

Also before the meeting the new chorus uniforms were issued. Uniform “wrangler” Robyn Murane has also sent out instructions for each man to get his suit tailored as instructed.

For the business meeting period, Steve Murane announced that all meetings thru Sept. will be at the Temple except the Dog Days event on Aug. 28^th.

The Dog Days event hosted by the Manassas Chapter for several Northern Virginia Chapters to come together to sing for each other will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 12975 Purcell Rd. Manassas.  Show starts at 7 pm and the Harmonizers always sing last.  We will be in the hall to watch all the other choruses, so arrive warmed up and ready to perform.  Black camp shirts and jeans.  New guys and guest are welcome and so are family members. Car pool is a good idea too.

We will sing several of the songs from the show – good chance to prove to ourselves we can do them well.  Songs will be “Great Day,” “Summertime,” “Kiss in the Shadow,” “Steppin Out,” “NY NY,” and “I’ll Be Seeing You.”

There was the usual reminder to sell more tickets and to turn in any unsold consignment tickets to Ian Poulin.

Ike Evans is coordinating an order for Harmonizer attaché bags.

Shows vice president Joe Cerutti Sr. brought the chorus up-to-date on all upcoming shows/events. He thanked Casey Belzer and Adam Afifi for their great work on the show printed program.

He encouraged all to attend Dog Days as a chance for some fellowship with fellow chorus members and guys from other chapters.

He encouraged all to join in the fun to perform music from “I Am Harvey Milk” at Strathmore in Sept.  What an honor.

And he explained the importance of two performances in the area: one at the Del Ray community event outdoors on Oct. 6^th and one in DC on Oct. 31^st for a canine rescue group fundraiser.
Finally he confirmed that the Holiday Show will be Sat. Dec. 8^th at TC Williams High School. Only one show.

President Shawn Tallant reports that on the International trip in 2019 there is a chance we will make a stop in Alexandria’s Sister City of Dundee. President Shawn is also collecting contributions to the angel fund.
And Shawn reported that Bob Wachter is at home in recovery from his health matter, and that Mike Everard is working hard to get back his strength and wellness so he can be discharged from the rehab center following his major surgery.

Chapter secretary Chris Buecher presented membership renewal cards to Mickey Robertson for 3 years and to Alan Wile for 37 years.

Membership team member Mark Klostermeyer welcomed Dylan who was singing on the risers with us.
After a break, there was more work on the rest of the songs for the show.

Then after the chorus was dismissed, there was a quick run thru of the “Milk” songs for those interested.
A good crowd made it over to the afterglow 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 70^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd

Looking Back on the August 14^th Chapter Meeting 

This week’s meeting and rehearsal were pretty much all work for the anniversary show.

Associate director Tony Colosimo did the warm ups and then director Joe Cerutti took over to go right to work on the big production numbers for that Sept. 8^th show.

Before the meeting started the front row worked hard on all they need to do for that performance as well as some smaller groups worked who will do front row moves for “Miller Medley.”

All evening, show ticket chairman Ian Poulin was set up behind the risers to accept consignment returns, monies and issue more tickets.   Word is that we have sold half the house.

That station also was the point to get your name on the list for Platinum Affair after the show - $35 per ticket.  Ken Rub is in charge.

Bruce Roehm helped teach the rest of the presentation plan for “Steppin Out” and the chorus drilled it and worked hard to get it down.

Communications chair Steve Murane conducted the chapter meeting. The rest of the meetings in August will be at the Scottish Rite Temple – except the Tues nite Aug. 28^th event in Manassas.

That is the date for the Dog Days event hosted by the Manassas Chapter for several Northern Virginia Chapters to come together to sing for each other. It will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 12975 Purcell Rd. Manassas.  Show starts at 7 pm and the Harmonizers always sing last.  We will be in the hall to watch all the other choruses, so arrive warmed up and ready to perform.  Black camp shirts and jeans.  New guys and guest are welcome and so are family members. Car pool is a good idea too.

Dennis Ritchey received a request for a quartet or small ensemble to sing at a DC hospital for a recovering military veteran.  See Dennis is you can help.

See Randall Eliason to sign the sheet indicating you are covered for liability on your auto.

Reminder that the Sept 7^th rehearsal the nite before the show is a tech event and for the front row. Not the chorus.

Steve sent out another explanation of how to promote the show on the “Next Door” app –for the community where you live.

Brad Jones announced latest updates on the chorus trip to England in 2019.

There was some explanation that the show on Oct 20^th is an important one – even tho we will only sing one song. Many reps from other groups in the Metro area will be at that fundraiser event.  So clear your calendar for the evening show.  Maybe we will all go out afterward.

To confirm and have all Harmonizers and their families to save the date – the 2018 Holiday Show will be Sat. Dec. 8^th at 7:30 pm at TC Williams High School on King Street.  One nite show.  Music is on Groupanizer already.  No new songs – but some we have not sung for a year or two. 

President Shawn Tallant pushed for all to plan to be at Dog Days to share the barbershop hobby with our fellow singers in the area.  

He also welcomed Sandy Stamps back after her surgery.  And he reported that Dave Welter’s mother passed away.  

The chapter received a nice note from Bill Winterberg in NJ encouraging us in our work for the fall show.  Bill is a charter member of our district and long time fan of the chorus.

We are wearing the black tux for part of the fall show.  All singers should be certain they have all the parts for that uniform and that they still fit.  If not, see Robyn Murane immediately.

Membership guy Calvin Schnure welcomed guests Adam and Masashi, as well as our newest members Jacob Broude and Peter Cermak.

Tony Colosimo and some guys did a FaceBook live piece and the chorus sang a tag from the show. Part of our promotional efforts.  It was already getting huge numbers of responses before we left the meeting. Chapter tech guy, Mike Kelly, did the filming.

We ended the nite singing three of the show songs without stopping and just to prove to ourselves we could do them well.

One, two, three – it’s great to be a Harmonizer!  And we were finished.

A good crowd made it over to the afterglow 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 70^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd

Looking Back on the August 7^th Chapter Meeting 

(Thanks to Gary Cregan who took the notes while YeEd Jack Pitzer was away on vacation.)

Tuesday night was another night of intense focus and preparation as the Platinum Moments70^th Anniversary shows looms closer and closer. The evening started with clean-shaven Associate Director Tony Colosimo warming the men up to focus on proper alignment, breath control, and palate position.

Tony handed the reins over to director Joe Cerutti, who ran the chorus through “Steppin’ Out Medley” with no choreo. Then he asked only the men who felt they were very ready with the choreography they learned last week to go through it. Bringing everyone back onto the risers, Bruce Roehm worked the choreography for much of the rest of the song, and Joe took the rest of the time until the chapter meeting to drill those moves with everyone back on the risers.

Throughout the evening, Ian Poulin was available to take money for consignment tickets and to hand out more tickets for consignment.

Communications director Steve Murane conducted the chapter meeting, starting with the fact that all chapter meetings and extra rehearsals will be at Scottish Rite Temple in August.

Platinum Moments Promoter Krissi Folsom spent a few minutes recommending marketing suggestions for the 70^th Anniversary show. Besides talking to people face-to-face, she encouraged everyone to ‘like’ or ‘follow’ the Harmonizers social media sites, and to share the Platinum Moments literature on those sites often. Krissi also asked everyone to invite their Facebook friends to the Platinum Moments event that is set up on that platform. Below are the links to the various Harmonizers social media pages; if you haven’t ‘liked’ or ‘followed’, please do so.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alexandria-harmonizers/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/search?q=alexandria%20harmonizers&src=typd
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harmonizers/

While you’re on Facebook, check out Tony Colosimo going live (as recorded by Mike Kelly) at rehearsal last night to talk about all the exciting special guests for the 70^th Anniversary.

Uniform announcements: if you haven’t been sized for the new suit, you must do it either on August 9 or 14. Contact Robyn Murane if you can’t make either of those two to work out alternate arrangements. Also, check your tuxedo to ensure that you have the correct sizes and all the parts. See her email for more details.

Terry Reynolds took the mic to announce that men who are not prepared to sing all of the numbers on September 8 can sit out the ones they are not ready for. The only exception is “Blow Gabriel Blow” and “We Kiss in the Shadows” - if you sit out one of those, you have to sit out both. If you are going to sit out any numbers, let him know which ones. He also announced that the rehearsal on Friday, September 7 is a tech rehearsal and for front row only.

There are performances planned on August 28 in Manassas, September 16 at Strathmore, October 20 at the Washington Hilton, and TC Williams for the Holiday Show on December 8.

Tuesday was the last night to give Brad Jones money for the England portion of the England/Scotland trip; those doing the Scotland extension have until August 28 to give him the money.

A sheet went around the room for all the men to sign stating that they carry liability insurance on their car insurance. This is a requirement for the Harmonizers’ new liability insurance.

Steve wrapped up his time at the mic by asking for a count of men who want a Harmonizers saddle bag. Contact him soon if you’d like to get one.

Chapter president Shawn Tallant had several announcements. He is still looking for someone to take charge of the softball game with the men of Parkside Harmony in Hershey, PA. Contact him directly.

He had news of several chapter members, as well. Ross Johnson’s eye surgery on July 25 was successful. There is a 2-month recovery, but all is going well. Bob Wachter is back home, which is great news. Both men would appreciate hearing from other members. On a sad note, Chuck McKeever’s mother-in-law passed away. He was very close to her, so please let him know that you are sorry for his loss.

Lastly, Shawn brought Director Joe Cerutti up to present him with a framed copy of the Orlando photo in gratitude for all the hard work that he put into preparing the chorus for the International Competition last month.

Chris Buechler represented the membership committee, to announce Jeff Burkey’s fourth year of membership.

Calvin Schnure announced six visitors: Jacob, Adam, Trace, Luke, Will, and Adrian.

After the chapter meeting and a relatively short break, the men returned to the risers, and made some very minor tweaks to “Blow Gabriel Blow.” The chorus ran through “Great Day” a few times without choreography, and then put it all together under the watchful eye of choreographer Craig Kujawa (freshly tanned after his arduous month-long work trip to Hawaii). He made four recommendations for improvement, the group made the fixes, and moved on to the“Anthem/Ode to Joy” mashup. After working through the music, Joe announced that this would be the last night that men would be singing with music for this song on the risers. A run-through of “Miller Medley” finished out the night.

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