Looking Back on the Nov. 20^th Chapter Meeting

As you can imagine, this week we worked hard on the holiday show music; plus we got a sneak preview of the script for the first half with Jack-in-the-Box (Terry Reynolds will reprise that role) and Boris as in “Rocky and Bullwinkle” (Troy Hillier will return with his humorous accent). We even got a look at the “box” from past shows – still ready for another Harmo holiday show. Thanks Dennis Ritchey.

Warm ups were conducted by associate director Tony Colosimo and then director Joe Cerutti worked with the chorus to clean up some spots in all the songs.  A couple times he had Tony take a section out to the lobby to concentrate on a portion of the song.

Terry Reynolds conducted the chapter meeting this week.  He of course stressed the holiday show that is Dec. 8^th at 7:30 pm at TC Williams Hi School on King Street.  Member need to sell tickets. Any consignment sales must be turned in on Tues Nov. 27^th to Dean Sherick.  Members were also asked to gather more gift cards or prizes or the silent auction.  Those items can go to Mike Kelly.

 Other upcoming dates:

Dec. 11^th – The Put Together Quartet Contest is at Scottish Rite Temple.  There will be guest judges, refreshments and lots of laughs.  Matt Doniger is still taking quartet entries – there are already quite a few.  Terry stressed that it is called a Put Together contest – so if a member wants to sing in a quartet, chairman Matt will help find other singers.

Dec. 15^th  – watch for details on this Saturday sing out at local Alexandria area nursing and senior homes.

Dec. 18^th – our annual Carol Crawl – singing in restaurants in Old Town, ending with an informal afterglow.

Jan 5^th – another Harmonizer Heat Glow for the whole chapter and their significant others, Saturday evening, at 7 pm at Jack and Pat Pitzer’s home - 7801 Suffolk Ct., Alexandria, VA 22315. Casual dress. Everyone bring finger-food hors d' oeuvres or holiday goodies to share. Wine if you wish. (Jack promises to  make the traditional Heat Glow Grog recipe that has been served at a similar Harmonizer event for over 50 years!! The recipe has been passed down from previous generations of the Harmo family.)

President Shawn Tallant is still eager to get ideas from members for the chapter honor awards.

Secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Jon Frank for 3 years, Jim Kirkland for 9 years, Nick Murane for 12 years, and Don Harrington for 39 years.  Chris also presented Rick Taylor his 50 year renewal card this past weekend at the annual meeting of the district honor chapter at their meeting in Ocean City.

Membership chairman Calvin Schnure welcomed Dylan, Frank, and Matthew.  Both Dylan Smith and Frank Shipp passed their audition after the formal chapter meeting and will thus become members soon.

After break, it was back to work on the songs.  Prior to the meeting, there was a rehearsal for the “monks” that will do the comedy routine in the show.

In other news, the chapter has received a check for $3984.48 from the Harmony Foundation as a result of our chapter members designating the chapter in a Donor Choice program. Donors have the option to designate up to 30 percent of their contributions to be returned to the chapter or district (or both) of their choice. Thanks to the very generous support provided by many Harmonizers and their families, the check represents our Donor Choice proceeds for the first six months of 2018.  As you can see, in addition to supporting the good work of the Harmony Foundation, this program provides an important source of revenue for our 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 Nov. 13^th Chapter Meeting

As you would expect, this week’s meeting was all about preparing for the holiday show that’s on Dec. 8^th at 7:30 pm at TC Williams High School on King St.

Reed Livergood did the vocal warm ups this week and then turned the chorus over to associate director Tony Colosimo for the nite.  Assistant director Chuck Hunter worked on a couple of the show songs as director.

For the chapter meeting, communications team leader Steve Murane was in charge.  He stressed show ticket sales – see Dean Sherick.  Consignment tickets must be paid for or turned in on Nov. 27^th.

There is a need for many more silent auction items – give them to Randall Ellison. Shows chairman Joe Cerutti Sr. reminded all that show program ad copy is due on Fri. to Casey Belzer.

The Wilbur Sparks Memorial Put Together Quartet Contest is all set for Dec. 11^th and a good number of quartets are signed up.  But more quartets are welcome.  See chairman Matt Doniger.  Trophies for regular quartets and comedy quartets.  And there will be cake after the contest!!

Chapter secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Ben Roberts for six years, Jacob Broude for 1 year (he got all the new member materials), Aaron Simoneau for five years, Bob Blair for nineteen years, Mick Stamps for 39 years, and Rick Taylor for 50 years (to be presented this weekend).

Mark Klostermeyer welcomed guests this week – Dylan Smith, Seth Speaks and Duncan Goss.  And president Shaw Tallant welcomed our newest member, Tyler Carpenter.

The second half of the nite was all work on our music for the show.

To all current and past members.  Please take some time to check through your electronic and analog stuff (computers, attics, garages, storage lockers, closets, etc.) for any and we mean any “Harmonizer” things/stuff/items/photos/documents/stage props, etc., that can be added to our history collection.  Anything is good. You needn't take the time to decide if we’d want it, nor should you sort files.  Let the history team do that.

Contact any one of us if you wanna bring stuff on a Tues nite, or if we need to come get it .  We’ll be happy to help. Martin Banks:  gaytimewhiskey7@gmail.com, Bob Rhome:  rcrhome@verizon.net, Bob Blair:  b2blair@cavtel.net, Jack Pitzer:  editorjack@aol.com, Howard Nestlerode: hnest@yahoo.com.

Craig Kujawa reminds members that there is a contest going on to encourage more of us to participate in the scrip program – a virtual way to earn free money for the chapter.  Speak with Craig if you are not “in” the program. To that end, there’s a promotion going on.  Chapter members/supporters who purchase their first $50 worth of Scrip (or more) by noon on Tuesday, November 27th, will be entered into a prize drawing for one $50 gift card of their choice.

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 Nov. 6^th Chapter Meeting

This week’s meeting and rehearsal was fast paced and all aimed at preparing for the Dec. 8^th holiday show.

Associate director Tony Colosimo did the warm ups for the guys on the risers.  Folks (a few members and many non-members) preparing for the “Monks” performance practiced in a smaller room.

When director Joe Cerutti took over, he welcomed Johan Westburg who was back on the risers after lots of travel after becoming an American citizen and getting married.  He voted today for his first time. 

Joe also welcomed and congratulated Heather Havens who recently was crowned as gold medalist Queen in her quartet at the SAI contest. 

Then we launched the work on holiday songs.

For the chapter meeting, executive director Randall Eliason took charge.  He reviewed some details about the show – get your consignment tickets from Dean Sherick (but plan to have them sold and money turned in by Nov. 27^th). Reminder of the show’s uniform plan and the need to get approved costumes for the first half, and Harmo sweatshirts and scarf for the second half.  Casey Belzer is accepting advertisements for the printed program.  Silent Auction items are still needed – give any donations to Randall.

For those planning ahead, holiday show producers Jeff Burkey shared that the second half songs will be “Little Drummer Boy,” “Mary Did You Know?,” “O Holy Night,” “Gloria,” “Let All Mortal Flesh,” and “Do You Hear What I Hear?.”

Matt Doniger is eager to get more quartets to sign up for this year’s fun Wilbur Sparks Memorial Put Together Quartet contest at the Dec. 11^th Chapter meeting.

Randall also reported on several responses the chapter has received from the recent mailing to about 300 alumni of the chapter which included a copy of the 70^th Anniversary Story.

President Shawn Tallant reported on death notices of the wife of Elliot Roseman, Rena, on Nov. 3^rd; and the passing of 1975-76 chapter president Dick Bodle, in his sleep on Oct. 29^th.  Cards could go to his wife Joann, Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, 1491 Virginia Ave., Apt. 591, Harrisonburg, VA 22802.

Shawn also shared announcement of the Frederick, MD, Chapter show on Nov. 10^th at 7 pm.  Go to www.catoctones.com.

Chapter secretary Chris Buecher presented membership renewal cards to Clark Chesser for 9 years; Shawn Tallant for 12 years; Dick Dangel for 26 years; and Troy Hillier for 28 years.

Mark Klostermeyer welcomed two singing guests present this week – Dylan and Frank.

After break (there were a bunch of quartets practicing for their Dec. 11^th appearance), it was back to work on the show songs.

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 Oct, 30^th Chapter Meeting
(Many thanks to Gary Cregan for taking notes this time!  YeEd.)

Tuesday night was another night of hard work for the men of the Alexandria Harmonizers. Before the singing started, several men helped set up the risers in the auditorium at the Scottish Rite Temple under the oversight of Member-at-Large Matt Doniger.

Associate Director Tony Colosimo warmed the chorus up, and then proceeded to run the rehearsal for the evening, as well. Beginning with “Welcome Christmas,” we went into  sectionals on two songs, and then came back together to go through them as a group. After working on “Gloria” for a while, the chorus broke for the chapter meeting.

Communications Director Steve Murane chaired the meeting, during which there were many announcements. Steve led off with several, including the following:

 - Dean Sherick is heading up ticket sales for the Christmas show; members should see him for commission tickets. Also, anyone who took tickets early can exchange unsold tickets for the new, more attractive ones. Previously sold tickets will still be accepted at the door, so there is no need to try to exchange any tickets already sold.

- Uniform Wrangler Robyn Murane is out of town for quite a while, but is still working on costumes - email her your size if you need a colored sweatshirt for the second half of the Christmas show.

- Jeff Burkey is coordinating the toy and elf costumes for the first half of the Christmas show; see his email for instructions, and don’t forget to respond to his survey so he can track what folks are wearing.

Terry Reynolds had three announcements:

- He is still looking for non-singing volunteers to be monks in for the Hallelujah Chorus number. Contact him soon if you know anyone who can help.

- We are still soliciting donations for the silent auction at the Christmas Show. Please get out and help.

- Also, Casey Belzer is once again heading up the charge to get advertisements for the program. While you’re out asking for donations for the silent auction, see if you can sell ad space, too!

- Finally, Terry called up the members of TBD to say thanks to Reed Livergood for his four years of service as their director, and presented him with a very nice plaque as a token of their appreciation.

Steve took the mic again, with additional announcements:

- Mike Edison has the folks he needs for the riser crew on November 14. Thanks to those volunteers!

- Matt Doniger is heading up the Wilbur Sparks pickup quartet contest on December 11. See him to sign up to sing with three other guys in this fun traditional chapter event.

Joe Cerutti, Sr. then stepped up to the mic to address his ‘rock stars.’ His items:

- He had the forms for program advertisements in Casey Belzer’s absence.

- He described the perks associated with the Premier Tickets for the Christmas show in great detail.

Steve Murane wrapped up his announcements with three pieces of good news:

- Steve White has a new granddaughter, and everyone is happy and healthy.

- Steve Szyszka has returned from a trip to Ukraine.

- Johan Westberg is the Harmonizers’ newest US citizen.

Bill Carroll from the Singing Capital Chorus was visiting on Tuesday, and he took a few minutes to tell the men about their upcoming show, Melodies & Musicals. Performances are this weekend, so get your tickets soon.

Calvin Schnure announced our three guests, Bill from the Singing Capital Chorus, as well as Jim and Frank. He was also pleased to announce that Tyler Carpenter had passed his audition, and is our newest member.

After a break, we got back to work. After going through the third verse of “Little Drummer Boy,” Tony formed the chorus into eight mixed groups to work on making it better. He was very pleased with how we sounded after about ten minutes of small group work. We then worked through a few more songs, ending the night with a great rendition of “Let It Snow,” before heading home or to the afterglow.

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