Looking Back on Harmonizer Activities at the Jan BHS Midwinter in Nashville

It’s no surprise that there were a lot of Harmonizers present at the 2019 Midwinter Convention in Nashville, Jan 22-27. Our chapter members served as administrators, musical leaders, staff, performers, and coaches

(These notes about members came from reporter Keith Jones with input from Bob Eckman, Alan Wile, and Chuck McKeever. Dixie Kennett provided a general wrap up of the convention.  Thanks to all – YeEd. Former Harmonizers are indicated with *)

As you would expect current and former Harmonizers were busy providing service for all sorts of aspects of the convention.

Judging Panel--Richard Lewellen*; Jay Butterfield*; Mike Louque*; John Santora; and Chris Buechler.  

Meetings--John Santora, as BHS Treasurer, participated in the Society Board meetings and the Strategic Planning Committee Meeting; Chris Buechler attended the Society Contest and Judging Committee (SCJC) meetings; Terry Reynolds presented Harmony Education classes during the convention; Chuck McKeever had a personal vocal coaching session with recent Harmonizer coach Steve Scott; Gary Plaag* is chairman, Harmony Foundation International (HFI) Board of Trustees.

Competitors--John Adams (Carolina Statesmen senior chorus-2nd place); Paul Wietlsbach* (Dixie Senior Chorus--winners).   John Adams also performed with the Association of International Senior Quartet Champs (AISQC) chorus.

Next Generation Junior Chorus Sponsors--Darryl and Meredith Flinn; Ross Johnson and Susan Williams.

Staff--BHS Director of Outreach--Joe Cerutti, Jr.; HFI staff members--Rick Taylor, and Sean Devine*.

District Presidents Council--Bob Eckman

Junior Chorus Festival Plateau AA Winner with Outstanding Rating--A CAPPELLA! mixed harmony chorus, James Hubert Blake High School, Silver Spring, MD--directed by Sandra (Mrs. Kris) Zinkievich!  Her students have attended many Alexandria Youth in Harmony camps.

The following current or former Harmonizers were at the convention too: Sheryl Berlin, (Chapter Education Director), Bill Colosimo, Randall Eliason, Tom Gannon, (with wife Marilyn), Bob Hirsh, (with wife Dena)*, Sam McFarland, Alan Lamson, Jim Lucey, (with wife Ruthanne), and John Rettenmeyer.

The first event of the convention, other than meetings, was the keynote address, presented this year by Theo Hicks.  Theo is the lead of the 2017 Quartet Champs, INSTANT CLASSIC, and a middle school educator.  He kept the audience enthralled with both humorous and tear-inspiring stories — all backing up his mantra that “your voice matters.”   His quartet will be guests on our fall 2019 show!

Joe was so much more than a BHS staffer making sure his programs ran properly.  The first contest event on the schedule was the Junior Quartet contest for those 18 years of age and younger.  This was held in a huge hotel ballroom that was packed with both youth and regular attendees.  His enthusiasm as the MC for the NextGen Junior Quartet contest had the audience cheering and on their feet!  He used what he often uses with the Harmonizers:  “Are you ready for the next contestant?” and then urged the audience to scream “Yes!”  They did not disappoint.  The Mid-Atlantic District was represented by a couple of quartets — one made up of three elementary school students and one who is in high school and the winning quartet, the QUIN-TONES.  VINTAGE MIX quartet (three sisters and a brother who appeared as a guest quartet on a Harmonizer holiday show a couple of years ago), placed third.

The Seniors Quartet contest was held on Saturday.  Unfortunately, YOUTH RECLAMATIOIN PROJECT (with member Mike Wallen) had to withdraw following the death of their bass Vic Owens.  There were no other M-AD quartets.  The winner was DOUBLEDOUBLE from the Ontario District (singing parodies).  The silver medalist quartet was LET’S SING from the Carolinas district.

The venue for the NextGen and Seniors chorus contest, as well as the Seniors Quartet contest was the Grand Ole Opry, a 10-12 minute walk from the Opryland Hotel which was convention headquarters.  It is a beautiful space with wonderful acoustics and great seating.  The backstage area, not seen by most attendees unless they were performing, was gorgeous.   The front-of-house area was large and had a concession stand and a bar, both of which were open during the entire time we were there.  It made getting a snack easy.  

The Thursday evening show was a Heritage of Harmony show with the FAIRFIELD FOUR and the FISK JUBILEE SINGERS. A female quartet, HALO, from Bella Nova, the Harmony Inc. chorus directed by Richard Lewellen* in the Fairfax area, was announced as the first recipients of the New York Redcaps Quartet scholarship to Harmony University.  

The Saturday evening show featured the men's, women's and combined youth choruses and current medalists THROWBACK (Dan Rubin is their new tenor, replacing Paul Saca who now sings with SIGNATURE), SIGNATURE, and AFTER HOURS who won the gold last summer.

This was the first event for incoming Society President, Dick Powell, who sings in a M-AD chapter and lives in Crofton, MD.

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 Jan. 22^nd Chapter Meeting

The music leadership jumped right into the music for 2019 this week.  After associate director Tony Colosimo did the warm up exercises, director Joe Cerutti launched work on “Anything Goes” with a major review of the song we sang for our contest package a few years ago.  Guys were prepared with pencils and sheet music to mark Joe’s notes.

Meanwhile, the large class of new guys who have joined in the last year or less met with some chapter leaders to discuss their integration into the chapter, its music program and expectations.

Joe extended his training efforts on “We Kiss” and “Blow Gabriel”  and the front row guys adjourned to review their work on “Gabriel” too.  Bruce Roehm announced that anyone interested in auditioning for the front row should speak to him ASAP.

Joe took a break for announcements from Steve Murane.  First was from Terry Reynolds asking any guys interested in being in a quartet(s) for Valentine’s Day appearances to sign up on the clip board he posted up front. Singers are needed for morning, afternoon and evening time slots,  as the chapter will dispatch quartets for marketing and publicity purposes in our community.

Steve reminded all those going on the chapter trip to Europe that payments are due to Brad Jones. There might still be openings for late sign ups if anyone has changed their mind – contact Brad.

There were some reminders about our show with The Whiffenpoofs on Feb;.9^th  including a nudge to sell or buy the $30 tickets for family and friends.  Dean Sherrick has them available on consignment too.  Uniform will be the black camp shirt.  New guys should contact Robyn Murane immediately if they don’t have one of those shirts yet because she will be ordering.

President Shawn Tallant invited all members to plan on attending the annual Presidents’ Banquet and bring their significant other. It will be Sat. nite Feb. 16^th at the Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson St., Alexandria. There is plenty of free parking there.  Dave Branstetter has the tickets.  (Shawn pledges that anyone being hit hard by the government shutdown should plan on attending – just speak with Dave or Shawn to make arrangements.)

This event is a good one for all members to get caught up on the Harmonizer traditions and culture, meet each other on a social basis, and this year – add a little Valentine touch!

Shawn also announced the news that Martin Banks’ sister died recently. .

Membership chairman Calvin Schnure welcomed Jordan Zimmerman, a new member back on the risers, as well as this week’s singing guests Ryan and Dennis.

After a break in the action, it was back to work on our music by performing the package of songs we will do for The Whiffenpoofs show.

Then our tech team helped the music team show us videos of some of our new songs – “Empty Tables” and “Brotherhood of Man.”  The first one will be a solo and the chorus will be only tenor, bari and bass. We did some singing on that one.  And for the second song, Joe announced that our coach Cy Wood is planning a production number visual plan for it.

At the end of the nite everyone got a kick out of singing one of our gospel songs in honor of our friends THE FAIRFIELD FOUR who will be performing at the BHS midwinter convention in Nashville this week.  (We have reporters on the scene there to fill us in on all the news from that event – stay tuned. YeEd.).

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 Jan. 15^th Chapter Meeting

This was the kick off for the new year and everyone arrived eager to hear the plans, get to work and to be back on the risers.  The risers were full!!! There was a strong energy and excitement at Scottish Rite Temple.

Associate director Tony Colosimo did the warm up session before turning the chorus over to director Joe Cerutti. He started right away on the songs we are bringing back into the plan for 2019 such as “Anything Goes” and “We Kiss in a Shadow.” Joe used several combinations of small groups to kick off good singing habits this year.

The chapter meeting began early since there was so much to talk about in the second half tonite regarding 2019.  First off – any new members who need uniform parts (or active members who need a new clothing item) should contact Robyn Murane immediately so she can add your needs to the order she will place.

Kudos were given to Jack and Pat Pitzer for the fun nite and Heat Glow early this month.  About 60 members and their guests attended and shared the food and grog.

The up-coming calendar of events was reviewed including The Whiffenpoofs combined concert on Feb. 8^th. We all need to sell the $30 tickets for their performance at The Masonic Temple. This is the fourth year in a row for this joint event.  Harmonizers who sing will not need a ticket for themselves.

Singers should be prepared to contribute as quartet men for the Singing Valentine events on Feb. 14^th – we will be sending quartets out in shifts to make appearances for public relations purposes, to say thank you, or to cheer up local citizens.  Signups will be for morning, afternoon and evening appearances in the Metro Area – but especially in Alexandria.

Singers should also mark their calendars for the March 20^th sing at the Masonic Temple with the Alexandria Singers and a New Zealand choral group.

President Shawn Tallant reported that Tom Frederick has had a hip replacement and is looking to be back singing on the risers in a couple months.

Sad news to report that Vic Owen, bass of YOUTH RECLAMATION PROJECT, died last week of a heart attack.  The quartet with Mike Wallen, Hardman Jones, and Roger Tarpey was prepared to attend the Mid Winter convention in Nashville this month and represent our district.

Shawn also invited every member and their significant other to attend the Presidents’ Banquet on Feb. 16^th at Lee Center in Alexandria (same place where we had the afterglow after the fall show) 1108 Jefferson St., Alexandria.  Tickets are only $30 per person for the banquet and evening, and available at this time from Dave Branstetter.  He is eager to at least get a count of those who plan to attend.  AND NOTE:  president Shawn announced that any member who is furloughed or effected by the Shutdown and worried about the ticket price should speak to Shawn about making arrangements.  We want all our members there to witness the award honors and have fun together.  Shawn reminded everyone that is also Valentine weekend, so the tradition of each member giving a rose to his significant other will be especially timely. 

Mike Kelly announced the news that Chuck Hunter was recently elected to the Mid Atlantic District’s honor chapter, DELASUSQUEHUDMAC. Chuck is one of 25 Harmonizers who have been elected to that group in recognition of their leadership and hard work in support of the chapter, district, and Society over the years.  

Chapter secretary Chris Buechler spoke about dues payments – especially explaining the extra fees assessed by BHS for late payments, and even the use of a check!!!

Membership director Calvin Schnure welcomed a number of Harmonizers who were back on the risers again – Bob Mattes, Ross Felker in from TX, and new member Dale Bird. Calvin officially welcome new member Frank Shipp who was given his new member credentials during the holiday events. And finally, we welcomed three singing guests: Ryan, Vinny, and Scott.

We took a nice break for goodies and coffee in the SRT cafeteria.

After break, chapter leaders presented lots of info for the members and their families.  (All of the info from that presentation will be emailed to all members soon.) Also YeEd will publish a Year In Review “Looking Back” report after the Presidents’ Banquet.

BHS chapter president Shawn reported on the many successes from 2018 including outstanding achievements musically and some terrific success financially.  Good ticket sales for our anniversary show, our work in the Spring2ACTion event in Alexandria, the special end-of-the-year push to member donors, and the work from AH Inc. raising monies for our goal of $70,000 in our 70^th year.  Two major gifts from Ken and Kim Fess, and from Bill and Charli Sowers were important to that success.

Shawn listed the major challenges for 2019 including supporting our strategic plan, connecting with the community, and building our brand. Certainly we will be defining where we are going as an organization – especially as it relates to “Everyone In Harmony” proposals from BHS.

He also stressed that we will give renewed emphasis to membership growth and development.

AH president Liz Birnbaum reported on their work, announced next year’s board for AH (Bruce Roehm, president; Liz,  vice president; Bob Faherty, secretary; and Terry Reynolds, treasurer), and spoke about important grant funding efforts coordinated by Dean Rust.

Joe took a minute lead the thank you tribute to Liz for her huge contribution on behalf of the chapter.

The operations team which includes those folks that get the day-to-day work done for the chapter was also reintroduced.

The music team, which includes all directors and section leaders and represented by artistic director Joe Cerutti, presented a thorough and complete plan of shows and music to be used for ’19.  Our schedule is complete and everyone should mark their calendars with the dates. Joe Cerutti Sr. was key in coordinating the show line up for the whole year.

Joe shared who our coaches would be this coming year – what a list it is: Steve Scott, Kevin Keller, David Wright, Cindy Hansen, Cy Wood, and David McEachern.

Our musical theme for 2019 will be Broadway music – some songs we have used in the past and several new ones being arranged for us. This music plan also includes plans for our trip to England, Scotland and Wales (about 60 singers are going). New songs are being released via Groupanizer so members can do the necessary homework. Joe will be doing personal interviews again this year with every member between Jan. 27-Mar. 6.

Joe also announced the section leaders for the coming couple years: Brian Ammermann for tenors; Reed Livergood for leads; Jason Lee for baritones; and Mike Kelly for basses.

Again – members should be sure to read the email summary sent to you.

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