Looking Back on the April 30^th Chapter Meeting and Spring M-AD Contest

A riser crew had to unload our truck and get things reset for this week’s meeting, since our risers were taken to the Mid Atlantic District for the contest this past weekend in Allentown, PA.

Reporting on that contest: there were the usual Harmonizer leaders present including Bob Eckman who is current district president and board members Dennis Ritchey, and David Welter.  There are also several of our guys on the district events team including, Welter, Ritchey, Mike and Kritin Kelly, Mike Fasano, and Matt Doniger.

Our own SILVER ALERT (Rick Savage, Mike Edison, Will Cox, and Steve Murane) competed in the quartet contest that selects our district reps for the International contest in Salt Lake City (SLC) this summer. They also returned the District Senior Quartet Champion traveling trophy they earned last year.

Also two of our members, Pookie Dingle and Mike Pinto, sang in a new quartet called THE UNION.  The four quartets from the weekend that earned the required 1,824 points needed to go to SLC from our district were ‘ROUND MIDNIGHT, STUDIO 4, PRATT STREET POWER, GIMME FOUR, and PRIME TIME.  Other quartets will likely earn the required points at other contests this spring by singing “out of district.” 

This weekend’s event was a multiple quartet contest session with senior, youth, mixed, and women quartet contests.  One of our new members, Dale Bird, sang in a mixed quartet called FANTASTIC 4 with Susan Shields, Chris Susalka and Heidi Brown, and they were named MAD Mixed Harmony Quartet Champion.  Susan is the daughter of former Harmonizer Dave Ermlick.

The weekend was also the Northern Division contest including a chorus contest to qualify groups to go to the fall district chorus contest in Reading, PA.  Some of our guys sang in the mic-warmer chorus Saturday morning including Sam McFarland, Bob Eckman, Jack Pitzer, Carl Kauffman, Rick Taylor, and John Santora.

Rick Taylor spoke briefly as the official rep for Harmony Foundation International.  

Back to a report on the April 30^th chapter meeting:  it was a hard work session for all singers and musical leaders as the chorus prepares for shows in 2019 including an appearance at the US Supreme Court on June 3^rd. Before the 7 pm start, the front row worked on their routines, and Chuck McKeever worked with guys who came early to learn more of their moves for the uptunes.

Associate director Tony Colosimo did warm ups for this week and then turned the chorus over to director Joe Cerutti. Joe was also eager to welcome Chuck Hunter’s parents, Pat and Chuck Sr. from California.  Chuck Sr. sings with the Voices in Harmony in San Jose and is a 51 year barbershopper. 

Joe was excited to report that he has contacted a professional percussionist to appear with the chorus when they do the “Circle of Life” piece at the Supreme Court and at our fall show.
He also reported that when Cindy Hansen is here to coach the chorus in two weeks, she will work with the chorus on the whole package for June 3^rd. 

The chapter meeting time was short as president Shawn Tallant had no more health matters to report; secretary Chris Buechler was not present to give out membership renewals; and the next few weeks are all work on the shows.  Uniform chairman Robyn Murane spoke briefly to ask each singer to check his tux coat being sure all buttons on front, side and on the tail are not missing – if they are, see her next week.

Membership director Calvin Schnure welcomed Luqman Fulmer, Nick Fredrick, and Pat and Chuck Hunter, Sr. 

After break, it was solid work on new music and visual performance plans right up until 10 pm. Luckily the risers did not need to be moved or stored this week!!  Everyone was exhausted.

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 April 23^rd Chapter Meeting 

After a good crew reset the risers and all the equipment we need for the rehearsal and meeting , we started at 7 pm with assistant director emeritus, Will Cox, doing the warm up exercise.  Our associate director, Tony Colosimo, was in Sweden judging the contest for the Society of Nordic Barbershop Singers (SNOBS).

Prior to the start of things, there was a lead rehearsal with section leader Reed Livergood and a voluntary visual coaching session with Chuck McKeever.

When director Joe Cerutti took over from Will, he asked members to respond to the survey about possibly singing at the Midwinter in Jacksonville in 2020.

Then Joe introduced our coach and friend, David Wright, from St. Louis and the Ambassadors of Harmony. David has often been our coach in preparation for contests, as well as an arranger for our chorus.

David worked with us the whole first half of the meeting on “We Kiss” – one of his arrangements that we sang at the Orlando International contest.  He, along with Joe, helped the chorus make huge improvements to an already great number.

Before the chapter meeting portion, Joe invited Mario Sengco to share his recent visit to Harmony Hall (BHS headquarters) in Nashville.  Mario is coordinator of the youth ensemble of the Washington Gay Men’s Chorus called “GenOut” and was with them on a musical tour to Nashville.  That trip included the visit to Harmony Hall where the young singers were coached by staff members Steve Scott and Donnie Rose.  The high school students were thrilled with the great musical experience. Congrats to Mario for his work with these high school singers.

Communications director Steve Murane conducted the meeting.  He reminded all that there will be another voluntary extra rehearsal with Joe on April 29^th  this time at Convergence Lab space.  This is the second such session and there were comments about how helpful the first one was.

Executive director Randall Eliason did the promised drawing for the $100 gift card drawing for the guys who submitted prospective lists for Spring2ACTion. Ike Evans won!

President Shawn Tallant recapped all the many men who are on the mend for health reasons.  Everyone seems to be improving.

Secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Litic Murali for 5 years, Dean Sherick for 7 years, Mario Sengco for 9 years, Joe Cerutti for 18 years, and Tom Frederick for 26 years. He also reports that the following members have renewed even tho they don’t attend meeting regularly: Don Johnson for 50 years, Dick Newton for 35 years, and Jeff Taylor for 27 years.

Jack Pitzer welcomed guests for tonite: Alexa Bowe, guest of Aaron Simoneau, who had been with us at the Virtue Feed & Grain party; Tracy Mextorf, Ryan’s sister; Howard Wachspress, member of Mt. Vernon Harmony Heritage Singers; Luqman Fulmer, first time guest who is a student at George Mason in music; Tom and Nick Frederick; and Scott Beach, returning guest from Palmyra, VA.

After a break, SILVER ALERT sang for us as part of the announcement that they will be singing at the Mid Atlantic District International Prelims in Allentown, PA, this weekend.

Then it was back to work by the chorus – a quick run of “Anything Goes” so guys could make a recording to submit to their section leaders.  Then back to finish “We Kiss” with David, and  wrap up the nite with a solid work session on “I’m The Music Man” which David wrote and arranged (originally for the Dallas Vocal Majority Chorus).

Before we closed for the nite, Joe reported that our own Paul Grimes has been named a winner of a Lou Perry Scholarship to Harmony University in Nashville this summer. Paul’s arrangement was for “Let Me Sing and I’m Happy” by Irving Berlin from the 1932 movie “Mammy.”

Joe thanked David again for a great work out for the chorus and suggested the guys could thank David by joining in the fun at Ramparts for an afterglow.  It was a good crowd and fun over 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 70^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd

Looking Back on the April 16^th Chapter Meeting 

Spring has sprung so the pollen is thick and many Harmonizers are fighting it as part of their singing health.

But the chorus climbed up onto the risers for a warm up session conducted by associate director Tony Colosimo. 

The front row had worked in the cafeteria from 6-7 pm.

When director Joe Cerutti took the helm, he welcomed education director Sheryl Berlin and the chapter members applauded her work in coordinating our Youth Harmony Festival.  She offered left over YHF tee shirts for $10. 

Joe welcomed Tom and Emily Kraus and their three children – Ben, Ryan and Morgan.  Tom helped start TBD and was a front row guy before their jobs took them to Rochester NY.
Joe also welcomed Bob Wells, Sam McFarland and Mark Klostermeyer who are recovering and able to get to the chapter meeting.

He reminded all of us that our coach David Wright (who has often been the major coach at our pre-International retreats) will be with us next Tuesday nite.

The coaching session with Cy Wood for the Memorial Day weekend will be on Sunday afternoon, May 26^th to continue development of the visual  plan for “Brotherhood of Man.”  He will also work with the front row that weekend, then stay in town to be at our chapter meeting on Tuesday, May 28^th.

Major music work in the first half of the nite was on that same song with Bruce Roehm as visual coach (each major song for 2019 will have a specific visual coach within the chapter.) Tony was director for the song.  

As part of the evolving effort to provide small group learning opportunities, our quartet SILVER ALERT (Savage, Edison, Cox, and S. Murane) taught the chorus a tag – “I Will Dream of You Til I Die.”

Secretary Chris Buechler coordinated the collection of Social Security numbers and such for all singers who will appear on the show for the Supreme Court on June 3^rd. Chris also presented a membership renewal card to Dennis Ritchey for 27 years.

This was the last chance to turn in payment for the Scotland trip to Brad Jones.

Executive director Randall Eliason reported on the Spring2ACTion effort – final count is creeping close to $20,000. Next week there will be the drawing for the gift card for anyone who turned in their prospect list to Randall. 

President Shawn Tallant asked for a volunteer to coordinate a tee shirt distribution effort for the trip to Scotland. A logo is being developed.

He also reported several items regarding our fellow members: that Steve Szyszka had heart surgery today and he had called to say he was doing great; that Ken White’s dad, Orville, died on Sunday - he and Ken sang together when Ken was a teenager; that Clyde Crusenberry is having a foot operation; that Bob Wachter is up and on the mend; that Alan Wile is recovering from his heart surgery and accepting text or email messages; that Mike Vlcej has done well after his heart surgery in PA; and that Chris Huber will be out of his foot boot soon. 

Jon Frank welcomed a guest of Gary Cregan.

After the break, Joe had the chorus sing the tag again they learned earlier in the evening.  Then he spent a chunk of time reviewing the results and information he gathered during the interviews with each of the Harmonizers. Joe shared the big realizations he gained from the interviews.  He reminded us of the importance of the Harmonizer Handshake Award that we had during the 1960s and perpetuated by Dick Hall.

Joe shared some of the “take-aways” he gained – more small group work; chances for more individual feedback; chapter business sessions too long (not a new issue with the Harmonizers!);a major split about 50-50 on drilling reps of songs vs. not drilling; and our new location is not Metro accessible and local traffic is making it lots harder to arrive by 7 pm on Tuesdays.

After this session it was back to work on music for the second half of the nite, including a good chunk of time on “Anything Goes” with Joe and Chuck McKeever.

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 April 10^th Spring2ACTion 

The Harmonizer’s participation in the City of Alexandria’s Spring2ACTion was another success.  This one-day event is designed to help local non-profits raise donations through a well designed program.  Over $2 million was raised by the 162 participating nonprofit organizations such as the Harmonizers and our friends the Alexandria Singers.

Our campaign netted $18,958 dollars from fans, family, members and supporters with a major matching gift from chapter leaders and board members of about $9,000. We had 310 donors which ranked the Harmonizers as the 9^th highest number of donors .  Our net total net ranked 32^nd among all groups.  And we won the extra $500 as highest number of donors for the “power hour” from 3-4 pm on that day!!

Major thanks must go to executive director Randall Eliason who made it easy for chapter members and their supporters to donate during that day.  He also organized a fun evening at Virtue Feed & Grain in Old Town when many members and fans gathered to watch the finally tally for the day come across online.  We also sang for the guests at the restaurant and must acknowledge the percentage of restaurant contribute too.

We also welcomed a reporter from The Alexandria Gazette who was on hand at the party in Old Town and filmed some impromptu quartet singing.

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 April 9^th Chapter Meeting 

This week’s meeting and rehearsal was jam-packed with singing and business matters.  Everyone was ready for a good workout too with our coach Cy Wood who had come to our town after his work day in Ohio.

Before the chorus arrived, Cy worked with the front row from about 6 pm. There was also a chapter BHS board meeting, and a lead sectional.

Associate director Tony Colosimo started the music work off with another one of his moving and growing warm up sessions.

Then president Shawn Tallant recognized Julie Rizzo and presented her a Meritorious Service award for all she did as a community board member of AH Inc., and helping launch serious fundraising efforts in the Harmonizer world. (She was out of the country at the time of the Presidents’ Award  Banquet.)

Then director Joe Cerutti welcomed back Adam Afifi, Chris Huber as one of the newest members wearing a boot after injury or surgery, and Sam McFarland after knee surgery. Huber HJ





Joe sincerely thanked those men who worked so hard last Friday for the Youth Harmony Festival and he paid tribute to Sheryl Berlin who made the festival a huge success. 

He announced that we would not be working on “For Good” for the next couple of weeks to give guys more time on it at home, and instead asked the guys to be prepared with “The Impossible Dream.” He also suggested again that if anyone needs help with preparation of their music, they should speak to their section leader.

Joe welcomed Society board member Jeremy Albright and member of the Dallas Vocal Majority.
Then he went to work on “I’m the Music Man,” followed by a short time on more visual instruction and review for “Anything Goes” with Chuck McKeever and Joe as a team.

Tony stepped up to the plate to direct and kick off the working session on “Brotherhood of Man” with a once thru the music, and then Joe officially welcomed Cy who worked most of the rest of the nite on an exciting, Broadway musical plan for “Brotherhood.” 

There was a brief change before the chapter meeting time when we were recording “Heart of My Heart” for someone  - well, it turned out to be the chance for Casey Belzer to step out of the chorus and sing the last few lines of the song to Lacey Patrick and propose to her with a ring. She said “Yes” and the place erupted in cheers for them both.

Then things settled down for the actual meeting with Steve Murane in charge. Members were asked to get onto Groupanizer to confirm their intentions for travel trip to Seneca Land District, singing for the Supreme Court (note that there will be important data collected for entrance for all singers due by April 23^rd); or the extra rehearsals for those who wish to attend and work on the 2019 songs on 4/18, 4/29, 5/16, and 5/30.  There will be a bass sectional on May 11^th.

Plan to celebrate National Barbershop Quartet Day on April 11^th.

Final payments for the European trip are due to Brad Jones next Tuesday, April 16.
Executive director Randall Eliason then announced that Gary Cregan will assume the duties of  Operations Director for the chapter and thanked Mike Edison for his years of service prior to this shift in assignments.

And Randall coached everyone in how to participate fully in Spring2ACTion tomorrow such as using FaceBook and other social media, and of course making some kind of a donation in our power hour from 3-4 pm.  Plus plan to come down to Old Town to Virtue Feed & Grain at 6 pm to celebrate our successes, get some refreshments and watch the tally on the screen as we wrap up another important event for the chapter.

President Shawn Tallant reported that Alan Wile has been absent recently because he had heart surgery about a week ago.  Alan is home and recovering and can take emails or calls and cards.  We missed him at chapter!

Shawn also reported the good news that the chapter received a check for over $4500 from Harmony Foundation International representing our Donor Choice proceeds from donations made designating the chapter as recipient between June and December, 2018. Good work Harmonizers.
Secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewal cards to Jerry Jayjohn for 2 years; Duncan Woodbury for 7 years; Tyler Carpenter for 8 years; Nick Leiserson for 9 years; Cy Wood for 9 years; Johan Westberg for 14 years; Calvin Schnure for 24 years; Sam McFarland for 32 years, and Chuck Hunter for 47 years. 

After the break, our TBD guys sang “Make Me Loose Control” and Jacob Broude shared on their behalf that TBD desires to keep the chapter abreast of their work and efforts on the behalf of the chapter.

Calvin Schnure welcomed another singing guest for the nite - Kevin McKenzie’s friend Jim Zoller,

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