Looking Back on the Dec. 17^th Carol Craw; Dec. 16^th Sing for Cameron Station

First off – the weather on Tues. 10^th was awful – rainy and cold with snow predicted.  So chapter leaders decided on Monday to switch the Carol Crawl in Old Town to Dec. 17^th. Well the weather at 7 pm was not much better, but it quit raining and we had a nice time.

About 50 members of the chorus met at Market Square (near the stage) at 7pm for the annual Carol Crawl with the chorus singing in restaurants along King Street. This is about our 13^th annual caroling walk and the first time for several of our new members.

As usual we sang first at Gadsby Tavern (a popular spot for George Washington and his friends in the day) and then worked our way thru the popular Old Town entertainment district.  We sang three songs at each stop, wished them a Merry Christmas after announcing who we were and suggesting that if guys like to sing, come join us.  

And also as usual, we had a good group of fans (and some Harmo family members) who followed us along the street to each place. 

The Harmonizers were wearing Santa hats and dressed in colorful sweaters and bright scarves for the season.  Director Joe Cerutti was at the helm for the singing. 

As is the tradition, Mark Klostermeyer made contact with the owners/managers of the locations for us to sing.  Joe Cerutti Sr. organized an afterglow gathering spot at Chadwick’s which was our last stop for singing. A good crowd of the Harmo gang relaxed there. 

(In other news, here is a report prepared by Dean Rust from the Dec 15^th singout in Cameron Station.)

A group of hardy Harmonizers brought Christmas cheer to around 100 residents of Cameron Station on Sunday December 15.  The Cameron Station Community Association held its Holiday Extravaganza with ample food, hayrides for the children, and music from the Harmonizers.  Following an outside warmup near the community pool, the 20+ Harmonizers under the direction of Terry Reynolds took their place in the Gazebo while the families wandered out from the community center.  The sun was out, but the low 50’s temperature made it an extra “cool” sing out.  The audience including many children was very appreciative; we made some new friends and plugged the upcoming holiday show.  Special thanks not only to Terry but to Joe and Janet Cerutti and Joel Goldman for handling the sound system and to Clyde Crusenberry and Noah Van Gilder for their solos. 

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 Dec. 10^th  Chapter Meeting; Dec. 5^th Sing for Women’s Club

First off – the weather on Tues. 10^th was awful – rainy and cold with snow predicted.  So chapter leaders decided on Monday to switch the Carol Crawl in Old Town to the next week – Dec. 17^th.

The chorus will meet at Market Square (near the stage) at 7pm for the Carol Crawl. Mark Klostermeyer suggests guys watch the weather and dress accordingly but to wear some colorful scarves and Santa hats (the chorus will have some hats to issue too).  Parking is on your own – be sure to check the time on the meters in Old Town Alexandria – don’t be surprised that you have to pay til 8 pm or later. We will work our way down King Street toward the Potomac. Joe Cerutti Sr. reports that we will end up at Chadwick’s for an afterglow on the top floor to wrap up the nite.  It’s a lot of fun and even attracts a crowd of followers who are walking on King Street under the holiday lights. Everyone should make this one.

The weather also hampered many guys getting to the meeting on the 10^th  – but those who made it worked on many little spots in the songs for our holiday show on Sat. Dec. 21^st at 4 pm at Schlesinger. Director Joe Cerutti started the evening with follow up and reactions and stories about the successful holiday performance at Strathmore on Nov. 30^th.

He followed with some warm up exercises using some of the songs from the show. He also used this week’s time to add some body energy and staging for a couple of the songs such as “Toyland.”

Of course, the chapter meeting was mostly detail reminders about the show. Auction items are still needed – get them to Randall Eliason.  And if you have nice quality shopping bags or extra bubble wrap, bring some of them to Robyn Murane at the show.

Full details for the show will be issued by email.  Same uniform as Strathmore. No need for more wrapped boxes for the stage. A riser work crew was solicited for the 21^st.

President Shawn Tallant reported on the message that Ricky Savage’s wife, Linda, suffered a stroke earlier in the week, but is home and slowly getting rested and  regaining her strength. Gratefully there was no serious effect on her mobility. 

Shawn also was pleased to report that the members of the chapter donated a total of $1200 in a double-my-dues end-of-the-year campaign.  Thanks to all. 

Shawn reminds the chapter members and family that after the Holiday Show, the chorus doesn't get back together until Tuesday, Jan 14 for our first rehearsal of the New Year.  Of note - between those two dates is the Holiday Heat Glow, an annual Harmonizer holiday tradition where we come together for some Harmonizer camaraderie, a bit of grog, and perhaps a tag or two.  This year's Holiday Heat Glow is Saturday, Jan 4^th 2020, at the home of Pat and Jack Pitzer - 7801 Suffolk Ct., Alexandria, VA 22315. Casual dress.

Finally Shawn shared a fun evening he had as a guest with Alexandria’s Mayor and other community leaders during the annual Alexandria Scottish Walk – and the welcoming of the sister city VIPs the chapter met in Scotland.  They remembered the chorus and the gifts presented.  Shawn was pleased to accept the applause and thank you from community leaders who expressed their appreciation for our having made the effort to meet with the folks in Scotland.

Chapter secretary Chris Buechler presented membership renewals to John Sifuentes for 9 years; Nick Murane for 13 years’ Bruce Roehm for 19 years; and Steve White for 43 years.

After the meeting portion, we sang “Wish You a Merry Christmas” to end the nite early so guys could get home before the roads got bad. 

(Thanks to Chris Huber for submitting the following report from the performance on Dec. 5^th.)

“A small group of Harmonizers performed on Thursday Dec. 5th for the Welcome Club of Northern Virginia, a women’s’ club of 234 members.  There were 110 women in attendance.  This was the third consecutive year we’ve performed for this group.  Led by Terry Reynolds, about 17 Harmonizers entertained the ladies with songs from our Christmas repertoire, plus “All You Need is Love.”  As always, we were well-received before, during and after our performance.  We announced the upcoming Christmas show and made flyers available for any who were interested.  About half of the singers gathered afterwards at Oh George restaurant for some “soda”, and lunch.  Of course, we also sang a few songs for patrons in the restaurant.  A fun time for all.

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. 30^th Holiday Appearance at Strathmore  

The Alexandria Harmonizers appeared at the Strathmore Music Center in Bethesda as part of its holiday concert series.  The Harmonizers previously performed in the Strathmore productions of “I Am Harvey Milk” in 2016 and “Iron and Coal – Survivor and Son” in 2018.  This was the first time that Strathmore agreed to book the Harmonizers for their own show, which was designed and produced by the Harmonizers artistic team.

The chorus and their guest artists did the show on Sat. afternoon, Nov. 30^th for a largely sold-out audience that included many new patrons,  plus many usual Harmonizer and barbershop fans.

The “Holidays in Harmony: An A Cappella Concert” featured the chorus plus the 2006 BHS gold medal quartet Vocal Spectrum from St. Louis,  and A Cappella! – a mixed chorus of students from James Hubert Blake High School in Montgomery County, MD, directed by Sandra Zinkievich. 

All groups performed holiday tunes for the enthusiastic audience.  The finale, a beautiful arrangement of  “Tribute to World Peace,” featured all three groups – the Harmonizers, Vocal Spectrum, and A Cappella! singing together in a moving performance that brought the audience to its feet. 

The chorus was directed by Joe Cerutti with associate director Tony Colosimo and assistant director Chuck Hunter.  The Harmonizers small group ensemble, TBD, also sang on the show.  And Will Cox recited his popular version of “The Night Before Christmas” for children in the audience.

The singers met at 10 am on show day at the Music Center for warm up, brief reviews, and then stage time for all groups.  Tech support for this performance was provided by the Music Center team which also dressed the stage with festive holiday decorations. 

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. 22^nd Extra Rehearsal; No Meeting Nov. 26^th
 

Even tho it was an extra pre-show rehearsal, most of the chorus was on hand to work on the show songs and work on adding visual aspects to their performances.

Director Joe Cerutti and his team taught simple visuals to several songs and all actors and singers with speaking parts or solos practiced their parts too.

There was one official piece of business – we said goodbye to Tim Cash who is being reassigned to his native Kentucky.  He expects to be back often but not enough to perform with us.

Finally – note that there will be NO REHERSAL on Tuesday, Nov. 26^th (break for Thanksgiving week for the members plus there is the show at Strathmore on Sat. Nov. 30^th with a 10 am chorus call. (And there will be no Looking Back report.)

Singer should be on the lookout for emails from chapter leaders and the music team for last minute details for the show.  Bring a lunch.  Uniform for the show is the blue suit with red tie, and the full tux.

Every singer needs to bring two large wrapped empty boxes to use for the stage décor.  Bright flashy paper is best. 

Guest artists joining the Harmonizer chorus for this show include the gold medal quartet VOCAL SPECTRUM, and a great high school ensemble, ACAPPELLA, from James Howard Lake High School in Montgomery County, 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 Nov. 19^th Chapter Meeting 

It was all-hands-on-deck this week as all the singers knew there was work to do in finishing preparations for the first of our two 2019 holiday shows which will be at Strathmore at 4 pm on Sat. Nov. 30^th. (This is where we did the Harvey Milk music and the Iron and Coal works.)  The chapter appreciates that the Strathmore folks asked us to be part of their holiday offerings for their patrons.  Their marketing folks have been at work to spread the word for this show.

And wHAT A SHOW IT WILL BE!  For those of us in the seats on Tuesday nite we all agree with director Joe Cerutti that this will be some of the best singing and performing ever by a Harmonizer chorus for a holiday show.  And we are ready now – not the day before!!

Then you must not forget the guest artists joining the Harmonizer chorus for this show – gold medal quartet VOCAL SPECTRUM, and a great  high school ensemble, ACAPPELLA, from James Howard Lake High School in Montgomery County, MD.

To get started,  associate director Tony Colosimo did a solid warm up session and then it was right to work on songs.  We also included soloists and speaking parts for songs.  Ben Roberts is coordinating the actors for the show and Robyn Murane is coordinating uniforms and costumes.

The chapter meeting period was conducted by communications director Steve Murane.  Of course there were lots of details announced about the show.  Uniforms will be blue suits (without the coats) for the first half with the old red tie, and then the full tux for the second half with a special holiday pocket stuffer created by Robyn.  

Call time at Strathmore is 10 am for singers, and 9 am for set up crews.  Everyone should bring their own lunch as there will be no time to leave the venue for food. Strathmore will provide some drinks and light snacks.

Watch for a detailed email from the leadership team which will also include parking details.

There is another rehearsal this week on Thursday at Scottish Rite at 7.  Each guy is supposed to wrap two boxes with bright shiny paper for the stage decorations.  They can be brought on Thursday and hauled to Strathmore on the chapter truck , thus making it easier for singers on the day of the show.

Coming up soon is the annual pub crawl on Tues. Dec. 10^th. For the many new men in the chapter, here is how it works: we assemble in Old Town Alexandria at Market Square (where the fountain and Christmas tree are located) and then walk down King Street and stop and sing two songs at a number of restaurants and fun spots.  Stay tuned as to starting details – such as maybe meeting first at Scottish Rite and forming car pools and distributing the Santa hats. Plus we end the evening with an informal afterglow at one of the spots where we sing.

Then there were details about our second holiday show on Sat. Dec. 21^st at 4 pm at Schlesinger. Program ad sales should be done by Nov. 27^th and turned into Matt Doniger.

There is a silent auction at this show and every singer is asked to get one gift card or item to sell.  Those donations should go to Randall Eliason.  Liz Birnbaum spoke briefly about using the show flyer to help make your ask for a donation.

Calvin Schnure displayed a sign up board for men to indicate interest in being in a quartet with a goal toward appearing on the fall Harmonizer show.  The board will be on display each week.

Special guest this week was Rick Taylor from the Harmony Foundation Inc. staff (who happens to also be a Harmonizer) to explain how men can help provide future support for singing opportunities in our community and schools. He was eager to talk to new donors who have not joined the team or to talk to guys who might be ready to step up their game and do more.  Already there are many Harmonizers who support the Foundation.

President Shawn Tallant announced the sad news of the passing this week of Mike Everard. Joe and several men spoke about Mike’s contributions to the chapter and to the barbershop harmony world at large.  Services are pending.  He was a 50-year BHS member, helped start the Mt. Vernon Harmony Heritage singers and continued to serve in leadership positions there.  He was a popular emcee for them as well as for us and other chapters. His quartet, THE FRIENDSHP FIRE COMPANY, sang all over the country entertaining and making folks laugh and smile.  He was the one constant member of that foursome. 

Shawn thanked Matt Doniger for taking on coordination of our chapter’s trip to Harmony University (HU) next summer in Nashville.  Members should pay special attention to the email Matt sent out and ONLY REGISTER for HU using the link Matt sent you.

Finally from Shawn, he is eager for suggestions for the chapter major awards that will be given at the Presidents Banquet on Feb. 1^st, 2020.

For those of you marking your calendar for 2020 event, there will be another Harmonizer Heat Glow for the whole chapter and their significant others, Saturday evening, January 4^th, at 7 pm at Jack and Pat Pitzer’s home - 7801 Suffolk Ct., Alexandria, VA 22315. Casual dress.  Another chance for new and old time members to mix and have some fun. Tag singing in the basement. Everyone brings finger-food hors d' oeuvres or holiday goodies to share. We will 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.

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