Looking Back on the Feb.
1st, 2020 Presidents’ Award Banquet and Board Installation
This year’s Presidents’ Award Banquet was at the Lee Center on Saturday nite, Feb.
1st . This was our 46th
such event. Over 120 of the Harmonizer family attended the buffet banquet
catered by Maggiano’s.
Our 2019 chapter president Shawn Tallant served as master of ceremonies for this annual event
to celebrate our achievements for the past year, honor some of those who helped
make those achievements possible, and install our 2020 officers and board. Social hour was from 6 –7 pm, then Shawn invited folks to find their seats
at the tables and enjoy the buffet.
After
the meal, Shawn thanked others who
had helped with the banquet event including Steve Murane and Jack Pitzer
for the printed program and year in review; Alan Wile for helping get all the awards for the nite; Dave Branstetter for help with tickets
and reservations, and Clyde Crusenberry for
the caterer, bar set up including the fun Scotch bar tasting in recognition of
our 2019 trip to Scotland. He also thanked all the family members who helped
with the set up for the event, decorated tables and brought supplies for the
meal.
Before
too much program began, SILVER ALERT with Rick
Savage, Mike Edison, Will Cox and
Steve Murane, sang for us. The
really “ugly” sweater from their appearance at the holiday show managed to find
its way to the banquet and the cheering crowd made Mike wear it again.
Each year this event is hosted by the past
presidents of the chapter – thus the name Presidents’ banquet. Presidents attending this year included Shawn Tallant, 2018-2019; Randall Eliason, 2016-17;Terry Reynolds, 2014-15; Alan Wile, 2013, 2007, and 1997-98; Steve Murane, 2011-12; Brad Jones, 2009;; Terry Jordan, 1984-85; and
Jack Pitzer, 1973 (the first
Presidents’ Ball was during his term – some years the event has been even more
formal and other years it has been a potluck).
Shawn lead a toast to the member added to our
Memorial Roll in 2019: Mike Everard. Former
members Justin “Sunny” Shook, and Arthur Louis also died during the year.
To continue a tradition begun at the first
banquet, each man presented a rose to his significant other as we sang “Let Me
Call You Sweetheart.”
Leaders of our
sister corporation, AH Inc, were also introduced at the banquet including
president Bruce Roehm, secretary Bob Faherty, treasurer Terry Reynolds; board members Chuck Hunter, Dave Kohls, and Marie
Muscella (not present). Shawn
Tallant serves as past president of the BHS chapter, and Stan Quick serves as current BHS
president on the AH Inc. board.
Shawn
shared.
“2019 was an exciting year with some wonderful musical and artistic
achievements of which you are all aware and which are summarized in your
program.” [See the recently released “Looking Back on the 2019
Harmonizers Events and Milestones.”]
For
years our friends and family have given us tremendous support through volunteer
activities. It takes a lot to keep a group like the Harmonizers going. Our volunteers help with membership, help
throw parties and events, run the house and usher at our shows, selling snacks,
CDs, tickets, taking donations, work on fundraisers, work on the silent
auction, and sew and mend costumes to help us deal with any last-minute wardrobe
issues. It is no exaggeration to say we
could not succeed in all we do without their help. Shawn expressed appreciation to all of the volunteers.
Under our new structure much of the day-to-day
operation of the chapter has been moved from the duties of the BHS Chapter
Board of Directors and given to an operations team composed of directors with
various responsibilities. The “Ops Team” for 2020 was recognized:
Executive Director: Randall Eliason, Music/Artistic
Director: Joe Cerutti, Jr., Finance Director AH Inc: Carl
Kauffmann, Finance Director BHS: Dave Welter, Volunteers Director: Robyn
Murane, Communications Director: Steve Murane, Contest Director: Nick
Murane, Education Director: Sheryl Berlin, Development Director: Nick Leiserson, Membership
Director: Jacob Broude, Shows Director:
Joe Cerutti, Sr., Operations
Director: Gary Cregan, and Historian: Jack
Pitzer.
The chapter invited Bob Eckman (and his wife Maggie), a Harmonizer and current
president of Mid-Atlantic District (M-AD), to install our 2020 board: President – Stan
Quick,
Secretary – Chris Buechler, Treasurer – Al Herman, Members at Large –Clyde Crusenberry, Ben Watsky and Frank Shipp, and Immediate Past President – Shawn Tallant.
About
this point in the night, BETTER TOGETHER with Tony and Elizabeth Colosimo and Andrew and Heather Havens sang for us.
Shawn
used his presidential prerogative to present Meritorious Service Awards for
exceptional service to the chapter.
This first award was presented to Krissi Folsom and Rob Langston. For the past three years they have stepped up and
volunteered for every Harmonizer show. Rob has taken professional photographs
for the chapter. Krissi has handled
our show programs and recently joined the social media marketing team. Both
served as co-producers for the annual show celebrating our 70th
anniversary.
The second recipient was Martin Banks. During his many years as a Harmonizer, he filled many
leadership positions such as vice president for community service or marketing/public
relations. Most recently Martin was
chapter historian/archivist creating informative historical displays for many
chapter events. He also organized the
history committee operation with specific duties assigned to each member. He
also initiated the process to digitize, record and organize historical
materials the chapter has in its collection.
Martin also served in
leadership positions outside the chapter for the BHS public relations
organization – PROBE, and he earned a Society-wide Public Relations Officer of
the Year award.
The
third recipient was Robyn Murane.
She is a volunteer leader as exemplified by her work as chapter uniform
officer. She has created a uniform
inventory, implemented the new chapter uniform policy, and reduced the amount
of storage for old costumes and uniform parts.
She has also become the volunteer coordinator for the chapter and helps
organize and wrangle volunteers for shows to staff the lobby, manage sales, and
help customers.
The fourth recipient was
Dean Rust. On the community front, Dean has contacted many Alexandria
businesses to request their support for the Harmonizer programs. His outreach
contributed to our alliance with the Alexandria Sister City Committee and our
performance in Dundee Scotland. He has also led our outreach to veterans that
might benefit from our music. Additionally he has spent countless hours
identifying grant opportunities for the Harmonizers to obtain outside
funding. His work includes putting
together complete applications for several grants and he is personally
responsible for all dollars in grant funding the chapter has received since
2016.
The fifth award was
presented to Dixie Kennett and Chris Buechler who are preparing to
step down from their current positions. Dixie
has been a volunteer for many aspects of chapter shows, particularly lighting.
She serves as a member of the membership support team and regularly takes
attendance at meetings. Chris is a
past president and is currently completing his record-setting term of 25 years
as our BHS chapter secretary. He also
has made important contributions to the contest and judging program of the BHS
around the nation..
Next Shawn honored these recipients of the
six chapter memorial awards given each year and listed here with a description
of the award.
New Note of the Year Award
Given to a Harmonizer who has
contributed outstanding service to the Chapter in his first year of membership.
2019
recipient – Jacob Broude – Since
coming to the chapter, this new member has been a strong singer/performer on
the risers and in the front row, has sung with TBD and helped train some of us
“old guys” in some of the complex choreo for the fall show. He recently has
assumed the duties of Membership Director on the Ops Team.
Dick
Hall Spirit of Harmony Award
Presented in memory of Dick Hall, a long time
member (1965-2018) whose friendliness and encouragement inspired all who knew
him. Given to a Harmonizer who during the year best exemplified Dick’s
fundamental qualities of congeniality and good character and who worked hardest
to encourage participation in vocal harmony by chapter visitors and members.
2019 recipient – Walt Page – He was a member of the
performing chorus for about 25 years, and was a long-time quartet member with
RIVERSIDE ASSEMBLY. Stepping away a few years ago, he returned as a member
about five years ago in a non-singing role. He is always present at chapter
meetings, helps promote the 50/50 sales, and is a major show ticket salesman.
Most recently he has leveraged his community contacts to ensure the Harmonizers
have been prominent in local newspaper coverage.
Harmonizer Honor Award
Given
to a Harmonizer for service which is specifically above and beyond the usual service expected of
members during the past year.
2019
recipient – Gary Cregan – This relatively
new member can always be counted on to do whatever needs to be done for the
chapter. He has added his energy to the tasks of the chapter’s director of
operation including significant improvements in riser maintenance, inventory
management and most recently pushed for and acquired the replacement of the Harmo truck.
Ibbianne and Wilbur Sparks Award
Given to recognize the important contribution
of Harmonizer family teams to the success and well-being of the Chapter.
The team can be a Harmonizer and any family member or significant other.
2019 recipient – Jerri and Steve White.
He is a 40-year-plus member, a
strong bass singer forever on the front row, and a member of multiple champion
quartets. He was a major contributor to chapter shows. In recent years he has prepared an extensive
top-notch chapter annual report. Jerri
is also a barbershop singer and has supported the chapter in many ways over the
years. She appeared in several annual
shows, reviewed and helped Steve
with over a dozen annual show scripts.
She has been stage manager for the chapter, has made props and uniforms
for shows and contests, and volunteered at our youth harmony events.
Oz Newgard Memorial Award
Presented in memory
of Oz Newgard (Musical Director
1962-70). It is given to the Harmonizer who has made a significant
contribution to the musical program of the Chapter during the year.
2019 recipient – Jason Lee –
this year’s recipient is an active member of the music team and advisor to the
music leadership. He stepped into the baritone section leader position this
year He also helps with chapter warm ups, and has worked with the music team on
the current re-envisioning of our rehearsal process to make it more responsive
to the needs of members.
Harmonizer Memorial Award
Presented in memory of those men who died while
members of the Chapter. It is the highest recognition which the Chapter can
bestow on a member. It is given to the Harmonizer who, during his entire
period of chapter membership, has devoted himself most unselfishly in rendering
outstanding service to the Chapter
2019 – Craig Kujawa – The Harmonizer Memorial award is our highest honor,
bestowed only on a Harmonizer who has devoted himself unselfishly in rendering
outstanding service to the chapter over a length of time in a variety of
areas. This year’s winner embodies
selfless dedication to the needs of the Harmonizers.
In past years, he has
served on the BHS chapter board. As contest director on the Ops Team, Craig has ensured the Harmonizers were
prepared to compete at all levels of competition for the past six years. His
thorough planning efforts and communication to the members make it possible for
all members to get tickets, rooms, make transportation plans. He also helped the music team schedule
convention rehearsal spaces. He created
two successful programs to get members into better physical shape prior to
International contests. He also was chapter SCRIP salesman as he believed
members could help raise funds for the chapter when they buy or shop. As a
chorus performer, he was front row captain.
Captain Kujawa has
just deployed to Djibouti for a year of service. Bruce
Roehm accepted on his behalf. President Shawn had Mike Kelly
film this part of the ceremony and that video was relayed to Craig the next day and surprised him at
his new duty station.
After the banquet,
guests were invited to dance to the music of Riptide band which includes Chris Huber, Kellen Hertz, Joe Cerutti Sr., and Joel Golden.
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 71st year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd
