Looking Back on the 2021 Harmonizers’ Events and Milestones
This was an amazing year filled with challenges and changes for the Harmonizers and only at the end of the year were the members singing together in-person. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the chapter to begin this year with virtual meetings via Zoom.
The music team and chapter leadership worked hard to create good meetings, provide information, insert new ideas and fun into the year, and even created some major events to make this a great year for the chapter.
The BHS Chapter board for 2021 was installed by Tony DeRosa (a gold medal quartet singer and popular coach of the chorus) via Zoom after he spoke to the chapter during a Feb. 16th meeting. President Stan Quick continued in a second-year term, Dave DesPortes was elected as secretary, Al Herman continued as treasurer, and the at-large board members elected to serve were Clyde Crusenberry, Frank Shipp, and Devin Gerzof.
The day-to-day work of the chapter is done by an Ops Team. The 2021 team was headed by Randall Eliason as the executive director; and included Joe Cerutti, Jr., artistic director; Carl Kauffmann, finance director for AH Inc.; David Welter, finance director for the BHS Chapter; Robyn Murane, volunteer coordinator; Matt Doniger, communications director; Nick Murane, contest director; Sheryl Berlin, education director; (position unfilled), development director; Jacob Broude, membership director; Doug White, shows director; Gary Cregan, operations director; and Jack Pitzer, historian.
Leadership serving on the board of the sister corporation, AH Inc. for 2021, included Bruce Roehm, president; Marie Muscella, vice president; Dave Kohls, secretary; Terry Reynolds, treasurer; and Bob Faherty, Mark Klostermeyer, Noah Van Gilder, and Stan Quick (ex officio) as board members.
Two administrative projects of ’21 included adding the new CRM software to track donations and patrons, and the initiation of a redesign of the chapter’s website.
The ’21 music leadership included Joe Cerutti, artistic director; Tony Colosimo, associate director; plus section leaders Brian Ammerman for tenors, Tessa Walker and Ben Watsky for leads, Jason Lee and Jacob Broude for baritones, and Ryan Mextorf for basses. Joel Golden was saluted early in the year for his work in creating virtual choir audio recordings for learning and listening. Music for the early part of the year included “Help from My Friends,” “Something’s Coming,” “Chorus Line Medley,” “Never Fully Dressed,” “Oh What A Beautiful Morning,” and “Bridge Over Trouble Water.” Until late in the year, the chorus was hoping for a live performance or show, but that plan was finally dropped as COVID cases continued to increase. We ended the year with a great holiday show and outdoor appearances in Alexandria.
Also early in the year there was some chance that the Harmonizers would sing at a Society convention, but that was cancelled as were the spring division contests.
The first meeting of the year was Jan. 12th and was a virtual meeting via Zoom.
The music leadership team tried a new software for guys to sing together, even though they were miles apart – Jamulus. The very first chapter quartet on Jamulus was Devin Gerzof, tenor; Tony Colosimo, lead; Jacob Broude, bari, and Turner Arndt, bass. During the following months a number of members managed to get signed on and we got to hear quartets sing our songs! Some singers also found out it was a great way to sing tags during this difficult time.
The Society midwinter convention was held virtually and it was fun. There was a Harmonizer room on the virtual campus and there were usually about 20 from the Harmo family on the campus in the avatar they had created. One major event during that convention was the “out of the BHS archives” rerun of a VAUDEVILLE performance.
As part of this year, leadership worked hard to have presenters at various meetings from around the Society – individuals, quartets, officials, or a visit with a barbershop family. One series of speakers was “How to Be The Best … Tenor, Lead, Bari or Bass” – the guests over a four-week period were Dan Wessler for bass; Tim Waurick for tenor; Brandon Guyton, bari; and Heather Havens, lead.
There was also an open invitation for chapter members to present a topic that they were passionate about even if it was outside the realm of barbershop. Some members stepped up and spoke such as Phil Ashford talking about building a “tiny” house; Mike Edison talking about building a custom race car; Mike Fasano telling us about his collection of antique barber shop bottles; and Stan Quick explaining the results of the 2020 Census.
In addition Alan Wile continued his work at interviewing members who have filled out the Harmo Hero form to be posted on the chapter’s website. This was also a great way to get to know others within the Harmonizer family. He interviewed 13 folks during the months we were on Zoom. And when we started back in person, Alan dutifully brought the notebooks to display Harmo Hero forms of all the members who have submitted them.
In February when the board was installed, President Stan presented some fun awards to replace the long-standing awards for 2020 that we traditionally presented to members (New Note Award, Dick Hall Spirit Award, Honor Award, Sparks Award, Newgard Award and the Harmonizer Memorial Award). The replacement awards (dubbed the “Covies”) included the Chatterbox Award – to Matt Doniger; Stage Hand Award for best virtual background – to Mike Edisonfor his shark background; Note-y Professor for best elective presentation – to Jason Lee for his statistical analysis of the COVID-19 Pandemic; Accidental Award for most likely to sing while unmuted – to Howard Nestlerode; Inspector Gadget Award for the best at-home set up to record – to Tony Colosimo; Quarter Rest Award for the most likely to fall asleep during the Zoom – to Bob Mattes; Nom de Zoom Award for the best screen name – to Ben Watsky for his many variation on Kyle which someone called him one week by mistake; the Director’s Cut Award for most likely to be eating during the meeting – to Mark Klostermeyer with no question; Dos Equis for most interesting story during a Harmo Hero interview – to Bob Rhome for the great story of his career adventures; and Fatal Distraction for the most likely member to have a distraction in the background such as cats, birds or clanking kitchen ware – although Terry Reynolds’ cats were a strong contender for this award, Noah Van Gilder’s birds and their “speaking up” during the meetings were chosen as winner.
Also at the installation meeting, the board announced that Chris Buechler was named Secretary Emeritus. In his 44 years as a chapter member, he has served just over 25 as secretary. Also the board presented emeritus status to Martin Banks for his work as chapter historian.
Joe continued his annual personal interview of every member and community board member. He also encouraged singers to participate as best or as much as they could in the Zoom environment. Many weeks, if there was no special guest, there were discussion topics such as ideas for how we should celebrate our chapter’s 75th anniversary in 2023.
Monthly “pulse” surveys were distributed electronically to keep track of how members were coping personally, and of how they were progressing musically, and if they have any ideas to add a spark to chapter life.
A few times, we had the good fortune to have SILVER ALERT sing for us or demo a tag or a new song as a quartet – Rick Savage, Mike Edison, Will Cox and Steve Murane.
One special event for the chorus was preparing a virtual choir presentation of “Stars and Stripes Forever” in conjunction with the Masters of Harmony chorus and featured as part of the BHS virtual convention. It was offered for use by media during the 4th of July.
There were a few social events during the year held via Zoom such as a virtual beer tasting; and then later in the year an in person Top Golf event. These events were organized by chapter membership director Jacob Broude.
By March there was talk that we might get to meet in person and so a COVID task force was formed and they continue to advise chapter leadership about meeting inside, face to face, wearing of masks, changing of meeting rooms, and other precautions. That group includes Jason Lee, Steve White, Randall Eliason, Bruce Roehm, Frank Shipp, Chris Huber and Stan Quick.
In April we participated in Spring2ACTion – a program of the City of Alexandria to help not-for-profit groups raise funds. Our overall chairman was Randall Eliason this year. We had competition among the four singing sections of the chorus and the basses raised the most money again this year. Their cheerleader was Matt Doniger.
It was great to get an endorsement from Deke Sharon via social media to boost participation in the fundraising effort. There were significant matching grants provided this year too – Steve and Jeri White made a major matching gift of $10,000; and the board members of our BHS chapter and the AH Inc. board donated a total of $6,000 matching funds.
In the end, we raised the most ever for us – a total of $48,702. That is $31,452 in donations, $16,000 in matches, and $1,250 in prizes from the organizing group because, for example, we had the most donors during the 3-4 pm power hour!
By the end of May we were talking seriously about meeting in person. Guidelines set out by our COVID Committee included that all members be vaccinated with proof to chapter, masked, six feet apart, and such. As things changed (up or down in infections in the chapter’s geographical area) there was a change as to the number of people in the rooms inside Scottish Rite Temple. We even assembled a few weeks outside on the steps of the building and even added some lights to see the director.
All the while we continued to provide Zoom connections. This was a major effort on the part of our Tech Team of Mike Kelly and Dennis Ritchey - especially on weeks when we changed rooms two or three times per night. The first hybrid meeting for the chapter was on June 8th after a “beta test” was conducted by a small crew on June 1st. There was a lot of chatter among the men after not seeing each other in person for so long, although it is still hard to recognize some members when they have on masks! Every time we have had a hybrid meeting, we checked in with 6-12 singers joining us via Zoom.
All members were asked to keep their attendance intentions up-to-date on Groupanizer, and signed an agreement to be vaccinated and to wear masks and follow all guidelines. As the year went on, and numbers of infections fluctuated in our area, the number of singers invited each week was announced on Sunday nights.
Here is the reaction from Frank Shipp after our first in-person session for a large group of Harmonizers:
“Joni Mitchell wrote, “Don’t it always seem to go, you don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone.” I never realized how dearly I felt about our chapter, and BHS, until the pandemic took it away. Zoom technology, and our amazing tech team and leadership, kept me sane, at least, until we returned to in-person singing. June 1st brought a few of us in for a “trial run”, and a dozen voices sounded like 25 as the harmony in the rooms filled my heart with joy. Then, June 8th, even more of us greeted each other with a genuine affection not felt in in nearly 15 months. The sound we generated near the end of the evening with “Bridge Over Troubled Water” seemed to emanate from the room into the night sky, and out to the whole world, completing the bridge over the troubled waters of the pandemic that we had created by staying together as best we could. A warmth descended upon our group, and filled the room, exceeded only by the love I felt when we finally sang “Keep The Whole World Singing.” We will always build our own bridges. We will always keep our world singing. And all is right with the world. Finally.”
Another major change in the life of the Harmonizer family was the Harmo House – where Joe lives now. He extends an invitation for meetings and quartets to gather there, and a weekly afterglow! Plus there are monthly birthday-glows to celebrate those members who have a birthday that month. The tag singing enthusiasts have a great time in the basement belting out their favorites.
On June 29th we celebrated the 73rd anniversary of the Charter Night of the Alexandria Chapter of SPEBSQSA which was June 29th, 1948. Alan Wile interviewed Jack Pitzer, history chairman, about that important night in the life of the chapter.
In July we did a live interview with a local media group – Z-TV, the video channel for Zebra Press who delivers 30,000 papers to front door steps in. Alexandria. Joe was the main spokesperson and then we sang two songs for their audience.
For much of the year, the music team was intending to have a fall show at Schlesinger. In that regard, our visual coach Cy Wood came to work with the chorus in advance of that plan. However, as weeks went on, the chapter leadership decided to cancel the fall show.
In August we were scheduled to rehearse outdoors on the Fort Ward amphitheater stage on the 3rd, but it was cancelled minutes before the start time when the rains dumped on the area (It was a reminder of our many attempts to sing there over the years and the many times it rained!). However, weather was good on the 24th so family and friends of the Harmonizer Chorus came to hear them sing on that outdoor stage. The chorus did not set up risers, but did bring sound equipment. There were refreshments, too, celebrating singing as a chorus. Tag singing rounded out the night as darkness set in.
The fall M-AD contest was cancelled again this year, but the district board did elect Joe Cerutti to the M-AD Hall of Honor. Joe is the 25th Harmonizer to be inducted into that group.
In other news from the district level, Dennis Ritchey was elected president of the M-AD honor club for those who have made significant contributions to barbershopping in our district.
In November, the chapter participated in GIVING TUESDAY, the international day of giving that takes place the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. These efforts were spearheaded by AH Inc. president Bruce Roehm. With the help of some matching donations from several chapter members, we raised nearly $15,000.
Also during this year, the chapter was successful in raising another $11,500 from grants applications filed by Dean Rust on our behalf.
Since the fall show was cancelled, the leadership decided to move on to preparation for a holiday show. It was originally set to be at Schlesinger on Dec. 10th but that was cancelled and the chapter combined their plans for a holiday show with a sing out planned for the Scottish Rite Temple in DC.
The Harmonizer’s “Hope for the Holidays Concert” was Sunday, Dec. 5th at 2 pm and 6 pm at the Scottish Rite Temple (SRT) in DC on 16th Street. It was a combined event sponsored by the chapter and the Scottish Rite Temple. Tickets were free with an encouraged free-will offering that would be shared by the two organizations.
The 350-seat venue in their building was great with plenty of seating, good views, good sound, and plenty of room for the chorus to dress and prepare for the show. The SRT provided the stage décor and coordinated a reception for patrons and singers following the afternoon show. They also provided valet parking for guests at the shows which was greatly appreciated. Artistic director Joe Cerutti recognized and thanked our chapter friend and longtime benefactor, Paul Dolinsky, for his help in getting the chorus into this venue.
The one-act show went smoothly and was a terrific return to Harmonizer performances for their patrons. The two shows were basically the same – a few personnel changes in ensembles to avoid conflicts.
For both shows, the auditorium was nearly full. The 50-man chorus was dressed in green, red and blue sweatshirts with white scarves – thanks to uniform coordinator, Robyn Murane, for helping get uniform parts for the many new singers who joined this year. Plus a new addition for this post-COVID show was the red or green masks for the singers! It was a colorful scene for sure when they got onto the risers.
Music team administrator Terry Reynolds kept the chorus well informed prior to their call time. Executive director Randall Eliason arranged for an afterglow at Midlands on Georgia Ave. It was well attended and fun for all.
Volunteers welcomed guests and checked them in and directed them to their seats. Operations chairman Gary Creganreports that he had a good riser crew to help move in the show sound equipment and risers on Friday, and also reports that chorus members pitched in and made quick work of taking things out to the Harmo truck after the show ended.
The show opener was “Trim Up the Tree” from the Grinch Stole Christmas – guys had fun performing this crazy Dr. Seuss song (and Joe was having fun adding crazy sound effects from back stage). Tony welcomed the audience – in short his comments were “thanks for being our audience!”
For “Sleigh Ride” there were sleigh bells again this year provided by Steve White using the set of bells created by his grandfather. Always a great addition to our holiday show. Joe directed an ensemble of about half of the chorus and clowned up with the audience in reaction to the surprise lyrics of “Fa La La!”
Twice during the show, there was an audience sing along with the accompaniment on the newly installed organ at SRT by organist Adam S. Graham. It was great. “O Holy Night” was a special number with Tony as soloist, Adam at the organ, and Joe and the chorus supporting the music.
Tony directed another ensemble of the other half of the chorus to tease the audience with “Text Me Merry Christmas.”
As usual, the musical finale was “Do You Hear What I Hear” with Mike Kelly, Devin Gerzof and Drew Fuller singing the solos. As in every year’s holiday show, the audience came to their feet for a standing ovation!
As is the tradition, the Harmonizers sang “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” for the audience. This was the signal when Santa arrived and went among the audience to give candy canes to the children. (Santa’s helper was Joe Cerutti, Sr.)
During the rest of December, the chorus sang holiday music in Old Town Alexandria to good crowds, made appearances for senior living facilities and sent quartets or octets to make appearances in the community. Dean Rustwas key to making the arrangements for community appearances.
Election for the 2022 unified board for AH Inc. and the BHS Chapter was held in Oct. and Noah Van Gilder was elected president; Dave Kohls, vice president; Devin Gerzof, secretary, Terry Reynolds, treasurer; Joshua Baumgardner, John Greene, Carolyn Griffin, Bruce Roehm, and Frank Shipp, members at-large.
Membership of the chapter as of December 31st, 2021 was 167. We did gain several new members during this unusual time in the history of the chapter including Josh Myers, Lance Fisher, David Breen, Donell Torres, Matt Riedl, Yohan Roh, Vinny Capaccio and Tony Schepers.
And sadly several members of the Harmonizer family died during the year: Martin Romeo, Jean Adams – wife ofJohn, Linda Savage – wife of Rick, Sandy Stamps – wife of Mick, Bill Curtis, Michael Calhoun, Jed Casey, Bob Ulibarri, and Dwain Chambers.
Until next time – editorjack!
(This message is prepared for your review as a historical record of the great things that happened during the 73rd year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. —YeEd)
