Looking Back on the August 2nd 2022 Harmonizer Hybrid Chapter Meeting

 Looking Back on the August 2^nd 2022 Harmonizer Hybrid Chapter Meeting

 

The energy was high for this week’s chapter meeting with artistic director Joe Cerutti, and associate director Tony Colosimo, and Terry Reynolds, assistant director all back and fired up with barbershop news, and successes from Harmony University.

 

They along with Tessa Walker, our chapter’s assistant lead section leader,  were in New Orleans for the Barbershop Harmony Society’s  Harmony University (HU). 

 

Each of them taught in a different segment of the school – Joe in directing, Tony in coaching, Tessa in music educator programs, and Terry in leadership and administration.  Besides their individual classes, they were a panel presenting a special topic– “So You Are Thinking of Starting a Treble Chorus in Your Chapter.” We can expect to hear more about those plans soon!

 

First off, Joe thanked Turner Arndt, Jason Lee, Ben Watsky, Lance Fisher, Randy Lazear and Ryan Mextorf for their leadership last week in staffing a great chapter meeting while the leaders were at HU.   

 

Getting back into our normal Tuesday night routine, Tony did a warm up session for the singers this week. Dennis Ritchey was back on top of providing the sound tech support for the hybrid Zoom meeting. (There were actually a large number of our members on the Zoom link this week.  Hope they are not all fighting Covid!)

 

Joe went over some details for the Aug. 10^th outdoor concert at Lee District Park at 6601 Telegraph Road, (just north of Hayfield High School where we have done shows).  It is an open-air stage with plenty of bench seating, lots of convenient parking, and even picnic tables for those who might want to come early with family and friends. (Some of my friends suggested we bring insect repellant for ourselves and guests.) This concert is part of the Fairfax County summer series – each of the county supervisors hosts a concert series in their District. 

 

Joe’s notes for the show included – no choreo for this show, call time is 6:15 pm, uniform is black camp shirts with jeans and black shoes and no t-shirt showing. 

 

For the fall show on September 10^th, take note that we are honoring First Responders – they will receive free tickets to the show and be recognized.  If you know of any folks who should be so honored, get their names to shows chairman, Doug White, ASAP. That show will be at Schlesinger Hall and will include some performing guests to join us.

 

Two other big events have come up for the Harmonizer calendar this fall!

 

First, the Harmonizers Chorus has been invited to sing in the evening on Sept. 18^th at Wolf Trap with other major choral groups from the DC area. A Wolf Trap promotional brochure calls it a “community powered singing celebration.” We will sing two songs from a list we submitted at the time of being invited.  Then all the singers will perform two numbers as a group – stay tuned for details. The organizers expect a crowd of over 8,000 in the audience.  It has been a number of years since we sang at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts.  Next time you are at the afterglow, ask some of the guys to share stories of those times!

 

Second, the Mid Atlantic District leadership has invited the Harmonizers to participate at the fall district contest and convention in Lancaster, PA, Oct 7 and 8. Ånd the chapter’s musical and administrative leadership have accepted. Details are still being worked out. Though we were not planning to compete, we will likely sing a time or two during the convention, and help in other ways such as hosting a masters’ class, or coaching, or maybe volunteering in other ways.  Harmonizers can now indicate their participation via Groupanizer. 

 

No doubt we will have several quartets from the chapter in the quartet contest on Friday night, Oct. 7th. (YeEd has heard of a couple that have been practicing all during the recent months! Hopefully we will get to hear them prior to the contest at one of our meetings!)

 

Finally Joe announced that there would be a BirthdayGlow at this week’s afterglow to celebrate the July birthdays. (First chance we have had since Charlotte and then the outbreak of Covid.) As Joe read off the list of birthday celebrants. each guy got one clap from his buddies on the risers:  Bob Blair, Tyler Carpenter, Ike Evans, Kellen Hertz, Jerry Jayjohn, Ross Johnson, Mike Kelly, Reed Livergood, Gary Mankin, Sam McFarland, Kevin McKenzie, Ryan Mextorf, John Santora, John Sifuentes, Dylan Smith, Gene Swartz, Eric Wallen, and Cy Wood. 

 

Then it was time to work on some show songs.  First out of the box was “Circle of Life.” Then it was “Chorus Line Medley.”  Joe used an exercise to help the singers manage the dynamics of the song – they formed two large circles on the floor and walked in and out as the dynamics changed.

 

The chapter’s business meeting was conducted by communications director, Sam Whiteoak.  Tickets are on sale now for the Sept. 10^th fall show.

 

Steve White welcomed guests this week. Nic Petersen and David Hillinck and Craig Odell returned from last week and were on the risers as were Mike Schwartz and Mario Sengco. Greg Tepe is back in the USA and was in the hall this week as was Dave Kohls, who is a member of the chapter board.   Terry directed the “Harmonizer Welcome Song.”

 

Ike Evans continued to collect the new chorus medals during the evening from members who wanted to get their medal engraved. 

 

When it was back to singing for the second half of the night, Tony directed “A Little Help from My Friends.” Joedirected “Somethings Comin” (arranged by David Wright). Tony directed “Sing.”  The musical work period ended with some extra time spent on “Remember Me.”  Joe suggested the guys look at Coco to get a feel for the many meanings the song has.

 

The BirthdayGlow with banana cake and pizza and cold beverages was fun. There was a chance to get a “behind the scenes” report from Harmony U too.  And of course the usual session of tag singing. Great to have some of the guests join us at Harmo House.

 

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 for the great things going on each week during the 74^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. - YeEd)

 

 

Looking Back on the July 26th 2022 Harmonizer Chapter Meeting

 Looking Back on the July 26^th 2022 Harmonizer Chapter Meeting

 

This week’s meeting was still in a mode of celebration of earning our seventh third place bronze medal at the International contest.

 

But there could not be too much celebration since the chorus has two major shows in the next few weeks.  The bulk of this week’s meeting was sectionals.  Actually the meeting was not on Zoom, but the sectionals were posted of Facebook. Masks were required inside. 

 

And, several of our chapter leaders were in New Orleans for the Barbershop Harmony Society’s  (BHS) Harmony University. Artistic director Joe Cerutti, associate director Tony Colosimo, music team leader and past president Terry Reynolds and Tessa Walker, co-lead section leader for the chorus and lead of HOT PURSUIT are all on the faculty this week there.

 

Each of them teaches in a different segment of the school – Joe in directing, Tony in coaching, Tessa in music educator programs, and Terry in leadership and administration.  One day during the week, they will all be presenting a special topic as a panel – “So You Are Thinking of Starting a Treble Chorus in Your Chapter.” Clearly they can share the work they have been doing for our chapter.

 

(YeEd got word that John Santora from our chapter is also in New Orleans – he is rising into a position as president of BHS.)

 

Turner Arndt was emcee for this week’s meeting and assembled the singers in the auditorium of Scottish Rite Temple (SRT).  Will Cox, retired assistant director emeritus, did the warm up session for the chorus.

 

Jason Lee, baritone section leader, announced the musical plan for this week – to “dust off” five songs that we will use on the upcoming shows.

 

But first he had medals to give to guys who had departed early from Charlotte and had not gotten theirs yet – Randy Lazear, Will Cox, Kellen Hertz and David DesPortes.  

 

Then each of the sections moved to a rehearsal space in SRT for a 30-minute session to work on “Remember Me” and “Chorus Line Medley.”  Besides Jason as baritone section leader, Ben Watsky and Lance Fisher worked with the leads, Randy Lazear worked with the tenors, and Ryan Mextorf worked with the basses. 

 

The singers reassembled in the auditorium to sing the songs and share what they had learned from the sectionals. Jasondirected.

 

There was a business meeting conducted by Sam Whiteoak, communications director.  First up was secretary David DesPortes who presented a 31-year membership renewal to Ken Rub (David led 31 claps to honor Ken).   And Davidpresented a new-member packet from the BHS to Zak Sandler who was also welcomed with applause.

 

There were a number of guests this week visiting as singers or as fans.  Long-time bass singer, Craig Odell, was present to work his way back onto the risers. He sang bass with M-AD champ quartet ALEXANDRIA’S RAGTIME BAND, and was a stage presence judge in the past.  A couple other members were present we have not seen for a while including Adam Afifi and Mike Schwartz. Also Donna Cregan, Gary’s Mom, and her friend Lynn Pendergrast, were with us all the way from London.  They are in town to celebrate Gary’s military retirement this week!  Congrats to him.

 

First time singer guests this week included: Nic Petersen, singing lead, who sang barbershop in college in PA.  He and his wife and family live in Bowie. Gabriel Castro, singing tenor, is new to barbershop but sang in a male a cappella group at the University of Delaware that he served as president. He lives in Alexandria.  David Hillinck, singing baritone, lives in Alexandria and has sung in choirs in the past. 

 

Reminders were announced about turning in the new medals to Ike Evans for engraving.  The engraving will include the Harmonizer crest (the one with the barber pole), your name, voice part (or position in the chorus), the city of the convention, and the year. The cost of this service would be $10.50 plus tax. If you are interested, bring your medal to rehearsal Aug 2.   Put your medal into a blank envelope (smaller than business size - 3 3/4 x 6 1/2) and write your name and voice part on the outside.  When the medals have been completed, they will be returned to you in exchange for a check made out to the Alexandria Harmonizers for the final amount.  D

 

Sectionals resumed to work on “Help from My Friends,” “Sing,” and “Something’s Comin.”  After another 30-minute period, the chorus sang these three songs. 

 

There was a 50/50 winner this week before we sang “Keep the Whole World Singing” and adjourned.  Some guys went to Ramparts for an afterglow!  The afterglow at the Harmo House will resume next week and we will celebrate the July birthdays of members.

 

Here is planning information for the first major show coming up - Wed. Aug. 10^th, at Lee District Park on Telegraph Rd. (just north of Hayfield High School where we have done shows).  It is an open-air stage with plenty of bench seating, lots of convenient parking, and even picnic tables for those who might want to come early with family and friends. This concert is part of the Fairfax County summer series – each of the county supervisors hosts a concert series in their District. 

 

The second show is our major fall show that  will be held at Schlesinger Hall. 

 

Wed Aug 10 Show - Lee District Park Performance 7:30pm

• 6601 Telegraph Road, Franconia, VA
• Tentative Chorus Call 6:15pm
• Planned Song List:

• Beautiful Morning
• Bridge Over Troubled Water
• Chorus Line Medley
• Circle of Life
• Forty-Second Street
• God Bless America
• Help From My Friends
• I’ll Be Seeing You
• Impossible Dream (Tag)
• Never Fully Dressed
• Sing (Carpenters)
• Something’s Coming
• There Must Be a City

 

Sat Sept 10, Fall Show - “A Beautiful Morning”

Planned Song List:

• Bridge Over Troubled Water
• Circle of Life
• Forty-Second Street
• Help From My Friends
• Impossible Dream
• Oh, What A Beautiful Morning
• Remember Me
• Sing (Carpenters)
• Something’s Coming
• You’re Never Fully Dressed
• Chorus Line Medley

In other news, this week all members received the fantastic annual report of the chapter prepared by Steve White.  It covers the fiscal year Sept.1, 2020 – Aug. 31, 2021. It records the chapter’s efforts to operate and remain strong during COVID.  It also reveals the terrific financial donations from friends of the chapter.

 

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 for the great things going on each week during the 74^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. - YeEd)

 

 

Looking Back on the July 19th 2022 Virtual Harmonizer Chapter Meeting

Looking Back on the July 19^th 2022 Virtual Harmonizer Chapter Meeting

 

As previously announced, the chapter did not meet on the Tuesday after the International convention on July 12th; and then because of the COVID outbreak among the members, this week’s meeting was held via Zoom.

 

Over 70 members attended this virtual meeting to celebrate in the joy of a successful contest performance and to launch the next push for success at shows this summer and fall.  There is no waiting for things to pop up on the Harmonizer calendar.

 

Artistic  director Joe Cerutti welcomed the whole Harmo family onto the call this week.  Lots of smiles!!  And an eagerness to share stories. But first there were some announcements.

 

There were details and a song list presented for the important summer show, Wed. Aug. 10^th, at Lee District Park on Telegraph Rd. (just north of Hayfield High School where we have done shows).  It is an open-air stage with plenty of bench seating, lots of convenient parking, and even picnic tables for those who might want to come early with family and friends. This concert is part of the Fairfax County summer series – each of the county supervisors hosts a concert series in their District. 

 

The important fall show song list has also been announced – although Joe hints that we might add “42^nd Street” to that show and have reached out to the guys from 17^th Street Dance to join us.

 

Wed Aug 10 Show - Lee District Park Performance 7:30pm

• 6601 Telegraph Road, Franconia, VA
• Tentative Chorus Call 6:15pm
• Planned Song List:

• Beautiful Morning
• Bridge Over Troubled Water
• Chorus Line Medley
• Circle of Life
• Forty- Second Street
• God Bless America
• Help From My Friends
• I’ll Be Seeing You
• Impossible Dream (Tag)
• Never Fully Dressed
• Sing (Carpenters)
• Something’s Coming
• There Must Be a City

 

Sat Sept 10, Fall Show - “A Beautiful Morning”

Planned Song List:

• Bridge Over Troubled Water
• Circle of Life
• Forty Second Street
• Help From My Friends
• Impossible Dream
• Oh, What A Beautiful Morning
• Remember Me
• Sing (Carpenters)
• Something’s Coming
• You’re Never Fully Dressed
• Chorus Line Medley

With these shows on the immediate horizon, the rehearsal on July 26^th will include significant time for sectionals on some of the major songs that need “catch up” time such as “Something’s Coming” and “Chorus Line Medley.” NOTE – Joe stressed that no singer needs to sing every one of these songs to be on the shows. Pick the ones you can learn and not take time on the others. Therefore, everyone should make plans to be on those shows – that might mean some of the members need to work on getting a chorus uniform lined up.

 

Music team admin Terry Reynolds alerts all members to be on the lookout for a Pulse Survey soon.  Please respond.

 

Joe announced that Riptide, the rock and roll band with many of our members in it, will appear Sat. night at The Village Brauhaus in Old Town at 10 pm at 710 King Street.

 

Doug White was on the call this week - from the cab of the Hamro truck.  As reported earlier, a lady hit our truck outside the hotel in Charlotte and the repairs took more than a week to be finished.  Doug was driving it back on Tuesday. Many thanks for his extra efforts to get the truck repaired and back in VA.

 

Before the meeting ended, Ike Evans announced that he has arranged a service to engrave each member’s new medal with the Harmo logo, name, part, date and city of contest. The cost will be $10.50 each. Terry pledged to get out the details on how a member should prepare his medal and submit it for engraving – likely as early as next week. Ikethanked former member Bruce Lauther for reconnecting us with the same engraving firm Bruce used for this project in years past.

 

At this point, Joe proclaimed it was time to CELEBRATE!

 

He began the remarks: “It was an incredible experience! I knew, when we came off the stage, that we had made a great hit.  It was the first time I experienced bringing it ‘all’ to the stage and leaving nothing in the dressing room. I was so proud.  And as you can tell from some of the pictures of the finale on stage, I was sobbing with joy – honestly thinking of all the men who have gone before us and those we have lost as we have returned to this level of performance!”

 

“We do contests to raise the bar for ourselves as singers/performers.  We aim ourselves toward excellence. Congratulations to each member of the chorus and in fact, all Harmonizers!”

 

As a surprise, the music team had invited some friends to join the call this week. The first was Kevin Keller who arranged “42^nd Street” and been with us months ago to tell us how and why he had arranged it to be a major performance number.  Kevin encouraged the Harmonizers to “be proud of your chorus and chapter – you are the role model for chapters in BHS for diversity and inclusion, reaching out to the community, building bridges, fund raising, and being willing to try new things.”

 

Our next guest was our own Chuck Hunter from Chicago who came on the last few weeks and the final day to bring sincere and helpful messages to the singers about the important messages in the songs – both in notes and in words.  (Some men have recently dubbed Chuck the “Harmonizer Whisperer.”) Chuck said on the call this week, “You gave me a gift in Charlotte from the stage – you were wonderful, artistic and moving.  I’m forever grateful!”

 

After a few members offered their thoughts, our choreographer and coach, Cy Wood, spoke and thanked the chorus for trusting the whole process from the visual leadership team. “The medals you earned represent the hard work you all put into the effort all through COVID and extra sessions.  I am humbled and thrilled to be a part of the Harmonizer family!”

 

At this point the chapter guys cheered for Cy and his quartet, HALF AND HALF, who  were the first mixed quartet to make it into the top twenty of a BHS quartet contest.

 

Some men in the chorus spoke about the retreat we had in June and how Joe was willing to let the coaches suggest new ways and new interpretation and new style into his musical leadership methods.  Those coaches were on the call too this week.

 

First Jim Henry spoke to the chapter, congratulating FIRST TAKE quartet for their fifth place medal, and then thanking the chapter and “all the guys” for adopting him into the Harmonizer family. “We all celebrated the thrill and joy of singing together in Charlotte.  It was not about medals, but fellowship that the music brings.”

 

Second, David McEachern joined us from Toronto and shared his happiness “that you men accepted the ideas and even the crazy laughing, to be ready to go on stage and perform the messages of the songs!”

 

The following men of the Harmonizers spoke during the call too: Chris Huber paid tribute to the Class of 2022 for their contributions of energy and talent on stage; Bob Rhome missed the stage after 14 years; Dave Wilt, a former member but long-time friend of many, said “this package is as memorable as the gold medal 1986 performance with the gold umbrellas!; Frank Shipp (self-labeled as the oldest and grayest of the Class of 2022) said we should get FIRST TAKE on our show; Michael Pugh, president of the Class of 2022 shared the new-guy discovery – “it went by soooo fast on stage” and “I hope to be a Harmonizer for the rest of my life.”  

 

Associate director Tony Colosimo remarked that he was proud of the journey we took, and proud in how the chorus showed their faith in the music team and administrative teams. “It is amazing how much work the individual singers did to be ready – each week.” And by the way, “thanks so much to the incredible support from our fellow Harmonizers for the support of the quartets at the convention. It was well noted by all of us!” 

 

Frank Fedarko also thanked “the young blood” who brought so much talent to the chorus.” Don Thompson said, “I missed Chuck McKeever and called to tell him so. And it was so neat to see Tessa Walker wearing her medal on stage when her quartet sang Saturday night.” 

 

President Noah Van Gilder thanked the many Harmo family members who contribute. “It takes a village, yes.  But we have a ‘darn good village’ here!” Mick Stamps says “I’m coming back” after having to miss the convention.  Ken Iveswas happy to be able to watch “my brothers on stage.” Jack Cameron shared his joy at “being allowed to work from home in SC to be able to prepare and sing with the chorus at convention.” Zak Sandler thanked those who welcomed him into the chapter even though he had to miss it in the end. Jason Lee reflected on “the great week it was at convention and the many connections we all had sitting and eating and cheering together in the audience.”

 

Speaking of the audience, several men mentioned the great support of our family, friends and Mid Atlantic District folks with loud support, cheers, two standing ovations and even a big cheer in the middle of one song!

 

Good news - Mike Kelly is recovering from emergency surgery while on his vacation in Florida while we were in NC.  He is on the mend and he and his family headed back to MD – AND he was on the Zoom call to say hello! 

The evening ended with the traditional statistics dump by Terry Reynolds.  It is for all the “geeks” – and there are a lot of them in our midst. Some highlights: this is the first time ever that every score we got in a contest was 90 or higher. This third place medal is the seventh time we took third and we are setting a record there! The Harmonizers have earned 20 medals in International competition. Terry will send out his report to all.

 

We ended the official part of the call with “IT’S GREAT TO BE A HARMONIZER?” cheer. And then adjourned to a virtual afterglow.  During that time, Joe shared that he had gotten a nice note from former chorus director Scott Werner with congratulations to all. Scott directed the four times we earned a gold medal – 1986 in Salt Lake, 1989 in Kansas City, in 1995 in Miami Beach, and in 1998 in Atlanta.

 

In other news, former member Cecil Ashford died on June 26^th. He had been an active singer in the gold medal years. Two of his sons, Jeff and Phil, became Harmonizers as well.  Cecil was  95.

 

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 for the great things going on each week during the 74^th year of the Alexandria Harmonizer Chapter. - YeEd)