Looking Back on the April 11, 2023 Alexandria Hybrid Chapter Meeting

 Looking Back on the April 11, 2023 Alexandria Hybrid Chapter Meeting

The Alexandria Chapter meeting this week was for the Harmonizers and Metro Voices at Scottish Rite Temple (SRT). Associate director Tony Colosimo did the warm up session for the combined ensembles with emphasis on body alignment.

Artistic director Joe Cerutti welcomed his parents Joe Sr. and Janet Cerutti; Craig Kujawa; Greg Tepe; Calvin Schnure; Craig Odell; Susan Fitzpatrick, general manager; and John Santora, Society president. He congratulated Stan Quick on his recent retirement. 

He was excited to report that a guest quartet has been invited for the 75^th anniversary show. Watch for the release of this great news.  Also, members were encouraged to respond to the chapter survey seeking more ideas for a theme/title for that show.

Another survey will go out tonight seeking info from members about hosting singers from the Heavy Medal chorus June 30-July 2. Those singers will be in town to sing with us, and for us and to rehearse prior to their competing in Louisville at the International BHS contest.  They will be representing the Barbershop in Germany (BinG) organization. Our chapter leadership needs responses from the members about available spaces. Questions could go to Joe or Terry Reynolds.

Music team leadership has scheduled the annual retreat for the chapter – both ensembles.  (Even though the choruses are not competing at International, the chapter plans to have an annual retreat.) Coaches will be announced soon for the June 9-11, 2023 event at McDaniel College in Westminster, MD. The event starts after dinner on Friday; all-day rehearsals on Saturday; social and fun events Saturday evening; and departure after Sunday morning rehearsal and wrap up. Members can sign up on Groupanizer now.

A crew went to set up risers for Metro Voices while they did a photo shoot on the steps of SRT.

Joe took the chorus through the songs for the April 22 Newport News show. After singing “Help from My Friends,” Joe promised that if they crushed that song on the show, they would never have to sing it again!

Music team administrator Terry Reynolds outlined plans for the chorus road trip for the show.  A bus will depart for the Ferguson Center for the Arts, Avenue of the Arts, Newport News, VA from SRT about 1 pm Saturday, April 22. Arrival is slated for 4:30 at the venue. Rehearsal on stage at 5 pm, dinner at 6 pm, dress/final rehearsal at 7 pm, performance at 8 pm.  Bus slated to arrive back at SRT about 1 am on Sunday. There will not be time to go to get dinner, so stay tuned to see if a dinner will be provided, or if you should bring something. Uniform is blue suit pants and vest, orange tie, dress black shoes.

 Membership director Jacob Broude presented a name tag to our newest member, Sean O’Brien, and gave him his black casual shirt.  Jacob also gave our summer intern, Kaj Sebastin Vaisanen, his own Harmonizer casual shirt to wear while he is with us the next few months.

Speaking of shirts, Tyler Carpenter, was taking order for and/or delivering previously ordered 75^th anniversary light blue camp shirts. You can get one to wear during this special year for the chapter.  It has the new 75th anniversary logo embroidered on the left side above the pocket and come is sizes S to 6XL. The blue shirt is not required and will not be used for performances, but it is a beautiful commemoration of our anniversary year and great advertising for the chorus when you are out-n-about. 

 

Back to our music work on “Wee Small Hours” with Joe directing and Tony coaching.

 

In honor of the Barbershop Harmony Society’s 85^th birthday and National Barbershop Quartet Day, the chapter got to hear from a brand new chapter quartet, REVERB, with Dennis Ritchey, Reed Livergood, Paul Grimes and Steve White. As it happens, the quartet will compete this weekend in Nazareth, PA, at the Northern Division contest. Also Rick Taylor will compete there in a quartet called LEGACY.

The Harmonizers will rehearse on Tuesday April 18 as will Metro Voices.  Then on April 25 only Metro rehearse. The major fundraiser event, Spring2ACTion, will be April 26 along with the cabaret.  On April 27^th is the next “office hours” event for Harmonizers to work with music team members on personal music issues, and then adjourn to a chapter social event.

The chapter business session was moderated by communications director Steve Murane.  He also acknowledged the 85^th birthday of the Society.

Gary Cregan offered to get new dress shirts for any one that needs to place an order. If you need one and didn’t talk to him on Tuesday night, call and see if he can add you to an order.

Sheryl Berlin reminded members about the Harmony College East educational event on Fathers’ Day weekend at McDaniel College. Registration is open now on the Mid Atlantic district website – midatlanticdistrict.org.

Chapter secretary David DesPortes presented membership cards to celebrate the renewal of Craig Kujawa for 19 years and for Calvin Schnure for 28 years.  David also suggested that if anyone’s membership is lapsed, they should contact him in order to be reinstated. 

Membership director Jacob Broude welcomed again our newest Harmonizer member Sean O’Brien and three new members for Metro Voices – Elaine Cooper, Mary Cooper and Heidi Krukowski. 

Jacob suggested to current members that they might want to update their photo on Groupanizer and wear their name tags so guests and fellow singers would know those on the risers.  He offered to get new name tags for those who need one. 

 First time Harmonizer guest this week was Jairo Guzman who received an ‘I Sang With the Harmonizers’ pin. We sang the “Harmonizer Welcome Song” to all of our guests. 

This week’s rehearsal was extended to provide more time for the show preparation, so there was a ten-minute break.  During that break, new Harmonizer members during the last six months met with president Noah Van Gilder, executive director Randall Eliason and Jacob.

After the break, the two ensembles combined and met in sectionals to work on “Why We Sing.”  It is an original piece by prolific song writer Greg Gilpin and arranged for mixed voices by David Wright. It comes to the chapter as a commissioned piece for our 75^th anniversary.  The message of this beautiful song is perfect for our chapter. 

Sectionals were conducted by Tessa Walker for the sopranos, Tony for the altos, Jason for the tenors and David Breenfor the basses. Following the sectionals, Joe worked with the combined chorus on the dynamic markings for the song and had them doing some “count singing.” There were some members of both ensembles singing in all four of the  SATB sections.

Reed Livergood won the 50/50 drawing. Thanks to Alan Wile and Walter Page for promoting the ticket sales.

 

Tessa directed “Keep the Whole World Singing” to end the great night of harmony. Joe ended the night with a challenge to sign up to support Spring2ACTion – he had created his own fundraising page.  Others can follow his lead!

 

There was a large crowd at the afterglow to enjoy pizza and other snacks, to get to know some of our newer members and guests, and of course to ring some tags!

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 Chapter. - YeEd)

 

The Chapter Mission Statement Enriching lives through vocal harmony in the greater DC area.

 

 

Looking Back on the April 4, 2023 Alexandria Hybrid Chapter Meeting

 Looking Back on the April 4, 2023 Alexandria Hybrid Chapter Meeting

The Alexandria Chapter meeting this week was for the Harmonizers only at Scottish Rite Temple (SRT). Both Metro Voices and the Harmonizers will meet next week. Associate director Tony Colosimo did the warm up session to kick off a great evening of harmony as the chapter prepares for the 75^th anniversary. 

Artistic director Joe Cerutti was back from Germany and started the evening’s program with a traditional send off for Gary and Carol Mankin who are moving to NJ to be with family there. Gary pledges to sing with his former chorus up there.  Joe paid tribute to their dedication to the chapter since 1989 and recognized their support of any task that needed to be done. Gary brought several Harmonizer items for guys to take such as barberpoles, LPs, and memorabilia. We sang “There Will Always Be a Place on the Risers for You” that we have used for years when a fellow Harmonizer moves and leaves the chorus.  It was written by Bob Bates and arranged by John Hohl.

Joe also announced the plan to celebrate March and April birthdays at tonight’s afterglow in honor of these Harmonizers: March birthdays are TJ Arndt, Bob Eckman, Peter Frank, Drew Fuller, Chuck Hunter, Jim McConnell, Ben Roberts, Andy Smith, Rick Taylor, Bob Thames, Rick Wagner and Ken White. April birthdays are Rob Barnovsky, Casey Belzer, David Breen, Joe Cerutti, Dick Dangel, Tom Gannon, Don Harrington, Al Herman, Jim Lucey, Bruce Roehm, Yuhan Roh, Calvin Schnure, Adam Shepard and Joe Wagovich.

He also welcomed Ken White and Adam Afifi who were back singing on the risers; John Santora, Society president and fellow Harmonizer who is in the DC area for a few weeks; and Kaj Sebastin Vaisanen who has come to the USA from Germany to be an intern for the chapter. Kaj will live at the Harmo House and work on several projects like scanning materials from the Harmo History collection (such as show scripts from the early 1950s).  Kaj sings bari in a Barbershop in Germany (BinG) youth chorus, and is a college student preparing to be a high school teacher. This internship is part of his college program.

Finally Joe confirmed that the Harmonizers will rehearse on Tuesdays April 11 and April 18.  Then on April 25^th we will not rehearse. The major fundraiser event, Spring2ACTion will be April 26 along with the cabaret.  On April 27^th is the next “office hours” event so singers can work with music team members on personal music issues, and then adjourn to a chapter social event.

Singing started with “Something’s Comin” followed by “Impossible Dream.”  For “Sit Down You’re Rockin the Boat,” only singers who were ‘riser ready’ took the risers.

The chapter business session was moderated by communications director Steve Murane. Jack Pitzer shared that several members gather for dinner each Tuesday evening about 5:15 pm at Ramparts prior to coming over to SRT.  Everyone is welcome and can find the gang in the restaurant section. 

Development director for the chapter, Ken Rub, took a few minutes to explain early steps members should take in order to fully participate in the Spring2ACTion event.

Membership director Jacob Broude welcomed our newest member Chad Ross and presented him his new chapter casual shirt. Jacob suggested members update their photo on Groupanizer and wear their name tags so guests and fellow singers would know those on the risers.  He offered to get new name tags for those who need one. 

 

Chapter secretary David DesPortes presented membership cards to celebrate the renewal of Sam McFarland for 36 years and to Mike Stamps for 43 years. Last week, David lead the celebration of Harmonizer renewals for Noah Van Gilder for 15 years; Chris Huber for 31 years; and Carl Kauffmann for 50 years!!! Congrats to Carl for his milestone year. Assistant director emeritus Will Cox directed the “Harmonizer Welcome Song.”

Attendees were asked to sign up on the posted rosters to indicate intentions for the Newport News, VA, road show on April 22 regarding singing intentions, bus-riders vs driving separate or car-pooling. 

After the meeting time, the chorus met in sectionals to work on a new song the Harmonizers will sing with Metro Voices – “Why We Sing.”  It is an original piece by prolific song writer Greg Gilpin and arranged for mixed voices by David Wright. It comes to the chapter as a commissioned piece for our 75^th anniversary.  The message of this beautiful song is perfect for our chapter. Harmonizers will sing alto, tenor or bass on this arrangement.

As our 75^th anniversary year activities start up, take note of the new Harmo shirt you can get to wear during this special year for the chapter.  Tyler Carpenter was set up in the lobby of SRT taking orders for the light blue camp shirt with the new 75th anniversary logo embroidered on the left side above the pocket. These are the identical short-sleeved light-weight camp shirts that he has provided before in black that many of you already have. He has sizes S to 6XL. The blue shirt is not required and will not be used for performances, but it is a beautiful commemoration of our anniversary year and great advertising for the chorus when you are out-n-about. 

 

Also, if you would like to order other items (T-shirts, coffee mugs, water bottles, pens, phone cases, hats, and much more), please go to the Café Press at https://harmonizers.org/.  Hit the About tab at the top, go to Shop on the pull-down menu where you will find The Harmonizers Gift Shop.  Note: These items are silk-screened.

 

Joe worked with the chorus on “Wee Small Hours” before the 50/50 drawing. Dean Rust won $65 this week.  The other half of the pot goes to the district endowment fund. Thanks to Alan Wile and Walter Page for promoting the ticket sales.

 

The night ended with a run through of “I’m the Music Man.”

 

There was a great crowd at the afterglow to celebrate birthdays, enjoy some brownies and other snacks, get to know some of our newer members and our intern from Germany, and of course ring some tags!

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 Chapter. - YeEd)

 

The Chapter Mission Statement Enriching lives through vocal harmony in the greater DC area.

 

 

Looking Back on the March 28, 2023 Alexandria Hybrid Chapter Meeting

 Looking Back on the March 28, 2023 Alexandria Hybrid Chapter Meeting

The Alexandria Chapter meeting this week was for the Harmonizers and Metro Voices at Scottish Rite Temple (SRT). Assistant director of Metro Voices Maggie McAlexander did the warm up session for all singers on the risers.  She taught a round that they enjoyed singing – Pizza is Great, I Can’t Believe How Many Slices That I Ate” and finished the exercise with the “Danny My Boy” tag.

Associate director Tony Colosimo was maestro for this week since Joe Cerutti was stranded in Germany because of the transportation strikes in Europe. 

Tony reminded all singers to check the emails about the changes in schedule as to when ensembles will and will not meet in April.  

He extended congrats to the singers who participated in the contests the past weekend in York, PA.

While both ensembles were in the auditorium, membership director Jacob Broude welcomed guests for both groups. Casey, Megan and Lenna were present to sing with Metro Voices. Two new members have been welcomed to this group – Jeanne Hillinck and Allissa Fernandez.

Five recent Harmonizer guests were back on the risers – Sean O’Brien, Matt Gordon, Chad Ross, John Tabor, andEdgar Blancas. They are in various stages of preparing to audition for the chorus.

At this point, Tony welcomed some members we have missed for a long while – Ken White and Calvin Schnure; And a couple guys who were back after a few weeks – Scott Beach and Nic Petersen.  Assistant director emeritus Will Coxdirected the “Harmonizer Welcome Song.”

Tony introduced a new song that both ensembles will perform together – “Why We Sing.”  It is an original piece by prolific song writer Greg Gilpin and arranged for mixed voices by David Wright. The message of this beautiful song is perfect for our chapter. Music team admin staffer, Terry Reynolds, projected the music and played a quartet performance of it for all to experience the future number both ensembles will be working on in the weeks ahead. 

At this point, Metro Voices moved to the cafeteria to work on their risers with Maggie and interim director Tessa Walker.

  

The Harmonizers worked on “Something’s Comin” and “Sit Down You’re Rockin the Boat.” Part of that time was for ‘riser ready singers.’  

When Tony moved to work with Metro Voices, Terry took directed the Harmonizers sing through the songs for the April 22^nd show in Newport News including “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “Impossible Dream,” “A Little Help from My Friends,” “Never Fully Dressed,” “I’m the Music Man,” “New York, New York,” and “Wee Small Hours.”

Tony rejoined the chorus to work more on the last song.

When Metro Voices returned to the auditorium, communications director Steve Murane moderated the business meeting period.  

Chapter president Noah Van Gilder congratulated the quartets who competed at the recent Southern Division contest. There were cheers for PRAXIS, with David Breen and Lance Fisher, who earned a high enough score to qualify their participation in the International quartet contest in Louisville in July, 2023. There were also cheers for BREAKTHROUGH with Mike Fasano, Jordon Zimmerman, Jason Lee and Ken White that was second place in the division.  BETTER TOGETHER with Elizabeth Colosimo, Heather Havens, Tony Colosimo and Andrew Havens that was first place.

Noah also thanked the members who worked as volunteers at the convention and those who went to represent our chapter. (See the Looking Back report issued earlier with all the details.)

There will be another contest on April 14-15 in PA for the Northern Division contest and there are a couple quartets competing there with Harmonizer singers. Also some of our members will be volunteering to operate that contest.

Steve asked members to share on Facebook that the chapter will be singing on the Newport News show so that patrons and chapter supporters will know about the concert. BETTER TOGETHER will be appearing with the chorus. 

Be on the lookout for details about how each member needs to participate in the Spring2ACTion fundraising event on April 26.  Each member will be expected to solicit contributions from friends, co-workers, neighbors, family, other barbershoppers, and other singing friends. The last few years we earned a significant payment for having the most donors during a particular hour. Ken Rub will be alerting members of both ensembles of how it will all work.

Chapter historian Don Harrington put out extra pictures of past chorus appearances that anyone could pick up from the lobby.  

Chapter education director Sheryl Berlin gave a plug for Harmony College East, June 15-18, at McDaniel College in Westminster, MD.  This great weekend of learning about barbershop and personal music skills is operated by our Mid Atlantic District. There are also classes for quartets, for music educators, or for students. Sheryl and Bill Colosimo from our chapter manage this weekend event. Watch for messages from the district to register.

As a reminder,  the Heavy Medal chorus from Germany will be coming to the DC area en route to the 2023 International in Louisville. (They visited with us before prior to the Nashville International.) This Barbershop in Germany (BinG!) chorus will be in our area June 30-July2 and leaders have asked the Harmonizers to help host the guests in homes.  There will likely be a few events while Heavy Medal is in the area such as singing together and maybe a social at the Harmo House. Chapter members that have not volunteered to host should email Terry ReynoldsASAP.

As our 75^th anniversary year activities start up, take note of this new Harmo shirt you can get to wear during this special year for the chapter.  Tyler Carpenter will begin taking orders starting next Tuesday (4/4) for a light blue camp shirt with the new 75th anniversary logo embroidered on the left side above the pocket. These are the identical short-sleeved light-weight camp shirts that he has provided before in black that many of you already have. He has sizes S to 6XL. The blue shirt is not required and will not be used for performances, but it is a beautiful commemoration of our anniversary year and great advertising for the chorus when you are out-n-about.  The Steve White will be wearing one of the new shirts next Tuesday if you would like a closer look.

 

Also, if you would like to order other items (T-shirts, coffee mugs, water bottles, pens, phone cases, hats, and much more), please go to the Café Press at https://harmonizers.org/.  Hit the About tab at the top, go to Shop on the pull-down menu where you will find The Harmonizers Gift Shop.  Note: These items are silk-screened.

 

There was no formal afterglow this week, but some folks got in some tag singing before they left SRT.  Devin Gerzof won the 50/50 this week.

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 Chapter. - YeEd)

 

The Chapter Mission Statement Enriching lives through vocal harmony in the greater DC area.

 

 

Looking Back on the March 24-25, 2023 Alexandria Chapter Members’ Involvement at Southern Division

 Looking Back on the March 24-25, 2023 Alexandria Chapter Members’ Involvement at Southern Division

There were many Alexandria Chapter members and former members at the combined Southern and Central Division contest this past weekend in York, PA. There was also an International quartet preliminary contest held concurrently in which quartets could earn a score to compete in Louisville this summer in the International quartet contest. A total of 31 quartets sang and 13 choruses.

A number of quartets had singers who are current or former Harmonizers on stage. PRAXIS with Lance Fisher andDavid Breen placed 5^th and will go to Louisville in July.  Five other quartets from this contests weekend will go to the International.  Possibly some other quartets from the second prelims in M-AD which is in PA April 14-15 at the time of the Northern Division contest will also qualify. 

BREAKTHROUGH with Mike Fasano, Jordan Zimmerman, Jason Lee and Ken White was eighth overall. The quartet was also second place in the Southern Division contest.

BETTER TOGETHER with Elizabeth and Tony Colosimo and Heather and Andrew Havens was listed in 11^th place and was Southern Division champs. The quartet did not compete in the prelims scoring this weekend because Tony andAndrew will compete at a prelims in the NED and hope to  go to Louisville in FIRST TAKE. Thus BETTER TOGETHER did not sing in the top ten and was listed as 11^th. (A great moment happened when the quartet was given their medals - their kids came up on stage with their parents! Some in arm and some following dad up the steps to the stage.)

BREAKAST BLEND with our Harmonizer guys from Richmond, Mike Geipel, Scott Beach and Vinny Capaccio, was 18^th. SILVER ALERT with Kris Zinkievich, Kevin McKenzie, Mike Edison, and Steve Murane was 19^thoverall and competed for recognition as a Seniors quartet from M-AD.

BAYSIDE HARMONY with Tim Buell as lead was 21^st. ODD MAN OUT with Krissi Folsom, Casey Belzer andSamantha Whiteoak was 25^th and was named Southern Division Novice Champs. THE ELDERLY BROTHERS with Mike Wallen was 26^th

Other former members on stage:  Will Daniel Simmons sang bass with SECRET BEST FRIENDS that placed 4^th and Ed Schubel sang lead with PRATT STREET POWER that placed 3^rd. 

The Harmonizer chorus did not compete at this event, but a number of former or current members were on stage during the chorus contest on Saturday. Mike Wallen directed Richmond with Clark Chesser, Mike Greipel, Scott Beach, Vinny Capaccio, and Jim McConnell on the risers. Their chorus was named Southern Division Champs.

Kris Zinkievich directed Heart of Maryland, Patapsco Valley, Chorus with John Santora and Tim Buell on the risers. This chorus was third in the Southern Division contest.

Frank Shipp and Bob Arbetter sang with the Old Dominion Chorus that placed second in the Southern Division contest. 

Al Hanenbaum sang with the DC Chorus. Bob Mattes, Bob Hirsh, and Rick Taylor sang with the Dundalk Chorus. 

Rick Taylor sang in the mic testing quartet for the contest with TAYLOR MADE. Sean Devine and Chris Yates sang with Hershey on the Saturday night show. 

Alan Lamson was administrative judge for the contest with a couple familiar names  including Kevin Keller, Steve Delehanty, and Tim Waurick. 

Several of our members helped back stage too including Dennis Ritchie, Brian Ammerman, Mike Kelly,  and Ken Rub. And some members were there to cheer on our quartets including Bob Eckman, Alan Wile, Jack Pitzer, Bill Colosimo, and Steve White. Former members Joe Eckert and Fred Womer were there too.

District leaders did a good job in moving the contest to a middle school to keep the costs down. The contest venue was pretty good. The hotels were all located near each other and the headquarters hotel was convenient. President Steve Kirsch was emcee for the Saturday night events.

 

For those interested, the five quartets going to Louisville from this contest include GQ, GIMME FOUR, PRATT STREET POWER, SECRET BEST FRIENDS, PRAXIS and RULE #1.

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 Chapter. - YeEd)

 

The Chapter Mission Statement Enriching lives through vocal harmony in the greater DC area.

 

 

Looking Back on the March 21 and March 23, 2023 Alexandria Hybrid Chapter Meeting

 Looking Back on the March 21 and March 23, 2023 Alexandria Hybrid Chapter Meeting

The Alexandria Chapter meeting this week was for Metro Voices at Scottish Rite Temple (SRT) on March 21. The Harmonizers will meet for office hours and a social time on Thursday March 23,

Assistant director of Metro Voices Maggie McAlexander did the warm up session on Tuesday. Interim director Tessa Walker worked with the chorus on “It Don’t Mean a Thing” and “I Can See the Light.”

Dennis Ritchey set up the sound and Terry Reynolds was on hand to coordinate their meeting.

On Thursday, the Harmonizers were invited to use the “office hours” time if they personally wanted to work on their music.  Music team leaders were at SRT to assist as needed – from 6:30-7:30 pm – in the small lodge room. Here again, Terry Reynolds was on hand to coordinate the evening.

Meanwhile, Harmonizers were also invited to a social event at Lost Boy Cider from 7-9 pm.  It is at 317 Hoofs Run Dr. in Alexandria.  Membership director Jacob Broude was coordinator of this extra event for the members.  About a dozen attended.

Music team leaders announced the last call for entries in the  Cabaret night on April 26  as part of our participation in the City of Alexandria’s Spring2ACTion day of fundraising. Anyone interested in auditioning should submit a recording or let Joe, Tony, Terry or Tessa know that they are interested – this weekend.

Music team leaders are also eager to hear from any members who could host singers from the barbershop chorus, Heavy Medal from Germany, that will be visiting us just the week before the Louisville International convention. If you can host some of their singers for a couple nights, contact Terry right away.

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 Chapter. - YeEd)

 

The Chapter Mission Statement Enriching lives through vocal harmony in the greater DC area.

 

 

Looking Back on the March 14, 2023 Alexandria Hybrid Chapter Meeting

 Looking Back on the March 14, 2023 Alexandria Hybrid Chapter Meeting

The Alexandria Chapter meeting this week was for the Harmonizers and Metro Voices at Scottish Rite Temple (SRT). Associate director Tony Colosimo did the warm up session with both choruses on the risers in the auditorium. A riser crew was needed at 6:30 to get things ready, then while the warm up session was underway, several guys went with operation manager for the chapter, Gary Cregan, to set up rises in the cafeteria for MVs. 

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Artistic director Joe Cerutti was wearin' the green already with his bright green hooded sweatshirt.  He got some laughs and asked a trivia question about a movie.  Jerry Jayjohn got it right and won a bottle of the latest hot sauce Chris Huber had made.  Joe also reminded everyone about the meetings next week – only Metro Voices meet on Tues. and the Harmonizers will meet on Thursday for optional events – work with section leaders on a self-determined need basis at SRT from 6:30-7:30.  Then from 7-9 pm singers can gather at Lost Boys Cider at 317 Hoofs Run Drive. 

He also explained more about the plans for a Caberet night on April 26  as part of our participation in the City of Alexandria’s Spring2ACTion day of fundraising. The chapter will feature a Cabaret of individuals (or small groups) from the Harmonizers and Metro Voices performing for a live audience of friends and family and live cast to our supporters.   It will have a bit of a “Telethon” feeling as we remind those tuning in of our Spring2ACTion fundraising goals.

The music team will audition, select, and schedule the acts to perform in the cabaret.   A professional piano accompanist will be available for the event and for a rehearsal the week before on Thurs, April 20.

Auditions due Mar 21 - Members of Metro Voices and the Harmonizers are encouraged to consider performing a non-barbershop act for the cabaret.  Family members can sing with any member. You may audition by submitting a video or in person.   To arrange an in-person audition, or if you have any questions about the event or auditions, please contact Joe, Tony, Tessa or Terry or talk to them at rehearsal. 

Before the musical work began this week, membership director Jacob Broude welcomed back recent guests: Matt Gordon visiting in the tenor section;  Ian Kelly in the lead section; and Edgar Blancas in the tenor section. First time guest John Taber, a friend of Randall Eliason, sang in the baritone section. Elizabeth Robilla was a Metro Voices guest. Will Cox directed the “Harmonizer Welcome Song.”

Metro Voices adjourned to sectionals and the Harmonizers worked on “I’m the Music Man,” “Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat” for singers who were ‘riser ready,” and “New York, New York.” Plus there were small group work sessions for “Wee Small Hours” with Jason Lee, Tony Colosimo, Ben Watsky and David Breen as group leaders.

During the business session with the combined choruses, Ken Rub elaborated more about Spring2ACTion for all to start making plans on who they would contact.

Joe reminded everyone that the Heavy Medal chorus from Germany will be coming to the DC area en route to the 2023 International in Louisville July 4-9. They visited with us before prior to the Nashville International. The Barbershop in Germany (BinG!) chorus will be in our area June 30-July2 and Joe asked the Harmonizers to help host the guests in homes.  Terry Reynolds will be sending out an inquiry to see how many the chapter can host.   There will likely be a few events while Heavy Medal is in the area such as singing together and maybe a social at the Harmo House.

Michael Pugh was at the afterglow at the Harmo House this week with word they he and his wife and their new baby are moving back to Atlanta to be closer to a network of family.  He will be missed!

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 Chapter. - YeEd)

 

The Chapter Mission Statement Enriching lives through vocal harmony in the greater DC area.

 

 

ing Back on the March 7, 2023 Alexandria Hybrid Chapter Meeting

 ing Back on the March 7, 2023 Alexandria Hybrid Chapter Meeting

The Alexandria Chapter meeting this week was only for the Harmonizers at Scottish Rite Temple (SRT). Metro Voices will have an optional meeting on Thursday March 9, at the Harmo House. Associate director Tony Colosimo did the warm up session with the chorus in the auditorium seating area. 

Joe also explained more about the plans for a Caberet night on April 26  as part of our participation in the City of Alexandria’s Spring2ACTion day of fundraising. The chapter will feature a Cabaret of individuals (or small groups) from the Harmonizers and Metro Voices performing for a live audience of friends and family and live cast to our supporters.   It will have a bit of a “Telethon” feeling as we remind those tuning in of our Spring2ACTion fundraising goals.

The music team will audition, select, and schedule the acts to perform in the cabaret.   A professional piano accompanist will be available for the event and for a rehearsal the week before on Thurs, April 20.

Auditions due Mar 21 - Members of Metro Voices and the Harmonizers are encouraged to consider performing a non-barbershop act for the cabaret.  Family members can sing with any member. You may audition by submitting a video or in person.   To arrange an in-person audition, or if you have any questions about the event or auditions, please contact Joe, Tony, or Terry or talk to them at rehearsal. 

Before the musical work began this week, membership director Jacob Broude welcomed Harmonizer guests: Matt Gordon visiting in the tenor section;  Sean O’Brien in the bass section; and Edgar Blancas in the tenor section.  Will Cox directed the “Harmonizer Welcome Song.” Yuhan Roh was back from Indiana where he was working for a number of months.

The Harmonizers worked on “Wee Small Hours,” “Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat,” “New York, New York,” and “Bridge Over Troubled Waters.” Plus there were sectionals for “Wee Small Hours.”

During the business session, chapter secretary David DesPortes recognized Dean Rust for his 42 years of membership. 

Joe reported that the Heavy Medal chorus from Germany will be coming to the DC area en route to the 2023 International in Louisville July 4-9. They visited with us before prior to the Nashville International. The Barbershop in Germany (BinG!) chorus will be in our area June 30-July2 and Joe asked the Harmonizers to help host the guests in homes.  Terry Reynolds will be sending out an inquiry to see how many the chapter can host.   There will likely be a few events while Heavy Medal is in the area such as singing together and maybe a social at the Harmo House.

In other news, the 75^th anniversary committee met via Zoom on Monday and provide a couple dates for the Harmonizer family to post on their calendars: on June 13^th the chorus will sing at the Alexandria City Council meeting as part of a ceremony proclaiming June as Alexandria Harmonizer Month; and a big party to celebrate the 75^th anniversary of our chartering will be on Tuesday, June 20, at Scottish Rite Temple.  BHS president John Santora, and a fellow Harmonizer, will be one of the guest speakers that night. (John is the fourth Harmonizer to be elected as Society president – Wilbur Sparks, Darryl Flinn, Alan Lamson and John.) Chapter general manager Susan Fitzpatrick has added a whole section to the Harmonizer website about the 75th anniversary. 

Will Cox won the 50/50 this week.  A large crowd made it to the Harmo House for this week’s afterglow – this week featuring Italian food donated by Mark Klostermeyer who had won the meals from a restaurant where he had put his business card in the bowl at the counter. He got it from the restaurant and brought it to the Harmo House to share. 

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 Chapter. - YeEd)

 

The Chapter Mission Statement Enriching lives through vocal harmony in the greater DC area.

 

 

Looking Back on the Feb. 28, 2023 Alexandria Hybrid Chapter Meeting

 Looking Back on the Feb. 28, 2023 Alexandria Hybrid Chapter Meeting

The Alexandria Chapter meeting this week was for both the Harmonizers and Metro Voices at Scottish Rite Temple (SRT). There were a lot of singers on the risers at the 7 pm start time and Maggie McAlexander did a warm up session for the combined choruses. The singers had fun with the round she taught, “Whose Pigs Are These?” 

Artist director, Joe Cerutti, reminded singers that Metro Voices is not meeting next Tuesday but will have a gathering on Thursday, March 9.  He asked what the Harmonizers did last Thursday when they had a social evening and Turner Arndt reported on the trivia game the attendees played at the brewery in Alexandria.

Joe also announced plans for a Caberet night on April 26 – as a wrap up to our spring2ACTion day of fund raising. Anyone can audition to sing on that evening’s program – any kind of singing other that barbershop.  Auditions will be March 21. Speak to Terry Reynolds, Tony Colosimo or Joe if you have questions, and if you would like to audition.  Maybe get out your old guitar or ukulele or invite your partner to sing with you, or maybe your kids.  The chapter will even have an accompanist for the event.

 

Before the musical work began, Ben Watsky welcomed guests.  He announced that Sofie Clarke passed her audition for the Voices, and that Matt Ambler passed his audition for the Harmonizers.  Matt was given his Harmo casual shirt with the logo.  Other Harmonizer guests included Matt Gordon for his third or fourth visit in the tenor section;  Sean O’Brien for his first visit and as a guest of Duncan Peacock and the other Georgetown Chimes guys; Chad Ross for his first visit after deciding he wanted to get back into singing and looking us up online;  and Edgar Blancas who was a member in 2010 and also wanted to get back to singing.  Terry directed the “Harmonizer Welcome Song.” 

At this point, Metro Voices moved to sectionals in various rooms in the Temple and the Harmonizer worked on the risers in the auditorium. First song was “Sit Down You’re Rockin the Boat” with just those men who self-assessed at level 5. Joe offered many performance points for that song, and encouraged singers to take notes of them.  

Joe invited all the Harmonizers back onto the risers to work on “I’m the Music Man.” That was followed with sectionals for “Wee Small Hours.” When the sections returned to the risers to work as a whole on this classic Harmonizer ballad from our 1998 gold medal year.

Rehearsal time ended with rehearsal of “Impossible Dream.”  Joe was a happy man after a whole night of wonderful singing!

Metro Voices retuned to the auditorium for the chapter business meeting period conducted by communications director Steve Murane.

Chapter secretary David DesPortes recognized Harmonizers who had rejoined since last time.  He presented a membership lapel pin, as is the chapter’s custom for milestone years, to Don Thompson for 30 years and to Will Coxfor 45 years.  Membership cards went to Clyde Crusenberry for 13 years; Joe Cerutti, Jr. for 22 years; Brad Jonesfor 31 years; and Dennis Ritchey for 31 years.

Steve White presented a detailed report about the chapter’s plans for the 75^th anniversary so members would have an idea of what to expect in the months ahead.  Some of the plans had been shared by the music team and the chorus is hard at work on songs for the big show in Sept. The general committee for planning the anniversary include Steve as chairman and Mick Stamps as vice chair.  Others include Susan Fitzpatrick, general manager for the chorus; Joe Cerutti, Jr., artistic director; Randall Eliason, executive director; Bruce Roehm, past president; and Jack Pitzer, past historian. In addition to this committee, there is considerable overlap with the chapter’s Operations Team for things like shows, history, membership, communications and development.

Steve showed the new 75^th anniversary logo – inspired by the chorus photo taken at the International in Toronto – coordinated by Randall.  That logo will be available for the chapter to use in many ways, including on merchandise like mugs, caps, decals, all of which can be ordered from the chapter’s store on the website. Brian Ammerman is the go-to-person on the store project.

Some anniversary activities are already underway, such as the ‘throwback Thursday’ messages prepared by Martin Banks, historian emeritus for the chapter, and distributed on Facebook.  Mike Kelly continues to prepare Harmonizer features that are on the YouTube channel. Steve Murane is preparing articles for publication. 

The first big anniversary event on the horizon is the Tuesday, June 20, 2023, celebration of the chartering of the chapter.  This event will be held at SRT for all of the Harmonizer family to attend. Carl and Kathy Kauffmann are in charge of this party that will include a brief program, and then refreshments.  The actual date of the charter is June 29, 1948.

The anniversary show will be Sept. 9, 2023, at Schlesinger Hall, with a large afterglow event following the performance. Joe Cerutti Sr. and Janet are producing this show.

There will be a huge 75^th Anniversary Gala in October of 2023 that Ken Rub is managing as one of the major fundraising efforts during this anniversary year. 

Throughout the year, the chorus will be making Sing-Out-Alexandria appearances starting with a major one with the singers from Alfred Street Baptist. 

Steve wanted members to have these things on their calendars and to make plans to attend, plus to be willing to step up and help or volunteer.  This milestone anniversary is clearly bigger than just a show of great singing.  Alumni members can also be of great help in making this a wonderful year.

Don Harrington won the 50/50 this week. A crew put the risers back stage in the auditorium and in the cafeteria.  A large crowd made it to the Harmo House for this week’s afterglow with pizza, snacks and tag 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 for the great things going on each week during the 74^th year of the Alexandria Chapter. - YeEd)

 

The Chapter Mission Statement Enriching lives through vocal harmony in the greater DC area.