Alexandria Harmonizers
| Alexandria Harmonizers | |
|---|---|
 Logo of the Alexandria Harmonizers chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society. | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Alexandria, Virginia United States |
| Genres | Barbershop, Choral |
| Years active | 1948–present |
| Website | harmonizers.org |
| Members |
Music Director: Joe Cerutti, Jr. President: Terry Reynolds |
Founded in 1948, the Alexandria Harmonizers are one of the greatest men's choruses on the east coast, and specialize in one of a cappella's most challenging forms, four-part harmony. A non-profit with a focus on artistic excellence, community outreach, and musical education, the chorus strives to bring the passion of music to our audiences as well as inspire and shape future generations with the power of the singing art form. From humble beginnings as a 'men's harmony club', it has grown into a world-class chorus with 80 to 100 men on stage, numerous medals from international competition, and performances in Canada, China, France, and Germany. Venues at which we have performed include the White House, the U.S. Supreme Court, the Capitol, the Vietnam Memorial, Carnegie Hall, Notre Dame Cathedral de Chartres, the Cathedral of Koln, the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven Park, Disneyland, Constitution Hall, Independence Hall, the Lincoln Theater, Schlessinger Hall, Meyerhoff Hall, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performance Arts, the Kennedy Center, and the George Washington Masonic Memorial. The chorus is a member of several choral associations, including Chorus America, the Contemporary A Cappella Society of America, and the Barbershop Harmony Society.
The Harmonizers are pioneers in outreach beyond the Barbershop Harmony Society. In the a cappella world, they have their own contemporary a cappella group (TBD), perform regularly at aca-events such as SingStrong, provide judges to CARA (the Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards), are a member group in the Contemporary A Cappella League, and sponsor their own annual contemporary competition, the Aca-Challenge. In the choral world, they belong to Chorus America and the Washington Area Music Association, and have performed collaboratively with local organizations like the Strathmore Arts Center, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, the Pride of Baltimore Chorus, and the Washington Men’s Camerata.
History
The Alexandria, Virginia Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society (then SPEBSQSA), was chartered by Dean Snyder, Eugene Barnwell, Jean Boardman and Louis E. Metcalf, and sponsored by the Washington, DC Chapter (the Singing Capital Chorus). On June 29, 1948, Boardman presented Ed Poole, the president of the newly formed chapter, with the charter for the new Alexandria Chapter.
The Harmonizers won their first Barbershop Harmony Society International gold medal in 1986, in Salt Lake City and have earned the title three more times since then (1989 Kansas City, 1995 Miami Beach, and 1998 Atlanta). They have also earned 14 other International medals and are the 2014 Mid-Atlantic District chorus champion.
Musical Directors
- 1948–1950: Eugene Barnwell, one of the charter members and a "godfather"
- 1950–1951: Werner Paul
- 1951–1962: Dr. Harold "Bud" Arberg, Sr.
- 1963–1970: Oz Newgard
- 1970–1980: Scott Werner, who directed the Harmonizers to their first BHS International medal in 1978 (they placed 4th)
- 1980–1983: John Hohl, who directed the Harmonizers to International 3rd place bronze in 1982
- 1984–2002: Scott Werner, who returned and directed the Harmonizers to all four of their gold medals
- 2002–2006: Richard Lewellen
- 2007–present: Joseph Cerutti, Jr., who has directed the Harmonizers to 3 International Bronze medals: 2010 5th place Philadelphia, 2011 5th place Kansas City, and 3rd place Toronto in 2013
Discography
- Havin' Fun
- Live on Stage
- Photographs and Memories (cassette; 1990)
- The Harmonizers LIVE! (CD; 1997)
- Wee Small Hours (CD; 2002)
- Comfort and Joy (CD; 2005)
Awards and recognition
| Preceded by Vocal Majority |
SPEBSQSA International Chorus Champions 1998 |
Succeeded by Masters of Harmony |
| Preceded by Vocal Majority |
SPEBSQSA International Chorus Champions 1995 |
Succeeded by Masters of Harmony |
| Preceded by Vocal Majority |
SPEBSQSA International Chorus Champions 1989 |
Succeeded by Masters of Harmony |
| Preceded by Vocal Majority |
SPEBSQSA International Chorus Champions 1986 |
Succeeded by West Towns Chorus |
Mid-Atlantic District Chorus Champion 24 times — 1978, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1986, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014