The Alexandria Harmonizers Chorus: A Wonderful Surprise
The Alexandria Harmonizers Chorus is a chapter of the Society for Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America. Like me, before I went to their performance, I am sure this description may have already turned you off. I used to equate barber shop quartets with four guys singing old songs in colorful jackets and straw hats.
Then I want to the A CA Challenge last Saturday night at the Lincoln Theatre and I will never think of them the same way again. Six a cappella groups competed for a $1,000 cash prize and it was one of the most fun times I spent in the theater in a long time. The first half of the show was the competition and the second half was a stunning performance by the Alexandria Harmonizers. Over the years this group has won regional championships 24 times and Gold medals in International Championships four times. They are the best of the best at what they do and they keep you mesmerized with their singing. Great credit must be given to their director Joe Cerutti who is also musical director and president of the board of “No Borders Music Consort” which has organized a 100 person youth chorus from around the world to sing at New York City’s Carnegie Hall each year on December 26th.
I was invited to the show by the producer, Ken Rub. Ken is a longtime friend, member of the Harmonizers, and a well-respected realtor in what some call his full time job. But clearly producing this show was full-time. The six groups competing ranged from college groups like the GW Vibes and UMW Symfonics to the Chromatics who are older and part of a group that first began as the OK Chorale formed at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. They were all incredibly talented and but even though they came in 3rd it was the lead singer in the last of the three songs performed by the GW Vibes that brought the house down. She clearly should try out for the VOICE or American Idol.
If you are like me and were tuned out to a group like the Harmonizers I urge you to take either a first or second look at them. They perform around the metro area, have performed around the world and have been invited to perform at the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day landings on the beaches of Normandy. Take a look at their website for more information.
There are so many things to do in D.C. these days that it is hard to keep up. We have become a great award-winning theater town and a wonderful music venue. The Lincoln Theater is now going through another renaissance along with ‘U’ street and is being run by the same group that manages the 9:30 Club. We can look forward to a lot more great music and other productions being presented there.