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Alexandria Harmonizers

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Alexandria Harmonizers
Logo of the Alexandria Harmonizers chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society.
Logo of the Alexandria Harmonizers chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society.
Background information
OriginAlexandria, Virginia United States
GenresBarbershop, Choral
Years active1948–present
MembersArtistic Director: Joe Cerutti, Jr.
President: Randall Eliason
Websiteharmonizers.org

The Alexandria Harmonizers are an international champion barbershop chorus based in Alexandria, Virginia. Numbering 110 men in 2013, the chorus is the performing arm of the Alexandria Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, under the direction of Joseph Cerutti, Jr. The Harmonizers have performed at the Kennedy Center Honors, Carnegie Hall, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, the Supreme Court the Great Wall of China, and the White House. It is a member of several choral associations in addition to the Barbershop Harmony Society, including Chorus America and the Contemporary A Cappella Society of America.

History

The Harmonizers at Omaha Beach, Normandy, June 2014

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 15 other International medals and are the 2015 Mid-Atlantic District chorus champion.

Musical Directors

The Harmonizers perform at the BHS International Competition in Pittsburgh PA, 2015
  • 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 4 International Bronze medals: 2010 5th place Philadelphia, 2011 5th place Kansas City, 3rd place Toronto 2013, and 4th place Pittsburgh 2015.

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)
  • Choir of the World (CD; 2010)
  • American Icon (CD; 2015)

Awards and recognition

Preceded by SPEBSQSA International Chorus Champions
1998 		Succeeded by
Preceded by SPEBSQSA International Chorus Champions
1995 		Succeeded by
Preceded by SPEBSQSA International Chorus Champions
1989 		Succeeded by
Preceded by SPEBSQSA International Chorus Champions
1986 		Succeeded by
West Towns Chorus

Mid-Atlantic District Chorus Champion 25 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, 2015

See also

External links

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