About Us

Recently recognized by Broadway World as offering “some of the best choral singing” in the D.C. area, the Alexandria Harmonizers specialize in one of a cappella’s most challenging forms; four-part close harmony. Founded in 1948 and led by artistic director Joe Cerutti since 2007, the chorus is made up of over 100 volunteer singers ranging in age from their teens to their eighties. The Harmonizers have won nineteen International medals, including four championship gold medals, and received the 2018 Greater Washington DC Area Choral Excellence "Ovation" Award for "Best a Cappella Ensemble."
The Harmonizers perform throughout the year, in concert, contest, and in collaboration with other performers. They have sung at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Wolf Trap, the White House and the Supreme Court, and regularly produce shows at Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center in Alexandria. Recent collaborations with the Music Center at Strathmore include the 2016 D.C. area premiere of Andrew Lippa’s “I Am Anne Hutchinson/I Am Harvey Milk,” starring Lippa and Kristin Chenoweth, and the 2018 world premiere of Jeremy Schonfeld’s “Iron and Coal – Survivor and Son.”
Kristin Chenoweth and the Alexandria Harmonizers
The Harmonizers perform throughout the year, in concert, contest, and in collaboration with other performers. They have sung at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Wolf Trap, the White House and the Supreme Court, and regularly produce shows at Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center in Alexandria. Recent collaborations with the Music Center at Strathmore include the 2016 D.C. area premiere of Andrew Lippa’s “I Am Anne Hutchinson/I Am Harvey Milk,” starring Lippa and Kristin Chenoweth, and the 2018 world premiere of Jeremy Schonfeld’s “Iron and Coal – Survivor and Son.”
Kristin Chenoweth and the Alexandria Harmonizers
Commemorating the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings with the Alexandria Harmonizers
The Harmonizers also have performed internationally, most recently in August 2019 when they toured in the United Kingdom and performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the largest arts festival in the world. In 2014 the chorus traveled to Normandy, France to participate in ceremonies commemorating the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings, singing at the Normandy beaches and cemeteries, in Sainte-Mère-Église, and in the Chartres Cathedral. In 2012 they toured China, performing at the Forbidden City Concert Hall and the Great Wall.
The Harmonizers also have performed internationally, most recently in August 2019 when they toured in the United Kingdom and performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the largest arts festival in the world. In 2014 the chorus traveled to Normandy, France to participate in ceremonies commemorating the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings, singing at the Normandy beaches and cemeteries, in Sainte-Mère-Église, and in the Chartres Cathedral. In 2012 they toured China, performing at the Forbidden City Concert Hall and the Great Wall.
Commemorating the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings with the Alexandria Harmonizers
Beyond musical excellence, the Harmonizers are focused on community outreach and bringing their love of song to new audiences. Through various workshops and performances, they have recently explored the African-American roots of barbershop harmony, including co-hosting a two-day festival called “Music through the Ages: Gospel and Barbershop” with several local gospel groups and the Grammy-award winning gospel quartet “The Fairfield Four.” Having formed a musical partnership with the Alexandria Alfred Street Baptist Church Men’s Choir, they regularly co-host evenings of community choral fellowship. They also host an annual Youth Harmony Festival, bringing in top clinicians and quartets to introduce more than 100 area students and their musical directors to the joys of a cappella harmony. The Harmonizers are members of several choral organizations, including Chorus America, the Contemporary A Cappella Society, and the Barbershop Harmony Society.
chorus america logobarbershop harmony society logoImage
chorus america logobarbershop harmony society logoImage
chorus america logobarbershop harmony society logoImage

Join Us on the Risers!

Both choruses rehearse at 7:00 PM most Tuesday evenings at Alex Renew, 1800 Limerick St Alexandria VA 22314 (a 10 to 15 minute walk from the Yellow Line Eisenhower Ave Metro stop). Occasionally we rehearse at an alternate location, or are away for a performance or recording session, so be sure to contact us before finalizing your plans to visit us. Regular Alexandria Harmonizers rehearsals are open to any and all guests who want to rehearse, perform, or just watch. Guests who are potential applicants are encouraged to join us on the risers during rehearsals. We will provide you with a guest music book and place you next to a strong singer of your same voice part to make your visit more enjoyable.

Music Educators: If you wish to bring your class or group, we would love to be your hosts! Please contact us in advance so we can make arrangements to give your students the best experience possible.

Join Us

Join Us on the Risers!

We rehearse at 7:00 PM most Tuesday evenings at Alex Renew, 1800 Limerick St Alexandria VA 22314 (a 10-to-15-minute walk from the Yellow Line Eisenhower Ave Metro stop).  Occasionally we rehearse at an alternate location, or are away for a performance or recording session, so be sure to contact us before finalizing your plans to visit us. Regular Alexandria Harmonizers rehearsals are open to any and all guests who want to rehearse, perform, or just watch. Guests who are potential applicants are encouraged to join us on the risers during rehearsals. We will provide you with a guest music book and place you next to a strong singer of your same voice part to make your visit more enjoyable.

Music Educators: If you wish to bring your class or group, we would love to be your hosts! Please contact us in advance so we can make arrangements to give your students the best experience possible.

Join Us!