Good Thursday morning, Alexandria!
☀️ Today’s weather: Sunny, with a high near 62 degrees. West wind 5 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Tonight will be partly cloudy, with a low of around 41 degrees. South wind around five mph.
On Friday, there will be a chance of showers after 2 p.m. It will be partly sunny, with a high near 68 degrees. The wind will be light south, becoming southwest at 5 to 9 mph in the morning. The chance of precipitation is 30%.
🚨 You need to know
Metro Voices, the treble chorus of Alexandria A Cappella Collective (AACC), clinched top honors at the Barbershop Harmony Society Mid-Atlantic District, Southern Division competition last weekend. This win puts them on track for the 2026 international competition.
The contest, held at Towson University, is the first step in a two-year process leading to the international stage. Choruses that do well move on to district-level competitions, with top scorers earning spots at the 2026 global event in St. Louis, Missouri, on July 5, 2026.
To achieve Metro Voices’ historic win, 28 members of the chorus appeared on a stage that included nearly 400 competitors—including some of the world’s best choral ensembles. What makes this even more extraordinary is that Metro Voices was begun in 2023: This was the chorus’ first appearance in any international eligibility contest, and it was the first time several members had ever performed in a singing competition.
The AACC’s bass chorus, The Harmonizers, didn’t compete in the division contest but secured a qualifying score for the upcoming district competition. Both Metro Voices and the Harmonizers are set to compete next at the Mid-Atlantic District Convention, October 3-4, 2025.
More on the win from the AACC;
Alexandria Chorus Wins Mid-Atlantic Division Competition—
The First Step to #1 in the World
ALEXANDRIA, VA, MAR 26, 2025—Metro Voices, the treble chorus of the Alexandria A Cappella Collective (AACC), won top honors at the Barbershop Harmony Society Mid-Atlantic District, Southern Division competition last weekend—taking the first step to what the chorus hopes will lead to the 2026 international competition where the world’s best barbershop chorus will be crowned.
With thousands of singers worldwide vying for the Barbershop Harmony Society’s top title, choruses begin a two-year journey to the international stage by advancing through a series of qualifying contests. The division-level competition is the first contest in that process. Successful choruses then participate in an invitation-only competition in their respective districts. Choruses receiving a sufficiently high score during the district conventions will be invited to compete in the 2026 international competition held in St. Louis, Missouri, on July 5, 2026.
Under the direction of Samantha Tramack, Metro Voices competed—and won—in the Southern Division’s event held at Towson University this past weekend.
The AACC’s bass chorus, The Harmonizers, did not compete in the division contest. However, the Harmonizers also performed and received their own qualifying score for the upcoming district competition—marking the start of another standout year for AACC.
Metro Voices and the Harmonizers will next compete at the Mid-Atlantic District Convention, October 3-4, 2025. The Mid-Atlantic District, which includes choruses from Virginia to Pennsylvania and New York, is known as one of the nation’s most accomplished districts.
To achieve Metro Voices’ historic win, 28 members of the chorus appeared on a stage that included nearly 400 competitors—including some of the world’s best choral ensembles. What makes this even more extraordinary is that Metro Voices was begun in 2023: This was the chorus’ first appearance in any international eligibility contest, and it was the first time several members had ever performed in a singing competition.
“I’m thrilled with our win. It is just phenomenal, particularly when we have such deep respect for the other choruses that were on that stage,” said Tramack. “But with the incredible dedication our members have shown, I know this win is just the beginning. And I can’t wait.”
The Harmonizers are one of the world’s most prestigious chorus ensembles. In its 77-year history, the Harmonizers have won 19 international medals, including four gold medal championships.
Harmonizers’ Associate Director Anthony Colosimo celebrated both the Harmonizers’ and Metro Voices’ pursuit of the BHS international title.
“The Harmonizers have a legacy of competing among the greatest choruses in the world’s a cappella community, and we are excited to begin this new phase of our history,” Colosimo said. “And to compete alongside and cheer for our new chorus, Metro Voices, makes it all the more exciting.”
Colosimo understands the demands of international competition: He has won medals with the Harmonizers, and Colosimo’s quartet First Take won 2nd place in last year’s BHS international quartet competition, and, on Saturday, qualified for this year’s competition.
AACC Artistic Director Joe Cerutti explained the significance of these wins, saying, “We are so proud of both our choruses. Participating in contests is only a small part of AACC’s larger mission— to help bring harmony—literally and figuratively—to Alexandria and the larger District of Columbia metro area. So these wins are a testament to what these choruses have to offer our community.”
Meanwhile, three other quartets with AACC members—Beltway, HarmoHaus and Supernova—also qualified for this summer’s international quartet competition in Denver, Colorado.
Led by Cerutti, AACC is a nonprofit umbrella organization of choruses based in Alexandria, VA. Its mission is to enrich lives through vocal harmony in the greater DC area. While AACC’s choruses are made up of community volunteers, AACC choruses have performed on world-renown stages including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center and Wolf Trap, and its members include Broadway and off-Broadway performers, acclaimed music educators and ensemble directors.
AACC is committed to supporting other nonprofits across the Washington, DC metro area. For example, AACC has performed for Honor Flights, Blue Star Families and other military-related organizations, and it leads an annual all-day music workshop for the District of Columbia Public Schools.
In addition to the AACC’s Harmonizers and Metro Voices, AACC debuted its Capital Force, a seasonal youth chorus, last month. It will begin Vintage Blend, a seniors’ chorus, later this year.
For more information, see the AACC website (www.harmonizers.org) or contact [email protected].
Here’s what else you need to know
- Alexandria City Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt emphasized the critical importance of addressing mental health needs across diverse student populations during a panel discussion at the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia’s Shape of the Region conference on Wednesday, March 26. [ALXnow]
- Hungry? A fantastic burger might help, especially from one of the Alexandria restaurants included in Northern Virginia Magazine’s April list of the 25 tastiest burgers in the region. [ALXnow]
- In honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month, Alexandria Celebrates Women is planting a pinwheel garden in Del Ray on Friday, April 4. [ALXnow]
- All 320 students at Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology stepped into spring in brand new shoes on Wednesday (March 26). [ALXnow]
- Eater has updated their list of the Best Dining Bets in Alexandria’s Del Ray Neighborhood.
- Get social with ALXnow, and follow us today on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and X.
What We’re Covering Today
The following is intended to give you an idea of the stories that we’re planning to cover today. Note that some stories may be pushed back depending on the day’s news.
- Morning notes.
- ALX Chorus wins Competition.
- Recap & Reaction: Leaf Blower Discussion
- Dash and ACPS.
- Ask McEnearney.
- Things to do this weekend.
- …and much more. Send news tips and story ideas to [email protected].
📈 Wednesday’s most read
The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for March 26, 2025.
- Federal workforce cuts could severely impact Alexandria’s economy, officials warn
- Short-term residential rental building with daycare and retail proposed for former DCHS building in Del Ray
- Alexandria firefighters extinguish six vehicle fires in two days
📅 Upcoming events
Here is what’s going on today in Alexandria.
Things To Do
- 1:30 p.m.: Silver Artisans – Creating with Collage at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
- 2 p.m.: American Style Mahjong – Learn and Play at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
- 4 p.m.: Handcraft Crafternoon at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 5 p.m.: Unplug & Make New Friends – The Unwired Circle Experience at Gustave Boulangerie & Brasserie
- 5 p.m.: Purry Blossom Rose Tasting at Mount Purrnon Cat Cafe & Wine Bar
- 6 p.m.: Local Author Kim Gilliam Leads Discussion and Signing for Memoir “Dragonfly” at Nepenthe Gallery
- 6 p.m.: Cherry Blossom Chef’s Supper Club at King & Rye
- 6 p.m.: Coding Game Night – ages 6-12 – Learn to code with hands-on fun at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
- 7 p.m.: Lecture: Hidden Nurses at Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum
Live Music & Entertainment
- 219 Restaurant: Mike Kelley & Friends at 9 p.m.
- Aslin ALX: Trivia at 7 p.m.
- Galactic Panther Art Gallery: Shady Trace w/ Babe Lewis, Backup Kid, The Early Days at 7 p.m.
- Hops N Shine: Trivia at 6:30 p.m.
- Laporta’s Restaurant: Ken Kilpatrick Trio at 6 p.m.
- Lena’s: Gigi MacLaughlin and Isabella Perazzo at 6 p.m.
- Lost Boy Cider: Trivia at 7 p.m.
- Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Lenny Burridge at 8:30 p.m.
- O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: 3-Some Thursday Band Night at 9 p.m.
- Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
- The Birchmere Music Hall: Leo Kottke at 7:30 p.m.
City of Alexandria
- 10:30 a.m.: Creative Development: Hip Hop Elements Workshop
- 1 p.m.: Thriving Beyond the Federal Workforce
- 5 p.m.: PHAC – Flora K. Casey Award Sub-Committee
- 6 p.m.: ACPS School Board Work Development
- 6:30 p.m.: Subcommittee For the Review of Standing Committees
- 6:30 p.m.: VIRTUAL: Child Youth Fam. Coll. Comm Exec. Mtg..
- 7 p.m.: VIRTUAL Community Meeting
- 7 p.m.: Lecture: Hidden Nurses
Organizing an event? Submit your event to ALXnow’s Event Calendar.
