Hickory Tree Chorus in The Township Journal

Click link to read about two HTC members in The Township Journal.
http://www.strausnews.com/articles/2007/06/08/township_journal/news/13.txt

"Mother And Daughter Are Truly In Harmony All The Way To Hawaii"

By Margaret Witt

The Township Journal — June 7, 2007

Byram — Willadene Karns figures it's always nice to win, but it's even nicer to win when you win a trip to Honolulu.

Karns and her daughter, Sara McHugh, both teachers in the Byram school district, also sing with the Hickory Tree Chorus, the 2007 first place winner for the Greater New York Region of Sweet Adelines.

"For the last 25 years we've taken first, second or third place," Karns said. Had they taken first place last year the trip would have been to Las Vegas. Two years ago, it was to Indianapolis. Karns figures they picked the best year to win.

Karns and her three daughters all have certain things in common, the facial expressions, mannerisms and catch phrases typical of many mothers and daughters. While Karns was teaching her daughters the typical "mom lessons:" right from wrong, to be kind to others, to be ourselves and to work hard for our dreams, she was also providing one more lesson- a love of music.

Karns, of Stanhope, is a third grade teacher at Byram Lakes School and has been singing with Hickory Tree Chorus for more than 24 years. A friend in the chorus at the time asked her to join her at a rehearsal. Karns' husband told her, "I can babysit; you need to do something for yourself." At the time her daughters were 17, 14 and 11.

One of Sarah's sisters used to perform with Hickory Tree and the other is a trained opera singer.

McHugh, of Byram, teaches kindergarten. She joined the chorus in 1996, after college. "After I graduated I had no performance outlet," said McHugh.

Noting the Sweet Adeline/Barbershop Quartet stereotype, McHugh laughed: "We're not your white-haired biddies anymore. We don't just stand and sing." The Sweet Adelines groups now bring choreography into their performances.

Sweet Adelines International choruses perform barbershop-style four-part a cappella harmony. The groups range in size, with Hickory Tree's group at about 65 members. "We're the smallest of the large chorus groups. Our youngest member is 16 and our oldest is 80. We're from all different walks of life. What binds us together is our love of music," said Karns.

After the Hickory Tree Chorus won in Philadelphia, they had 18 months to raise money for the Hawaii trip.

"We raise money by selling candy, a cookbook we wrote as a group, and in the summer we sell refreshments for the Somerset Patriots ballpark. Our favorite way to earn money, of course, is to perform," said Karns. The group performs songs of all types, including the Beatles, Carol King, Disney tunes and Fats Waller to name a few. "We love to entertain small groups, the personal contact is wonderful," said McHugh.

Besides making the best music they can, the Hickory Tree Chorus has other goals. They are currently working with Curves to strengthen their bodies which helps build strength for improved vocal quality and breath support. Each year the group donates a $1,000 scholarship to a graduating senior going in to music.

To join the group all you need is a love of singing and to be able to hold your part. You don't even need to read music. "I learn most of my music in the car. The songs are given to us on tape as well as the sheet music," said McHugh.

The singers in Hickory Tree come from as far as New York City and Staten Island. There is no age requirement either. Their group has several family groups, two with three generations in the chorus- grandmother, mother and daughter. Practices are at the New Jersey Youth Symphony/Music Center in New Providence, New Jersey, near the Short Hills Mall. Practices are once a week, with a few extra before a performance at times. Besides the private performances, Hickory Tree has one concert a year open to the public. This year's concert will be November 17.

For more information on joining the chorus or how to hire them to perform, visit their Web site at hickorytreechorus.org.