Hickory Tree Chorus Members Competing in Five Quartets

Seventeen members of New Providence-based Hickory Tree Chorus will compete in the Sweet Adelines International (SAI) Greater New York Region quartet contest April 5 in Philadelphia, PA. Hickory Tree Chorus, the SAI 2007 regional chorus champion boasts of having its members in five of this year’s 23 competing quartets.

The five quartets include 3-time returning regional quartet champion Escape and the 2006 Novice quartet winner, True Blues who sat out last year’s contest due to a member’s illness. Moonstruck, who placed seventh last year will compete for the first time with two new members. 24-Karat has two members who hold dual chorus membership (with Princeton-based Jersey Harmony Chorus).

Hickory Tree Chorus Master Director, Carolyn Schmidt will compete as the baritone of Brocade alongside her mother, Lilas Schmidt who will compete as the quartet’s bass singer. This will be the 35th consecutive regional quartet contest in which Lilas has competed, a record for a Hickory Tree Chorus member.

Many chorus and quartet members were heard locally in February, delivering Singing Valentines to surprised sweethearts at their schools, homes, and workplaces.

Sweet Adelines International is a worldwide organization of women singers committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education and performance. With more than 25,000 members, Sweet Adelines International is one of the largest women’s singing organizations in the world.

Hickory Tree Chorus hosts this year’s regional chorus and quartet contest, as they prepare to compete against SAI choruses from around the world November in Honolulu, HI. The chorus and quartets perform an annual show and at local community, corporate, and private events. The chorus rehearses and welcomes guests Wednesdays, 7:30 pm at 570 Central Ave., New Providence. Visit hickorytreechorus.org or e-mail info@hickorytreechorus.org