HTC Member in Echoes-Sentinel

She is 37 years in choral music, and still singing

HTC Team Coord., Karen Ayres (l) and Lilas Schmidt (r)

Published: Friday, September 26, 2008 7:20 AM EDT

LONG HILL TWP. – Lilas Schmidt of Gillette, a member of the Hickory Tree Chorus, was honored by the Greater New York Region of Sweet Adelines International as a Woman of Note at its annual education weekend held Sept. 12 to 14 at the Ramada Inn and Conference Center, East Hanover.

She will be singing with the Hickory Tree Chorus for its 40th anniversary show at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, at Chatham High School, 255 Lafayette Ave., Chatham.

Fifteen women, one from each chapter in the region of 700 members, were recognized.

Schmidt joined the Hickory Tree Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines International in the spring of 1971 and became costume chairwoman for the fall show that same year.

Soon after, she was named chapter president, a position she has held twice in her 37 years of membership.

During those years, she has served also as show chairwoman three times, show coordinator three times, chapter secretary, engagements and/or ways and means chairwoman and a member of the costume committee for most of her chorus life.

“The next time I join an organization, I’m not going to carry anything except my purse,” she said as she arrives at a recent rehearsal, arms full of costumes ready for fitting in time for the 40th anniversary show, “The Best of Times.”

With all the costumes she has designed and sewn for her many quartets — she has competed in a record 37 consecutive regional Sweet Adelines International quartet contests – and literally hundreds she has sewn for Hickory Tree Chorus, it is hard to believe she has had time to sing.

But sing, and teach, she has, serving as bass section leader for 30 years.

“Why join anything if you’re just going to sit on the sideline?” Schmidt said, adding that she has never done anything for the glory, but rather because she has wanted the chorus to be successful.

And the chorus has been successful, having been awarded seven first place regional championships in its 40-year history, the most recent in 2007.

That win qualifies the chorus to compete Wednesday, Nov. 5, in the Sweet Adelines International contest in Honolulu, Hawaii, under Master Director Carolyn Schmidt, Lilas’ daughter.

Sweet Adelines International is a worldwide organization of almost 25,000 women singers committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education and performances. For more information, visit hickorytreechorus.org.