Champion Director Coaches Hickory Tree Chorus
Dana Dunlevy • Reader Submitted • March 9, 2009
CHAMPION DIRECTOR COACHES HICKORY TREE CHORUS
World-renown chorus coach Jim Arns trained members of the New Providence-based Hickory Tree Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines International (SAI) March 8 as the chorus prepares for the annual SAI Greater New York Region competition March 28 in Philadelphia, PA. The winning chorus will compete with other SAI regional champion choruses from around the world 2010 in Seattle, WA.
Arns is the Master Director of the Melodeers Chorus , the 2009 International Sweet Adelines Champion. It was the fifth International championship under Arns's direction, and it was won with a record score. In addition to his international reputation as director, arranger, clinician and coach, Arns serves as faculty at regional, national, and international SAI educational symposiums. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree at Benedictine University and a Masters of Music Degree at Northwestern University.
Hickory Tree Chorus Master Director, Carolyn Schmidt, enjoys a good relationship with Arns.
"I like to bring Jim in close to competition because he knows just what the chorus is capable of accomplishing and gets us there. He is well-respected and well-liked by both the chorus and me" says Schmidt.
She jokingly refers to Arns's Northbrook, IL-based Melodeers Chorus as "Hickory Tree West" as a few Melodeers Chorus members are former Hickory Tree Chorus members, including Schmidt's daughter, a member of the chorus while attending Northwestern University.
Sweet Adelines International and its chapters are committed to education on many levels. The organization offers Director and Arranger training and certification, leadership training, and a Young Women In Harmony program offering music educators the means of including the study and performance of barbershop harmony in school music programs. In addition to regular vocal and showmanship coaching, Hickory Tree Chorus offers members private voice instruction and, an annual scholarship to a young woman graduating an area high school with plans to pursue her vocal music education.
Hickory Tree Chorus rehearses and welcomes guests Wednesdays, 7:30 pm, at 570 Central Avenue, New Providence. For scholarship, membership and performance information, visit on the web at hickorytreechorus.org
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