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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

Hickory Tree Accepting Scholarship Applications

Hickory Tree Chorus has music scholarship
by Independent Press
Thursday February 26, 2009, 6:49 PM

NEW PROVIDENCE -- The Hickory Tree Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines International accepts applications for its annual scholarship.

The $1,000 scholarship is awarded to a musically talented young woman who is interested in pursuing a career in music. The chorus has been awarding annual scholarships for more than 20 years to high school students.

Qualified high school senior girls with good academic records and exceptional talent in vocal music are encouraged to apply for this year's scholarship. Students should also have applied for acceptance into a music program at a college or university. Applicants must submit an audio-tape or CD of a short performance demonstrating their particular talent. Tapes or CDs may include accompaniment, as needed. Completed applications and audio-tapes or CDs must be received by April 24.

High school guidance departments in more than 50 communities have information and applications for this scholarship, or download the application from hickorytreechorus.org. Applicants will be notified of the results during the week of May 18.

For information call 908-879-2989, or email lynnmacbeth@comcast.net.
Hickory Tree Chorus rehearses and welcomes guests at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, at 570 Central Ave. in New Providence. Sweet Adelines International is a worldwide organization of women singers committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education and performances.

HTC Accepting Applications for 2009 Scholarship

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2, 2009
CONTACT: Dana Dunlevy, Publicity and Marketing Chair, Hickory Tree Chorus, 973-980-8466

SWEET ADELINES OFFER SCHOLARSHIP

The Hickory Tree Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines International is accepting applications for its annual scholarship. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually to a musically talented young woman interested in pursuing a career in music. The chorus has been awarding annual scholarships for over 20 years to area high school students.
Qualified high school senior girls with good academic records and exceptional talent in vocal music are encouraged to apply for this year's scholarship. Students should also have applied for acceptance into a music program at a college or university.
Applicants must submit an audio-tape or CD of a short performance demonstrating their particular talent. Tapes or CD’s may include accompaniment, as needed. Completed applications and audio-tapes or CDs must be received by April 24th, 2009.

High school guidance departments in more than 50 communities have information and applications. Applications can be downloaded directly from the chorus’ web site at hickorytreechorus.org. All applicants will be notified of the results during the week of May 18, 2009. For more information contact Lynn Macbeth at 908-879-2989 or email: lynnmacbeth@comcast.net.

Hickory Tree Chorus rehearses and welcomes guests Wednesdays, 7:30 pm at 570 Central Avenue, New Providence. Sweet Adelines International is a worldwide organization of women singers committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education and performances.

Chorus Offers Singing Valentines

Chorus Offers Singing Valentines
Daily Record of Morris County

January 16, 2009

CHORUS OFFERS SINGING VALENTINES

The Hickory Tree Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines International is now accepting orders for its 2009 Singing Valentine program. For $50, a quartet from the champion chorus sings two songs, delivers a small gift and takes a digital photo with the lucky recipient in their home, school, office, or other location you choose. Schedule a live Singing Valentine for delivery either February 13 or 14 by calling 917-912-7377 or e-mailing valentine@hickorytreechorus.org

The chorus of 60 area women singers rehearses and welcomes guests 7:15 pm, Wednesdays in New Providence. Visit hickorytreechorus.org for directions and more information.

Hickory Tree Chorus in Madison Eagle

For award-winning singers, concert for seniors is special

An ensemble of the Hickory Tree Chorus put on a holiday show in mid-December for the senior citizens of the Rexford Tucker Apartments on Chateau Thierry Avenue in Madison that had performers and audience members all smiles. From left are singers Virginia Grieco, Dana Dunlevy, Patricia Smith, Lilas Schmidt, Karen Ayres, Janene DePalo, Rosemarie Gerber, Shayna Atkinson, Rita Peyton and, kneeling, Carolyn Schmidt.
The reception was enthusiastic, and the feeling was mutual

Published: Dec 26th, 7:11 AM
MADISON - An ensemble from the Hickory Tree Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines International delivered a package of holiday tunes and other songs Thursday, Dec. 18, to the residents of Madison’s senior citizen housing located at 15 Chateau Thierry Ave.

In return the chorus received one of the warmest receptions it has experienced this holiday season.

Loretta Carey, a resident of the complex, contacted the champion chorus last summer. She was dismayed to learn that in order to cover chorus expenses, like rehearsal space, the chorus charges a fee for its performances.

“I have no budget. Maybe you could rehearse here,” she offered, adding, “The residents would so appreciate anything you could do.”

At the time, the chorus was busy preparing for its annual show in September and a Sweet Adelines International competition in November, but was touched by Carey’s plea - and decided to donate a holiday performance.

The 60-voice chorus would have overwhelmed the space, so a 10-member ensemble was sent.

Enthusiastic Reception

The residents, some dressed in holiday sweaters or wearing holiday pins, lined up for seating outside the performance room half an hour before the singers were scheduled to begin.

They smiled, cheered and sang-along to holiday favorites like “White Christmas” and “Jingle Bells,” and were game for some new tunes, like “Funky Rudolph.”

“Although some of our quartets are still caroling in area downtowns, this was the last of eight holiday performances for the chorus, and we could not have asked for a more enthusiastic and appreciative audience,” said Hickory Tree Chorus Master Director Carolyn Schmidt.

The residents surprised each singer with a small gift following the performance.

Carey was near tears in thanking the singers as they departed.

“It is difficult for some of our residents to get out,” Carey noted. “It is such a treat to have performers like this come here.”

Bridgewater Women Perform with Sweet Adelines

(l-r)Rosemarie Gerber, Wendy Keilin, and Bridgewater resident Virginia Hixson, perform as members of the Hickory Tree Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines International.

Bridgewater Women Perform with Sweet Adelines

Dana Dunlevy • Reader Submitted • December 12, 2008
MyCentralJersey.com

The Hickory Tree Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines International will perform a selection of holiday and popular tunes 7:15 pm, December 17 at the Bridgewater Commons Shopping Center.

The chorus celebrated its 40th anniversary this year and, as the Greater New York Region champion, qualified to compete internationally in Honolulu, Hawaii this past November. Its 60 members, including four from Bridgewater, hail from 40 area communities. The chorus rehearses and welcomes guests Wednesdays in New Providence.

Women singers are invited to attend any or all sessions in a unique, free series of four A Cappella workshops offered by Hickory Tree Chorus Wednesdays in January. Find registration and other information at www.hickorytreechorus.org

"Sing A Cappella Series" To Teach Barbershop Harmony

November 18, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Dana Dunlevy, Publicity Chair, Hickory Tree Chorus, 973-980-8466

“SING A CAPPELLA SERIES” INVITES WOMEN SINGERS

Women singers are invited to attend any or all sessions of a unique month-long series of free workshops sponsored by the Hickory Tree Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines International. “Sing A Cappella Series” will introduce singers to the barbershop-style of a cappella music under the guidance of Patricia Danner (pictured on left), a New Jersey state-certified music educator, and Carolyn Schmidt (on right), Master Director of Hickory Tree Chorus.

Danner, of Long Valley, is a music educator at West Morris Mendham High School, where she teaches a variety of musical genres, including barbershop singing. Several of her students sing in barbershop quartets and one quartet performed on a Hickory Tree Chorus show. She is an Assistant Director with Hickory Tree Chorus.

“Sing A Cappella Series” guests will work exclusively with Danner to hone their vocal and listening skills. The workshop will be held concurrent with Hickory Tree Chorus’s weekly rehearsals and guests will be invited to attend any part of the regular rehearsal following their private workshop.

“In this small group setting singers will be able to learn and experience barbershop-style singing in a relaxed, supportive atmosphere. The shared experience may even create some lasting friendships,” says Danner.

Schmidt of Gillette, has served as Master Director of Hickory Tree Chorus for the past 15 seasons. Under her directorship, the chorus has won many awards and competed in international contests, most recently November 6 in Honolulu, Hawaii. She is also one of 25 Certified Music Arrangers in the Sweet Adelines International organization.

“Patty is an especially talented and fun young woman who infects everyone with the joy of singing well. I know our guests will benefit from, and thoroughly enjoy, their time together with her,” says Schmidt.

“When I came to the chorus as a singer, I found the four-part a cappella harmonies captivating and members warm and welcoming, enough so that I've remained a member of the organization for the past 34 years,” says Schmidt, adding, “As director, it is my passion to share my knowledge and love for performance with other women singers.”
Schmidt encourages interested women singers to seize this unique opportunity. “My mom joined when she was in her mid-forties and, at 82, she is still going strong as an unbelievably vibrant singer and performer. She has often stated that she wished she found the chorus years earlier. While most of our members are significantly younger than Mom, she is living proof that healthy singing and a healthy attitude can go a long way!”

Register now to attend any or all four workshops held Wednesdays in January, 7:15 pm, at 570 Central Avenue, New Providence. Call 908-307-6367 or e-mail carole.auletta@verizon.net. More at hickorytreechorus.org