HTC in dailyrecord.com

Sweet Adelines Invite Singers to Open House

Dana Dunlevy • Reader Submitted • June 4, 2009

The Hickory Tree Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines International invites women to radiate their passion for singing by visiting an Open House rehearsal 7:15 pm, June 10, 17 and 24, at 570 Central Ave., New Providence.

Discover the joy of singing chord-ringing, fun-filled music in four-part a cappella harmony, barbershop style. The chorus performs popular uptunes, ballads and show tunes at community events, its annual show and in competition.

The chorus is one of 15 in the Greater New York Region of Sweet Adelines International hosting Open House rehearsals the month of June. One third of the champion chorus's 60 members hail from Morris County. Open House and other information at hickorytreechorus.org

PHOTO:
Members of the Hickory Tree Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines International perform May 30 at the Berkeley Heights Relay for Life under Master Director Carolyn Schmidt of Gillette.

Hickory Tree Chorus in The Alternative Press

HICKORY TREE CHORUS MEMBERS (l-r) Susan Williams, Carolyn Schmidt, Rita Peyton, Shayna Atkinson and Dana Dunlevy. Ms. Peyton and Ms. Atkinson are Berkeley Heights residents.

Berkeley Heights Honors Veterans In Annual Memorial Day Celebration
By Jenny Xia
5/27/2009

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ - On Memorial Day, Berkeley Heights Township paid tribute to America’s veterans by holding its annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony.

The parade began at 9:30 a.m. from the Berkeley Heights Rescue Squad situated off of Snyder Avenue. Sections of Springfield, Snyder and Plainfield Avenue were closed to clear a roadway for the parade.

The parade procession continued through downtown Berkeley Heights and stopped at Memorial Park, where crowds of Berkeley Heights residents waited to receive the paraders. A special motif of this year’s parade was the Berkeley Heights’ Bicentennial. New segments of the parade reflected the same town pride that the series of bicentennial flags in downtown Berkeley Heights help to convey.

ReMax Realtors contributed a new float in honor of the town’s two hundredth birthday. In addition, the Third New Jersey Regiment Revolutionary War Reenactment Group click-clacked down the avenues with buckled shoes and saluted townspeople with rifles in hand. The entire procession was led by the Grand Marshal Car in honor of this year’s selected Grand Marshal.

Adhering to Berkeley Heights tradition, the Town Council selected World War II veteran and current Berkeley Heights resident Mr. Richard Hodshon as the 2009 Grand Marshal. The Grand Marshal Car was flanked by Berkeley Heights Town Council members and Mayor David Cohen.

The Berkeley Heights Police and Fire Departments rolled by with a fanfare of honks and sirens. Following the Berkeley Heights Senior Citizens Bus, the Governor Livingston High School Highlander Marching Band blared its trademark bagpipes. Color guards twirled bulls-eye patterned flags in rhythm with the band’s percussion section. Packs of vested girls and boys from Cub Scout, Brownies and Daisy Troops walked alongside parents, each flourishing an American flag. Girl and Boy Scout troop members clenched bags from which they fished out candy to throw to bystanders. A convoy of vintage cars and the Township Road Department Vehicles brought up the rear of the parade.

Events continued in Memorial Park, where Mayor Cohen greeted town residents. "It seems every year we get a better Memorial Day," remarked Cohen, "This parade would not have been possible without our Recreation Committee."

The Memorial Day ceremony commenced with the induction of 2009 Grand Marshal Richard Hodshon. Hodshon is a Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander, volunteer department serviceman and a member of the Berkeley Heights Senior Club. Fellow veteran Frank Perlzak characterized Hodshon as an active man. "He seems to have endless energy and is most happy when serving others," Perlzak avowed.

Seventh grader Kira Prabhu recited her essay, "Why American Veterans Should Be Honored" in tribute to the nation’s soldiers. Her essay won third place nationally in the Patriot’s Pen essay contest, earning her an invitation to the VFW convention in June. Prabhu emphasized national respect and gratitude toward the nation’s veterans. She concluded firmly in her essay, "American veterans should and will be honored."

The musical segment of the ceremony included a patriotic medley, "This is My Country," sung by members of the Hickory Tree Chorus. The Highlander Band played "Amazing Grace" as the township set aside a moment in honor of deceased members of VFW Post 6259. Eighth grader Bridget Crisonino sang "America the Beautiful" and the ceremony drew to a close with "Veterans of the USA," a salute sung by Dennis and Christina Ryan.

The annual Berkeley Heights Memorial Day Ceremony formally ended with a benediction by Union Village United Methodist Church Pastor, Reverend Grace Pak. The celebration, however, then resumed with complementary refreshments and hot dogs in Memorial Field.

courtesy: thealternativepress.com

Hickory Tree Chorus Awarded Medal in Regional Competition

HICKORY TREE CHORUS AWARDED 25TH REGIONAL MEDAL
The Hickory Tree Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines International (SAI) was awarded the bronze medal in SAI’s Greater New York Regional contest March 28, 2009 in Philadelphia, PA. It is the 25th Regional medal awarded the New Providence-based chorus of 54 women singers.

Under the guidance of Master Director Carolyn Schmidt of Gillette, the Hickory Tree Chorus achieved its highest-ever score, performing the ballad “If You Love Me” and the up-tune “Lulu’s Back In Town,” sung in four-part, a cappella harmony in the barbershop style, with choreography.

The chorus performs often in the area, including in its annual show, at community events and at private functions. Interested women singers are invited to attend a Wednesday evening rehearsal at 570 Central Avenue in New Providence. In February, the chorus welcomed five new members who were able to participate in the competition with the educational support of the chorus, which provided coaching to all members by an international champion SAI director.

Hickory Tree Chorus supports vocal music education in the community in many ways, including the offering of its annual $1,000 scholarship to a talented high school senior girl continuing her vocal music education. This year’s scholarship deadline is April 24.

Schmidt and Assistant Director Patricia Danner are also involved with the upcoming Festival of Harmony, a full-day a cappella workshop for young men and women held April 18 in Rahway (festivalofharmony.org).

Sweet Adelines International is a worldwide organization of women singers committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education and performance. For Hickory Tree Chorus membership, scholarship, and other information visit hickorytreechorus.org or e-mail info@hickorytreechorus.org

PHOTO BY: Jon B. Petersen

HTC in mycentraljersey.com

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.