Celebrate in 'Holiday Style'

The Hickory Tree Chorus presents "Holiday Style" its annual show, December 10, 3pm at the Dolan Performance Hall, located on the campus of the College of St. Elizabeth, 2 Convent Road, Convent Station, NJ.

Celebrate the season with holiday favorites, and more, performed in four-part, a cappella harmony, barbershop style. Special guests Drive! (2011 Greater New York Region, 2nd place quartet), singer/songwriter/humorist Carla Ulbrich, Frosty the Snowman and Santa!

Reserved seat tickets are available now by e-mailing: tickets@hickorytreechorus.org or calling 908-790-0334. Advance prices are $20 adults; $18 seniors (62+); $10 youth (12 and under). All tickets are +$2 at the door.

More at hickorytreechorus.org

Basking Ridge Hosts Rehearsals Beginning Sept. 28

After many years in New Providence, Hickory Tree Chorus is moving rehearsals to St. Mark's Church, 140 S. Finley Road, Basking Ridge, NJ beginning Wednesday, September 28, 2011. Join the chorus, join the fun! Contact info@hickorytreechorus.org for full schedule and directions.

The chorus was founded 1968 in the Hickory Tree section of Chatham Township, from which it took its name. Basking Ridge is the latest rehearsal site change, and the chorus, which attracts members from more than 30 area communities, looks forward to meeting its new neighbors.

All Wednesday evening rehearsals are open, and guests are welcomed. The chorus hosts a free 'Friends and Familly' performance October 2, 4pm, featuring its 15-minute show package, which the chorus will take onto the Sweet Adelines International stage October 18 in Houston, TX. Guests are invited to hear the chorus then stay for refreshments.

Tess Oldfield Awarded HTC's 2011 Scholarship

The Hickory Tree Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines International, awarded its 2011 Scholarship to Tess Oldfield, recent graduate of Kittatinny Regional High School in Hampton, NJ. Oldfield, who intends to pursue a career in music, was selected on the basis of her excellent vocal talent, her accomplishments and her commitment to sharing her passion for music with young choristers. The scholarship is awarded annually to a young woman with exceptional vocal music talent living in one of the many communities represented by Hickory Tree Chorus members.

The public is invited to hear Oldfield perform during Hickory Tree Chorus's rehearsal 8:00 p.m., August 3 at 570 Central Avenue, New Providence, NJ.

Oldfield is a soprano who discovered her love of singing while performing with the Children's Chorus of Sussex County under the direction of Deborah Mello. At Kittatinny, she was a member of the Chamber Choir and the Madrigal Singers, performing musical roles such as Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music, Minnie Fay in Hello Dolly, Miss Dorothy in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Grace Farrell in Annie and most notably, Belle in Beauty and The Beast. She also enjoys singing popular music at her school's Open Mic Nights and Faculty Follies.

Oldfield believes in the power of music to change the world. “Music has been my safe haven and my way of expression in my life,” she states. “Music changed my world, and now I hope to change other people’s world by performing and teaching music.”

Oldfield has performed in the US, Canada, Italy, Brazil and Argentina in such venues as the National Cathedral, The White House, Saint Peter's Basilica, Saint Mark's Cathedral in Venice, and The Candelaria Cathedral in Rio De Janiero. This summer she will be touring the Netherlands, Belgium and France. The highlight of this trip is her performance at the Sint Stevenstoren in the city of Nijmegen, The Netherlands, where she was born.

In the fall, she will be attending Ithaca College with a dual major in Vocal Performance and Music Education.

The New Providence-based Hickory Tree Chorus is a champion chapter of Sweet Adelines International one of the world’s largest singing organizations for women, committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education, competition and performance. In October, the 50-voice chorus will represent the Greater New York Region in Sweet Adelines International competition in Houston, TX, earning an invitation by being the world’s top-scoring mid-sized chorus in 2010 regional competition. For scholarship, membership and performance information, visit hickorytreechorus.org or e-mail info@hickorytreechorus.org.

Springtime Means 'Sing-time'

It's always sing-time for members of the Hickory Tree Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines International, but springtime means outdoor performances in local downtowns, farmer's markets and some unexpected venues! Kicking-off the season April 28th at Summit Downtown, Inc.'s 'Girls' Night Out' were HTC singers (l-r) Lyn Ertle, Laura Partynski, Betty Short, Jeanne Viscito and Carolyn Schmidt. The women greeted hundreds of shoppers in shops and businesses, singing popular songs in four-part, a cappella harmony. Check hickorytreechorus.org and the Hickory Tree Chorus facebook page for future performances.

HTC Member Earns Director Certification from Sweet Adelines International

The Hickory Tree Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines International (SAI), proudly announces the successful completion of SAI’s Director Certification Program by member Jeanne Elmuccio of Plainfield. This educational program, one of many member-development programs sponsored by SAI, provides training and development for potential directors and musical leaders who wish to pursue and share their passion for women’s barbershop music.

To enhance and develop her skills in directing a Sweet Adelines chorus, Elmuccio followed a rigorous training and testing program that included teaching and management skills, analytical listening, vocal production, music theory and chorus performance. She currently serves as Assistant Director of the award-winning Hickory Tree Chorus, now preparing to compete on the international stage at Sweet Adelines International Harmony Classic competition in Houston, TX, in October.

Hickory Tree Chorus Master Director, Carolyn Schmidt of Gillette, praises Elmuccio saying, “Jeanne has become an integral part of our musical leadership. Her experience as a director in other musical genres combined with her sincere enthusiasm for encouraging and educating our members has made a huge impact on all of us. Participation in SAI's Director Certification Program gave Jeanne a chance to add specific knowledge to her natural talent, and I am happy to see her receive recognition for her achievement.”

Hickory Tree Chorus is one of more than 600 Sweet Adelines International choruses. The world-wide organization of women singers is committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education and performance. The New Providence-based chorus hosts a month of auditions in April and is accepting applications for its $1,000 annual scholarship through April 24.

For scholarship, membership and performance information e-mail info@hickorytreechorus.org or visit: hickorytreechorus.org

Photo: Hickory Tree Chorus Master Director Carolyn Schmidt (r) congratulates Jeanne Elmuccio upon her completion of Sweet Adelines International's Director Certification Program.

HTC 2011 Scholarship Application Available

The Hickory Tree Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines International, is accepting applications for its annual $1,000 Scholarship to a high school graduating senior woman who intends to pursue a career in music. This scholarship will be awarded to a student selected on the basis of her application and her vocal music talent. Presentation of the scholarship award is usually in June, after the winner’s acceptance to the college or university of her choice.

The interested student should complete the application form and submit it together with a CD, which includes at least two vocal performances that demonstrate her particular talent. Both the application and CD should be received by April 24th, 2011.

Applications are available at hickorytreechorus.org and many area guidance departments.

The Hickory Tree Chorus is an award-winning chapter of Sweet Adelines International singing four-part a cappella music, barbershop style. Members from 40 area communities rehearse and welcome guests Wednesdays, 7:30pm, at 570 Central Avenue, New Providence. Contact Lynn MacBeth for more scholarship information at lynnmacbeth@comcast.net or 908-879-2989.

And A Happy New Year!

Members of the Hickory Tree Chorus concluded a busy holiday singing season with a December 21 performance in the lobby of Overlook Hospital in Summit, NJ. The women were invited to perform there after entertaining employees at the new Overlook Community Health location on Springfield Avenue while caroling throughout downtown Summit December 11.

The chorus, its quartets and small ensembles have spread holiday cheer this season by caroling in downtown Summit, Chester, Westfield and Perth Amboy and entertained audiences at Livingston Barnes & Noble, Boonton's Victoria Mews assisted living facility and the Greater Westfield area Soroptimist organization.

Wednesday rehearsals resume in January 2011, and the chorus invites women interested in singing fun-filled, chord-ringing popular music to join its annual "Sing A cappella Series" of free vocal lessons January 12, 19 & 26, 7:30pm, at 570 Central Ave., New Providence. Contact: members@hickorytreechorus.org

Pictured (l-r): Patti Smith, Karen Ayres, Dolly Power, Ginny Grieco, Sue Thomas (Overlook Hospital's Manager, The Patient Experience and Volunteer Services), Lois Taylor, and Jeanne Viscito.