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.
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