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

Hickory Tree Chorus Helps to "Harmonize the World"

New Providence Hickory Tree Chorus Meets Japanese Singers

by Independent Press

Tuesday November 18, 2008, 10:33 AM

FRIENDS IN SONG -- Members of Hickory Tree Chorus, a New Providence-based chapter of Sweet Adelines International, shared an impromptu song with Japanese sisters-in-song, while attending the organization's annual convention in Honolulu, Hawaii, Nov. 4 to 8. From left in back row, Lois Taylor of Bridgewater; Dana Dunlevy of Florham Park, Rita Peyton of Berkeley Heights and Mary Lou Van Handle of Randolph. Hickory Tree Chorus offers a free series of a cappella workshops where women will learn to sing harmony. Workshops begin at 7:15 p.m., on Wednesdays in January, at 570 Central Avenue, New Providence. Register to attend. Visit hickorytreechorus.org or call 908-307-6367.

Hickory Tree Chorus in the Independent Press

Hickory Tree Happy Birthday

by Staff/Independent Press

Saturday October 18, 2008, 12:06 PM

Hickory Tree Chorus master director Carolyn Schmidt of Gillette, left, and team coordinator Karen Ayres of Berkeley Heights, right, celebrate the 40th anniversary of the New Providence-based chapter of Sweet Adelines International, following the chapter's Sept. 28 show in Chatham. The Hickory Tree Chorus is the 2007 Greater New York Region Chorus Champion and competes in the Sweet Adelines international contest on Nov. 5 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

HTC Member in Echoes-Sentinel

She is 37 years in choral music, and still singing

HTC Team Coord., Karen Ayres (l) and Lilas Schmidt (r)

Published: Friday, September 26, 2008 7:20 AM EDT

LONG HILL TWP. – Lilas Schmidt of Gillette, a member of the Hickory Tree Chorus, was honored by the Greater New York Region of Sweet Adelines International as a Woman of Note at its annual education weekend held Sept. 12 to 14 at the Ramada Inn and Conference Center, East Hanover.

She will be singing with the Hickory Tree Chorus for its 40th anniversary show at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, at Chatham High School, 255 Lafayette Ave., Chatham.

Fifteen women, one from each chapter in the region of 700 members, were recognized.

Schmidt joined the Hickory Tree Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines International in the spring of 1971 and became costume chairwoman for the fall show that same year.

Soon after, she was named chapter president, a position she has held twice in her 37 years of membership.

During those years, she has served also as show chairwoman three times, show coordinator three times, chapter secretary, engagements and/or ways and means chairwoman and a member of the costume committee for most of her chorus life.

“The next time I join an organization, I’m not going to carry anything except my purse,” she said as she arrives at a recent rehearsal, arms full of costumes ready for fitting in time for the 40th anniversary show, “The Best of Times.”

With all the costumes she has designed and sewn for her many quartets — she has competed in a record 37 consecutive regional Sweet Adelines International quartet contests – and literally hundreds she has sewn for Hickory Tree Chorus, it is hard to believe she has had time to sing.

But sing, and teach, she has, serving as bass section leader for 30 years.

“Why join anything if you’re just going to sit on the sideline?” Schmidt said, adding that she has never done anything for the glory, but rather because she has wanted the chorus to be successful.

And the chorus has been successful, having been awarded seven first place regional championships in its 40-year history, the most recent in 2007.

That win qualifies the chorus to compete Wednesday, Nov. 5, in the Sweet Adelines International contest in Honolulu, Hawaii, under Master Director Carolyn Schmidt, Lilas’ daughter.

Sweet Adelines International is a worldwide organization of almost 25,000 women singers committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education and performances. For more information, visit hickorytreechorus.org.