Hickory Tree Chorus Awards Scholarship

Virginia Hixson of Bridgewater has been awarded the 2009 Hickory Tree Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines International Annual Scholarship. The chorus awards the $1,000 scholarship to an area high school senior girl with a good academic record and exceptional talent in vocal music who has applied for acceptance into a music program at a college or university.

Hixson is a June 2009 graduate of the Bridgewater-Raritan High School where she was a member of the Choir. She served as the Alto II section leader and was also accepted into the Chamber Choir where she sang alto II, and served as tenor section leader.

“I was the only ‘tenalto’ in my chamber choir,” says Virginia.

She also studied Music Theory and, as a senior, gave sight-singing lessons to freshmen and sophomore choir students. She is the youngest member of her church choir where she sings with her father, Dana Hixson. Virginia is currently the youngest member of the Hickory Tree Chorus, singing baritone. She performs regularly with the chorus and participated in both Regional and International competitions since joining the chorus in May 2007.

Hixson will attend The College of New Jersey in Ewing, NJ where she will major in mathematics and minor in music. Virginia has, since eighth grade, dreamed of becoming a mathematics teacher and now also dreams of becoming a Sweet Adelines International chorus director.

Sweet Adelines International is a worldwide organization of women singers committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education and performance. Hickory Tree Chorus rehearses and welcomes guests Wednesdays in New Providence, NJ. For membership, performance, and scholarship information visit hickorytreechorus.org

HTC in Florham Park Eagle

‘Sing with us’
Chorus seeks new voices
Published: Jun 19th, 7:07 AM
FLORHAM PARK - The Hickory Tree Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines International is looking out for new members, said Dana Dunlevy, a Florham Park resident and member of the group.

“We are accepting registrations for our free ‘Sing A Cappella Series’,” said Dunlevy.

The summer session of vocal workshops will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays from June 24 through July 8, at the New Jersey Youth Symphony Music Center, 570 Central Ave. in New Providence.

“Women will learn to sing chord-ringing, fun-filled, four-part, a cappella music in the barbershop style with a small group of other guests,” said Dunlevy.

A trained member of Hickory Tree Chorus’s music staff guides the group, she said.

“The sessions include a free voice-placement evaluation,” Dunlevy added.

The winter Sing Acappella Series has been wildly popular, she said, attracting more than a dozen guests, “six of whom joined the Hickory Tree Chorus and have already enjoyed singing in community performances.”

‘Joy To My Heart’

Tina Peterson of Chatham, a winter Sing A Cappella Series participant who joined the chorus in February, said of her experience, “I always loved to sing and found I was really sad when I was no longer singing with my girls at their ‘Mommy and Me’ music classes. I saw a flyer for Hickory Tree’s free Sing A Cappella Series and decided to come. I feel so lucky to have joined this award-winning chorus,” Peterson said. “Singing with the Hickory Tree Chorus has brought joy to my heart on a weekly basis. The fellowship of this warm, talented group of women is a real treasure on my ‘mom’s night out’.”

The Hickory Tree Chorus was awarded the bronze medal in the Sweet Adelines International’s Greater New York Regional chorus contest on March 28, in Philadelphia, Pa.

It was the 25th regional medal awarded the chorus, and the 12th under Master Director Carolyn Schmidt.

The singing group achieved the highest-ever score, performing the ballad “If You Love Me” and the up-tune “Lulu’s Back In Town.”

Making their stage debut in March were four new chorus members, graduates of the Hickory Tree Chorus’ January Sing A Cappella series of workshops. The women qualified to compete after dedicating eight weeks to perfecting notes, artistry, and choreography.

Membership Offer

Women who attend the first Sing A Cappella Series session on Wednesday, June 24, will receive a free first-month membership should they join the chorus by Wednesday, Sept. 30.

The chorus, which is nonprofit, was chartered in 1968.

It is an award-winning women’s chorus singing four-part a cappella harmony in barbershop style. The chorus is a chapter of Sweet Adelines International.

The 70-plus members hail from more than 40 communities in New Jersey, from Wantage Township to the Toms River section of Dover Township and from Hackettstown to Staten Island, N.Y.

The women are dedicated, making the trip to New Providence each week for the chance to sing popular music, ballads, and novelty tunes in close harmony, improving their musical skills and performing throughout northern New Jersey.

To register for any or all of the Sing A Cappella Series summer sessions, e-mail members@hickorytreechorus.org or call (908) 307-6367.

The Minstrel presents Hickory Tree Chorus

The Minstrel presents Hickory Tree Chorus
Click to see our listing on the WNTI-FM radio Events Calendar!

The Hickory Tree Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines International performs 8 pm, Friday, June 26 at the Minstrel, 21 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ. The Minstrel is an acoustic music concert series sponsored by The Folk Project. Tickets available at the door for $7.00. For show information or directions call: 973/335-9489 or visit: The Minstrel

The chorus will perform selections from its repertoire of pop music, Broadway tunes, and ballads in four-part, a cappella harmony. Audience members will be invited to sing along during portions of the performance. Guest quartet, Just 4, is a crowd favorite performing a chord-ringing mix of uptunes, ballads, and smart parodies.

Sweet Adelines International is a worldwide organization of women singers committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education and performance. The Hickory Tree Chorus invites women singers to visit any regular rehearsal, Wednesdays in New Providence. Their "Sing A cappella Series" of free vocal workshops runs June 24-July 8. Register for any or all sessions at members@hickorytreechorus.org or call 908-307-6367.

Sing Acappella Series of Vocal Workshops Starts June 24

The Hickory Tree Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines International is accepting registrations for its free Sing Acappella Series summer session of vocal workshops running Wednesdays, 7:30pm, June 24-July 8, at the New Jersey Youth Symphony Music Center, 570 Central Avenue, New Providence, NJ.

Women will learn to sing chord-ringing, fun-filled, four-part, acappella music in the barbershop style with a small group of other guests, guided by a trained member of Hickory Tree Chorus's Music Staff. The sessions include a free voice-placement evaluation.

The winter Sing Acappella Series was wildly popular, attracting more than a dozen guests, six of whom subsequently joined the Hickory Tree Chorus and have already enjoyed singing in community performances.

Tina Peterson , one previous participant who joined the chorus (shown right with winter session alumni Amy Cousins and Martha Watson) says of her Sing Acappella Series experience, "I always loved to sing and found I was really sad when I was no longer singing with my girls at their Mommy & Me music classes. I saw a flyer for Hickory Tree's free Sing Acappella series and decided to come. I felt so lucky to join this award-winning chorus. Singing with Hickory Tree Chorus has brought joy to my heart on a weekly basis. The fellowship of this warm, talented group of women is a real treasure on my mom's night out."

Read Tina's full story, and that of other real women, singing real harmony, and having real fun with Hickory Tree Chorus under the "photos" link at hickorytreechorus.org

Women who attend the first Sing Acappella Series session on June 24 will receive free first-month membership if they join the chorus by September 30, 2009. Register for any or all of the Sing Acappella Series summer session by e-mailing members@hickorytreechorus.org or by calling 908-307-6367.

HTC in Warren Reporter

Washington woman installed as management team member of Sweet Adelines International
by Warren Reporter
Saturday June 13, 2009, 7:55 AM

Pictured (clockwise from bottom left) are members of the 2009-2010 Hickory Tree Chorus Management Team: Janene DePalo, Michelle Metallo, Carlyn Barr, Lois Taylor, Mary Lou Van Handle, Denise Klaube, Karen Ayres, Kristen McDonald and Carolyn Schmidt.

Kristen McDonald of Washington was one of nine women installed June 3 as members of the 2009-2010 Management Team of the Hickory Tree Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines International.

The Hickory Tree Chorus, which rehearses in New Providence, is one of 15 choruses in the Greater New York Region of Sweet Adelines International hosting open house rehearsals in June.

Women are invited to discover the joy of singing chord-ringing, fun-filled music. For dates, times and directions, visit www.hickorytreechorus.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.

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