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A Hickory Tree Chorus guest describes in 56 seconds her exhilarating, and surprising, experience visiting a Hickory Tree Chorus rehearsal. Experience the joy of singing fun-filled, chord-ringing music yourself! Be our guest this week!

Randolph High School Graduate Receives 2010 Annual Scholarship

The Hickory Tree Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines International awarded its 2010 Annual Scholarship to Alessandra Altieri, a 2010 graduate of Randolph High School where she was a member of the Concert and Chamber Choirs for four years. She also peer taught the Treble Choir for one semester and conducted a piece with them in Randolph's Spring Choral Concert. She served as Vice President and Music Librarian of the Randolph High School Choir Council and President of the Drama Club. Alessandra participated each year in Randolph's spring musical; her favorite role was Maria in The Sound of Music, which she performed her sophomore year. She was also selected to participate for three and four years respectively in the New Jersey All-State and North Jersey Region Choirs.

At Randolph’s St. Matthew the Apostle Parish, Alessandra is an active member in the Teen Choir and acted as a Youth Assistant in the Children's Choir for the past two years. Last summer, she was accepted to and participated in the Interlochen Summer Arts Camp Vocal Soloist Studies Program. She spent four weeks in Interlochen, Michigan taking acting, diction, and music history classes from the highly-esteemed faculty. The program culminated in a recital of opera scenes, in which Alessandra sang the part of "Amahl" in Amahl and the Night Visitors. Most recently, Alessandra participated in the nationwide Classical Singer High School Competition. She placed 3rd in her regional auditions and continued on to the semifinals in New York City where she placed within the top 30.

Alessandra will attend Manhattan School of Music in the fall of 2010, pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Vocal Performance.

Hickory Tree Chorus annually awards a $1,000 scholarship to a young area woman, graduating high school and pursuing her music education in college. The award-winning chorus is a chapter of Sweet Adelines International, a worldwide organization of women singers committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education and performance. For more information about the New Providence-based chorus and to read about past scholarship recipients visit hickorytreechorus.org

PHOTO: Altieri accepts Scholarship Award from Scholarship Chair, Lynn Macbeth.

Sing and Celebrate 'Christmas In July'

Looking for a way to cool off? Think snow! Winter Wonderland, Jingle Bells, Frosty the Snowman --sing and celebrate ‘Christmas In July’ with the Hickory Tree Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines International. Learn to sing the coolest winter holiday songs in four-part a cappella harmony!

The New Providence-based Hickory Tree Chorus sings popular music year ‘round and is warming-up its holiday repertoire for this winter’s community performances, including its annual show, caroling in area downtown shopping districts and tree lighting ceremonies. Members from more than 40 area communities meet weekly to socialize and rehearse chord-ringing, fun-filled popular music sung in four-part, a cappella harmony, barbershop style.

Women singers are invited to attend any or all Wednesday evening rehearsals in July, including the ‘Holiday Party’ July 21. Sing along with the melodies you know or challenge yourself to learn a harmony part. Rehearsals are held 7:30 pm, July 7, 14, 21, and 28, at 570 Central Avenue, New Providence, NJ. RSVP by e-mail: members@hickorytreechorus.org or phone 908-307-6367. Visit hickorytreechorus.org for more information.

Top Score Earns HTC International Invitation

The New Providence-based Hickory Tree Chorus has earned an invitation to compete in Sweet Adelines International’s Harmony Classic contest in Houston, October 2011. Invitations are limited to the five highest-scoring mid-sized choruses competing in the world-wide organization’s 28 Regional contests. Not only did Hickory Tree Chorus place first in the mid-sized chorus division (and second in overall competition) at the April 24 contest of the Greater New York Region but, with the final regional contest completed May 22, its score was also officially the highest of all mid-sized choruses in the world.

A frequent International competitor, this will be the first appearance by Hickory Tree Chorus in the Harmony Classic. Unlike the overall International competition, where semi-finalist choruses are limited to performing two songs, Harmony Classic competitors are considered finalists in their division so have the opportunity to perform a 10-15 minute “performance package,” a mini Broadway-style production with choreography and a story-line.

Master Director, Carolyn Schmidt of the Gillette section of Long Hill Township, is looking forward to continuing the chorus’s tradition of excellence. “I am extremely proud of our chorus! Our singers have grown so much as performers and will enjoy the challenge of preparing for a competition of this scope. Performing for the live convention audience and friends all over the world watching the webcast, will be very exciting.”

Sweet Adelines International is a worldwide organization of women singers committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education and performances.Boasting nearly 25,000 members worldwide, it is one of the world's largest singing organizations for women. Members sing four-part, a cappella harmony in more than 1,200 registered quartets and 600 choruses. Chartered chapters are located in Australia, Canada, England, Germany, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Scotland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Wales and most of the 50 states in the United States.

Hickory Tree Chorus’s 52 members hail from more than 40 area communities. Team Coordinator, Michelle Metallo of Hillsborough encourages other women to join the chorus. “This is such an exciting time for all of our members and for Hickory Tree Chorus. We are the first chorus in the Greater New York Region to participate in this select competition. This honor has inspired us to perform even better than we already have and we would be thrilled to have new members join us on this exciting adventure.”

HTC Wins First Place Mid-Size Chorus, Second Place Overall

The Hickory Tree Chorus was awarded First Place Mid-Size Chorus and Second Place Overall in the annual competition of the Greater New York Region of Sweet Adelines International, April 24, 2010 at the Sheraton City Center, Philadelphia, PA.

In quartet competition, Hickory Tree Chorus members appeared in three of the five medalists quartets. Escape, featuring HTC member Susan Schuman singing lead, was named 2010 Champion Quartet. Drive! featuring HTC member Patty Danner singing baritone, was awarded Third Place. The Four Baris, featuring HTC members Dana Dunlevy (tenor), Laura Partynski (lead), Kat Britt (baritone) and Carolyn Schmidt (lead), was awarded Fourth Place and the Novice Quartet Award.

Join the chorus, join the fun during the 'Sing In Spring' month-of-May Open House rehearsals, Wednesday evenings, 7:30pm.

HTC Friends and Family Wish Chorus Good Luck!

The Hickory Tree Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines International treated its friends and family to a free performance April 14, featuring the songs it will perform in the April 24 Greater New York Region of SAI annual contest in Philadelphia, PA. Also appearing were Moonstruck and The Four Baris, two of the four chapter quartets that will compete April 23.

'Sing In Spring' Month-of-May Open House

Grow with Hickory Tree Chorus and 'Sing In Spring'! Have real fun learning to sing real harmony with members of our trained Music Staff. Experience a guest-friendly introduction to singing 4-part a cappella harmony, barbershop style. Join the chorus, join the fun Wednesday evenings in May, 7:30 pm. Contact Membership Chair, Dolly Power at members@hickorytreechorus.org for more information!