Hickory Tree Chorus presents "Jersey Bounce"

Join Hickory Tree Chorus on a musical adventure through New Jersey! Sweet Adelines International's 2012 2nd Place Mid-size Chorus performs songs celebrating the state's landmarks, the shore, and songs made famous by Garden State artists.  Featuring guest men's quartet, Frank the Dog --Barbershop Harmony Society Quarter Finalist --and a special guest performance by Miss New Jersey 2012, Lindsey Petrosh.

Get your tickets now! Two December 1 performances, 3 and 7:30 p.m., at West Morris Mendham High School, 65 E. Main St., Mendham.

Contact Jeannie: 973-822-0798; or e-mail tickets@hickorytreechorus.org

Carolyn Schmidt Masters Sweet Arrangements

Soon after joining Sweet Adelines International in 1974, Carolyn Schmidt, with no previous experience, was asked by fellow quartet members to ‘fix some chords’ in “I Write the Songs.” 

“Now I arrange the songs!” says Schmidt, who this month was advanced by Sweet Adelines International to the Master Music Arranger level, a level which few in the organization ever achieve.

In the 67-year history of the 23,000-member women’s barbershop singing organization, only eight Certified Music Arrangers have reached the Master Music Arranger level, and only 5 of them are currently active.  The Sweet Adelines International Board of Directors, its Education Direction Committee, and Arrangers Coordinators all must agree on the advancement of a Certified Music Arranger.

“Carolyn is so deserving of the Master Music Arranger advancement,” says Carol Schwartz, Director of Music Services, Sweet Adelines International. “The designation recognizes not just quality arrangements, but her service to the educational mission of Sweet Adelines International.  Carolyn has always been eager to help educate up-and-coming arrangers. She is a highly regarded mentor.”

Since advancing to the Certified Music Arranger level in 1990, Schmidt has served the organization as a coordinator for the International Music Arrangers Program, as Arrangers Seminar faculty, on a team identifying material suitable for Young Women in Harmony (YWIH) arrangements, as Co-Chair of the International Arrangers Seminar, and as an arrangers mentor.

Sweet Adelines International choruses and quartets sing popular music, a cappella style, arranged in four-part harmony.  The organization is committed to the advancement of the barbershop style of music, with its distinctive close harmonies, singable melodies, and lyrical messages.

Schmidt has arranged over 125 songs.  A random sample includes: “Come Fly With Me” the swinging uptune made popular by Frank Sinatra; “In My Life” the touching Beatles ballad; “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” the rollicking chick anthem made popular by Cyndi Lauper; and “Happy Together” the relentlessly chipper hit by the Turtles.

Her arrangements are performed by Sweet Adelines International choruses and quartets around the world, most often by Hickory Tree Chorus, the Basking Ridge-based chapter of which she is also the Master Director.

“My favorite arrangements tend to be the ones I’ve just completed, and right now I really love ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’, the song made popular by Whitney Houston, that I just finished for Hickory Tree Chorus’s December 1 show,” says Carolyn.

“It was a creative challenge for me and I really enjoyed listening to and learning from others’ treatment of similar songs. It’s taking something that might look static on paper and transforming it into something that becomes live and danceable when performed by a group of women, with no accompaniment.  It’s like spinning gold from straw.”

Schmidt feels fortunate that she has a talented chorus –Hickory Tree Chorus is Sweet Adelines International’s 2012 Harmony Classic 2^nd place mid-sized chorus –ready and able to bring her arrangements to life.

“Arranging can be kind of tedious, like a crossword puzzle, trying to fit the notes and chords together. You believe it’s going to work, but when you walk away from the piano it’s on paper, not living.” Schmidt’s voice quickens as she continues, “Then you give it to the chorus! And then it’s off the paper, and it’s alive! It’s like magic –POOF! You see the energy the chorus brings to it and to an audience. That’s what’s really exciting!”

Schmidt is a life-long resident of the Gillette section of Long Hill Township, where she lives with her husband and cats, and where she gardens and arranges magic.

Get Away Wednesdays!

Maybe your vacation is over, but you can still "Get Away Wednesdays" with the Hickory Tree Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines International.  Summer is a great time to do all those things you never seem to find the time to do during the rest of the year --have some fun, make new friends, sing a new song!

The chorus is learning new music for its December 1 New Jersey-themed show, "Jersey Bounce" and it's a great time for Jersey girls to learn along at the same time. Who knows? Maybe you'll be on stage this winter!

RehearSING 7:30pm, Wednesdays, in Basking Ridge. E-mail: info@hickorytreechorus.org

Watch the video! Sweet Adelines Teach the World to Sing

2012 Scholarship Awarded to Ariel Rubin

Hickory Tree Chorus Awards 2012 Scholarship

The Hickory Tree Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines International awarded its 2012 Annual $1,000 Scholarship July 25 to Ariel Rubin, a 2012 graduate of Montclair High School, who will attend Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts this fall.

            Rubin has performed in musical theater from a young age, and appeared in eight musical productions at Montclair High School, including a starring role as Penelope Pennywise in this year’s production of “Urinetown.”  She is also a talented pianist, and has studied dance, acting, and musical theater at the ATC Studios in Clifton, NJ.

            After performing selections from “Jekyll and Hyde”, “Side Show”, and “Candide” for chorus members and guests, Rubin was presented the award by Hickory Tree Chorus Scholarship Chair, Lynn MacBeth

            Since 2001, the Basking Ridge-based Hickory Tree Chorus has awarded its annual scholarship to an area high school senior girl who intends to pursue a career in music. Recipients are chosen on the basis of their application and vocal music talent.  Applications for next year’s scholarship will be available January 2013.

            Hickory Tree Chorus is an award-winning women’s chorus performing popular music in four-part, a cappella harmony, barbershop style. For scholarship, performance, and membership information visit: hickorytreechorus.org

Youth In Harmony Night Showcases Student A Cappella

Student a cappella groups are invited to showcase their best performance, open mic style, 7:30 p.m., July 25 at "Youth In Harmony Night", sponsored by the Hickory Tree Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines International. 


Guy-, Girl-, and Mixed-ensembles are all welcome to share harmony and fun with this award-winning women's barbershop chorus, at their regular rehearsal site, located at 140 South Finley Avenue, Basking Ridge, NJ. 


FREE for singers and fans, but please register by calling or texting Dana at 973-980-8466. More on facebook.


Sweet Adelines International is a world-wide organization of women singers committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education, competition, and performance. The organization celebrates its founding July 13, with special events and open rehearsals all month.

Hickory Tree Chorus Installs 2012-13 Officers

            The Hickory Tree Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines International installed its 2012-13 Management Team ceremonies held June 11 at the Chimney Rock Inn in Gillette, NJ.  The Music and Performance Team was also recognized, and Hall of Fame and Choreography awards were also presented.

            Management Team members are pictured (l-r) Mary Lou Van Handle of Succasunna; Carlyn Barr of Manchester; Karen Ayres of Berkeley Heights; Carolyn Schmidt of Gillette (behind guest hostess, Lisbet Duponte); Rita Peyton of Berkeley Heights; Miriam Gonzalez of Staten Island, NY; Dolly Power of Elizabeth; Michelle Metallo of Hillsborough; and Patty Visioli of Somerset.

            Susan Williams of Madison was awarded the annual Hall of Fame award. A member of the chorus for 20 years, Williams currently serves as a Tenor Section Leader, a member of the Show Committee, and produces a weekly internal newsletter, but has held many leadership positions and “flies under the radar handling lots of vital tasks, never seeking recognition,” according to Master Director Carolyn Schmidt.

            Sara McHugh of Stanhope was awarded the “Golden Sneaker Award” for excellence in choreography. As a member of the choreography team, McHugh often presents the award to others members who have made great strides in choreography. But this year, the Management Team awarded the tongue-in-cheek trophy to McHugh, who returned to the chorus earlier this year after taking a leave of absence to pursue a Master’s degree.

            The Basking Ridge-based women’s chorus performs popular music in four-part a cappella harmony, barbershop style. The chorus was awarded 2^nd place, in the mid-sized chorus division, in the Sweet Adelines International competition, October 2011 in Houston, TX.  Women singers interested in joining the chorus are invited to visit a rehearsal, 7:30 p.m., Wednesdays, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 140 S. Finley Ave., Basking Ridge.  Visit on the web at hickorytreechorus.org or e-mail: info@hickorytreechorus.org

The Hickory Tree Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines International performed May 19th at Bernards Township's annual Charter Day festivities. It was the award-winning chorus's first performance there since moving rehearsals to Basking Ridge's St. Mark's Church September 2011. Under the direction of Carolyn Schmidt, the chorus performed a 20-minute set of popular songs in its signature four-part a cappella harmony, barbershop style. The chorus is available for both large and small performances and can be seen next May 25 at the County College of Morris in Randolph. Find the chorus on facebook and at hickorytreechorus.org.  Photo: Pat Auriemma