Scholarship Applications Now Available

Hickory Tree Chorus Accepting Scholarship Applications
The Hickory Tree Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines International, is pleased to offer its annual $1,000 Scholarship to a young woman graduating high school in 2010, who intends to pursue a career in music. This scholarship will be given to a student selected on the basis of her application and her vocal musical talent.
Completed applications should include a CD or audio-tape, which should include at least two vocal performances, demonstrating the applicant’s particular talent. Applications must be received by April 16, 2010. All applicants will be notified during the week of May 24, 2010.
Applications are available at hickorytreechorus.org and many area guidance departments.
The Hickory Tree Chorus is an award-winning chapter of Sweet Adelines International singing four-part a cappella music, barbershop style. Members from 40 area communities rehearse and welcome guests Wednesdays, 7:30pm, at 570 Central Avenue, New Providence. Contact Lynn MacBeth for more scholarship information at lynnmacbeth@comcast.net or 908-879-2989.

HTC This Week

Peek at a weekly rehearsal of the Hickory Tree Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines International. This week the chorus welcomed 8 guests to its 'Sing A cappella Series.' Guests participated in warm-ups, received a free vocal lesson, joined the chorus on the risers and impressed everyone with their new skills. Chorus members also celebrated the birthday of a very special friend of HTC. Join the fun!

First Night Morris Performances Bright Start to New Year

Some 30 members of the Hickory Tree Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines International performed two late night sets for enthusiastic audiences at the beautiful Assumption Church, as part of the First Night Morris New Year's Eve festivities.

Given the snowy evening, the chorus was thrilled with the larger-than-expected audiences who were treated to a selection of popular songs from the chorus's extensive repertoire, including versions of the Beatle's "All My Lovin'" and a medley of the Beach Boys' "Surfin' Safari" and "Fun, Fun, Fun", both arranged by the chorus's Master Director Carolyn Schmidt.

Capturing the mood of the softly falling snow, the chorus also performed seasonal favorites "White Christmas", "Winter Wonderland", and "Jingle Bells".

The chorus invites women singers who want to join the chorus, join the fun to register for their free "Sing A Cappella Series" of vocal and performance lessons 7:15pm, January 6, 13, 19 and 27, at 570 Central Ave. New Providence. Contact Dolly at members@hickorytreechorus.org or visit hickorytreechorus.org for more information.

Happy New Year from your HTC blogger,
Dana Dunlevy

Sing in the New Year! Register for HTC's 'Sing Acappella Series '

Sweet Adelines International’s Hickory Tree Chorus invites women singers in the north/central New Jersey area who want to improve their vocal skills to register for the chorus’s Sing A Cappella Series, 7:15 pm January 6, 13, 19, and 27 at 570 Central Avenue, New Providence, NJ. The Hickory Tree Chorus is one of the hundreds of Sweet Adelines International choruses that make up this worldwide organization of women who sing four-part barbershop harmony.

Any woman of average singing ability, with or without vocal training, will find a part that fits her voice range with the help of Hickory Tree Chorus’s Music and Performance (MAP) team. Sing A Cappella Series participants will have the opportunity to work with Renee Porzel, Sweet Adelines International Certified Faculty, who will coach the chorus in Performance and Expression January 19. The other evenings, guests will work exclusively with Hickory Tree Chorus’s MAP team, and participate in portions of the chorus’s weekly rehearsals.

The Hickory Tree Chorus performs regularly throughout the community, produces an annual show, and awards an annual $1,000 scholarship to an area high school girl continuing her vocal music education in college.

Singing, performing and music education are only some of the benefits that members of Sweet Adelines International enjoy. Members experience genuine friendships, increased self-confidence, renewed vitality, and the unwavering motivation and inspiration of others that becomes invaluable.

For Sing A Cappella Series registration and directions contact Membership Chair, Dolly Power, at 908-307-6367 or members@hickorytreechorus.org. Visit on the web at hickorytreechorus.org

Hickory Tree Chorus Returns to First Night Morris

The Hickory Tree Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines International returns to First Night Morris, December 31, 2009 with two performances, 9:45 and 10:45 pm, at Assumption Church in Morristown. Fireworks before and after! Discount buttons still available.

real women. real harmony. real fun.

Click here for complete artist schedule, map, and more information.

HTC Quartets Caroling this Season

Liked what you saw on Hickory Tree Chorus's annual show, "Museum Mayhem"? You can catch many of the featured quartets caroling in area shopping centers this holiday season.

Listen for 'Moonstruck' weekends in historic Chester, 'Three Quarter Time' December 20 at the Shoppes at Union Hill in Denville, 'True Blues' weekend afternoons in downtown Summit, and award-winning 'Escape' Thursday evenings in downtown Westfield.

The chorus will perform at the Berkeley Heights Tree Lighting, December 5; the Elizabeth Library, December 19; and as part of the First Night Morris festivities, December 31.

photo: Hickory Tree Chorus takes a bow at the conclusion of its 2009 annual show 'Museum Mayhem' November 21. (courtesy Bernadette Koch)

HTC Assistant Director Schools Students In Barbershop

A Cappella Rules with WMMHS Singers

The freckle-faced, red-headed West Morris Mendham High School vocal music teacher could pass for one of her students, but Patty Danner is the school’s inspiring pied piper of singing. From rock and roll to barbershop style singing, she encourages her students to try it all. On November 21, an octet of young women and the 24-member Women’s Ensemble will perform collegiate and barbershop style a cappella music at WMMHS on ‘Museum Mayhem’ as guests of the Hickory Tree Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines International.

Mrs. Danner, a graduate of West Morris Central High School and Westminster Choir College, disproves the disparaging cliché of, “those who can’t --teach.” In addition to teaching and directing at least three afterschool vocal ensembles, she performs with and is an assistant director of the Hickory Tree Chorus and sings baritone in the 2009 Greater New York Region of Sweet Adelines International’s 3^rd place quartet, “Drive!” She also manages the New Jersey All-State Mixed Choir and is the Road Manager for the independent Rock N Roll Chorus.

When asked what they like about Mrs. Danner, an enthusiastic group of senior girls from the octet shouted out, “Everything! She rocks! Love Mrs. Danner! Her hair, her energy!”

The octet will sing a mix of collegiate and barbershop a cappella in the lobby for guests arriving for the 3pm and 7:30pm performances of the show.

The Women’s Ensemble, a non-audition chorus performing primarily barbershop style singing, will join the Hickory Tree Chorus on-stage. Danner uses materials provided by Sweet Adelines International’s Young Women In Harmony program to help teach the American musical art form although, as a child of a past member and Director of Hickory Tree Chorus, barbershop music is in her blood.

“I had the barbershop experience with my mom,” she says of why she introduced the style to her students. “I love barbershop music because it creates better musicians, they become better musicians and they are better in my chorus. You can do outside performances without bringing a piano or keyboard, which is HUGE! Plus, they were excited about it. I try to pick very current songs, Broadway tunes and songs like that, that keep it exciting for the girls.”

The Women’s Ensemble incorporates some aspects of a show choir which also appeals to the students.

Megan Holnes, senior, says, “I like barbershop, everyone in there [Women’s Ensemble] gets along, never any fighting, I like the whole dancing along. Barbershop? I just like the sound.”

Melissa Replogle, senior, says of the barbershop sound, “I really like the close harmonies. I like singing bari, it has the coolest harmonies.”

Hickory Tree Chorus Director, Carolyn Schmidt, is delighted that Danner has included barbershop singing in her curriculum.

“It’s a fun, yet challenging, form of a cappella singing. It’s fun for all ages. It incorporates good singing techniques and blends vocal, performance and characterization skills. Barbershop singing can be a lifelong passion. Not every singer can be a lead in a musical, but we can all be stars in a large vocal theatrical production like barbershop,” observes Schmidt.

Schmidt has two daughters, Andrea, a recent college graduate and trained classical pianist, and Lauren, a college student and trained opera singer. Yet both also love barbershop singing. Andrea sings with Hickory Tree Chorus and Lauren with Chicago-based Melodeers Chorus.

“Barbershop singing is something that women can do even after they’ve left the structured community of college life. The camaraderie is very much like a collegiate choral group. The friendships, the bonds that develop from a shared activity brings together women of all generations, careers, and backgrounds. We’re so much more alike because of the music and how it pulls us together,” says Schmidt.

Wrapped around a fun story-line, ‘Museum Mayhem’ will feature not only the WMMHS singers, but Danner’s quartet and guest men’s quartet ‘Round Midnight, a group of young music educators and the Barbershop Harmony Society’s Mid-Atlantic District current champions.

‘Museum Mayhem’ tickets are on sale now. All seating is reserved and tickets for both the 3pm and 7:30 pm performances at WMMHS, 65 Main Street Mendham range from $10-$20 in advance. Order by phone 908-790-0334 or e-mail: tickets@hickorytreechorus.org. More information at hickorytreechorus.org