Hickory Tree Chorus Awards 2012 Scholarship

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

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

Sing In Spring With Hickory Tree Chorus

The Basking Ridge-based Hickory Tree Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines International is buzzing with activity this spring, with two scheduled area performances and an invitation for women to join the chorus, join the fun! About 20 members of the 50-voice chorus will perform 1:40 p.m., May 19 at Bernards Township’s annual Charter Day Street Fair and Festival. This will be the award-winning chorus’s first performance in Bernards Township, since the chorus moved to Basking Ridge in September 2011.

“We’re really looking forward to performing for the community and meeting women who might enjoy singing chord-ringing, fun-filled, popular music with us,” says Master Director, Carolyn Schmidt.

Another small ensemble from the chorus will perform 1:15 p.m., May 25, at the Student Center at the County College of Morris. The performance is open to the public. 

More than 23,000 women world-wide share harmony and friendship through Sweet Adelines International. It is one of the largest independent music education organizations in the world.

During the month of May, Hickory Tree Chorus’s trained music staff offers a free vocal lesson to any woman who visits a 7:30 p.m., Wednesday rehearsal at St. Mark’s Church, 140 S. Finley Avenue, Basking Ridge. Ready to really live your life? E-mail: info@hickorytreechorus.org. More at hickorytreechorus.org and on facebook.

Hickory Tree Chorus Awarded Regional Medal

The Hickory Tree Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines International was awarded 3rd Place medals in the 2012 Greater New York Region annual competition, March 24 in Philadelphia, PA. It is the 27th regional medal awarded the Basking Ridge-based women’s chorus and the 14th under Master Director Carolyn Schmidt of Long Hill Township.

Individual members of the chorus also competed in the March 23 quartet competition, including Patricia Danner of Long Valley, who was awarded a 2nd Place medal with Drive! quartet. Members Rosemarie Gerber of Randolph, Lori Servidio of West Caldwell, Rita Peyton and Shayna Atkinson, both of Berkeley Heights, singing as Three Quarter Time quartet, were awarded the Novice Quartet Award.

Jeannie Allen of Florham Park, Eleanor Borris of Rockaway, and Lilas Schmidt of Long Hill Township were each awarded certificates recognizing their 40 years of continuous membership with the world-wide organization, singing exclusively with The Hickory Tree Chorus.

Sweet Adelines International is a worldwide organization of women singers dedicated to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education, competition, and performance.

The chorus competes and performs regularly and, through April 21, is accepting applications for its annual $1,000 scholarship, to be awarded to a graduating high school senior young woman. For membership, performance, and scholarship information e-mail info@hickorytreechorus.org or visit hickorytreechorus.org.

Hickory Tree Chorus Welcomes New Members

The Hickory Tree Chorus chapter of Sweet Adelines International welcomed two new members following a month-long January Open House. Phyllis Prestamo of Succasunna (top, center) and Tina Levine of Basking Ridge (bottom, center) were welcomed by Membership Chair Dolly Power (l) and Master Director Carolyn Schmidt (r) after successful auditions. The chorus auditions new members year 'round at rehearsals, Wednesday evenings at St. Mark's Church, 140 S. Finley Ave., Basking Ridge. For more information visit: hickorytreechorus.org