Seven of our rookies and re-newbies received certificates for their first (or first returning) performance with Piney Hills Harmony. These singers qualified on all the songs in our patriotic set, which we presented to the Farmerville VFW post recently.
Congratulations to these new and returning members of Sweet Adelines International for this major accomplishment!
We were so happy to sing in new member Lynn Ramsey at our Sept. 2 rehearsal. YAY!!!
In this photo, lead section leader Rebecca McNeill hugs Lynn after pinning an angel pin on her - our sing-in tradition.
Piney Hills Harmony Chorus has appointed a new full-time director, announced its local Wall of Fame winner, and elected officers and board members.
Candice Bassett, of Grayson, has become the full-time front-line director after serving as a co-director with Sheila Nugent, of Ruston, since September 2020. Nugent stepped down from directorship to join her singing sisters on the risers.
Bassett joined Piney Hills Harmony as a dual member in 2018, with her membership becoming full-time in the summer of 2020. Other Sweet Adelines experience includes 12 years' membership with Monroe's Southern Acappella Sound Chorus, where she served as assistant director, treasurer and, at various times, either lead or baritone section leader.
We had our first in-person (hybrid) rehearsal last night!!! It was GREAT to get back together after 14 1/2 months on Zoom - although we are thankful that we had that opporunity to get together during the pandemic.
Candice did a fine job of directing, and we even had two visitors from the Shreveport area.
We have BIG news.
We're pleased to announce that Candice Bassett has been named co-director of Piney Hills Harmony Chorus. She will share co-director duties with Sheila Nugent, who has directed PHHC since 2010.
"I'm very excited to begin working with Candice," Sheila said, "and I’m looking forward to new adventures as a co-directing team. I have great respect for her abilities and experience with Sweet Adelines.
Sweet Adelines International will host a Virtual Global Open House during October, and Piney Hills Harmony Chorus is inviting area female singers to take part.
We will sponsor a local open house at 6 p.m. Oct. 1 on Zoom. Participants will be able to meet chorus members, sing, and learn helpful vocal techniques from both the local music team and an internationally known guest instructor.
Sheila Carothers was named to the Region 10 Sweet Adelines Wall of Fame in the spring of 2020. Sheila joined Piney Hills Harmony in 2016 and jumped in full force immediately, beginning to serve on the board almost as soon as she was eligible. She has continued to serve there and in many other areas ever since. Several years of those years she served as secretary. She also chaired the Sunshine Committee for two years and currently chairs the Costume Committee. She has helped administratively in other immeasurable ways as well, such as volunteering many hours with our annual shows and Harmony Expo. Musically, she is a vital part of the baritone section.
Ruston's Piney Hills Harmony Chorus of Sweet Adelines presented "Home for Christmas" in Monroe's Strauss Theatre at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 15.
A mix of religious and secular seasonal songs were on the program, ranging from "Silent Night" and "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" to "White Christmas" and "Merry Christmas, Darling."
Featured guest performer was bagpiper Scott Arvin, of Lake Providence. Included among his repertoire were "Amazing Grace" and a medley spotlighting "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," "The Little Drummer Boy" and "We Three Kings of Orient Are."
Ruston's Sweet Adeline chorus brought home two medals from regional competition in Houston this spring, and leader Sheila Nugent attained a new directing level.
Piney Hills Harmony won third place among small choruses and also fifth place overall among the 14 choruses that competed in the March 17 event. Three other choruses sang in non-competitive divisions, and 19 quartets competed in a separate contest that weekend.
The fifth-place overall award came with the invitation to sing on the Show of Champions the closing night of the competition.
Join us for rehearsals
Thursday nights @ 6:30 p.m.
Presbyterian Church of Ruston
212 N. Bonner St.
Ruston, LA 71270
