The ladies of the Liberty Oak Chorus are in harmony. Sharing a common bond for their love of a cappella singing in the barbershop style, the chorus performs a unique style of music.
“A capella is very technical, very difficult,” said Katie Blackwood, master director of the Liberty Oak Chorus, which is based in Freehold Township and draws its members from throughout western Monmouth County and northern Ocean County.
The music is produced by four vocal parts sung a cappella (without the use of instrumental accompaniment).
Mastering this type of singing has been the goal of the Liberty Oak Chorus since its inception in 1982. In that year, the chorus became an official member of Sweet Adelines International, a worldwide organization of women who sing four-part a cappella harmony.
The Liberty Oak Chorus has been entertaining audiences since 1982. Above, director Katie Blackwood leads a performance in Freehold Township. Bottom right, Sheila Hodroski performs with the chorus. PHOTOS BY REBECCA NOWALSKI Johanna Herudek, who is the only remaining active charter member, said the chorus started with 25 members and now has 80 members who range in age from 21 to 80. New Jersey has five official Sweet Adelines International choruses, according to Herudek.
Liberty Oak Chorus performs at civic events and charitable functions throughout the year. The group also participates in an annual regional competition.
“We won first place in the regional competition in 2013 and 2015, and we will compete in the international competition in Las Vegas in October 2016,” Herudek said.
Liberty Oak Chorus is currently ranked among the top 20 choruses internationally, according to the organization’s website.
“We have an excellent work ethic and talented singers. The environment is competitive, yet friendly and caring. The group brings musical excellence,” Blackwood said.
The chorus practices weekly and holds guest night auditions for anyone who may be interested in joining.
“We have some people who just walk off the street and say they love it and they want to learn it,” Herudek said.
Training comes from within the chorus.
“For the auditions, you do not have to read music. We are not looking for a professional singer. We are looking for someone who can learn the music and hold their own,” Herudek said.
Blackwood, who is also a voice teacher and a cappella coach, leads the women of the chorus in their four-part harmonies.
Blackwood has been with the Liberty Oak Chorus for a decade and has been a member of the Sweet Adelines International for 25 years.
Her mother was a Sweet Adelines International member for 40 years and her father was a barbershop singer for more than 20 years.
“Originally, I did not want to get into it, but then I married a barbershopper and got into it that way,” Blackwood said.
For more information, visit the website www.libertyoakchorus.org or www.sweetadelineintl.org