Happy New Year! I believe in building blocks - do not think that your resolve for a better year had to end at the stroke of midnight! One New Year’s Resolution that is a great way to improve your outlook, daily performance, relieve tension and tune into your higher positive power is to sing! Sing away the last year! Or two!

As a Realtor for Houlihan Lawrence and a long time resident of the Bedford/Katonah/Mt. Kisco area I am concerned with helping families new to the area find what is of interest to them. It is always more than just finding the right house. Of course there are the schools and after-school activities, where to get the dog groomed, and sometimes there is someone that has to find a knitting shop. That is a snap!

Something almost stumped me once was when a family was being relocated by Jet Blue from Toronto, Canada to the New York area. The Mother enjoyed singing with the “Sweet Adeline’s” in Toronto. Due to the Magic of The Internet I found them! It was the early days of the Internet and there were very few websites, but I had to search within articles to look for leads. In this area they are known as “The Golden Apple Chorus.” My client was MORE than delighted.

The GOLDEN APPLE CHORUS was founded in April, 1969, as an a cappella ensemble of women singers in barbershop harmony. They are a local chapter of Sweet Adeline’s International. There are 600 groups worldwide. They rehearse weekly year round at the Hawthorne Reformed Church, 65 Broadway, Hawthorne, NY. Visitors are welcome anytime. Their selections cover a great deal of The Great American Songbook and are delightful. After a few sessions there is a gentle audition with a few of the members. Their Motto is “Real Women, Real Harmony, Real Fun!” I have been to their “Holiday Harmony Concerts” plus their annual performances. I know they have won regional awards and they have an incredible director, Dr. Anastasio (Stash) Rossi. I also found out that the head of the group and I both attended Our Lady of Victory Academy in Dobbs Ferry. Can’t keep a Victory girl down! Love those small world stories! Once my daughter is off to College I hope to join. The counterpart for men would be The Chordsmen in White Plains.

If you prefer classical choral music there is THE MASTER SINGERS OF WESTCHESTER. They were founded in 1981 and practice for 8 months of the year at The Fox Lane Middle School in Bedford. When it is concert time either at the Bedford Presbyterian Church or the Westmoreland Nature Sanctuary, they perform with an orchestra and professional soloists. Men and women may join without an audition. Just have a love of singing! They will help you with Baroque and Classical techniques at the rehearsals.

The singers live throughout Westchester and in nearby Connecticut. New singers are welcome. Recent Concerts performed Vivaldi’s “Magnificat,” Haydn’s “Missa Brevis in F Major” and a Manhattanville College Chorus favorite of mine: “Faure’s Requiem.”

I was not able to attend this December’s concert at the Bedford Presbyterian Church to hear Benjamin Britten’s “A Ceremony of Carols” due to the ice storm which blanketed the area. It was sad to miss that part of my Christmas Tradition.

I know it seems like a lot to do after a long day or even life - but it is refreshing, positive and you may also find that everything falls right into place after such an uplifting evening and may just be what the Doctor ordered! Due to their proximity to my home in Katonah how can I not join this wonderful ensemble?!

Plus the outfits for the performances for each group are to die for!

For great attention to all the details of finding your future home contact me. Happy New Year!

Golden Apple Chorus

Master Singers of Westchester

The Chordsmen

Posted By: Karen Benvin Ransom