- Somerset Hills Harmony Reaches 40 Members
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Date Posted: Mon, Oct 21 2024
Somerset Hills Harmony now has 40 members! After a post-pandemic low of 15 active singers, SHH has been steadily adding members these last three years. Says Chorus President, Chris Staffin, "We are so happy to be a growng, vibrant music organization. But what makes this especially fun is that our sound keeps getting better. as well.
- Somerset Hills Harmony Places 6th in Regional Competition
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Date Posted: Sat, Sep 28 2024
York, PA September 28
Somerset hills Harmony placed 6th in the BHS Mid-Atlantic DIstrict Chorus Finals. SHH qualified for the finals in April, and this is the chorus' fhighest finish since the current scoring system went into effect more than 30 years ago. The set included "Burnin' the Roadhouse Down" and "To Make You Feel My Love". The chorus' western costumes were a hit with the audience.
- SHH Named Most Improved Chorus at MAD Northern Division
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Date Posted: Sun, Apr 14 2024
Nazareth, PA, April 12, 2024
Somerset Hills Harmony was named Most Improved Chorus for the second time in three years at the BHS Mid-Atlantic District Northern Division Contest. posting their highest score in decades. The chorus sang "Burnin' the Roadhouse Down" and "Desperado".
- Somerset Hills Harmony Reaches Top 10 in District Competition
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Date Posted: Thu, Oct 13 2022
Somerset Hills Harmony recently competed in the annual fall contest at the Mid-Atlantic District of the Barbershop Harmony Society in Lancaster, PA, and placed 9th. This was the first district appearance as a mixed ensemble and the first time ever breaking into the top 10.
The chorus performed two songs:
'I Walk with Music", by Hoagy Carmichael and Johnny Mercer, Arr. Adam Bock
"I Love Being Here with You", by Peggy Lee, Arr. Aaron Dale
Somerset Hills Harmony drew the final performance slot of the event, which meant that all of the other competitors were in the audience along with the spectators. For many, this was their first-ever exposure to the chorus. The crowd greeted the arrival of the group on stage with a cheer of "SHHHHHHHHH...." (our initials).
- Somerset Hills Named Most Improved Chorus at Convention
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Date Posted: Sun, Apr 17 2022
Somerset Hills Harmony recently traveled to Nazareth, PA to participate in the Northeast Division (regional) Chorus Competition hosted by the Barbershop Harmony Society's Mid Atlantic District. It was the chorus' first competitive event since the pandemic, and a chance to see how the ensemble compared to the pre-Covid version. The performance consisted of two pieces:
"To Make You Feel My Love", by Bob Dylan, Arr. Aaron Dale
"I Walk with Music", by Hoagy Carmichael, Arr. Adam Bock (world choral premier of this arrangement)
SHH attained the highest score the chapter has registered in 30 years, placed second in the AAA plateau, and was named most improved chorus of the contest.
- Somerset Hills Harmony Establishes Faculty in Residence Program
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Date Posted: Tue, Mar 29 2022
Somerset Hills Harmony (SHH), Central New Jersey’s premiere mixed all-age a cappella chorus, is excited to announce that we have established a Faculty in Residence program funded by a private grant.
We are equally excited to announce that our first Faculty in Residence is Dr. John Wilson, Choral Director of Bridgewater-Raritan High School and President of NJACDA. In this capacity, Dr. Wilson:
- Serves as an education/training resource for our musical leadership, including directors and section leaders.
- Advises on the continued development of our member education plan.
- Serves as a clinical resource when appropriate.
Chris Staffin, Somerset Hills Harmony President, commented, “John Wilson has been a pillar of the New Jersey choral education community for a number of years. We are looking forward to taking our organization to the next level with his guidance.”
Doug Brown, Vocal & Performance Coach for Somerset Hills Harmony, observed, “This is a positive opportunity that demonstrates that the organization is committed to the education and development of not only its members, but section leaders and the director team as well. I think this provides another significant leap forward for the entire chorus.”
For more information on our musical leadership, to read Dr. Wilson’s full bio, or to learn more about Somerset Hills Harmony, visit www.shhchorus.org or email info@shhchorus.org.
- Somerset Hills Harmony Inducts 15 New Members, Names First Female President
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Date Posted: Wed, Jan 26 2022
Pluckemin, NJ - Somerset Hills Harmony (SHH), a mixed a cappella chorus based in Central NJ, is pleased to announce that in the last four months the chorus has added 15 official members. Thirteen of these are first time Barbershop Harmony Society members, plus one reconnection and one who added SHH as a second ensemble. Some of these members had begun to sing with SHH prior to the pandemic, some while the chorus was virtual/drive-in, and some started attending in the latter part of the year with the resumption of live rehearsals. Two new members have come through the SHH youth/college outreach program.
The chorus has also installed its new executive team for 2022, which includes Chris Staffin as President (pictured center), Craig Barth as Chapter Secretary, Deb Schleiff as Treasurer, and Don Staffin as VP Public Experience. The Chorus Director is Nicholas Seifert, and the Associate Director is Colleen Grzywacz (pictured above with Chris Staffin).
Chris becomes the first female president of the organization since its charter in 1949. A member of the Barbershop Harmony Society since 2019 and the chorus’ first female member, Chris previously served as chapter EVP. She commented, “I’m very excited to be taking on this challenge. As the singing world emerges from the pandemic, there is a lot of work to do. Fortunately, we have a very strong and close family in Somerset Hills Harmony. We also have a unique mission in this chorus where we are building excellence through a commitment to music education, both for our members as well as through our youth outreach efforts. We will have a forthcoming announcement about our advances in this area soon.”
Chris has been an involved in choral music for more than 50 years, and currently coaches a cappella at Bridgewater-Raritan High School. She is also a member of Parkside Melody. When not singing, Chris serves as the Director of Child and Family Ministries at Pluckemin Presbyterian Church and also manages a consulting company.
Looking for a choral home or thinking of adding an SATB a cappella chorus to your music experience? For more information about Somerset Hills Harmony, visit www.shhchorus.org or email info@shhchorus.org.
- Somerset Hills Harmony Releases Updated Christmas Hymn Collection
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Date Posted: Tue, Dec 21 2021
As 2021 draws to a close, we are facing a holiday season of uncertainty that bears some similarity to 2020. For anyone who finds themselves apart from their family, unable to go to Christmas Services, or just needs to hear some classic Christmas music, Somerset Hills Harmony has re-released our Christmas Hymn Project. This is a collection of 10 beloved traditional hymns, plus a 2021 Bonus Track to remind us of old friends. It was produced in partnership with Pluckemin Presbyterian Church. All of the music is set to beautiful lyric visuals so you can sing along.
Wishing you a happy and peaceful holiday season from Somerset Hills Harmony
Note - the song videos can be viewed individually on our YouTube channel.YouTube Video URL:
- Bridgewater-Raritan BReeze Article on SHH
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Date Posted: Tue, Oct 5 2021
The following appeared in the BReeze, a newspaper serving Bridgewater and Raritan: A Cappella Singing Re-Imagined by Local Chorus
Did you watch Pitch Perfect and wish you could sing like that? Did you love the NBC Sing-Off or groups like Pentatonix and Rockapella, and long to experience the rush of a cappella singing?
At Somerset Hills Harmony, an all-age, mixed-gender a cappella group based in Bridgewater/Pluckemin, we offer a unique approach to help almost anyone learn to sing and perform this type of music, whether you are highly experienced or just beginning.
How do we do it?- An accelerated learning method that allows singers to learn almost any song in 1-2 hours. This eliminates wasted rehearsal time and lets the chorus concentrate on the fun of sounding great together and performing well.
- A team of experienced directors backed by world-class vocal coaches, music advisors, and clinicians.
- A unique method of personalized feedback combining technology and training to help the singer understand their progress.
- An on boarding process that is audition-free, coupled with a family of talented, friendly and supportive singers, most of whom are from the surrounding community.
- Nick Seifert Named Director of Somerset Hills Harmony
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Date Posted: Sun, Aug 22 2021
Somerset Hills Harmony is pleased to announce that Nick Seifert has been named Director of the chorus. Nick is a music educator with Immaculata High School in Somerville, NJ and a graduate of Notre Dame University. You can see Nick's complete bio by clicking here. Nick is assisted by Colleen Grzywacz, a music educator at Hackettstown Middle School, Don Staffin, in-house Arranger and a cappella coach for Bridgewater-Raritan High School's A Cappella Alliance, and vocal coach Doug Brown, a longtime and distinguished leader in the Mid-Atlantic District of BHS, and President of the Atlantic Harmony Brigade.
- SHH Presents: "Harmony Rising" Live Drive-In Concert
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Date Posted: Sat, Jun 5 2021
WHEN: Saturday, June 12th at 3pm and 7pm. Parking lot will be open a half hour before the concert begins. Rain date, Sunday, June 13th at 7pm only.
WHO: Somerset Hills Harmony Chorus, Gimme Four quartet featuring Tim Waurick, East Coast Sound chorus, Cohesion quartet, and the Hunterdon Harmonizers chorus joined by the Lehigh Valley Harmonizers – over 80 singers!
WHERE: Pluckemin Presbyterian Church parking lot, 279 Route 202-206, Pluckemin, NJ
COST: Free, donations welcome
DURATION: One hour and fifteen minutes
In one of the most difficult times for choral music, Somerset Hills Harmony has persevered with innovation and vigor to keep the arts alive. On June 12th they present “Harmony Rising”; possibly the first fully live public choral concert of 2021 in New Jersey and in the New York metro area.
Somerset Hills Harmony has thrived during the pandemic by reinventing the chorus rehearsal. The group partnered with choruses the Hunterdon Harmonizers, the Lehigh Valley Harmonizers and East Coast Sound with their safe “Hot Rods and Harmony” drive-in rehearsals. This triumph of the arts over a global health crisis was featured in the New York Times and on the NBC Sunday TODAY show.
The Harmony Rising concert represents a lifting of the veil of silence that the pandemic laid upon live performing arts. The event brings over 80 singers together, proud to share the awakening of harmony in a safe atmosphere for singers and audience alike.
Audience members are welcome to enjoy the concert from the comfortable and safe environment of their car by tuning in to the concert over the FM radio or to sit beside their vehicle and listen via loudspeakers.
The performing groups have selected a repertoire of music to transport you to a carefree place. Enjoy moving Broadway tunes, pop classics from the 60’s to today and harmonic ballads from Adele and Elvis Presley. Choral music enthusiasts will enjoy the full sound of multiple choruses, and contemporary a cappella fans can delight in songs you would hear in the “Pitch Perfect” movies.
The event is free to the public and is perfect for a family day out or date night. To cover the costs of the event the group will welcome donations with a suggested amount of $20 per vehicle.
Current CDC, state and local COVID-19 guidelines will be observed. If you will be enjoying the event from outside of your vehicle, please honor the social distancing comfort of those around you. The chorus requests that anyone experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 or that has been in close contact with anyone infected with COVID-19 within 14 days of the event remain home.
- SOMERSET HILLS HARMONY PARTNERS WITH PLUCKEMIN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CHOIR TO RELEASE “EASTER HYMN PROJECT” (SHH @Home Project, Somerset Hills Harmony)
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Date Posted: Fri, Apr 2 2021
As the first significant church holiday to be affected by the pandemic for a second year, this year’s Easter services face the real prospect of missing the celebrated sound of a choir. Somerset Hills Harmony has built on it’s successful Christmas Hymn Project of 2020 to share recordings of several traditional hymns for Easter services. The chorus teamed up with the choir from Pluckemin Presbyterian Church in the church parking lot to record their voices in a rather unique setting – their personal cars. The safe environs of the mobile studios provided a perfect solution to the risk of superspreading choir singing as the positive COVID-19 cases continue to mount in New Jersey.
Don Staffin, President of Somerset Hills Harmony spent countless hours engineering the parking lot choir recordings into a collection of songs suitable for any church services this Holy Week. Chris Staffin, Don’s wife, created video masterpieces, setting the songs to peaceful visuals which transformed the effort to be used in livestreamed online services or recordings. The Staffins lent their technical talents as well as their voices to bring this Easter season one step closer to a feeling of home for so many congregants and parishioners.
The songs are freely available on YouTube along with several other past productions of Somerset Hills Harmony. The a cappella chorus is proud to keep the arts alive for the past twelve months, producing over two dozen virtual chorus recordings and hosting drive-in choral concerts. Learn more about how you can join your voice with SHH or sign up for their mailing list at www.shhchorus.org.
The YouTube playlist for the Easter Hymn Project can be found here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxL5DJLxpTygeWk2_ex4GSJCClMA7dEhA
Individual songs:
Jesus Christ is Risen Today https://youtu.be/fcCYple13VQ
The Strife is O’er https://youtu.be/WKlnu2DxCUQ
Thine is the Glory https://youtu.be/GM5U9CLP-RQ
Ah, Holy Jesus https://youtu.be/GHQ_398P46c
- SHH Releases The Fields of Athenry for St. Patrick's Day
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Date Posted: Wed, Mar 17 2021
Somerset Hills Harmony is pleased to present the finale of our two part virtual St. Patrick's Day Celebration: "The Fields of Athenry". In November, Faith Rizzuto - one of our soprano singers - discovered this song on YouTube and suggested that it could work a cappella.
We decided to make it one of our "small group projects". As we learned more about this beautiful Irish ballad written by Pete St. John in 1979, we discovered that it is essentially the second national anthem of Ireland. It can be heard at sporting events, in pubs, at fairs, etc. The chorus fell in love with the song, and we ultimately ended up with 30 tracks for our virtual performance.
We wish you a wonderful St. Patrick's Day, and hope that the luck of the Irish stays with you for the rest of the year.YouTube Video URL:
- Irish Blessing: SHH Kicks off First in A Series of Virtual Choir Productions (SHH @Home Project, Somerset Hills Harmony)
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Date Posted: Fri, Mar 12 2021
Coming off an incredible 2020 - yes, even in a pandemic this chorus was magically audacious - Somerset Hills Harmony kicks off a steady stream of virtual choir productions. First up is an epic incidence of outreach with their choral partners, Bridgewater-Raritan High-School Choir. John Wilson, Director of Choral Activities for Bridgewater-Raritan School District has been an advisor and long time frend of the a cappella chorus. In years past, many members of the Somerset Hills Chorus participated on stage with the high school choir and its alumni for their annual tradition of singing "Irish Blessing".
WIth the global pandemic altering educational and musical plans it seemed that the Irish staple would be yet another COVID-casualty. Tapping into their alliance, and the technical and organizational assets of SHH, the local a cappella chorus was able to lend its talents, and select voices, to the high school's choral program to bring the "Irish Blessing" to life. The remarkable feat was coordinated by Don and Chris Staffin who have deep connections to the high school, having seen their four daughters prosper under John WIlson's direction. The effort proves that once again music and the arts can persevere even in the darkest of times.YouTube Video URL: Attachment: 
For more information, see: https://fb.watch/4bXAw_nE_A/
- SOMERSET HILLS HARMONY AND PLUCKEMIN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH PARTNER TO SPREAD MUSICAL HOLIDAY CHEER (SHH @Home Project, Somerset Hills Harmony)
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Date Posted: Tue, Dec 22 2020
SOMERSET HILLS HARMONY AND PLUCKEMIN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH PARTNER TO SPREAD MUSICAL HOLIDAY CHEER
The glory of choirs singing and music playing is often a taken for granted aspect of church services. As the pandemic took hold and impacted the religious world, the connection between community and spoken word was interrupted. Churches were forced to go dark and lay fallow as indoor gatherings, and especially singing, were forbidden due to the risk of superspreading the virus. Churchgoers and pastors flocked online to virtual pews and pulpits and relied on “off the shelf” recordings of hymns to instill the spirit of church and community.
Similarly, Somerset Hills Harmony, an a cappella chorus in northern-central New Jersey, spent the first few months of the pandemic online. The “virtual rehearsals” became an oasis from the deluge of hardships being faced. Yet, this newfound approach could not deliver the true choral experience.
As the summer sun rose, the group discovered a new approach to sing together, in person, safely – the drive-in rehearsal. By using simple audio technology, such as handheld microphones, an audio mixing console and an FM transmitter, each singer could attend in the safety of their own car and find their voice blending with the chorus. Thus was born “Hot Rods and Harmony” and they became one of the few choruses in the world that could sing together safely and effectively, all in the parking lot of the Pluckemin Presbyterian Church.
This musical salvation brought with it an opportunity. SHH (as the members refer to the group) discovered that they could record each voice separately as if in a studio. The group’s host church has many connections in the chorus, including Don and Chris Staffin. The couple participates in Pluckemin Presbyterian’s music ministry which has formed a close bond with SHH. Although not affiliated, SHH has often appeared in the church’s summer and Christmas musical programs for the community.
In the fall, the Staffins had the foresight to capitalize on these new mobile audio capabilities to record music that the church could use in services throughout the season of advent. A pop-up choir of dozens of singers from SHH, the church and community raised their voices in their sedans and SUVs to create a series of recordings. Ten hymns were recorded in all, each a cappella featuring just the beautiful blend of human voices. Don Staffin spent countless hours applying a newfound expertise in audio engineering to create a wonderful compilation of music.
This “Christmas Hymn Project” has been shared with the music ministry of the Pluckemin Presbyterian Church and has resurrected the authentic choral component for church services. The return of this simple element again amplified the connection among the church community even though it is through a computer or phone screen.
The impact, however, has gone far beyond the quiet town of Pluckemin, New Jersey. The songs have been shared throughout music ministry networks in a flash. The songs have been played over a thousand times throughout America and as far as Scotland. Somerset Hills Harmony wishes to share this gift with others as well. The hymns are available to the public on YouTube, either as individual songs to be used or enjoyed on their own, or as a continuous stream of songs like you would find on a CD. The warmth of the choir provides a bit of harmony for all, whether part of a religious gathering or in the peaceful calm of one’s home.
For more information or to experience the music of the Christmas Hymn Project, go to Somerset Hills Harmony’s website, www.shhchorus.org.
YouTube Video URL: For more information, see: https://www.shhchorus.org/CHP
- SHH Partners with Sing Aphasia to Keep the World Singing (SHH @Home Project, Somerset Hills Harmony, Virtual Gold)
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Date Posted: Thu, Dec 17 2020
This year has been full of unexpected, wonderful surprises for Somerset Hills Harmony – and opportunities. While the world faced uncertainty, stress and concern, the chorus in northern-central New Jersey pressed forward with an innovative way to keep singing – the drive in rehearsal we call “Hot Rods and Harmony”. And then SHH’s leadership spread word about it through seminars and social media.
In our very first webinar we met a remarkable person – Dr. Gillian Velmer. Turns out she is a catalyst in creating an avenue for people living with aphasia to sing in a loving, nurturing and warm environment. In Sing Aphasia’s words, aphasia is “a communication disorder that results from brain injury in the left hemisphere in the brain.” The simple act of singing together connects people living with aphasia in a community and provides countless therapeutic benefits. Sing Aphasia in on the cusp of great international growth even during a pandemic!
Dr. Velmer was intrigued and impressed with the Hot Rods and Harmony presentation but struggled with the technical and financial investment it would take for her to bring the concept to her in-person Sing Aphasia gatherings, the ones that used to happen before the pandemic took hold. So we asked, “where in the world are you, maybe we can connect you with another group to collaborate.” “Bridgewater, New Jersey” she replied. A mere ten minutes or so from the parking lot where SHH was innovating the drive in rehearsals in partnership with the Hunterdon Harmonizers. It was a no-brainer – Sing Aphasia was invited to rehearse in the parking lot using the equipment and technical team that SHH and the Harmonizers use, free of charge.
Of all the things that SHH and the Hunterdon Harmonizers appeared to lose in the early days of the pandemic, outreach to our community was a hard one to accept. There would be no concerts, no performances for people in need of some harmony in their life, no fundraisers for deserving groups. The simple email from Dr. Velmer changed all of that and opened a brilliant new way of sharing harmony with people that thrive on singing as a core element of their being. This newfound partnership will certainly outlast the pandemic and these three singing organizations will continue to find new ways to share in the joy and healing power of music, no matter what the world has in store. Music and harmony will prevail over all obstacles.
Sing Aphasia recently shared a video of heartfelt thanks for the gesture of outreach – it was all of the appreciation anyone could hope for. Hearing the voices and seeing the faces of the Sing Aphasia choir fills our hearts to overflowing. Please enjoy this video, as well as their amazing international collaboration “What a Wonderful World” and please share the message of Sing Aphasia’s mission to connect people with aphasia in a wonderful world of singing.
Watch Sing Aphasia’s “Just Sing A Song” video of thanks here: https://fb.watch/2rnzdzmPqy/
Watch the AMAZING “What a Wonderful World” video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty93jpQ2UCo
Learn more about Somerset Hills Harmony: www.shhchorus.org
Learn more about Sing Aphasia: www.singaphasia.comYouTube Video URL: For more information, see: https://singaphasia.com/
- SHH Featured in Barbershop Harmony Society Everyone in Harmony Stories (Somerset Hills Harmony)
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Date Posted: Wed, Nov 25 2020
Just before the world shuttered in response to a global pandemic, the barbershop world was noticing this little, but growing, chorus in the shadows of New York City. The Barbershop Harmony Society chose Somerset Hills Harmony to be featured in their "Everyone In Harmony Stories" series. The set of videos were produced to showcase groups that had embraced the BHS's vision of radical inclusion, and SHH certainly fit the bill. SHH was featured at the end of May 2020, a time when many choruses were losing hope about singing during the pandemic. Soon after the video was aired SHH launched a viral initiative to get fellow choruses singing using the drive-in rehearsal approach. In doing so SHH embodied the spirit of "Everyone in Harmony"..
As we give thanks in the US, SHH gives thanks to the BHS for the incredible feature, and gives thanks to its leaders and member family for pressing the choral arts forward even when times seem bleak.
Harmony, in its purest form, means "the combination of simutaneously sounded musical notes to produce chords and chord progressions having a pleasing effect". "Harmony" means so much more to SHH - it is the deeply rooted connection between humans to make something beautiful occur regardless of the world around them. Somerset Hills Harmony looks forward to building more and more connections as it finds new audiences, singers and ventures in the years to come.YouTube Video URL:
- The TODAY Show - SHH Gets Additional National Attention (SHH @Home Project, Somerset Hills Harmony)
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Date Posted: Sun, Nov 22 2020
It all started in July when Don Staffiin watched a YouTube video of Bryce and Kathryn Denney about their crazy idea of having a church choir rehearsal in their driveway, safely, by giving each singer their own mic and piping the sound back to them via FM. SHH's leadership was inspired and within a week had a makeshift set up wired together in Christian Hunter's front yard in Flemington, NJ. Six singers and a director. Countless shivers, smiles and tears of joy. One week later 12 singers, and more joy and harmony for the first time in some five months. In only took one more week and an ever improving set up of equipment and sound technicians and the Somerset Hills Harmony chorus was back - two dozen singers and a heavenly reunion of the SHH family.
From that first night in the front yard, SHH knew that this drive-in rehearsal approach would be a success and provide a safe singing environment for one of the most concerning activities in a pandemic - sustained exhalation while singing. But with each participant in their cocoon of a car they were shielding their fellow crooners while keeping themselves safe. And SHH knew it had to spread the word, just like the Denneys did.
So SHH leadership reached out to the Denneys and instantly bonded in the jubilation of bringing voices back to choirs. They dialed in their team of experts to teach choirs around the world how they could follow their lead. The Barbershop Harmony Society provided a venue to host a series of webinars created by SHH to demistify the novel approach and teach chorus leaders how to succeed with this "Hot Rods and Harmony". The webinar series was attended by representatives of hundreds of ensembles and choruses. The Denneys online resources include a constantly updated guide to equipment and process for starting a drive in rehearsal space. SHH, the Denneys and a growing legion of followers have enticed choruses in four countries to emerge from their involuntary hibernation to join their voices in song again.
Words cannot express the pride and joy in not only reuniting the SHH family, but to see similar experiences being shared by so many other choruses. However, the words of Bob Morris impressively captured the story in The New York Times on October 7, 2020 with a surprising nod to the efforts of Somerset Hills Harmony. You can give it a read here: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/07/arts/music/coronavirus-choir.html
The Times inspired a producer of The TODAY Show (Sunday TODAY with Willie Geist) to prepare a fantastic feature piece on the drive-in rehearsals, the Denneys and a shout out to Somerset Hills Harmony in New Jersey. The piece timely aired on November 22nd following a landmark "Open Sing" event where SHH welcomed new friends to the parking lot to share in the joy of Harmony. The Sunday TODAY feature can be viewed online here: https://www.today.com/video/this-choir-sings-in-harmony-from-their-cars-to-keep-everyone-safe-96400453971
The road that led the chorus this far has many more miles to be traveled, including a first of its kind drive-in a cappella concert with holiday light spectacular, including a community sing along of holiday favorites and concert performance - all from the parked studio settings of sedans and SUVs. The December 5th event will be held at Pluckemin Presbyterian Church at approximately 5pm and is open to the public - where participants just need to set their FM dial and sing along from the comfort of their car.
"SHH" is an incredibly ironic acronymn for the chorus, because they are anything but quiet. And the world is a more harmonious place during one of the darkest times for performing arts because this group has been ever so vocal.For more information, see: https://www.today.com/video/this-choir-sings-in-harmony-from-their-cars-to-keep-everyone-safe-96400453971
- SHH Chorus Leads the Way with Innovative Drive-In Rehearsals
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Date Posted: Sun, Sep 6 2020
Zoom rehearsals have been a bright spot for Somerset Hills Harmony as our members enjoy time together working on skills, learning new songs and making new friends. All the while, there was still the void of close harmony - blending your voice with others in real time and in real company. The SHH leadership came across a novel solution for singing together during the novel coronavirus - the drive in rehearsal. SHH's "Hot Rods and Harmony" went through a few iterations and led to a new dawn for singing together this past August. A steady diet of drive in rehearsals wtih Zoom rehearsals in between is just what the chorus doctor ordered. And now the SHH leadership is sharing their story and lessons learned with choruses nationwide. They are joined in their webinar series by Bryce Denney of Massachusetts, who brought the drive in rehearsal concept to the world through social media.
Tori Cook of Chorus Connections penned a fantastic article about the drive in rehearsal, including great comments about SHH's approach. It's a great read, and don't be shy contacting SHH leadership to learn more (including to attend a free webinar).For more information, see: https://blog.chorusconnection.com/could-drive-in-choirs-be-the-solution-choruses-have-been-waiting-for
- SHH and Gold Dynamic a Finalist for Barbershop Harmony Society "Innovator of the Year" Award (Somerset Hills Harmony)
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Date Posted: Sun, Sep 6 2020
In 2020 the Barbershop Harmony Society embarked on a new way to celebrate the major accomplishments of groups and individuals impacting the barbershop world - the "Barbershop Harmony Society Awards". The first annual ceremony was slated for a black tie gala at the 2020 International Convention scheduled for Los Angeles this past July. While the pandemic put a damper on the convention, the BHS adapted and will be presenting the awards online with all the pomp and circumstance such a fine event should feature. Hosted by BHS personality Alex Morris, the awards will be presented Monday, September 14th at 8 pm Eastern on YouTube.
Somerset Hills Harmony and the Gold Dynamic are honored to have been selected as a finalist for "Innovator of the Year". The merger of the Gold Dynamic with SHH made headlines for uniting two different a cappella worlds - barbershop and contemporary a cappella. The partnership resulted in a boost to both groups with fresh voices joining both ensembles and the sharing of talents to benefit all.
As only befitting a Virtual Awards Gala, SHH and Gold Dynamic will be dialed in to the awards show. Regardless of the outcome, the lustre of being chosen as a finalist is magnificent. And fear not, SHH and the Gold Dynamic aren't done innovating. Check out a Hot Rods and Harmony Drive-In Rehearsal and judge for yourself!
Tune into the BHS channel on YouTube to watch all of the BHS Awards: https://www.youtube.com/user/BarbershopHarmony38YouTube Video URL: For more information, see: https://www.barbershop.org/events/virtual-society-awards
- Virtual Gold Debut Recording (Virtual Gold)
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Date Posted: Tue, Jul 7 2020
Virtual Gold, the Choral Quarantine version of The Gold Dynamic, is pleased to present our first full length recording: "I'll Be There for You", the theme from "Friends".
If you would like to learn more about opportunities with Virtual Gold, please email info@shhchorus.org.YouTube Video URL:
- Clouds on Fire
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Date Posted: Tue, Jun 30 2020
Somerset Hills Harmony presents our first virtual recording: Clouds on Fire Tag, arranged by Terry S. Chapman, directed by Colleen Grzywacz. YouTube Video URL:
- SHH Members perform "When I Need a Friend" in Global Chorus Online
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Date Posted: Wed, May 20 2020
Five SHH members participated in the Global Chorus Online production of Coldplay's "When I Need a Friend". Christian and Tracey Hunter were featured in close-up spots. Mike Keegan, Don and Chris Staffin also participated. SHH friend Peter "Nooj" Nugent did the learning tracks and is also featured as well. YouTube Video URL:
- Rahway Novice Quartet Contest 2020
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Date Posted: Sat, Feb 22 2020
As part of our partnership with Bridgewater-Raritan High School, SHH members and students participated together in the Rahway Novice Quartet Contest which took place February 22, 2020,
- New Members and Renewals, February 2020
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Date Posted: Mon, Feb 10 2020
Somerset Hills Harmony VP Membership/Marketing, Christian Hunter welcomes 11 new members and honors several longtime BHS members on 10-February.
- Jersey Harmony Explosion 2020
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Date Posted: Sat, Feb 8 2020
Somerset Hills Harmony participated as volunteers in the 2020 Jersey Harmony Explosion in Caldwell, NJ. More than 250 students, ages 10-25, spent the day in workshops, clinics, and an evening performance hosted by the legendary Deke Sharon. Pictured: SHH members David Fernandes and Ariel Staffin teach a class on vocal percussion.
- Jersey Harmony Explosion 2020
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Date Posted: Sat, Feb 8 2020
Somerset Hills Harmony participated as volunteers in the 2020 Jersey Harmony Explosion in Caldwell, NJ. More than 250 students, ages 10-25, spent the day in workshops, clinics, and an evening performance hosted by the legendary Deke Sharon.
Pictured: Deke Sharon teaching the entire ensemble the show finale.
- FIRST OPEN SING NIGHT WAS A SMASHING SUCCESS
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Date Posted: Sat, Oct 26 2019
Oh what a night! The chorus was joined by TEN guests who sang their hearts out on October 14th! The full sound of the nearly 40 voices was electrifying as we sang the classic choral classic piece, "Annie Laurie" and three holiday songs including "Keep Me Warm", an arrangement custom made for Somerset Hills Harmony. The chorus took a moment to serenade the guests with the 80's synth-pop classic "Only You" with a chill a cappella vibe, and we enjoyed a little Beatles moment with Gold Dynamic. The next Open Sing Night on October 28th is shaping up to be even bigger and better!
- The Gold Dynamic A Cappella is now an ensemble within Somerset Hills Harmony!
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Date Posted: Sun, Sep 8 2019
We are excited to announce that The Gold Dynamic A Cappella is now an ensemble within Somerset Hills Harmony! The Gold Dynamic was founded three years ago and has performed contemporary pop and rock hits across the Greater New York area. With this partnership, we are making history. We are the first co-ed members of the Barbershop Harmony Society and Contemporary A Cappella League to have both a large chorus and small ensemble.Whether you are a recent college graduate, have decades of vocal/choral experience, or anything in between, stay tuned for updates on our Open Sings in October when you can explore membership in the Somerset Hills Harmony ensembles!#acappella #barbershopfamily #CALfam #nj
- Carolling in Somerville
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Date Posted: Mon, Jan 28 2019
The carolers of Somerset Hills Harmony had a fantastic time strolling and singing along the stories of Somerville last Saturday! Tough to pick a favorite song. It it sure seems the little ones never grown tired of our friend Rudolph! I guess Veni Veni Emmanuel was just a little too much Latin for their young ears. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all and we can’t wait for a harmonious 2019!
