Depot Lane Singers offers a cure for cabin fever

With the holiday season over and winter promising to be around for a while, the Depot Lane Singers is offering interested singers the opportunity to escape cabin fever, practicing for spring concerts. Not only is getting off the couch good for everyone, the experience of singing in a choir has been proven to be beneficial to a healthy body and sound mind.

The Depot Lane Singers is a community chorus of 60 to 70 members. Although based in Schoharie, the chorus has members from Albany, Montgomery, Otsego, Rensselaer, and Schenectady counties as well as Schoharie  County.

Rehearsals for the spring concert programs will begin on Tuesday, Jan. 16, and will be held at the Depot Lane Theatre building in Schoharie, beginning at 7:30 p.m. The theme for the spring concert season is “Back To Broadway.” Featured on the program will be music from such diverse shows as “Kiss Me Kate,” “Les Miserables,” “Rent,” “Chicago,” “Oliver,” “Carousel,” and “Ragtime.”

The Singers will present two performances of the program. Concerts are scheduled for Friday, May 4, at the Duanesburg Reformed Presbyterian Church, and Saturday, May 5, at Schoharie High School.  Both concerts will begin at 7:30 p.m.

The Depot Lane Singers was founded in September 1979 by the late Frances B. Tripp after she retired from teaching music at Schoharie High School. Conducting duties for the upcoming concerts will be shared by Artistic Director Mitch Haverly and Associate Conductor Benjamin April.

April will also serve as accompanist, along with Rhea Dawn Owens. The Singers will also be accompanied by Roy Stock on bass and Leonard Tobler on drums.

The Schoharie Colonial Heritage Association sponsors the Singers, and a portion of the proceeds from programs are given to heritage association as part of its fundraising efforts.

The Depot Lane Singers encourages anyone who enjoys singing to join the group. Students who are in ninth grade or above are also invited to sing. Although there are no auditions and experience is not required, it should be noted that the chorus sings in harmonies that can include up to eight separate parts.  Practice CDs are provided to assist singers in learning the music.

Anyone wishing more information may contact Haverly by phone at (518) 872-2682, or by email atmitchellh2@aol.com.

Editor’s note: Robert A. Holt is the president of the Depot Lane Singers.

 

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