The Schoharie Valley Singers will present its 40th season of spring concerts. This year’s concert is titled “We Shall Overcome” and features songs of hope and freedom.

Concerts are scheduled for Friday, May 3, at Cobleskill-Richmondville High School, and Saturday, May 4, at the Duanesburg Reformed Presbyterian Church. Both concerts begin at 7:30 p.m.

Included is a pop song (“Lean on Me”), a freedom song (“Tshosholoza”), prayers (“We Shall Overcome” and “Prayer of the Children”), and uplifting songs about the goodness of humankind (“Turn the World Around” and “Shine the Light”).

Each of the 12 songs have one thing in common: the message that, no matter what it is that tries to hold us down, we will triumph over it.

The Schoharie Valley Singers were founded as The Depot Lane Singer in 1979 by the late Frances B. Tripp after she retired from teaching music at Schoharie High School. In 2005, direction was passed to Mitch Haverly, a retired music teacher from Berne-Knox-Westerlo.

Earlier this year, the Depot Lane Singers were renamed as the Schoharie Valley Singers and incorporated as an independent not-for-profit organization. At that time, Middleburgh music teacher Benjamin April was named as the third director.

Anyone wishing for more information may contact the group at or follow it on Facebook as the Schoharie Valley Singers.