The Schoharie Valley Singers are beginning rehearsals for their 42nd concert season entitled, “Brightest & Best — A Virtual Concert.” The concert will be viewable on Friday, Dec. 18, beginning at 7 p.m. on YouTube.

The program will consist of four pieces of music, including a musical setting of the Robert Frost poem, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” composed by Artistic Director Benjamin April.

With many college, community, and professional choruses canceling their fall seasons, the board and the artistic director, Benjamin April, have been busy finding a way to have a modified season in the midst of the pandemic.

Recent studies have found that safe social distancing for singers is a minimum of 12 feet, making it impractical to rehearse or perform live this season. By having a virtual season, singers can continue to participate in high-quality music-making while staying safe.

Rehearsals will be held on Wednesdays from 7:45 to 8:45 and begin on Aug. 26. Rehearsals may be viewed each week using YouTube Live, which requires only a computer with internet access. Links to weekly rehearsals will be made available to singers each week.

Singers are encouraged to view each rehearsal live, but will also be able to re-watch rehearsals as they like. Every four weeks, singers will submit a video recording of themselves singing their part to one of the four pieces. These videos will be compiled and edited into one virtual choir performance.

New and returning singers are welcome to join. Registration for the season will be conducted both in-person and through the mail beginning the week of Aug. 17. The cost of registration is $20 for all adult members, and free for students.

Details may be found at www.schoharievalleysingers.org, and on Facebook at SchoharieValleySingers. Emails are always welcome at for those wishing for more information.

These programs are made possible, in part, with public funds from the Decentralization Program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, administered through the Community Arts Grant Fund in Schoharie County by the Greene County Council on the Arts.