Schoharie Valley Singers Somewhere in My Memory Holiday Concerts

The Schoharie Valley Singers are pleased to present their Winter 2023 concert program, “Somewhere in My Memory.” Concerts are scheduled for Friday, December 8th at the Central Bridge Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Saturday, December 9th at the Duanesburg Reformed Presbyterian Church. Both concerts begin at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $10 for adults and students are free.

The concert series for 2023-2024 begins the 44th season for the Singers and the first with the Singer’s new artistic director, Rae Jean Teeter. Teeter is delighted to be making her debut with the Schoharie Valley Singers. She is currently serving as Adjunct Professor of Music at The College of Saint Rose and as the Choral Director and Organist at the Helderberg Reformed Church. She retired from Guilderland High School as the Director of Vocal Music in June 2021, and served as the Director of ESYO Melodies of Christmas Chorale from 2012-2022. Mrs. Teeter received her bachelor’s degree from the Eastman School of Music, and her master’s degree from The College of Saint Rose where she was named Outstanding Graduate Student in 1994. She is a published author, frequent guest conductor, and in-demand clinician throughout the Northeast. 

Mark Pracher joins the group this season as accompanist. Mark is a retired music teacher in Schoharie County schools for 34 years. He received his BA in Music Education from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam and his Master’s Degree in Music Education from the College of St. Rose. He currently serves as the Artistic Director of “New Day – Voices of Schoharie,” the local a cappella singing group. Mark has served as guest conductor, including the bi-annual performances of Handel’s “Messiah” performed in Cobleskill, has served as music director for the Theatre Project of Schoharie County, most recently directing the musical “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.” Mark has been a featured soloist with the Schoharie County Concert Band, guest pianist with the Upper Catskill String Quartet, and continues to accompany choirs in schools throughout Schoharie County. Mark is a strong advocate of Fine Arts in Education and the tremendous value it has for lifelong learners.

“Somewhere in My Memory” planned by Mrs. Teeter, is to honor the tradition and history of this wonderful group of musicians by programming some pieces from concerts conducted by each of the previous artistic directors. In addition, she selected some of her very favorite pieces that speak to the wonderful traditions and celebrations that the holiday season brings. 

The program opens with “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” followed by Dan Forrest’s “The First Noel,” “Season of Light” by Jacob Narverud, an Appalachian Carol “I Wonder as I Wander” featuring Barbara Andersen and Rachel Owens as soloists, John Ratledge’s “My Gift” and an “Irving Berlin Christmas.

The second half of the performance begins with a French Carol ”Sing We Now of Christmas,” a John Rutter arrangement of “Joy to the World,” John Williams “Somewhere in My Memory” with a bells soloist by Rhea Owens, “There is Faint Music” by Dan Forrest, Sammy Cahn’s “Let it Snow” arranged by Kirby Shaw, followed by another Shaw arrangement of “Silver Bells” featuring soloists Jim Bryant and Adrienne Wood. The concert concludes with Mac Huff’s rendition of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

The Schoharie Valley Singers were originally founded as The Depot Lane Singers by the late Frances B. Tripp, a former Schoharie High School music teacher. Tripp founded the Depot Lane Singers in September of 1979, after her retirement from active teaching. In 2005, direction of the group was passed to Mitch Haverly, a retired music teacher from Berne-Knox-Westerlo Central School. During Haverly’s tenure, the Depot Lane Singers were renamed as the Schoharie Valley Singers and incorporated as an independent not-for-profit 501(c)6 organization. At that time, Middleburgh Jr./Sr. High School music teacher Benjamin April was named as the third director of the Singers. April stepped down as director in 2023 to relocate to Vermont and Rae Jean Teeter came on board as the fourth artistic director.

Anyone wishing for more information can contact the group at schoharievalleysingers@gmail.com.