OGDENSBURG -- Ogdensburg’s Pro Musica Chorus, a community choir that began in Ogdensburg over half a century ago, will begin preparations for their annual spring concert with their first meeting of the spring on Feb. 5.

Pro Musica will meet at the First Presbyterian Church on the corner of Ford and Franklin streets in Ogdensburg, said organizers. Rehearsals will run from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday evenings as the group prepares for their spring concert in May 2020.

The 40+ member chorus under the direction of Kim Palermo-Bogardus will sing traditional and modern songs. Katie McGrath will once again be the group’s accompanist.

Past directors include Sally Bibbens, the founder; Mary Lou Hultberg, professor emeritus of the Crane School of Music, Mary Lou Keenan, Eric Warner, Richard Patton, Andrew Arcello, and Sarah Hill.

The group’s membership ranges in age from 15 to 80 years and includes singers from all over the local area.

Pro Musica’s spring concert includes a diverse mix of choral music in a variety of genres, sacred, secular, traditional and modern.

The chorus invites all community members who love to sing to join. Auditions are not necessary. Semester dues are $15 for members; this fee covers the purchase of materials and contributes to music scholarships.

Concert proceeds fund scholarships at five area schools, which are awarded to seniors who excel in choral music, according to the group.