OGDENSBURG -- A community choir that began in Ogdensburg over half a century ago will begin preparations for their annual Christmas concert with their first meeting of the fall on Sept. 5.

Ogdensburg’s Pro Musica Chorus will meet at the First Presbyterian Church on the corner of Ford and Franklin streets in Ogdensburg, according to organizers. Rehearsals will run from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday evenings as the group prepares for their Christmas concert on Dec. 5.

The 40-member chorus, under the direction of Andrew Arcello, and accompanied by Christine Bookman, will sing traditional and modern carols.

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

The group’s membership ranges in age from 20 to 80 years and includes singers from Canada.

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

Pro Musica 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.