Greetings to you after a long pause from my blogging! I’d like to announce some musical news. Vic and I are deep into rehearsals for a wonderful musical, “Rochester Light and Power“, written by brother Dick Robson and the music is by my talented sister-in-law Dorothy Robson. The info is on the poster below and you can find out more and buy tickets on the website for the White River Valley Players at wrvp.org.
Secondly, the Players’ Music Makers are firing up again in June for some group singing sessions. I’ve been leading singers in our valley since 2016. I love teaching eclectic styles of song from folk to pop to world music and more. The songs are easy to learn and the rhythms, melodies and harmonies are compelling. If you want to know more, please email me at sue.ribaudo@gmail.com. We’ll be singing at Spice Studio (482 S Main St, Rochester, VT) on Monday, June 3rd and June 10th, from 6:30-7:30.
Vic and Sue on stage in “Rochester Light and Power”
Sue and Vic and local children singing for “The Night Before the Night Before Christmas”
Tilly singing a solo for “The Night Before the Night Before Christmas”
Hi Singers- We’ve missed a few years of singing together. To all who have sung with our Valley Voices group as well as those who have expressed an interest in singing in the valley, we are gearing up for some spring singing! You need not attend each session, but let me know if you are interested. See the flyer below:
Join us for an evening of carefree singing led by Sue Ribaudo* and friends. Singing is a great way to lift your spirits and to feel connected to others.
The songs will be full of harmony and rhythm and yet they will be easy to learn. Different styles of music will be represented, songs from different times and other countries.
When: Tuesday, August 10, 6:30pm-8pm Where: Rochester Public Library Who: Sue Ribaudo, Susan Rule, Sue Clarke, Dorothy Robson plus you! Note: This event is for vaccinated singers. *Sue has been leading the Valley Voices since 2017 and new singers are always welcome. Sponsored by the White River Valley Players’ Musicmakers
It has been so long since we’ve been able to sing together! As more people are vaccinated and we can be outside more, we’ll slowly be able to step towards singing side-by-side. In the meantime we’re looking ahead.
In 2019, I started making plans with the White River Valley Players to have more singing events in the Valley and the Players’ Musicmakers was formed. We sponsored numerous gatherings including some well-attended Pub Sings, a concert with Sally Rogers, and a Broadway sing-along. Then, it all came to a halt! But we’re all motivated to get the wheels rolling again.
Workshops, sing-alongs, vocal jams, and coffeehouses may all be in the mix. So if you’re interested in being notified about upcoming singing events, let me know at: sue.ribaudo@gmail.com
I have gotten far behind! Here’s what’s been happening.
When we told friends we were moving to Vermont, they assumed that after a few months we’d be bored. What did they know? We’re busier than ever! We love Rochester partly because there’s so much going on. And when we see a lull ahead, we plan community activities: a concert, a play, a visiting speaker or a singing class.
I’ve been busy singing and encouraging others to join in. I’ve been leading the Valley Voices, a group of singers who meet in a beautiful space in the Rochester Library several times a season.
I occasionally travel to do workshops. On October 19th I’ll be the keynote at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference of the Threshold Choir, a national organization of choirs who largely focus on singing for Hospice patients. We will meet in Gaithersburg MD. Since we moved here, I’ve led the New England Regional Conference in Boston twice. And we celebrated 10 years of the Threshold Choir of NYC at the Mid-Atlantic gathering in 2016. You can read about the choir in my previous postings.
Back at home I am on several committees including Pierce Hall Community Center. Built in the early 20th century, the building has been refurbished to be a shining center of activity in our town. The auditorium is ready for concerts, weddings and other celebrations. We’ve recently opened a fitness center and dance studio. Classes are beginning soon!
I’m working with the White River Valley Players as we encourage the community to join our Musicmaker events. So far we’ve had two successful Pub Sings and a Broadway Singalong. Other interactive events are being planned. The Players (founded by a group headed by Dick and Dorothy Robson, my brother and sister-in-law) are celebrating their 40th year of presenting great theater for the Valley. There will be a Gala party at Pierce Hall on October 12th.
I’m also singing with a terrific trio. Since we are all named Sue, we call ourselves the Three Sues. We sing for local coffeehouses and fund-raisers. I love the tight a capella harmonies and working with good friends!
We love to travel to see our grandchildren in St. Louis. Dan and Sarah are working hard and Tilly and Tommy are growing fast. Adam and Iona are in Boston and are expecting their first child in November! (UPDATE: Dan and family have moved to Middlebury, VT, near us! And Adam, Iona have moved to Bedford, MA, not too far away! They now have two daughters, Alenka and Kaia. (Sept. 2026)
Vic is on several committees including the board of the local hospital and the ambulance company. He’s head of emergency management for our town and part of a committee looking into ways to enhance Rochester by focusing on its many strengths.
For more information on Threshold Choir, see my previous blogs and www.thresholdchoir.org.
Sue’s singing has inspired adults and children for over 30 years. As a choral director, song leader, teacher, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and award-winning recording artist, Sue believes in the power of song in building community. Read more about Sue →
