Plattsburgh State Gospel Choir’s Soulful Christmas 2017
As the Giltz Auditorium in Hawkins Hall filled on a Sunday afternoon this December, six bell-ringers, in black outfits and white gloves, eyed music sheets, and melodically chimed festive holiday music under Dr. Michael Walters’ direction.
Photo by Beckie O'Neill
Emcee Julie Hogan, in a green, sparkling dress and high-heeled boots, greeted the crowd, thanked the sponsors, then encouraged all to stand and welcome the choristers - decked in white, red and black. Artistic Director Dr. Dexter L. Criss got us all rhythmically clapping our hands.
It was hand clapping, foot stomping, call and response repetitions thereafter.
In “Joy to the World” under the expert direction of Andrea D. Ogle, the sixty singers swayed from side-to-side with attitude. Bright-eyed and smiling, they raised angelic voices for the crowd’s enthusiastic whistles and applause.
Criss and Ogle took turns directing the impassioned choir members, whose choreographed hand-gestures and dance-moves captivated along with their music.
Jeff Wheel and the Plattsburgh State concert band’s sounds and those of the Praise Team musicians elevated our moods as did each of the choral member’s voices.
Soloist Luis Popoca coached the choir to “work it” which they did with apparent glee in “The Gift”. Ciarah Richmond lent her beautiful vocals and onlookers rose while the whole group energized the hall. For “Emmanuel”, Soloist Brett Carpenter, in a red bow-tie, had incredible range and brought tears to at least this listener’s eyes. Crystal-clear Janice Tobin and Bassist Dalton Criss in “Mary Had a Baby” complemented the choir’s touching and uplifting performance. The crowd’s approval was thunderous.
Emcee Julie, bassist and vocalist for the blue-grass band Beartracks, sang the lead for “Go Tell it on The Mountain”. She belted it out, strutted across the stage, waved “jazz hands”, and brought it… The chorus ran with it. And the crowd loved it. We rose for a standing ovation as the choral members filed off the stage. “Are you guys having fun yet?” yelled Julie. There was no doubt about it.
Under the direction of Jennifer Moore, in a glimmering, red and gold jacket, an ensemble of students grades 4 – 12 from Willsboro Central School Chorus and the Adirondack Community Children’s Chorus from Westport found their places on the stage. Careful and attentive, they had clearly practiced the songs, and their leg and hand movements too. Their voices, at times lilting, mellow, and moving, concluded their fourth and final number with a heartfelt, peaceful harmonization - all to the artful, keyboard accompaniment of Dr. Rose Chancler for yet another standing ovation.
Four, barefoot female Praise Dancers in bright, yellow turtlenecks and purple pants, under Shakara Townsend’s direction, flowed onto the stage. Graceful, stunning, with such poise and so practiced, they had precise hand-gestures and their own, personal expressions. Five more dancers streamed onto the floor. The moves seemed a blend of ballet, modern dance, yoga, calypso, and rock n roll. It was all there. Then, they were off the stage, waving flags, and dancing up the aisles, out the main doors.
It was with an air of gratitude that the Praise Team of seven choristers led by Zuwena James stood in a circle and sang “Alpha and Omega” initially a capella. Their second selection was a rhythmic, bouncing rendering of “Be Optimistic”.
The full choir re-assembled to bring us the Quincy Jones version of “Hallelujah Chorus”. It was rocking, jamming, and celebratory, with three soloists Marissa Pierre, Tryphena Quaicoe, Alexander Malsan, and an array of fantastic voices all reaching a feverish frenzy. The crowd was ecstatic.
Andrea D. Ogle, who never stopped moving, directed the synchronized foot-work, swinging, and jubilant enunciation in “Halle, Halle, Halle”.
“It’s time for my Momma to come up here, ya’ll,” said Dexter as his mother, Bobbie Criss, stepped out from the choir to stand behind the microphone. He explained she would be providing some down-home gospel versus the traditional, choral, contemporary, urban, Caribbean, or praise and worship style. “Gospel is going through a transition. It’s going mainstream,” Dexter said. Bobbie’s soulful, wailing rendition of “Jesus, Oh What a Wonderful Child” roused a standing ovation.
With the energy still high, Choir Advisor Racinda Anthony recognized student Band-leader Jakeel Benjamin, graduating in December, with a certificate of appreciation.
“He Has Come” enthusiastically built from the first note. There was no holding back by Soloist Marissa Pierre. The song was spiritual and enlivening.
An entreating instrumental introduced “A Christmas Wish”. Sublime notes soared. The choir’s prayerful eloquence prepared to usher us out with a settled peace in our hearts.
But then the young students joined the choir for “This is the Sound of Victory” with inspiring Soloist Dominique Burke. The audience, upstairs and down, stood and repeated the refrain over and over bringing the engaging and joyful event to an end.
[“Plattsburgh State Gospel Choir” Plattsburgh State Gospel Choir Facebook page and Dexter L. Criss Facebook page, December 23, 2017, Beckie O’Neill]