Plattsburgh Choir Shines at Gospelfest

At the onset of the spring semester, the Plattsburgh State Gospel Choir continued their strong tradition of great performing at Gospelfest

Storyby Ceilidh Clark
Photo contributed by Dexter Criss

The stage was packed with singers, an enthusiastic conductor, and a choir dressed in vibrant gowns of black, blue, purple, and light blue, with soft white trimming.

Having never been to a gospel performance before, I was amazed at the level of audience participation that the choir drew. As several of the songs reached their climax, the audience was standing on its feet, dancing and clapping along with the choir. They were also singing along with the songs, and it added to the passion of the moment. I also couldn’t help but move along and clap as the music played and the joy radiated out of the choir into the theatre.

On Sunday, February 17, the Plattsburgh State Gospel Choir sang their first performance of the semester. It was held at the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts in Burlington Vermont. Their performance was part of a presentation called Gospelfest, which is an annual event in which local gospel groups come and performed in honor of black history month.

The choir, which started in 1991, consists of sixty people (fifty of which were present). Fifteen of them are from the surrounding Plattsburgh community. The community members vary in age, adding a mature dynamic to the choir. According to Dexter Criss, the musical director of the choir, the community group is diverse and ranges from people who have graduated from State University of New York college at Plattsburgh and who are from the area. The choir has traveled as far as Japan to perform, and will be traveling for a performance in New York City in March. 

The Plattsburgh State Gospel Choir's performance came after the intermission. They performed nine selections, all of which they collaborated with the Burlington Community Choir. The stage was filled with singers, an animated conductor, and a big band accompaniment, which included bass, piano, drums, saxophone, and electric guitar.

The Plattsburgh Gospel Choir was sprinkled among this large group according to section, and was wearing green gowns. In all, it was an incredible spectacle.

The conductor of the Plattsburgh Choir, Dexter Criss, lead the group, not only in his energetic conducting, but his dancing; he was on an elevated podium, facing the mixed choir, and was doing a swaying two step, in time to the rhythm of the band. The choir was also swaying and singing, and sometimes clapping, with the movements of Mr. Criss.   

There was an overwhelming sense of togetherness, which was represented by the last few selections which included the Plattsburgh State Gospel Choir as well as the other choirs who performed that night. There were about 200 people singing in a cappella, said Criss.  The effect was jaw-dropping. It was a rush to see the power in song and spirit that was booming from the large congregation, who was smiling and dancing. At this point, everyone in the building was clapping or standing and swaying. The choir evoked a warm feeling, one of the purest, happiest emotions in me that I have ever experienced. I looked around at all the happy singing people, and could not help but feel the love that they shared through their song.

It was moving to hear the last song "Celebrate," which put an exclamation point on the night. This song was by far the most entertaining because of its finality and the emotion that came from the choir. There were people, young and old, singing in unison and all having a great time, and the audience was just as glad to be there.  As the final chords were played and notes sang, there was an uproar from the audience which gave me goosebumps. It was a captivating scene; everyone was applauding, even the members on stage. The night ended at its highest point, one which will surely bring people back to the next show. The Plattsburgh State Gospel Choir delivered a stellar performance which I strongly recommend to anyone interested in an exciting, moving, and remarkably inspiring experience.

Have you ever experienced the power of the Plattsburgh State Gospel Choir?