Gospel Choir Fall 2023

Thu Nov 30 13:00:00 UTC 2023

A SOULFUL CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION 2023
Presenting the SUNY Plattsburgh Gospel Choir featuring Dr. Learie Nurse and
Akua Smith
Hosted by Ed Mason, Business Development Director at Advocacy Resource
Center
Saturday, Dec 2nd 5:00pm to 7:15pm (Doors open at 4:30pm)
E. Glenn Giltz Auditorium (Hawkins Hall - SUNY Plattsburgh) / 47 Beekman
Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901

PRESS RELEASE:
The Plattsburgh State Gospel Choir, which is led by Dr. Dexter L. Criss and
Andrea D. Ogle, is delighted to present "Soulful Christmas 2023" - The SUNY
Plattsburgh Gospel Choir's unique sound is a harmonic fusion of traditional
gospel, urban gospel, contemporary Christian music, all blended heavily
with Caribbean and Afrocentric rhythms and spiritual overtones. The
energetic musical arrangements of the 50-voice chorus and 8-piece band will
put EVERYONE into the Holiday Christmas spirit.  Additionally, the band
alone, led by the extremely talented Jeff Wheel, is worth the price of
admission alone!  Check out who is in the pit!  Jeff Wheel (Lead Guitar),
Marty McRae (Trombone), Cole Picard (Trumpet), Ryan Ochs (Sax), Chris
Shacklett (Bass Guitar), Andric Severance (Piano), Tyler Mast (Organ) and
finally Caleb Bronz (Percussion).  Trust us, these musicians know how to
play gospel!
Some of the selections to be presented this year are Andrew Craig’s
energetic rendition of "Oh Come All Ye Faithful", Music City Mass Choir’s
splendid version of "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and a soulful adaptation
of "Three Kings" written by Dr. Dexter Criss himself. This season’s concert
will feature many amazing new student soloists such as Jerrique Ortiz,
Gabrielle Wrisley, Violet Mawere, Bel Morley, Candace Nelson and Kimolie
Heslop.  But not to be left out, our community members, Sara Munson, Gina
Lindsey, Brett Carpenter and Barbara Criss, will all deliver a
brilliant-soulful performance on their respective solos, duets and
ensembles!  Don’t miss out!  This loaded 2-hour concert will also feature
the choir’s Praise Dancers, Step Team and Praise Team. In fact, for those
who arrive early enough the Praise Team will have a preshow sing-along of
some of your favorite Traditional Christmas Carols!  Our two Music
Educators, Alex Malsan and Jonathan Ellwanger, will play and direct those
old familiar Christmas Hymns the way they were written so many years ago!

SPECIAL GUESTS:
A native of Barbados, Dr. Learie Nurse is no stranger to the SUNY
Plattsburgh family. While as a doctoral student at the University of
Vermont in the mid 2000’s, Learie served as the SUNY Plattsburgh Gospel
Choir’s Praise Team Leader and was known affectionately as the “Donnie
McClurkin of the North Country''.  Learie’s vocal abilities have taken him
to many countries in the Caribbean and in Europe.  Dr. Nurse is the current
Vice-President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs at Kutztown
University.  Learie also worked as a counselor with EOP here at SUNY
Plattsburgh after receiving his Master’s in Education in Interdisciplinary
Studies at UVM.  Nurse and his wife, Dr. Takiyah Nurse, have two talented,
energetic, amazing sons.  Welcome home Learie!  Our next featured guest,
Akua Smith, is an international minister and prophetic worship leader,
writing and recording throne room inspired music. Her ministry has spanned
30+ years with a focus on leading people into the transforming presence of
the Holy Spirit, while propelling them toward their purpose, destiny and
identity. She attended Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas, Texas;
lived and ministered in Uganda, East Africa for 7 years and has since
ministered on almost every continent of the globe. Through her ministry she
equips people to be partners with God to see their lives, churches, cities
and nations transformed by His presence.  Akua and her family moved to
northern Vermont from Tyler, Texas recently but have already set deep
roots.  Akua is currently a Senior Account Executive with Cigna Healthcare
of Vermont.  Akua and her husband Daniel have two active children who both
keep them very busy!

SUNY PLATTSBURGH GOSPEL CHOIR:
Under the artistic leadership of Dexter L. Criss, Ph.D. (Professor of
Chemistry and Music Adjunct), the choir has traveled internationally to
Japan, St. Martin/Maarten, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa as well as to the
Caribbean Island of Trinidad and Tobago where the choir gave a private
performance for President Anthony Carmona and his staff. The choir
performed at NYC's Lincoln Center in 2016 and has shared the stage with
Daisy Joplin (NYC), Lyle Lovett (Burlington), Darius Brooks (Chicago), Ron
Rucker (Japan) Josh Panda and with Sheila Raye-Charles to name a few. In
2019, the PSGC was the warm-up act for internationally renowned “The
Kingdom Choir” who has performed for the Queen of England. We have worked
with world renown choral-clinicians Dr. Raymond Wise, Stan Spottswood, Dr.
Anthony Leach and John Harrison. With 20-30 performances a year, the gospel
choir can be found performing on the SUNY Plattsburgh campus, churches,
music festivals, workshops, weddings, memorials and community events. In
March 2019, the choir traveled to Memphis/Little Rock/Clarksdale and the
surrounding locations to perform in local churches and community centers.
In fact, the choir performed a standing room only concert at the historic
Little Rock Central High School, the battle ground location for “Brown vs
Board of Education”.  All the choir members, especially our students,
returned from this southern tour informed, empowered and inspired.

Andrea D. Ogle, a UVM graduate in Early Childhood Special Education and
SUNY Plattsburgh alum, serves as Associate Artistic Director and
Choreographer. Alex Malsan, a K-12 Music Educator, serves as the choir’s
Vocal Coach and Assistant Director and Jonathan Ellwanger, retired
principal and K-12 Music Educator, serves as Assistant Director. Jeff
Wheel, owner of Advanced Music, has been the “big band” leader for nearly
15-years. Student Leaders:  Belle Morley (Acting-President), Jerrique Ortiz
(Step Team Leader), Keeley Hurley (Praise Dance Leader), Danielle Criss
(Student Advisor), Rosinda Anthony, (Choir Advisor).

TICKET PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

Student Admission (College, K-12)
• Early Bird:       $5 (Oct  1st to Oct 31st) - online
• Advance:         $8 (Nov 1st to Dec 2nd) - online
• Door                $10

General Admission
• Early Bird:       $12 (Oct 1st to Oct 31st) - online
• Advance          $20 (Nov 1st to Dec 2nd) - online
• Door                $25
Age 5 & under FREE (must be willing to share a seat with adult)

 Ticket Locations
• Christian Supply Center (164 Prospect Ave. Plattsburgh, New York)
• SUNY Plattsburgh State Gospel Choir Office (Hawkins Hall 133)

ONLINE TICKETS
www.plattsburghstategospelchoir.org

Contact Us:
Email: gospelchoir at plattsburgh.edu
Phone: 518-564-2700

JENNIFER MATOTT
Administrative Assistant 1
Music and Theatre
Myers 220
101 Broad Street
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
(o) 518-564-2180 <+1-518-564-2180>
plattsburgh.edu <https://www.plattsburgh.edu/>
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