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Gospel Choir to Perform with Renowned Violist at Lincoln Center

The Plattsburgh State Gospel Choir, under the leadership of Dr. Dexter Criss, will perform as part of violist Daisy Jopling’s “Awakening Show” Sunday, Aug. 27 at the Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, New York City.

According to Criss, the choir will perform background vocals throughout the concert as well as a song he penned, “Into the House.” 

“Right now, we are responsible for (learning) six tunes,” Criss said.

The choir’s connection with Jopling is no accident.

“I first saw Daisy and her band in Lake Placid about two years ago,” he said. “She was the featured artist for her ‘String Pulse’ concert, which incorporated several regional high school orchestras, bands and choruses.”

Criss’ son, Dalton, a member of the Peru Junior/Senior High School Orchestra, told his father that “he and his fellow musicians learned so much from Daisy, especially the power of performing with passion.

“It was Daisy’s powerful passion that gave me the idea to invite her to SUNY Plattsburgh,” Criss said. She accepted the invitation to join the choir on the E. Glenn Giltz Auditorium stage during its Soulful Christmas concert in December.

“Daisy was so impressed with the choir’s musicality and professional approach to preparing for a major concert that she offered the invitation for the choir to perform with her at the Lincoln Center,” Criss said.

Choir members will be required to attend rehearsals being set up over the summer. In addition, they are responsible for their own expenses. Because Jopling has asked Criss to pull together a 30- to 50-voice ensemble, he is opening the choir up to Plattsburgh State Gospel Choir alumni in the New York City and New Jersey areas as well.

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