Gouverneur Community Chorus, brass ensembles perform Christmas concert

by Rachel Hunter

The Gouverneur Community Chorus Christmas Concert featuring the North Country Brass and the Seaway Valley Brass was held on Dec. 10, 3 p.m., at the First Presbyterian Church of Gouverneur. The opening address was shared by conductor Paul Buell of Gouverneur.

Words of welcome and an invocation were shared by First Presbyterian Church of Gouverneur pastor, the Rev. Carrie Demers. “I was reminded recently that music brings us into the presence of God, so when we listen today, let us keep our focus on the real reason for the Christmas season,” she said.

The North Country Brass – featuring members from Ogdensburg, Canton, Potsdam, Massena, and Gouverneur’s own Paul Buell – performed various selections that sparked the holiday spirit in the audience. This included: “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” “Angels We Have Heard on High,” and “Silent Night.” Great applause sounded for the North Country Brass. The Gouverneur community to attend the North Country Brass’ hour-long holiday concert on Sunday, December 17, 2 p.m., at the Potsdam Public Library, 2 Park Street, Potsdam.

The exceptional vocalists and musicians in the Gouverneur Community Chorus, conducted by Paul Buell and accompanied by Beth Johnson (piano) and Kathleen Buell (organ), then took to the stage in a genuine celebration of Christmas. The processional was “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” which concluded in a carol sing. The Gouverneur Chorus included Karen Brungard, Jamie D’Addario, Brandon Griffin, David Hart, Miki Hopper, Rachel Schroeder, Don Schuessler, Glenda Schuessler, Dede Scozzafava, Marla Shampine, Susie Spilman, Gresford Speid, Gail Thomas, Donna Thorpe, Marylou Trop, and Julie Wainwright. The audience also joined in a carol sing of “The First Noel.”

A special treat for the local community was the rare opportunity to hear a selection composed by Prof. William F. Sudds. The following historical sketch was provided to the audience by the Gouverneur Historical Association: William Sudds was born in London in 1843 but moved to Gouverneur at age seven with his family, who bought a farm. After his milking chores each day, he walked three miles to a neighbor who had a piano and taught himself to play the piano. He also taught himself to play several musical instruments. He served in the Civil War Calvary and was a cornet player and a composer. He later studied at Boston Conservatory of Music. He published over 200 pieces of music. Sudds taught music in Gouverneur and traveled the world giving concerts, but always returned to Gouverneur and often gave concerts here. Sudds was famous throughout the world. He also owned a music store in Gouverneur where he sold mostly organs. His store was near he first Kinney Drugs on East Main Street. Sudds died in 1920 and is buried with his family in the East Riverside Cemetery. Mr. Buell commented that W. F. Sudds lived a couple houses down from his residence on West Barney Street in Gouverneur, and his store was just a short walk from the First Presbyterian Church of Gouverneur. “Sudds wrote many fine pieces of music, and this one is no exception,” Mr. Buell said. “This is a piece that has been composed and arranged for choir, but we decided to go back to the original version.” The selection, “Sound Over The Waters (Song of Christmas” by W. F. Sudds, was played with great emotion on the First Presbyterian Church of Gouverneur’s pipe organ by organist Kathleen Buell of Gouverneur. The crowd also enjoyed reading the provided song lyrics, written by John Whittier. Gouverneur Historian and Gouverneur Museum Curator Joe Laurenza later announced that he would open the Gouverneur Museum following the concert so concertgoers could have the opportunity to see the W.F. Sudds organ in the museum’s collection. More about W.F. Sudds is available for viewing online at www.gouverneurmuseum.com.

The local audience then had the opportunity to hear the Seaway Valley Brass, featuring renowned North Country musicians, Dr. James Madeja (trumpet), Dr. Peter McCoy (trombone), Dr. Mark Hartman (trombone), and Paul Buell (trumpet). The audience was thrilled with the exceptional performance of holiday favorites, including: “Christmas Jazz Medley (arr. Lennie Niehaus),” “Cantate Domino (by Hans Leo Hassler, arr. Graham Bastable)” “And the Glory of the Lord (from Messiah (by Georg Frederick Handel, arr. Graham Bastable),” “The Twelve Days of Christmas and (arr. Michel Rondeau).” Thunderous applause sounded in appreciation for the Seaway Valley Brass.

The Gouverneur Community Chorus, conducted by Paul Buell and accompanied by Beth Johnson (piano) and Kathleen Buell (organ), then performed the “Sing With the Angels” cantata, written by Joel Raney. Narration was proclaimed by Carol Amberg and Henry Leader. The cantata featured original music interspersed with familiar carols, as the choir and narrators re-told the Christmas story from the vantage point of angels – from Gabriel's first appearance to Zacharias, to the glorious scene of angels filling the heavens singing "Gloria in excelsis Deo." The songs included: “Of the Father’s Love,” “The Angel Gabriel,” “The Midnight Clear,” “Run To Bethlehem,” “Angels Watching Over Me,” “Sing With The Angels” and “The Angel Songs.” Pianist Beth Johnson and Organist Kathleen Buell also performed “Tapestry of Angels” by Lani Smith.

The 2023 Christmas Concert concluded with the Gouverneur Community Chorus leading the audience in a carol sing of “Silent Night” and “Joy To The World.”

Much gratitude was extended to all those who attended the concert. Gouverneur Community Chorus Conductor Paul Buell was pleased with the turnout, saying it was a sign that perhaps the community was returning to concerts post the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. In attendance were many politicians and community leaders, members of many local clubs and organizations, North Country families, centenarians, and more. The Gouverneur community is invited to participate in the 2024 Gouverneur Community Chorus Christmas Concert next December at the First Presbyterian Church of Gouverneur. Many wishes for a “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Holidays” were proclaimed at the conclusion of the concert.