Sounds of Christmas: North Country Talent Takes Center Stage in Gouverneur

by Rachel Hunter

The North Country community stepped into a sanctuary glowing with Christmas spirit on Dec. 21, as the First Presbyterian Church of Gouverneur opened its doors for “The Sounds of Christmas” — a heartfelt showcase of regional talent featuring the Gouverneur Community Chorus, the Riverside Brass Quartet, and stirring operatic performances by Sloane Ryan and Jillian LeBel.

As is tradition, the Gouverneur Community Chorus opened the evening with a reverent prelude of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” setting a reflective, sacred tone for the celebration that followed.

A warm welcome was offered by the Rev. Carrie Demers of the First Presbyterian Church of Gouverneur, who opened the concert with an invocation and prayer of blessing. Paul Buell of Gouverneur then introduced a program full of variety, setting the stage for a night that promised both familiar carols and unexpected musical treasures.

The evening opened with a performance by Sloane Ryan, an Ogdensburg‑born soprano now refining her craft in the graduate opera performance program at the University of Toronto after earning her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from New York University. Her growing depth of performance experience shone clearly in her opening moments on stage. Ryan was accompanied by pianist Kathleen Buell, and delivered a sweeping program that highlighted both her classical precision and her gift for expressive storytelling. She opened with two works by Franz Schubert: the beloved “Ave Maria,” long cherished for its serene, prayerful lines, and “Nähe des Geliebten,” a tender art song shaped around longing and devotion. Ryan then shifted into the French Romantic repertoire with Jules Massenet’s poignant “Allons! Il le faut! Adieu, notre petite table” from Manon, capturing the aria’s emotional conflict with striking clarity. A luminous highlight followed as Ryan joined mezzo soprano Jillian LeBel (an Ogdensburg native who is currently pursuing her Master of Music degree in Voice at the Mannes School of Music in NYC) for “Sous le dôme épais” from Delibes’ Lakmé, their voices blending in the duet’s signature floating harmonies. Ryan continued with Victor Herbert’s theatrical showpiece “Art Is Calling for Me,” embracing its playful coloratura and comedic flair, before offering the gentle lyricism of Flanagan’s “See How They Love Me.” Ryan closed her set with two seasonal favorites: Pietro Yon’s cherished “Gesu Bambino,” sung with warmth and reverence, and Albert Hay Malotte’s timeless setting of “The Lord’s Prayer,” delivered with quiet power.

The Riverside Brass Quartet—Paul Buell and Glen Robert on trumpets, Andrew Crecco on trombone, and Peter Popiel on tuba—followed with a program that showcased the ensemble’s versatility across Baroque, Renaissance, and sacred traditions. They opened with Jean‑Joseph Mouret’s stately “Rondeau,” best known for its ceremonial grandeur, before offering a heartfelt rendition of Thomas Chisholm and William Runyan’s hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” The quartet then moved into the rich polyphony of Giovanni Gabrieli with “Canzon Terza,” followed by the lively Renaissance dances of Tielman Susato’s “Three Dance.” Their Christmas selections included a warm, lyrical “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear,” a bright and joyful “Good Christian Men Rejoice,” and a stirring performance of “And the Glory of the Lord” from Handel’s Messiah. They concluded with Samuel Scheidt’s “Three Christmas Chorales,” bringing the set to a close with the dignified, resonant sonorities of early German sacred music.

The 12-person Gouverneur Community Chorus joined with the Riverside Brass Quartet for a stirring rendition of “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” the brass adding a bright, ceremonial lift to the beloved processional hymn. From there, the warm resonance of the pipe organ rose through the sanctuary, ushering the audience deeper into the evening’s musical journey. This year’s Gouverneur Community Chorus included: Jamie D’Addario, David Hart, Jillian LaBel, Sloane Ryan, Jackson Ritchie, Lori Ritchie, Don Schuessler, Glenda Schuessler, Betsy Schuessler, Dede Scozzafava, Susie Spilman, and Gail Thomas. The Chorus was conducted by Paul Buell, and accompanied by Beth Johnson (pianist) and Kathleen Buell (organist). The Gouverneur Community Chorus then moved into a more contemplative repertoire with “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence,” followed by John Leavitt’s arrangement of the haunting “Coventry Carol,” each piece delivered with a quiet, reverent intensity. A special moment in the program came as Kathleen Buell stepped to the podium for her conducting debut, leading the ensemble through a crisp and energetic performance of Wilhousky’s “Carol of the Bells.” The Chorus continued with a series of seasonal selections, including Mark Hayes’ expressive arrangement of “Silent Night, Holy Night,” the triumphant “Angels From the Realms of Glory,” Joel Raney’s tender setting of “Away in a Manger,” and Melody Bober’s “One Starry Night,” performed with warmth and clarity.

The audience then joined the Chorus in a joyful, full‑voiced “Joy to the World,” filling the sanctuary with communal celebration. To close the evening, the Gouverneur Community Chorus, the Riverside Brass Quartet, and the entire congregation united once more for “Silent Night,” bringing the concert to a peaceful conclusion.

The public was invited to enjoy light refreshments following the concert, a final moment of fellowship before departing with warm wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.