11 hours ago
PHS Select Vocal Ensemble recognized at City Hall for recent achievements
PLATTSBURGH — The Plattsburgh High School Select Vocal Ensemble was recognized at City Hall, Friday, for its recent accomplishments, which included receiving one of the highest honors for choirs in New York.
Music Director Cody Hampton said the ensemble traveled to Malone in May to perform at the 2025 New York State School Music Association Choral Majors Festival, which included receiving evaluations from two professional judges who evaluate choirs from all over the state.
He said in New York, there are 15 zones for choirs, and this was their zone's 'majors.'
For their performance at the majors, Hampton said there were six levels of difficulty in state music they could have chosen from.
'We did the highest level,' he said.
'So basically collegiate or professional level music, and there are four ratings you can receive.'
Those ratings include bronze, silver, gold and gold with distinction.
'For rare exceptions, they give gold with distinction, which is given to groups that are basically exceptional in all songs that they perform, and we received gold with distinction on a level six,' he said as the audience gave them a round of applause.
'The students work extremely hard.'
That hard work was on full display in City Hall Friday as the Ensemble performed three of the songs that helped them earn such high recognition.
'You can kind of tell by the level of texture of the music, there's a lot going on, a lot of dynamic contrast, where there's parts that are loud and soft, and all of that is being evaluated,' Hampton said.
'The judges have the music in front of them when they're watching, so they see everything and they (students) did a really great job.'
As a token of appreciation, Mayor Wendell Hughes presented several certificates to graduating seniors from the choir after their performance. Hughes also gave a proclamation, recognizing the entire Ensemble for their honors, to Hampton as well.
'Thank you so much for being here,' Hughes said.
'It's so amazing to watch the smiles on the faces of kids. It's just incredible.'
In March, Hughes also brought the Plattsburgh High School a cappella group, Encore, to City Hall to also be recognized for taking first place during the International Championship of High School A Cappella in Troy earlier this year.
Hughes said he would like to continue the trend of showcasing local students like this.
'I will recognize anybody from Plattsburgh High School — any city school — that does anything good,' he said.
