OGDENSBURG – Ogdensburg Pro Musica Chorus has named the recipients of its 2022 scholarships and the annual Sally Bibbens Scholarship. These five outstanding students excelled academically, in the arts, on the athletic field and in their communities.

A scholarship is given annually at Ogdensburg Free Academy in memory of Sally Bibbens, who co-founded the chorus in 1967 and directed the group for many years. The 2022 Bibbens Scholarship was awarded to Cadence Payne who has shown excellence in choral music as a lead in the Ogdensburg Free Academy productions of “Aida” and “Annie”, as a soloist in “Footloose” and other plays and musicals. She appeared in multiple community productions, most recently in the ACT Children’s Theater at St. John’s Episcopal Church production of “Seussical”.

Payne also plays the saxophone, is an athlete and was named a WWNY Arts All Star. She plans to study Nursing, minoring in Music at Southeastern University, Florida.

The Ogdensburg Pro Musica Chorus Scholarship recipients were chosen by their choral teachers for excellence in choral music at their high schools as well as in community productions.

Daniel Griffith, who attended Heuvelton Central School, has participated in the school’s annual musical performances for the last three years, has been a band member throughout his high school years and was a member of the Senior Chorus. He will be attending SUNY Canton’s Graphic and Multimedia Design Bachelor’s program in the fall.

Julia Rishe was selected by her choral music teacher at Lisbon Central School. As a member of choral programs and the band throughout her school career she has participated in many ensembles singing or playing an instrument and was selected to All-County Band. In addition to her musical activities, Julia is an athlete earning points for her team in basketball and soccer. She will attend SUNY Potsdam contemplating a major in music.

The Madrid-Waddington Central School music department chose Avery Hill to receive the Pro Musica award. He was a member of the high school chorus, Stardust, and High School Select Chorus while earning inclusion in the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Selected for All-State Chorus, and All-County Chorus, he also performed vocal NYSSMA solos for five years. He was a lead in his school musical, “Disaster” and in the casts of “Mama Mia” and “Seussical”. In addition he plays bass clarinet and guitar.

Molly Wright participated in the choral music program at Morristown Central School for several years. She was chosen to attend multiple All-County Choral festivals and has performed annual NYSSMA solos since her junior high years. She was selected this year to be a member of the first MCS Select Choir. Molly has already earned 24 college credits which she will use at SUNY Potsdam studying Education and Psychology with a career in education and counseling in her future.

Funds for the scholarships are raised from member dues and proceeds from the Spring and Christmas concerts. New members are always welcome. For more information contact ogdpromusica@gmail.com.