OGDENSBURG – Ogdensburg Pro Musica Chorus announced the recipients of its 2024 choral scholarships and the annual Sally Bibbens Scholarship. These outstanding students excelled academically, in the arts, on the athletic field and in their communities as well as becoming outstanding chorus members.

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 2024 Bibbens Scholarship was awarded to Dantae Rodriquez. Dantae was heavily involved in the music program at Ogdensburg Free Academy for his entire high school career, as a member of the Senior Chorus, Jazz Rock, and drama club. He performed NYSSMA vocal solos each year and was selected for All-County Choir and All-State Choir as well.  This year Dantae was also honored for his musical skills as a WWNY TV7 Arts All-Star. He has held male leads each year in the school musical, performing as Santa in "Elf”' in 2022 and as Shrek in "Shrek: The Musical" in 2023. Dantae is pursuing Music Education at Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam this fall.

The Ogdensburg Pro Musica Chorus Scholarship recipients were chosen by their choral teachers for excellence in choral music in junior and senior high school as well as in community productions. The 2024 scholarship winner from Heuvelton Central School is Caprice Keith. Caprice held a leadership role in the Chorus for the last six years from 8th to 12th grade. During her school musical career, she has been a frequently featured soloist. She plans to pursue a career in cosmetology, which she has studied through the BOCES program.   

The Madrid-Waddington Central School music department chose Harlie George , a member of chorus and select chorus and the secretary of Stardust. She has been selected for the All-County Chorus and All-County Vocal Select Ensemble, where she was a featured soloist this year. Harlie has been involved in musicals and plays at MW, most recently as Princess Fiona in Shrek. She has been the student assistant for middle school select chorus for two years. She was also the president of Tri-M. Harlie will be attending SUNY Potsdam in the fall, majoring in education studies. 

Reagan Butler has been a chorus member at Morristown Central School since the 4th grade, as well as a singer in Select Chorus throughout high school. She has performed at the NYSSMA Solo Festival for the past 5 years, has been a member of the All-County Chorus since 5th grade, and for the last two years she has been selected as a member of the audition-only High School Vocal Select All-County Choir. Reagan is also the majorette in the school marching band, and has been very active in dance classes throughout her life. Reagan will graduate with a Regents Diploma, CTE Cosmetology. She will be attending SUNY Oswego for business.

Pro Musica awards these recipients with the hope that they will continue to share  their love of choral singing as future members of Pro Musica or a choral group in the communities where they live. Funds for the scholarships are raised from member dues and proceeds from the group’s Spring and Christmas concerts. New singers are always welcome. For more information contact ogdpromusica@gmail.com.