Crane Chorus
This chorus is the large festival chorus of The Crane School. This prestigious group was founded by Dr. Helen Hosmer in 1931 and performs the major vocal repertoire with the symphony orchestra in the Spring Festival Concert each year, and the televised Candlelight Concert each December. Crane Chorus has performed under guest conductors such as Aaron Copland, Howard Hanson, Nadia Boulanger, Brock McElheran, and Robert Shaw, and has represented Crane at events such as the rededication of The Statue of Liberty. Recent guest conductors have included Ann Howard Jones, Christof Perick, Larry Rachleff and Joseph Flummerfelt. In 2012 the Crane Symphony Orchestra and the Crane Chorus took the stage at the Avery Fisher Hall in New York City, performing Verdi's Requiem. Crane Chorus is comprised of all Crane voice students.
Click here to view a complete history of the Crane Chorus
Crane Concert Choir
The Crane Concert Choir, a select, auditioned mixed ensemble, has performed for the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) Eastern Division Conference in New York City (2006), for the MENC Eastern Division Conference in Baltimore (2005), for a festival at St. Bartholomew's Church, NYC (2005), and for schools and churches in Gettysburg, Binghamton, Syracuse, Long Island, and New York City. In 2007, members of Concert Choir toured the People's Republic of China and performed at the International Choral Festival in Beijing, and in 2013, members of the choir toured Europe. Each year the choir presents several on and off-campus concerts and hosts the annual 'Adopt A Choir' (a choral music education public school project).
Hosmer Choir
Hosmer Choir is one of two mixed voice (SATB) choral ensembles offered at SUNY Potsdam. The Hosmer Choir is predominantly comprised of freshman level Crane vocal principals, but remains open to any singer enrolled at SUNY Potsdam or the Associated Colleges. Repertoire spans a wide spectrum from before Bach to Rock, with a special commitment to explore the music of diverse cultures. Commitment for both fall and spring semesters is expected.
Phoenix Club
Phoenix Club, the oldest choral ensemble on campus, founded in 1894, is Crane's treble choir. In is an auditioned ensemble. The purpose of Phoenix Club is to study the finest choral literature appropriate for a college level treble choir, and to perform at the highest level. The choir provides a musical and educational service to the campus and greater choral community. It fosters opportunities for student musical leadership and choral music education preparation. In addition to performing as an independent ensemble, singers have combined musical experiences with other Crane choral and instrumental ensembles.
Eclectic Ensemble
This non-auditioned ensemble aims to develop a critical engagement with ensemble music making across a variety of genres and styles. Musicians will navigate critical questions regarding group performance such as "Which music will be performed?" "Why will we perform this music?" "Who does this music include/exclude?" "How will we perform this music?" "What do we need to know or want to find out in order to perform this music?" An openness to new musical opportunities, approaches, and ideas coupled with respectful, critical discourse are the central attributes of this ensemble and will be expected of all musicians. All students will play a critical role in helping shape the manner in which rehearsal and performances take place throughout the semester.
Campus/Community Chorus
Campus Community Chorus is a large chorus that is comprised equally of students and community members. Community members must enroll as auditing students. A voice placement audition may be required. This course is offered when possible.
Opera Ensemble
See the Crane Opera Ensemble web page for more about this award-winning ensemble.
The award-winning Crane Opera Ensemble is a significant source for opera and musical theatre in the North Country region of New York State. The ensemble is unique as it integrates the College’s mission of teaching, scholarship and public service, into its performances each year. Participation is through a competitive audition open to any major. One fully staged production is presented each semester, covering a variety of styles in rotation to offer students the most diverse experiences. Operas are sung in the original language when appropriate, and our supertitle system allows audiences to more fully enjoy the performances. The Crane Opera Ensemble periodically produces a musical theatre production in collaboration with the SUNY Potsdam Department of Theatre & Dance, while the Domenic J. Pellicciotti Opera Composition Prize allows the opera ensemble to work with living composers and librettists on new works every four years.
Musical Theatre Workshop
This performance-based course is designed to provide the student with the opportunity to develop and improve their performing and professional skills as they relate to musical theatre repertoire. The students will explore and stage scenes from a variety of standard musical theatre repertoire, culminating with an end of the semester black box style performance in which costume, scenic, and lighting elements will not be included. The course is a required part of the Musical Theatre minor.
Other ensemble performance opportunities for voice students include Mariachi Ensemble, Contemporary Music Ensemble, Latin Ensemble, and West African Drum & Dance Ensemble