Crane School of Music Kicks Off the Spring Semester with Pair of Love-Themed Performances

The singers include Margaret Chalker (soprano), Donald George (tenor), Steven Groth (baritone), Deborah Massell (soprano), Sarah Maurer-Groth (mezzo-soprano), Kathleen Miller (soprano), Christopher Sierra (tenor), Colleen Skull (soprano) and Lorraine Yaros Sullivan (mezzo-soprano). Composers range from the early Baroque of Claudio Monteverdi in 1632, all the way through to the 2018 composition by Crane faculty composer Ivette Herriman Rodriguez. 

There will be a faculty recital featuring baritone Steven Groth alongside collaborative pianist Brock Tjosvold on Tuesday, Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m. in Snell Theater. This recital will include works by Georges Bizet, Henri Duparc, Josephine Lang, Gerald Finzi, Francesco Paolo Tosti, Salvatore Cardillo, Gioachino Rossini and Cole Porter.  

“This performance primarily features music that explores the multifaceted nature of that crazy thing called love. Whether it be passion and romance, bliss and happiness, or loss and heartbreak, love represents one of the strongest emotional forces to influence the human condition. As love is an ever-present theme in opera, art song, and musical theatre genres, the music in this recital seeks to highlight the many different ways love affects us in our daily lives as a continuation of the Crane School of Music’s theme of ‘Peace and Love’ this year in honor of our friend and Dean Emeritus Lonel Woods,” Groth said. 

On Thursday, Feb. 17, there will be a faculty recital at 7:30 p.m. featuring Charles Guy, tuba, accompanied by pianist Julie Miller, also in Snell Theater. The performance will feature works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Quinn Mason, Elizabeth Raum, Alexander Arutiunian, and the world premiere of “Three More Virtues” by Crane Composition Professor David Heinick.  

Upcoming student ensemble performances will follow, including: 

• Crane Student Honors Recital: Friday, Feb. 18 at 7:30 p.m. in Snell Theater 

• Crane Latin Ensemble: Saturday, Feb. 19 at 7:30 p.m. in Snell Theater 

• Student Composers Forum: Monday, Feb. 21 at 7:30 p.m. in Snell Theater 

• Crane Jazz Band: Tuesday, Feb. 22 at 7:30 p.m. in Snell Theater 

• Crane Symphonic Band, Concert Band and Wind Ensemble: Wednesday, Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the Helen M. Hosmer Concert Hall 

• Crane Symphony Orchestra: Thursday, Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. in Hosmer Hall 

• Crane Jazz Ensemble: Friday, Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m. in Snell Theater  

Crane is thrilled to safely welcome back audiences for performances once again this year. Audience members will be required to wear face coverings, and seating will be socially distanced. 

The events are a community benefit of being home to one of the premier schools of music in the nation—and thanks to livestreaming, anyone anywhere can watch and enjoy. To view upcoming performances, and find the livestream link, visit http://www.potsdam.edu/cranelive. 

About The Crane School of Music: 

Founded in 1886, SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music has a long legacy of excellence in music education and performance. Life at Crane includes an incredible array of more than 300 recitals, lectures and concerts presented by faculty, students and guests each year. The Crane School of Music is the State University of New York’s only All-Steinway institution and was one of the first Yamaha Institutions of Excellence. For more information, please visit www.potsdam.edu/crane.