Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill will kick off the 2017-18 CPS Guest Artist Series with traditional Irish music, on Saturday, Sept. 16.
Community Performance Series will present its 28th season filled with renowned musicians and delightful family theatre in 2017-18. This year, traditional Irish, jazz, vocal and classical music will fill the performance halls at SUNY Potsdam.
The 2017-18 CPS Guest Artist Series will kick off with a performance by the 34th annual McElheran Visiting Artist, Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill, on Saturday, Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m. at The Crane School of Music. Two of the world’s leading artists in traditional Irish music, Martin Hayes (fiddle) and Dennis Cahill (guitar), will perform their adventurous, soulful and innovative interpretations. The duo is recognized the world over, for their exquisite musicality and irresistible rhythm.
The 18th Annual Ranlett Organ Recital will follow on Sunday, Oct. 15 at 3 p.m., featuring the accomplished composer, lecturer and organist Rachel Laurin. The annual recital will include a free organ encounter on Saturday, Oct. 14 at 3 p.m.
On Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m., the 3rd Cania Visiting Artist, the Vienna Boys Choir, will perform an enchanting holiday concert led by conductor Oliver Stech. The immensely popular choir will perform from their latest recording, “Merry Christmas from Vienna,” featuring music of Haydn, Mozart, Schubert and Britten, along with many beloved holiday favorites.
The wind ensemble Windscape will perform on Friday, Feb. 9 at 7:30 p.m. The “unquintet” has won a unique place for itself as a vibrant, ever-evolving group of musical individualists who have delighted audiences throughout North America with their innovative programs and accompanying presentations. During the performance, the group will be joined on stage by guest instrumentalists from The Crane School of Music.
With support from the Northern New York Community Foundation, Canadian Brass will perform on Friday, March 9 at 7:30 p.m. The “Kings of Brass” are renowned for their genre-bending versatility and joyous performances. The award-winning Canadian Brass is almost single-handedly responsible for elevating the art of the brass quintet to what it is today. The group will be joined on stage by the Frackenpohl Honors Brass Quintet, the Potsdam Brass and a select choir from The Crane School of Music.
On Saturday, April 14 at 7:30 p.m., the jazz group Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band will close out the CPS Guest Artist Series season. The band’s singular sound and vision is meant to lift the spirit and bring joy to the listener. Over his 20-year career, Blade has recorded with the likes of Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Daniel Lanois, Marianne Faithfull, Norah Jones, Billy Childs, Joshua Redman and Kenny Garrett.
All CPS Guest Artist Series concerts are presented in the Helen M. Hosmer Concert Hall at SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music.
Thanks in part to funding provided by the Maresca Family Endowment for the Arts, the Corning Incorporated Foundation and The Sweetgrass Foundation, the CPS Meet the Arts Series will also continue to provide opportunities for school-day performances and public performances. The Meet the Arts Series features educational and family-friendly theatre.
A public Meet the Arts Series performance of the National Players production of “Alice in Wonderland” will be offered on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 3 p.m. in the Sara M. Snell Music Theater at The Crane School of Music. MTA series tickets are $5 for students, and $10 for adults.
For teachers who would like to learn more about the school-day performances and educational opportunities offered by Community Performance Series, please contact CPS Education Coordinator Patti Mason at (315) 267-2612.
Tickets are now on sale, and can be purchased by visiting the CPS Box Office, located in the lobby of SUNY Potsdam's Performing Arts Center, by calling (315) 267-2277 or by visiting www.cpspotsdam.org. Single tickets can also be purchased in-person at Brick & Mortar Music in downtown Potsdam.
A 25 percent discount is available exclusively through the CPS Box Office when purchasing tickets to three or more Guest Artist Series events. Regular ticket prices differ depending on the event and seat location. Student tickets cost as little as $8, and adult tickets range from $10 to $50. Discounts are also available for senior citizens and SUNY Potsdam faculty/staff.
For more information on the 2017-18 season and artists, visit www.cpspotsdam.org, or check out the CPS Facebook page, at www.facebook.com/cpspotsdam.
Community Performance Series is a college-community partnership presenting distinctive and renowned performing artists and arts education opportunities in Northern New York. This rich mixture of programming links communities, classrooms and audiences of all ages and preserves access to the performing arts for future generations. For more information, visit www.cpspotsdam.org.
Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of only three arts campuses in the entire SUNY system. SUNY Potsdam’s arts curriculum offers the full palette: music, theatre, dance, fine arts and creative writing. No matter the discipline, people from all backgrounds can find their creative compass at Potsdam, with myriad arts immersion experiences available for both campus and community.
Arts & Culture