Crane School of Music Student Performers Take Center Stage in Exciting Ensemble Performances

SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music Presents Concerts Featuring Percussion, Jazz, Latin, Brass & Viola Ensembles 

Members of the Crane Latin Ensemble rehearse in Hosmer Hall at SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music

The talented student artists from SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music will take center stage for a series of exciting ensemble performances starting tonight. 

Upcoming free performances include: 

Tuesday, Nov. 2: Crane Percussion Ensemble, 8 p.m., Sara M. Snell Music Theater 

Directed by SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor Jim Petercsak, the 20-member Crane Percussion Ensemble will be joined by guest conductor and Crane alumnus Geoffrey Snow ’17 during this concert. This performance is dedicated to Neil Ellwood Peart, the Canadian musician, songwriter and author, best known as the drummer and primary lyricist of the rock band Rush. 

Thursday, Nov. 4: Crane Jazz Ensemble, 8 p.m., Snell Theater 

Directed by Michael R. Dudley Jr., the Crane Jazz Ensemble will present “Eclipse: The Music of the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra,” inspired by the most influential big band since the swing era. 

Friday, Nov. 5: Crane Latin Ensemble, 8 p.m., Snell Theater 

The Crane Latin Ensemble will present a program of Afro-Cuban dance music, including pieces in traditional styles, such as mambo, cha-cha and danzón, as well as contemporary Latin jazz. Featured composers will include Tito Puente, Oscar Hernandéz, Eddie Palmieri and Chris Washburne. The Crane Latin Ensemble is directed by Peter McCoy. 

Thursday, Nov. 11: Crane Brass Ensemble, 8 p.m., Helen M. Hosmer Concert Hall 

The Crane Brass Ensemble will present a broad range of works, stretching from a Bach suite, to Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man,” to jazz arrangements and contemporary pieces. The 22-member ensemble is directed by Brianne Borden. 

Friday, Nov. 12: Crane Viola Ensemble, 5:30 p.m., Snell Theater 

The Crane Viola Ensemble will present Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “Suite for Viola and Orchestra,” followed by Jennifer Higdon’s arrangement of the hymn “Amazing Grace,” and Jessica Meyer’s 2020 piece, “A Fire to be Kindled.” The ensemble is directed by Shelly Tramposh. 

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.