POTSDAM, NY (05/04/2012)(readMedia)-- More than 2,000 people gave a raucous standing ovation as students from SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music performed on the stage of Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, on Tuesday, May 1.

World-renowned conductor Ann Howard Jones led the Crane Chorus and Crane Symphony Orchestra in a performance of Verdi's Messa da Requiem, alongside four superb vocal soloists -- three of whom attended Crane.

Nearly 300 students sang and played their hearts out, alongside guest soloists Kelly Kaduce (soprano) and former Crane students Margaret Lattimore '91 (mezzo-soprano), Dimitri Pittas '99 (tenor) and Charles Temkey (bass). Ann Howard Jones inspired students and alumni alike, after spending a week on the SUNY Potsdam campus leading up to the Lincoln Center concert.

This is the first time in 25 years that Crane has sent a major performing group to New York City. Families, parents, alumni and friends of the College were in attendance at the Avery Fisher Hall concert, which came on the heels of a sold-out performance at the Crane School of Music's Helen M. Hosmer Concert Hall on Saturday, April 28.

During their trip to NYC, numerous Crane students had the special opportunity to visit the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. Some even attended live performances at the Metropolitan Opera the night before their concert.

Families, parents, alumni and friends of the College were in attendance at both the Potsdam and Lincoln Center concerts, and their excitement was palpable. In addition, approximately 800 New York City high school students and a number of accepted Crane School of Music students, who will be coming to campus in the fall, also attended the Avery Fisher Hall performance.

"I am honored to have been a very small part of this truly special moment in the history of SUNY Potsdam and The Crane School of Music. These last few weeks have been one of the highlights of my six years at the College so far, and I know I will always treasure the memory of performing alongside our gifted students and alumni," said College President Dr. John F. Schwaller, a baritone who sang with the Crane Chorus in the concert.

SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher attended the concert, and congratulated the campus for its hard work, which she said exemplifies the vision of SUNY and the vibrant community outlined in The Power of SUNY strategic plan.

As part of the inaugural Lougheed-Kofoed Festival of the Arts, Ann Howard Jones, the 2012 Dorothy Albrecht Gregory Visiting Conductor, was able to spend the week of April 22 to April 28 at SUNY Potsdam.

The Lincoln Center performance was made possible by the Adeline Maltzan Crane Chorus Performance Tour Fund, funded by Dr. Gary C. Jaquay '67, with additional support from the bequest of Brock and Janie McElheran.

To find out more about the tradition of innovation at SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music, visit www.potsdam.edu/academics/crane/125years.

Founded in 1816, and located on the outskirts of the beautiful Adirondack Park, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges. SUNY Potsdam currently enrolls approximately 4,350 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its handcrafted education, challenging liberal arts and sciences core, excellence in teacher training and leadership in the performing and visual arts.

-www.potsdam.edu-

Posted Friday May 04, 2012 at 04:39 pm by SUNY Potsdam
Last Updated Monday May 07, 2012 at 09:32 am