POTSDAM, NY (11/01/2011)(readMedia)-- Community Performance Series is proud to present the New York Philharmonic Principal Brass Quintet as the 2011-12 McElheran Visiting Artists in an upcoming Guest Artist Series concert at SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music.

The legendary brass principals will perform on Sunday, Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m. in Helen M. Hosmer Concert Hall at The Crane School of Music on the SUNY Potsdam campus. A free pre-concert lecture will be given by Dr. Charles Guy at 6:30 p.m. before the performance.

The Principal Brass enjoys worldwide exposure and an international reputation. The Quintet features Philip Smith (principal trumpet), Ethan Bensdorf (associate principal trumpet), Philip Myers (principal horn), Joe Alessi (principal trombone) and Alan Baer (principal tuba), and has hosted an annual holiday concert at Lincoln Center since 1995, collaborating most frequently with the Canadian Brass. Other guests have included groups such as the German Brass and the Salvation Army's New York Staff Band. The Principal Brass Quintet has become a regular encore feature on Philharmonic tours and residencies.

"The Principal Brass from the New York Philharmonic includes iconic performers who are at the top of the artists on their individual instruments," said Dr. Charles Guy, associate professor of tuba and euphonium at The Crane School of Music. "As a group, they combine a unique blend of technical ability, musical craftsmanship and entertaining personalities to present a 'must hear' show."

Founded in 1842 by a group of local musicians led by American-born Ureli Corelli Hill, the New York Philharmonic is by far the oldest symphony orchestra in the United States, and one of the oldest in the world. It currently plays some 180 concerts a year, and on May 5, 2010, gave its 15,000th concert -- a milestone unmatched by any other symphony orchestra. A leader in American musical life, the Philharmonic has become renowned around the globe, having appeared in 430 cities in 63 countries on five continents.

The Principal Brass concert will culminate "Brass Day," a full day of brass activities created in partnership with SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music. Brass Day will include several activities, including a campus tour, brass clinic, afternoon concert given by the Crane Brass Ensemble under the direction of James Madeja, and dinner. For more information and registration, please visit www.cpspotsdam.org.

Members of the Principal Brass will also conduct masterclasses in trumpet, tuba, French horn and trombone on Monday, Nov. 14 at 10 and 11 a.m. at The Crane School of Music. Masterclasses are free and open to the public for viewing. Call (315) 267-2612 for more information.

Ticket prices for the New York Philharmonic Principal Brass Quintet concert range from $12 to $40. Tickets to Brass Day, which include admission to both the New York Philharmonic Principal Brass Quintet and Crane Brass Ensemble concerts, are $30 for students and $45 for adults.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.cpspotsdam.org, by phone at (315) 267-2277, by visiting the CPS Box Office, located in the lobby of the Sara M. Snell Music Theater on the SUNY Potsdam campus, or at Northern Music & Video in downtown Potsdam.

The New York Philharmonic Principal Brass Quintet performance is sponsored by Tom and Mabel Walker and the Brambles Inn, with series underwriting by SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music. Media sponsors include WWNY Channel 7 News/Fox 28 and the Daily Courier-Observer.

Established in 1989, CPS at SUNY Potsdam is a college-community partnership presenting world-class performing artists and arts education opportunities in northern New York. A rich mixture of programs links community, classroom and audiences of all ages while preserving access to the performing arts for future generations.

For more information, please visit www.cpspotsdam.org.

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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 is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2011.

-www.potsdam.edu/crane-

Posted Tuesday November 01, 2011 at 03:56 pm by SUNY Potsdam
Last Updated Wednesday November 02, 2011 at 10:08 am