Star Singer Lisa Vroman Returns to Her Alma Mater for CPS Performance

Crane School of Music Alumna Will Present 'How Can I Keep from Singing'

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Lisa Vroman is an acclaimed singer and a graduate of SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music.

POTSDAM, NY (09/09/2010)(readMedia)-- Community Performance Series is thrilled to host Broadway and opera star Lisa Vroman for a "one night only" performance on Saturday, Sept. 25. The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Helen M. Hosmer Concert Hall located on the SUNY Potsdam campus.

"How Can I Keep from Singing," is based on Vroman's journey from her student days in upstate New York to today's career as a versatile performer with symphonies, Broadway, and opera, and the many people and moments that shaped her musical life. The concert is divided into two distinct acts: the first, a recital style featuring several special guests, and the second, a concert style with Vroman performing material from Kurt Weill to Sondheim to Gershwin.

A graduate of the Crane School of Music, Lisa Vroman has been regarded as a "musical and theatrical marvel" by the San Francisco Chronicle, as well as "one of American Musical Theater's most beautiful voices" by acclaimed Broadway director Sir Cameron Mackintosh. Among her extensive repertoire, Vroman is best known for her roles as Christine Daaé in "The Phantom of the Opera," Rosalinda in "Die Fledermaus," and both Fantine and Cosette in "Les Miserables."

Accompanying Vroman will be pianist Eugene Gwozdz, who will also act as musical director for the evening. Mitch Perrins will also perform on drums and percussion, along with Potsdam native Erik Unsworth on bass. Crane faculty member Douglas Rubio will be featured on classical guitar along with professor Christopher Creviston on alto saxophone.

The CPS Studio Orchestra will join Vroman and the rhythm section for the second half of the show. The CPS Studio Orchestra is a six-man horn section that will perform custom arrangements specially written for this performance by Vroman's arranger and musical supervisor, Patrick O'Neil.

"I'm honored to work with Lisa again as a member of the on-stage orchestra," said CPS Interim Director and orchestra member Wally Siebel. "To share the stage with such an amazing talent is truly an honor and a privilege. To watch her capture the audience with her warm and engaging stage presence from my vantage point is always a highlight for me."

Lisa Vroman will also conduct a master class for the students involved in the campus production of "On The Town," to be presented by the SUNY Potsdam Department of Theatre and Dance and the Crane Opera Ensemble in November. The master class takes place from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sept. 22 in Sara M. Snell Music Theater. This event is open to the public for viewing.

"How Can I Keep From Singing" is sponsored in part by the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam and Cappello, Linden & Ladouceur Attorneys at Law, with additional support from Great Northern Printing and Embroidery, the Brambles Inn and Gardens, Sergi's Italian Restaurant, 1844 House and Willow Tree Florist and Landscaping. Media sponsors are WWNY TV-7 News/WNYF Fox 28 and North Country Public Radio.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting the CPS box office, located in the lobby of Snell Theater on the SUNY Potsdam campus, or Northern Music & Video in downtown Potsdam. Tickets start at $24 for adults, $21 for seniors and students and $13 for youth, and are available by calling the CPS Box Office at (315) 267-2277 or by purchasing online at www.cpspotsdam.org.

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 or www.lisavroman.com.

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Founded in 1816, SUNY Potsdam is a four-year liberal arts college nestled on the outskirts of the Adirondack Park. Among the 64 units of The State University of New York system, SUNY Potsdam has the longest history and currently enrolls approximately 4,350 undergraduate and graduate students. It is well known for its academically challenging liberal arts and sciences and teacher education programs, as well as its world-renowned Crane School of Music.

-www.potsdam.edu-