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Crane to Host Groundbreaking Composer, Conductor & Music Theorist in Fall Stephanie Blythe ’92 Establishes Fall Island Vocal Arts Seminar at Alma Mater
Stephanie Blythe ’92, the mezzo-soprano with the “once-in-a-generation” voice, returned to her alma mater for the premiere season of the Fall Island Vocal Arts Seminar from May 21 to May 26, 2012 at SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music. The inaugural season of the Fall Island Vocal Arts Seminar was aimed at reinvigorating individual artistry through the American art song by energizing up-and-coming young singers from across the U.S. and Canada. Blythe conceived of the seminar with Crane Opera Ensemble Director Dr. Carleen Graham and invited pianist Alan Smith to Potsdam to work with the gifted young artists, while Dr. Gary Busch led a masterclass on American song. “Coming back to Potsdam is like completing a circle for me. SUNY Potsdam and The Crane School of Music put me on a road to self-discovery as an artist and a person. This place gave me the courage to search out my dreams and succeed, and now it will be a place where I can share what I can with the next generation of musical interpreters,” Blythe said.
SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music will host a distinguished musical guest this fall. Award-winning conductor and composer Gunther Schuller will work with Crane students over the course of a week as a visiting guest artist-in-residence November 10th to 15th. Schuller has done extensive work as an educator, jazz historian, administrator, music publisher, record producer and author. During the residency, he will guest conduct the Crane Symphony Orchestra, performing Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5. He will give masterclasses and participate in a panel discussion about different genres of music, composition, contemporary music and music education. For more information, keep track of event details at www.potsdam.edu/crane. College Ne ws
The Best gift to Potsdam Gifts to the Annual Fund for Potsdam are a wonderful way to help the College’s greatest needs. They allow Potsdam flexibility to seize compelling opportunities for our students. They can be made in memory or honor of someone special. https://secure.potsdam.edu/giving
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Potsdam Awards Famed Soprano Lisa Vroman ’79 Honorary Doctorate
Lisa Vroman ’79 has sung on stages across the globe, from Abu Dhabi to Broadway, not to mention the Hollywood Bowl, Kuala Lumpur, Las Vegas and Paris. But this summer, the famed soprano returned to the stage where her performing career began, at SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music, to accept an Honorary Doctor of Music. In recognition of her success as a musician and in gratitude for her philanthropic efforts, both nationally and on behalf of Potsdam, Vroman was presented with the honor during Reunion Weekend at a special recital in which she performed along with Dean Michael Sitton. Vroman is well known for her starring role as Christine Daaé in “The Phantom of the Opera,” along with other Broadway and opera roles spanning the spectrum.