Crane School of Music Students, Faculty & Guest Artists Take Center Stage in Upcoming Performances

SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music Continues Free Concert Series with Premieres, Guest Artists & Ensembles Spanning All Genres

Potsdam, NY (09/29/2026) — SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music will highlight its talented students and world-renowned faculty, alongside special guest artists, in a series of upcoming live performances in October.

All performances are free, and the public is invited to attend.

The Crane Symphony Orchestra, directed by Michael J. Colburn (Hon. '12), will present a fall concert on Thursday, Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m., in the Helen M. Hosmer Concert Hall. The orchestra will open with Johannes Brahms' "Academic Festival Overture, Op. 80," which is interwoven with the melodies of 19th century student drinking songs of the time, followed by Nancy Galbraith's contemporary work, "Euphonic Blues." The performance will close with "Adventures on Earth," the triumphant finale from John Williams' Academy Award-winning film score for "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial." The Crane Symphony Orchestra is a premier 90-member student ensemble, and the second-oldest college orchestra in the United States.

Dr. Brian K. Doyle will conduct a Chamber Winds Concert featuring Crane faculty and friends, on Sunday, Oct. 4 at 3 p.m., in the Sara M. Snell Music Theater. The ensembles will first present Igor Stravinsky's "Octet for Wind Instruments," followed by Charles Gounod's "Petite Symphonie." The evening's performers include Julianne Kirk Doyle (clarinet), Brian Dunbar (flute), Max Grube (bassoon), William Hallenbeck (horn), Anna Hendrickson (oboe), Christopher Hernacki (trombone), Christine Hoerning (clarinet), Christopher Keach (trumpet), Carol Lowe (bassoon), Peter McCoy (trombone), Molly Murphy (oboe), Luke Spence (trumpet) and Mackenzie Sweeney (horn).

Directed by Dr. SeungYoung Hong, the Crane Jazz Ensemble will follow up with "City Sketches," a special concert filled with numbers inspired by New York City, on Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the Proscenium Theater, in the Performing Arts Center. The evening will open with Duke Ellington's "A Tone Parallel to Harlem," followed by the 1966 Buddy Rich Big Band arrangement of Leonard Bernstein's "West Side Story" medley. Following a brief intermission, the jazz ensemble will close with Oliver Nelson's "Jazzhattan Suite."

Dr. Julianne Kirk Doyle (clarinet) and Keilor Kastella (piano) will present a special faculty recital on Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m., in Snell Theater. Percussionist Emma Gierzsal will join for Libby Larsen's "Corker," which explores the interplay of rhythmic and melodic elements, as the clarinet player goes from jazz soloist to chamber musician, and the percussionist switches from swing-era drummer to marimba and vibraphone. The next work on the program, "Sonata," was originally composed by Dr. Kirk Doyle's father, James Kirk, especially for her. It will be followed by Douglas Lilburn's "Sonatina." Following an intermission, Kirk Doyle and Kastella will present the consortium premiere performance of "unravelation" by Reena Esmail. As a portmanteau of "unraveling" and "revelation," the piece brings together three different Hindustani raags in an exploration of the counterplay between control and release. The final work of the evening is the world premiere of Stacy Garrop's "The Art of Ballet," which was commissioned by a consortium of 20 clarinetists led by Kirk Doyle. "The Art of Ballet" explores the world of ballet through a musical representation of iconic poses and dance steps.

The busy October schedule will continue with a series of evening concerts at 7:30 p.m.:

Considered the "world star of the tuba," guest artist Thomas Leleu will be in residence at The Crane School of Music on Thursday, Oct. 22, presenting a concert that evening at 7:30 p.m., in Snell Theater. Voted "Instrumental Soloist of the Year" at the 2012 Victoires de la Musique awards at the age of 24, he is the first tuba player in history to win this distinction. Described as "one of the greatest tuba players in the world" (France Bleu), compared to the "Mozart" of his discipline, he is a world music star (TMC, Yann Barthes). For almost 20 years, Leleu has been featured in numerous media and on stages the world over, playing both classical music and jazz. He has performed as a soloist in more than 40 countries, founded unique and original tuba ensembles and released six albums. His newest album, "_Night Celebration," embraces a distinctive sound blending pop, soul and disco pop.

Rounding out the busy October schedule are the following evening performances, all at 7:30 p.m.:

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. For program details and more information on these and other upcoming performances, please visit 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.

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Media Attachments

The Crane Jazz Ensemble performs. The saxophone section has Crane School of Music band stands.

The Crane Jazz Ensemble will present a fall concert, “City Sketches,” on Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the Proscenium Theater. The free performance will also stream live online, at www.potsdam.edu/cranelive.

Julianne Kirk Doyle plays the clarinet onstage.

Dr. Julianne Kirk Doyle, clarinet, and Keilor Kastella, piano, will lead a faculty recital including a world premiere and a consortium premiere on Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m., in the Snell M. Snell Music Theater at SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music.

Thomas Leleu poses on stage with his tuba.

Guest artist Thomas Leleu, a renowned tubist, will visit SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music on Oct. 21 and 22, presenting a free performance on Thursday, Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m., in Snell Theater.

The Crane Mariachi Ensemble performs in traditional attire.

The Crane Mariachi Ensemble, Mariachi Los Osos del Norte, will present a concert on Friday, Oct. 30 at 7:30 p.m. in the Proscenium Theater. To keep track of upcoming performances, view programs and find livestreams, visit www.potsdam.edu/cranelive.