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Crane School of Music to Host Woodwind Summit on Sept. 26 and 27

SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music Welcomes Alumni and Guest Performers for Biennial Crane Woodwind Summit

Potsdam, NY (09/19/2025) — SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music will host its biennial Crane Woodwind Summit on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 26 and 27, featuring a dynamic lineup of performance classes, workshops, concerts, vendors, and instrument repair clinics led by expert faculty and guest artists.

The summit will bring together Crane alumni, current students, educators, musicians of all ages and skill levels, and members of the public for two days of immersive musical experiences. For a full schedule of events, visit www.cpspotsdam.org/woodwind-summit. To register for the summit, visit www.cpspotsdam.org/about-1.

The schedule includes a music business roundtable, warm-ups and a movement class, panel discussions on hidden musical careers and current issues in music education, clinics for instrument repair, performance coaching and more.

Three concerts will be hosted in the Sara M. Snell Music Theater as part of the summit. The performances are included with registration as follows:

  • The public performances will kick off on Friday, Sept. 26, with a Crane faculty chamber music recital at 7:30 p.m.
  • Guest artist Kendra Wheeler, saxophone, will take the stage alongside Crane faculty member Keilor Kastella on piano, for a 1 p.m. recital on Saturday.
  • There will be a Crane woodwind alumni recital at 4 p.m., featuring Kastella and Risa Okina on piano.

In addition, the summit will conclude with a concert hosted by the Community Performance Series, as part of its 36th season. In conjunction with the Crane Woodwind Summit, CPS will welcome Imani Winds in concert on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 7:30 p.m., also in Snell Theater.

Visiting alumni panelists and performers include:

  • William Beecher '13 (bassoon)
  • Samuel Forrester '23 (clarinet)
  • Kevin Gifford '11 (oboe)
  • Elizabeth Hanlon (Widzinski) '08 (clarinet)
  • Laura Lentz '91 (flute)
  • Vanessa Mulvey '90 (flute)
  • Mark Sophia '12 (oboe)
  • Julia Viviano '19 (flute)

About the guest artists:

Kendra Wheeler is a musician, saxophonist and educator advancing the instrument through innovative performance, expanded repertoire and inclusive pedagogy. Her practice spans traditional, contemporary and experimental music, fostering collaborations that explore the saxophone's expressive possibilities. Dedicated to equity and representation, her research diversifies the saxophone canon and cultivates versatile musicianship to prepare students for varied careers.

With an international career spanning performances, masterclasses, and residencies across 20 U.S. states and nine countries, Wheeler has appeared at premier venues including the Chicago Symphony Center and the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts. She has delivered more than 50 performances and lectures since 2020 and commissioned more than 25 new works, significantly expanding the saxophone repertoire. Her artistry and innovation have been recognized by prestigious organizations such as the Concert Artists Guild, Vandoren Emerging Artist Competition, and DownBeat Magazine.

Fresh off their 2024 GRAMMY win for "Passion for Bach and Coltrane," the powerhouse ensemble Imani Winds will bring their genre-defying sound and electrifying presence to Crane. Leading up to the stand-out culminating performance, the ensemble will lead masterclasses and work directly with Crane students, offering an extraordinary opportunity to engage with one of the most innovative chamber groups of our time.

For more than 25 seasons, Imani Winds has redefined what a wind quintet can be, merging classical tradition with bold, contemporary storytelling. With four GRAMMY nominations and performances from Carnegie Hall to the Kennedy Center, they have captivated audiences across the globe through adventurous programming, high-energy artistry and fearless innovation. Their repertoire ranges from reimagined chamber works to newly commissioned pieces that speak to the moment, including collaborations with jazz legends and modern composers alike. Their performances are anything but ordinary -- they're immersive experiences that blend virtuosity with cultural relevance. Whether you're a lifelong classical fan or a curious newcomer, Imani Winds is a musical force you won't want to miss.

Tickets for the Fall 2025 Community Performance Series season, including the Imani Winds concert, are on sale now, and can be purchased online at www.cpspotsdam.org. Youth, senior and military discounts are available.

In-person ticket purchases at the SUNY Potsdam Box Office, located in the Performing Arts Center lobby, are also now open. The Box Office is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Thursday by appointment.

To view the programs for other summit performances and view other upcoming livestreaming performances, 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

Guest artist Kendra Wheeler, saxophone, will lead workshops and present a free recital as part of the Crane Woodwind Summit, on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 1 p.m., in the Sara M. Snell Music Theater.

The Grammy Award-winning Imani Winds will perform as part of the Community Performance Series, in conjunction with the Crane Woodwind Summit, on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 7:30 p.m., in the Sara M. Snell Music Theater. For tickets, visit www.cpspotsdam.org. (Photo credit: Shervin Lainez)

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