New York, NY, Oct 31, 2012 — Musician Christopher Battles is hoping to make his mark as an acoustic singer/songwriter in New York City.

Over the last few months, Christopher Battles has shared his musical journey via audio postcards. We've heard occasional stories of his new life -- the pressures, emotional highs and lows and what it's like for an upstate troubadour in the big city.

Christopher grew up in Oswego, graduated from the Crane School of Music last year and now lives in New York City. He studied percussion and music education at Crane, and when he's not performing his brand of folk music on the street, subway platform or the stage of a coffee house, he's a substitute teacher.  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, Oct 23, 2012 — The Orchestra of Northern New York kicks off its 25th season this weekend in Potsdam and Watertown. The orchestra will perform Beethoven's 9th Symphony along with the combined choirs of the Potsdam Community Chorus and the Northern Choral Society. For many, the piece is among Beethoven's greatest works, and is considered by some to be the greatest piece of music ever written.

Todd Moe talks with music director and conductor Kenneth Andrews about 25 years of making music and conducting Beethoven. Andrews has led the Orchestra of Northern New York since it first began in 1988.

Saturday night's concert is in SUNY Potsdam's Hosmer Concert Hall at 7:30, and Sunday's concert is at 3:30 at Watertown's First Presbyterian Church. Tickets: 315-267-2277  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, Aug 10, 2012 — Becki Walenz is a trumpeter and graduate student at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. Her debut CD, which she has just released on the school's MADSTOP Records label, is designed to help young trumpeters learn some of the pieces that are in the standard learning repertoire for the instrument. Joel Hurd tells us more.  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, Jun 28, 2012 — Pops and patriotic tunes will fill Hosmer Hall at SUNY Potsdam on July 3rd at 7:30 p.m. It's the Orchestra of Northern New York's annual summer pops concert, a musical celebration for the Fourth of July, Canada Day and summer. Todd Moe spoke with conductor Ken Andrews, who says the theme for Tuesday night's concert is the Big Band era.  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, May 04, 2012 — The Crane School of Music Klezmer Band, Klez-mania, will perform at Beth El synagogue in Potsdam this Sunday at 4:30.

Todd Moe talks with clarinetist Matt Wurtzel about the group, Klez-mania, and their brand of this spirited and uniquely Jewish musical style. He says klezmer music combines the Yiddish folk melodies of Eastern Europe with early American jazz styles.  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, Apr 20, 2012 — One of the most popular weekly music programs on public radio is coming to Potsdam this Saturday night. For more than ten years, "From the Top" has been the preeminent showcase for America's best young musicians. Hosted by pianist Christopher O'Riley, the show will be recorded live in Hosmer Concert Hall at SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music on Saturday night (7:30). The Potsdam "From the Top" broadcast will feature several of the most talented young performers from across the country. The show is the final Community Performance Series Guest Artist Series event of the season.

These are tough times for classical music -- with recent budget cuts to arts education in public schools and some orchestras going bankrupt. But Christopher O'Riley told Todd Moe that he doesn't think the future of classical music is bleak. He says the next generation of classical musicians are more entrepreneurial than his generation.  Go to full article

Sudbury, MA, Feb 01, 2012 — The Northern Symphonic Winds winter concert is this Saturday night (7:30) in the Massena High School Auditorium. "Altered States" is the theme of the concert that will also include select Massena student musicians. The concert is a benefit for the school's music program. Todd Moe talks with conductor Brian Doyle about choosing a theme and music for the concert.  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, Jan 31, 2012 — Todd Moe talks with Jennifer Choi, the violinist from the eclectic string quartet, Ethel. They're artists-in-residence at the Crane School of Music this week and will present a concert in Potsdam at Hosmer Hall Thursday night (7:30). They have a cool name and the young musicians like to play music influenced by pop and jazz. Ethel will perform its "Present Beauty" program featuring music by Philip Glass from the movie, The Hours. Choi says the four musicians have backgrounds in the classical genre, but the group prefers adventurous music.  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, Jan 18, 2012 — A new book tells the history of SUNY Potsdam through photographs. Potsdam is the oldest campus in the state university system and the new Arcadia Publishing book includes more than 200 vintage images. The book traces the school's history from its founding in 1816; its teacher training traditions, the Crane School of Music, School of Arts and Sciences, athletics and other activities. Todd Moe talks with the two local authors, Jane Subramanian and Virginia Rose Cayey, about their memories as students at SUNY Potsdam and some of the joys and challenges of sifting through hundreds of historic photos and documents.  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, Nov 10, 2011 — Some of the best brass players in the New York Philharmonic, the oldest symphony orchestra in the U.S., will take part in "Brass Day" at the Crane School of Music in Potsdam on Sunday. The Principal Brass Quintet's visit will culminate with a concert Sunday night (7:30) in Hosmer Hall.

The Quintet featuring Principal Trumpet Philip Smith, trumpet player Ethan Bensdorf, Principal Horn Philip Myers, Principal Trombone Joseph Alessi, and Principal Tuba Alan Baer, has hosted annual holiday concerts at Lincoln Center since 1995. They're also a regular encore feature on Philharmonic tours. Todd Moe spoke with principal trumpet, Philip Smith.  Go to full article