Crane School of Music | SUNY Potsdam

Listen. Create. Inspire.

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 SUNY’s only All-Steinway institution and in 2021 was named one of only ten Yamaha Institution of Excellence programs nationally.

The Crane School of Music offers rigorous undergraduate and graduate programs with a strong emphasis on performance and practice, in a tightknit atmosphere. You’ll benefit from working closely with our distinguished and dedicated full-time faculty artists, teachers and scholars.

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Brothers in Music

Bound by family and music, brothers Lance ’06 and Austin Day ’09 found their shared rhythm at SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music—where lessons in artistry, mentorship, and community shaped both their lives and careers.

Finding Sonic Impact

Margo Neth ’26, a flutist and Music Business major at Crane, spent her summer interning at Brick and Mortar Music—helping local schools get instruments into students’ hands and gaining hands-on industry experience along the way.

Crane to the World: Vallejo’s Journey

Jessie Vallejo ’07, a SUNY Potsdam alumna, has taken her passion for mariachi music from the Crane School of Music to global stages, performing at venues like Dodger Stadium and the Latin Grammy Awards. After earning her Ph.D. in ethnomusicology, she now teaches at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, while also returning to Potsdam to support the college’s mariachi program, Los Osos del Norte.

Musical Connections

From classrooms and performance halls at Crane to the stage of the Lake George Music Festival, Alexander Lombard '07 & '09 is connecting the next generation of musicians with real-world opportunities. After more than a decade of festival success, he's giving back to his roots, offering music business students an exclusive internship to experience the magic behind the scenes.

A Longstanding Tradition

A holiday tradition that began 100 years ago, the Candlelight Concert continues to be a time-honored celebration of music and the holiday season at Crane.

Finding Her Way Home

Crane alumna Emily Wiggett ’14 brings skill and passion to the Danville School music program, earning a solid place in the hearts of students and the community.

Music Educator Turned TikTok Influencer

With nearly 65,000 followers on TikTok, Laura Beth Wendelin ’17 & ’19—a self-proclaimed orchestra dork teacher—has become a surprise influencer overnight, sharing witty videos about instrument repair and providing advice to other teachers in the field as she launches her career as an elementary school music teacher. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in music and a master’s degree in music education from Crane, Wendelin landed a job as an orchestra director at a middle school in eastern Connecticut, now inspiring students in the classroom and music teachers and students around the world through her social media presence.

The Crane Candlelight Concert is a beloved tradition that has stood the test of time, celebrating the dedication, talent, and collaboration of Crane students, faculty, and staff. Ricky Chui '25, Olivia Pierotti '25, and Virginia Bednarski '26 recently shared their experiences in contributing to this year's performance, reflecting on the intricate process and hard work that goes into making the concert a success.

Crane School of Music News

North Country Novel Comes Full Circle, as Bestselling Author Tracey Lange Prepares for SUNY Potsdam Visit on Oct. 23

October 3, 2025

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

September 19, 2025

Crane School of Music to Host Community Circlesong Residency with Guest Vocalists Joey Blake & David Worm

September 15, 2025

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