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The Crane School of Music • Potsdam, New York
Quick Take
The Crane School of Music is a large, historic SUNY music school best known for music education and strong classical training. About 500 undergraduates study with more than 80 faculty and staff in a tight-knit North Country campus environment. All music majors audition, Crane does not prescreen, and all auditioning students are automatically considered for music scholarships.
Crane School of Music at a Glance
| Program | |
| School / Division | SUNY Potsdam The Crane School of Music |
| Setting | public |
| Religious Affiliation | none |
| Program Size | large |
| Genres / Styles | classical, contemporary, jazz |
| Primary Instrument | bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, euphonium, flute, guitar, harp, horn, oboe, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, voice |
| Areas of Study | classical performance, composition, music business/industry, music education, music history, music theory |
| Degrees Offered | Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science, Master’s |
| Musical Selectivity | selective |
| NASM Accreditation | Yes |
| Admissions | |
| Academic Selectivity | less selective |
| Average GPA | 3.2 |
| Application Deadline | rolling | audition deadlines Nov–Feb |
| Auditions | |
| Audition | is required |
| Audition Competitiveness | competitive |
| Audition Window | |
| Prescreening | is not required |
| Location | |
| City / State | Potsdam, New York |
Always confirm deadlines and requirements directly with the Crane School of Music website
.
Program Overview
The music program at Crane School of Music is large in size and a school within a university.
Music Genre/Style Strengths
Crane School of Music supports the following musical genres/styles: classical, contemporary, jazz. At some schools, students can explore multiple styles while developing strong technical and artistic foundations within their primary genre.
Visit the Crane School of Music website for more specific information on the music genres/styles it supports.
Primary Instruments
Students at Crane School of Music can pursue study across a range of instruments, including bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, euphonium, flute, guitar, harp, horn, oboe, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, voice. Students study privately with faculty on their primary instrument while participating in ensembles and collaborative performances.
Visit the Crane School of Music website for more specific information about their support for studies on specific instruments.
Music Studies Offered at Crane School of Music
Students at Crane School of Music can pursue degrees focused on classical performance, composition, music business/industry, music education, music history, music theory. Music degree programs typically combine private instruction, ensemble participation, music theory coursework, and performance opportunities designed to prepare students for careers in music.
Visit the Crane School of Music website for more specific information on the programs of study it offers.
Acceptance
Musical acceptance at Crane School of Music is selective. Academically, it is less selective, with accepted students having an average GPA of 3.2. (Unlike academic programs, music admissions typically emphasize performance and artistic potential.) The application deadline for Crane School of Music is rolling | audition deadlines Nov–Feb of each year.
Visit the Crane School of Music website to confirm acceptance information and deadlines.
Auditions
An audition is required at Crane School of Music, and the school's auditions are considered to be competitive. A pre-screening video or portfolio is not required.
Visit the Crane School of Music website for more specific information on auditions.
Location and Music Scene
Crane is located in Potsdam in New York's North Country, a small college town with a remarkably concentrated arts culture. Music is central to campus life, with more than 300 concerts, recitals, and lectures annually and a large proportion of SUNY Potsdam students studying the arts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Crane School of Music hard to get into?
Admission to Crane School of Music is considered selective for music and less selective academically. At most schools, the audition carries significant weight. Admitted students need to demonstrate performance ability and artistic potential in addition to meeting academic requirements.
Do I need a prescreening video to audition at Crane School of Music?
A prescreening video or portfolio submission is not required at Crane School of Music.
Prescreening requirements vary significantly from school to school, and sometimes by instrument or area of study, so it's worth checking directly with the admissions office to confirm what's expected for your specific application.
What instruments can I study at Crane School of Music?
Crane School of Music supports study across a wide range of instruments, including bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, euphonium, flute, guitar, harp, horn, oboe, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, voice. Students typically study privately with a faculty member on their primary instrument while also participating in ensembles and collaborative performance opportunities.
Instrument availability and faculty depth can vary. If you play something less common, it's worth reaching out to the department directly to confirm faculty availability before you apply.
What GPA do I need for Crane School of Music?
Admitted students at Crane School of Music have an average GPA of 3.2. Keep in mind that this is an average. Some admitted students come in above it, some below, depending on the strength of the overall application and, especially, the audition.
Music programs tend to weigh audition performance heavily, which means a particularly strong musical candidate may be admitted even if their GPA is below the typical range. The reverse is also true. Academic strength alone won't compensate for a weak audition.
What is the application deadline for Crane School of Music?
The application deadline for Crane School of Music is rolling | audition deadlines Nov–Feb, with live auditions typically held . These dates can shift year to year, so it's important to verify directly with the admissions office well in advance.
Music school deadlines often arrive earlier than general college application deadlines, and audition slots can fill up quickly, especially at competitive programs. Getting your application in early is rarely a bad idea.
Information on this page is updated periodically. Always confirm details directly with the school's admissions office.
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