POTSDAM -- Community Performance Series will present the Vienna Boys Choir in an extraordinary holiday celebration concert.

Thanks in part to support from Willow Tree Florist & Landscaping, the world-renowned group of young musicians will perform on Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the Helen M. Hosmer Concert Hall at SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music. Presenting their "Christmas in Vienna" concert, the group will be conducted by Manolo Cagnin.

The illustrious group of child musicians has been delighting music lovers across the globe for six centuries with their purity of tone, distinctive charm and popular repertoire. "Christmas in Vienna" showcases these gifted musicians with voices of unforgettable beauty in an extraordinary program featuring Austrian folk songs, classical masterpieces, popular songs and, of course, holiday favorites.

"We are extremely excited to be offering such a rare opportunity. This performance will most certainly add some magic to our holiday season," said CPS Executive Director Jason L. Dominie.

The Vienna Boys Choir, renowned as one of the finest vocal ensembles in the world for over five centuries, is a frequent visitor to North America, performing throughout the country in everything from houses of worship to great concert venues like New York's Carnegie Hall and Chicago's Symphony Hall. Approximately 11 weeks of their school year is devoted to touring, and each choir member sings about 80 concerts a year. Many of the boys have siblings, fathers, uncles and even grandfathers who have also been members of the choir.

The San Francisco Classical Voice has praised the Vienna Boys Choir's "celestial voices, pure tone and wide-ranging repertoire," while the Washington Post marveled that the choir has "totally disciplined voices tempered by a singular sense of ease and consistency, and a sound conveying ebullience, humor or solemnity as the music called for."

Born in Treviso, Italy, conductor Manolo Cagnin embraced music early in life, studying violin as a child. In later work at the Conservatory of Venice and in Milan, he pursued choral conducting and composition, completing his studies under Kurt Masur and Fabio Luisi in Leipzig.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting the CPS Box Office, located in the lobby of SUNY Potsdam's Performing Arts Center, by calling 315-267-2277 or by visiting www.cpspotsdam.org. Single tickets can also be purchased in-person at Brick & Mortar Music in downtown Potsdam.

A 25 percent discount is available exclusively through the CPS Box Office when purchasing tickets to three or more CPS Guest Artist Series events. This discount is not available on event night, please reserve in advance to save. Regular ticket prices differ depending on seat location. Student tickets cost as little as $14, and adult tickets range from $35 to $50. Discounts are also available for senior citizens and SUNY Potsdam faculty/staff.

For more information on the 2017-18 season and artists, visit www.cpspotsdam.org, or check out the CPS Facebook page, at www.facebook.com/cpspotsdam.

CPS is a college-community partnership presenting distinctive and renowned performing artists and arts education opportunities in Northern New York. This rich mixture of programming links communities, classrooms and audiences of all ages and preserves access to the performing arts for future generations. For more information, visit www.cpspotsdam.org.