POTSDAM -- SUNY distinguished teaching professor James Petercsak has been teaching percussion at SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music for 50 years. In honor of this major academic milestone, alumni are traveling from across the country and around the globe to take part in a special upcoming concert recognizing the professor's legacy.

A tribute concert for Petercsak will be held on Saturday, March 17, at 7:30 p.m., in the Sara M. Snell Music Theater. This event is free, and the public is invited to attend.

The concert program will include percussion ensemble works by Steve Reich, Christopher Rouse, Scott Harding, Anthony Krof and Murray Houllif. There will be performances of compositions and arrangements by Crane alumni Thomas Marceau '99, Nick Mancini '96 and Joe Abbatantuono '98.

Members from the Crane Wind Ensemble will also perform percussion-centered work by Edgar Varèse. The program will conclude with a large ensemble piece where anyone interested in performing can join in.

The alumni also have some special surprises in store to honor Petercsak at the concert. Following the event, there will be a large reception in the Knowles Conference Center for guests to stop by and reminisce with the percussion professor and his students.

For those who cannot attend in person, this concert will be broadcast live on the Crane School of Music YouTube channel at the performance time. To view the program and see other upcoming streaming performances, visit www.potsdam.edu/academics/Crane/streaming.

The organizers are raising funds to support a scholarship in Petercsak's honor. Donations will be accepted at the concert. Gifts can also be made online, at secure.potsdam.edu/giving. Please enter "James Petercsak Percussion Scholarship" in the memo field when making a donation.