The Hartt School

01/05/2024

Look who’s at the Jazz Education Network Conference in New Orleans! It's our Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz faculty Sam Blakeslee and David Smith!

For all those attending come visit us at Booth #417!

Professor of Jazz Trumpet and I would ove to talk to you about all the great things happening at Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz, , & !

We will also be in Booth #24 for the College Fair this evening!

See you there!
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01/02/2024

Here's to a new calendar year, and we're excited to see more creativity in the form of music, dance, and theatre from our talented community very soon!

Here's to a year filled with joy, growth, and endless possibilities, Hawks! 🎉🎆 Share your resolutions, goals, or aspirations for the coming year in the comments below. #2024

12/21/2023

Happy Winter Solstice! As we head into a new season, we are feeling grateful for our creative community here at Hartt. Our hearts are warm and full of appreciation!

12/11/2023

Bravo to our third year Hartt School Vocal Division students for a wonderful performance last Friday! We can’t wait for more…stay tuned for more things in store in 2024!

12/06/2023

We have a number of upcoming performances, so here are a few highlights!

Foot in the Door
Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m., in Lincoln Theater.

Evening With Guitar and Harp (photos are a sneed peek!)
Thursday Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the Berkman Recital Hall.

Hartt Wind Ensemble and Symphony Band
Friday, Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. in Lincoln Theater.

Hartt Orchestra
Saturday, Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. in Lincoln Theater.

All of these events are free AND will be Livestreamed, so be sure to check these out wherever you are! You can learn more about these events (plus check out more events including recitals and more!) here: https://www.hartford.edu/academics/schools-colleges/hartt/calendar/default.aspx

12/04/2023

We love when guest artists visit and share their talents with our students...check out some of this inspiring content from Forsythe expert, Noah Gelber!

12/02/2023

Craving your next theatre performance? Save these upcoming dates for The Hartt School Theatre Division's performance of 'Violet.' This performance will be held on Thursday, Dec. 7 through Saturday, Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. as well as Sunday Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. Reserve your tickets here: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=uoh01

12/01/2023

We can’t wait for spring when the residency resumes, but feeling so grateful for the talents that were extended to our community in Hartt Composition!

11/29/2023

Students in the Commercial Music department are putting on two performances as part of the culminating events to the (almost) end of the semester...and they also designed the posters! Here are samplings of their designs that showcase the spirit of the performances, which will feature genres including the British Invasion, early American roots, CBGBs, the 60's R&B, and more! The two (free!) performances will be held Friday, Dec. 1 and Saturday, Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m. in the Robert Theater at the Handel Performing Arts Center.

11/28/2023

It's getting colder...which is all the more reason to stay inside and listen to some upcoming concerts from our talented community! We'll be plugging a slew of upcoming events that we have lined up that will keep you warm, so stay 'tuned'....!

First up--tonight, at 7:30 p.m.! Join Hartt Composition and treat yourself with witnessing new works by ensemble members.

Tomorrow night at 7:30PM in Fuller Room 21 is our Composer’s Ensemble concert! It will be filled with wonderful pieces written for the ensemble by members currently in the ensemble!

11/28/2023

We are so honored to have our The Hartt School Dance Division be included in the list of best college dance programs in the US for the FIFTH (!) year in a row by Danceus.org! This is a true testament of the dedication and passion that our community brings to this division. Read more about this honor here: https://www.hartford.edu/unotes/2023/11/hartt-dance-included-in-danceusorgs-list-of-best-college-dance-programs-in-the-usa.aspx

11/27/2023

Check out these amazing production photos from the recent The Hartt School Theatre Division production of Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play!

Looking ahead, make sure to 'save the date(s)' for the Theatre Division's production of Violet, from Dec. 7-10! Tickets can be reserved here: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=uoh01

11/13/2023

Internationally known Cassatt String Quartet will be giving a concert at the Mandell JCC of Greater Hartford later this week (students are free!), and as an extra bonus, they are also tucking in a chamber music masterclass at Hartt, providing students with a up-close session with these talented musicians. We can't wait!

11/13/2023

We have so much going on this week, and these are just a few of the amazing events to choose from! From Hartt Dances, to our first performance (with Hartt alum Javier Colon!) of the Garmany Chamber Music Series, to the Hartt Opera Gala...make sure you reserve your tickets in advance here: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=uoh01

11/10/2023

Last weekend, students from the The Hartt School Dance Division traveled to NYC and attended a performance at Paul Taylor Dance Company where they also met with three Hartt alumni! They also got to meet the company's artistic director.

Inspired? Don't miss the Dance Division's Hartt Dances performances coming up Nov. 14-17 at 7:30 p.m.! Please visit this link for tickets: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=uoh01

11/08/2023

Opening tomorrow night and running through Sunday (Nov. 9-12)...it's Mr. Burns: A Post Electric Play! You can snag your tickets here: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=uoh01

THE CAST OF MR. BURNS: A POST ELECTRIC PLAY 🔥⚡️

Don’t miss this ELECTRIC production in McCray Theater at the Handel Performing Arts Center! Show dates are November 9th - 11th at 7:30pm and November 12th at 3pm.

Link to tickets are in our bio!! ♥️

11/07/2023

One week from today, the wonderful talent at the The Hartt School Dance Division will debut their Fall performance opening of Hartt Dances, which will be held Nov. 14-17, all at 7:30 p.m. in Millard Auditorium. For tickets, please visit this link: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=uoh01

Photo credit: John Long

11/03/2023

Please join us for The Hartt School’s Opera Black Box Gala on Friday, Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m. This festive celebration will showcase many beloved arias and opera favorites performed by the stars of tomorrow. This event is free, but you need to reserve tickets via our Box Office as there are limited seats! Don't miss this event!

To reserve your free seats, click the link here: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=uoh01

Hartt School Vocal Division

11/02/2023

It's November! In two weeks from today, we'll kick off the 2023-24 Richard P. Garmany Chamber Music Series with Hartt alum Javier Colon!

Internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter Javier Colon who first came to national attention by winning First Prize on NBC’s “The Voice” will lead off the 2023-24 Garmany Series. This special performance will be held on Thursday, Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m. in Lincoln Theater. All seats are $25, though University of Hartford faculty, staff and students can get one free ticket!

More details can be found in our link in bio!

10/27/2023

If you're in the festive mood and want to celebrate Halloween early, The Hartt Orchestra and The Hartt Wind Ensemble are presenting their Halloween concert on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 7:30 p.m. in Millard Auditorium. And it's free for all to enjoy (no tickets required)! Here's a few photos from our rehearsals this week.

10/26/2023

If you're looking to unwind or need a pick-me-up, then head over to see our The Hartt School Theatre Division's production of Footloose! It opens tonight (Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m.) and runs through Sunday! More info can be found here about our events and how to grab your tickets: https://tinyurl.com/aj7nua2n

10/20/2023

We love featuring guest artists who encourage and inspire our students as they offer up their experience (and in turn, we love sharing our students' talents with guest artists!). Thanks to vocal coach extraordinaire Ellen Rissinger for joining the Hartt School Vocal Division this week!

Amazing job to those that participated in the mock auditions with guest artist, Ellen Rissinger, today! Thank you so much for sharing your expertise with our students!

10/16/2023

Tickets for the 2023-24 Richard P. Garmany Chamber Music Series are now available! Tickets for each concert are $25 for the general public, but did you know that admission is free for University of Hartford students, faculty, and staff?

The series kicks off on Thursday, November 16 at 7:30 p.m. with famed singer-songwriter and winner of NBC's "The Voice" Javier Colon (who is also a Hartt alum!).

So snag your tickets early and we'll see you soon. You can learn more here: https://www.hartford.edu/garmany

10/12/2023

Shoutout to the Hartt Graduate Reed Quintet, who placed THIRD in The American Prize Competition! The group is comprised of: Alaina Chester, oboe; Jung Kyu Song, clarinet; Derek Granger, saxophone; Chad Thomas, bass clarinet; and Morgan Pope, bassoon. Hartt's Carrie Koffman is their enthusiastic coach (in addition to professor of saxophone!), who also shared this wonderful piece of news with us. We're so proud of them, too!

You can read more about this here: https://tinyurl.com/mtjrks8m

10/12/2023

Here's a little post to when we hosted our High School Choral Festival last week. Local high school choirs worked with clinicians extraordinaire Carolina Flores and Ethan Nash. We hope to make this an annual event!

10/11/2023

Join us in congratulating Hartt Alum, Jolie A. Rocke ‘89 who is being recognized as an Outstanding Alum in the Impact on the University of Hartford category at the 2023 Anchor Awards. As a performer, producer, and advocate for the arts, Jolie A. Rocke has devoted her career to lifting artists up. She currently serves as a full-time lecturer at Prairie View A&M University, the founder of HBCU Arts, and the owner of Rocke Vocal Studio.

2023 Anchor Awards
Friday, Oct. 20 | 7:30–9 p.m.
Wilde Auditorium or Virtual

To register for the event and read more about the award recipients, head to this link here: https://www.hartford.edu/alumni/alumni-network/alumni-awards/default.aspx

09/27/2023

On any given day, you'll spy (or hear!) Hartt students refining their talents around campus. Add a nice day in the mix...they just might be outside for all to enjoy. Case in point: look at what we happened upon this afternoon as we were strolling through campus...just a casual jazz pop-up from the talented people found at Hartt!

09/26/2023

Later this week, Hartt's Javon Jackson will attend the Woodstock Film Festival to showcase a film that he composed in its Hudson Valley premiere. Jackson is also professor of Jazz and director of the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz. The film, With Peter Bradley, is a documentary that focuses on the abstract painter, who also had a strong affinity to jazz. At the festival, Jackson, along with his trio, will present a special live performance of the film's original score.

The film has been moving through the festival circuit all year round, which included the Slamdance Film Festival earlier this year. Read more about the film and Jackson's composition process here:

Jazz and Abstract Art forge connections in this documentary.

09/18/2023

Next week, come see The Hartt Theatre Division's production of Trojan Women, a modern adaption of the Euripides play. This tragedy is about both the physical and emotional costs of war, and its victims, then and now. The production will be held from Sept. 30 through Oct. 3 and will also be live-streamed; you can find out more here: https://tinyurl.com/bd7ymz7e

Fun fact: this poster was designed by Hartford Art School student, Jalivia Goncalves!

09/13/2023

Introducing...Teddy! Teddy is UHart's new Public Safety Comfort Canine, and he can be seen on campus greeting students, playing fetch, and strolling around our buildings. And did you know that Hartt played a small but important role in making sure his daily 'uniform' is on point? He wears his official badges on his vest, sewn on by Hartt's costume department. Read more about Teddy's story: https://bit.ly/3LmcDTE

09/07/2023

Calling all high school choir directors! Our Hartt Choral Festival is on Thursday October 5th. There are limited spots for this FREE event (you can select which am or pm session to attend!), so share/tag/invite among your high school choral directors network as this is a ‘don’t miss this!’ kind of experience. You can learn more information (and register) here: https://shorturl.at/aezBL

09/05/2023

We have a free chamber music festival, Hartt's Ode to Joy Festival, which runs from September 14-17 on the UHart campus. The Lions Gate Trio --Hartt's trio-in-residence--has invited Hartt faculty and guest artists to join them in a series of four concerts. Read more about what to expect and the lineup here: https://tinyurl.com/yc7zbbfu

09/03/2023

We are SO excited about this event - our Hartt Choral Festival on Thursday October 5th! There are limited spots for this FREE event (you can select which am or pm session to attend!), so share/tag/invite among your high school choral directors network as this is a ‘don’t miss this!’ kind of experience. We are proud to host and can’t wait to see everyone on campus soon. We’ll be posting more in the next few weeks about this but jump on this when you can!

Register here: https://shorturl.at/aezBL

Attention High School Choral Directors! The Hartt School invites you to join us for the 2023 Hartt Choral Festival: A High School Invitational on Thursday, Oct. 5th at The Hartt School, University of Hartford. Registration is free but required and spaces are limited. See registration link below.

Each choir will have the opportunity to work with either clinician Dr. Ethan Nash or Dr. Carolina Flores in a morning or afternoon session. You will be able to choose which session works best for your school schedule!

For more information, please contact Interim Director of Choral Activities Dr. Carolina Flores at [email protected].

To learn more and register:
https://go.asapconnected.com/?org=4387 =290932

09/01/2023

Want to hear about how a Hartt Alum is putting her creativity into practice? Listen to our Hawk to Hawk Alumni podcast, and you'll hear Mari Reisberg ('04) speak about her career as a therapist, performer, and creativity coach. Reisberg received her BFA in acting from Hartt. You can listen to her story here: https://tinyurl.com/mnv75cxx

Welcome to the Hawk to Hawk Podcast! Your host is UHart School of Communication graduate student and teaching intern Eden Fritz Aguiar '24. This season will feature UHart alumni stories, fun memories, and advice and tips for current students on how they can get started on their careers after graduat...

08/18/2023

We're nearly 'winded' with excitement to share that Hartt's very own Glen Adsit and James Jackson III are the new co-directors of Capitol Symphonic Winds ("Cap Winds"), an ensemble of the Hartt Community Division. If you want to join in on the fun or have any questions (and want to perform with the group!), simply email [email protected] or click here for more info: https://tinyurl.com/2u4tzk97

Cap Winds is the region's largest auditioned community concert band, so you don't want to miss out on the opportunity. Tag a friend or share to spread this news!

08/16/2023

The Hartt School is excited to welcome 2023-24 Visiting Artist Teacher in Music Composition Lembit Beecher to engage with the Hartt Composition community as Artist (presenting on his own work in Hartt’s Composers’ Seminar), Teacher (in individual lessons, Studio Group meetings, and masterclasses), and Project Leader (through the organization, development, and realization of collaborative, student-driven project work).

Lembit Beecher’s active work as composer, animator, and collaborator will inform his Visiting Artist project work in AY23-24 which will be built and developed with the students of Hartt Composition through explorations of the intersections between documentary techniques, personal and family histories, solo string writing, and stop-motion animation.

07/24/2023

We spy... University of Hartford students (from The Hartt School Dance Division) in Amsterdam! They spent two weeks at a summer dance intensive and also had an opportunity to perform and experience the acclaimed JuliDans International Festival for Contemporary Dance.

07/19/2023

Hartt's Javon Jackson is featured in the latest issue of DownBeat Magazine! Jackson is professor of jazz and director of the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz, but he's also a saxophonist, recording artist, entrepreneur, and film composer. His original score for the independent documentary film "With Peter Bradley" is also a key part of the article. Read more about this latest accolade with links to the article here: https://www.hartford.edu/unotes/2023/07/hartts-javon-jackson-featured-in-downbeat-magazine.aspx

Photographer credit: Arthur Elgort; courtesy of Alex Rappoport.