Bert Lucarelli's Memiors

I had the pleasure to read Bert Lucarelli's memoirs.  Styled as "conversations," anyone who had the pleasure of working with or spending time with the professor would really enjoy reading about his philosophy and approach to music and life. 


There are lots of ways for young musicians to get their career going.  Bert made the decision not to take non-music jobs.  His view was that if he was going to be a musician, he was going to be a musician.  That being said, he also was clear that performing is performing, regardless of whether that is as a soloist, ensemble member, chamber music, or playing Ice Capades (yup, look for that story in here).  Even the title - We Can't Always Play Waltzes - is charming when you read that vignette. Enjoy!

Series of Concerts to Honor Bert Lucarelli

On December 10 and 11, 2015, The Hartt School will present a series of concerts to honor recently retired, professor emeritus Bert Lucarelli.  Professor Lucarelli has retired after 45 years of teaching. 

On December 10, Hartt is celebrating his legacy by hosting a recital performed by his former Hartt students. The recital begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Society of Hartford, 50 Bloomfield Ave.  The concert is free and open to the public.  Performing on the recital are:

Karen Birch Blundell

Dan Brimhall

Jolie Chrisman

Dan Frostman

Ziqian Guan

Trevor Johnson

Katy Kammeyer

Galit Kaunitz

Micheal Loveland

Lissa Stoltz

On December 11, the Hartt Symphony Orchestra will accompany five of Professor Lucarelli's students as they perform the John Corigliano's Concerto for Oboe and Orchestra (1975), which was written for him.  Each student will perform one of the movements.  This concert will be live-streamed for those who cannot attend in person.  The soloists will be:

Karen Birch Blundell

Stuart Breczinski

Casey Hill

Charles Huang

Kirstin Leitterman

In the meantime, here are some photos of Prof. Lucarelli from throughout his career.

Hartt Grants Emeritus Status to Three Professors - Gryc, Provost, and Lucarelli

Hartt recently announced that it was granted the status of "Professor Emeritus" to three long-time faculty members.  Stephen Gryc, Richard "Dick" Provost, and Humbert "Bert" Lucarelli have a combined 137 teaching years at Hartt and have influenced generations of Hartt alumni. 

I can't imagine to guess how many music students at Hartt have been influenced by and have benefited from these Hartt gentlemen.  I, personally, was fortunate to learn from and teach aside each of them and I congratulate them on this honor, which adds to the long list of honors and accomplishments each has earned throughout their careers.

Steve has taught composition and music theory at Hartt since 1980.  Steve's website is here.

Dick is a Hartt alumnus and has taught guitar at Hartt since 1960.  Dick's website is here.

Bert has taught oboe at Hartt since 1968.  Bert's website is here.

5 Questions with Kim (Deluccio) Collins

Kim (DeLuccio) Collins (BM 1992) studied Flute at Hartt from 1988 to 1993.  She is currently living in Trumbull, CT.

What have you been up to since you graduated from Hartt?

So many things have happened in the last 20-plus years!  I got married to Steve Collins (BM Percussion, 1989).  On the teaching front, I taught at Hartt Community Division for about 7 years, maintained an active private teaching studio, and also did some teaching at Fairfield University, Choate Rosemary Hall, and Neighborhood Music School.  As far as performing is concerned, I never stopped after school.  I decided early on that I really enjoyed the freedom and variety of being a freelance artist, and I have been fortunate to play with so many great musicians along the way.  I have played solo recitals, chamber music, orchestral music, been featured soloist with orchestra here and there, lots of shows including some work on Broadway, and a few recordings…a really fun variety.

In 2007 we had the first addition to our family, and now have two little boys in Elementary School, so that keeps things in perspective and is a huge project in itself.

What are you involved with right now?

I am currently performing in a freelance capacity with the Vermont, Springfield, Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, and Albany Symphonies as well as in the pit for nationally touring shows that come through the state.  I am also Principal Flutist with the Waterbury Symphony.  I am teaching at home and at Southern Connecticut State University.  I’m always looking for new and interesting projects so I’m open to ideas for fun collaborations and concerts.  Sometimes I feel as if, although I really enjoy orchestral music, that I have some untapped spark for other genres that I want to explore.  I hope I can do more of that in the coming years.

I enjoy running and cooking, and being the best mom I can be to my two boys.  I’ve been known to hit local boot camps and flip some tires and push some prowlers around here and there and always enjoy a good physical challenge like an obstacle race.

What is one of your most memorable things about your time at Hartt?

I hate to repeat what others have said, but…there are so many!

Mr. Lepak with his cigar hanging out of the corner of his mouth, performing Concerto for Orchestra at the MENC conference with Arthur Winograd conducting, playing with the Emerson String Quartet, coachings with Moshe Paranov, our trips to NYC to play in Town Hall and Alice Tully hall, working in the Information Booth, Mr. Rauche stamping my papers with a dancing pig in a tutu, and especially my lessons and studio classes with John Wion.  I loved getting the chance to play the flute in so many different settings.  A huge thank you also for the life-changing moment in which Dr. Feierabend said that we shouldn’t use a Music Education degree as something to fall back on.  I recall being wracked with guilt at that statement, and feeling like a sham.  He inspired me to change my major to performance, and I know it was the right choice for me.

What did you learn during while at Hartt that you did not appreciate or recognize until after time passed and you had some time to reflect?

Moshe Paranov on the Competence of Teachers

The following is an excerpt from an online publication called “The Rhythm of Successful Teaching,” by Hartt alumnus Larry D. Allen.

Mr. Allen was Principal of Boone Grove Middle School in Boone Grove, Indiana. He also taught and conducted at the college and university level at Trinity College (Hartford, Connecticut), The Hartt School, Central Connecticut State University, Valparaiso University, VanderCook College of Music, Duquesne University, and Villanova University.  Among his degrees, Mr. Allen earned a Masters of Music Degree in oboe performance with Bert Lucarelli at the Hartt.

In this section of his publication, called Competence and Incompetence, Mr. Allen relays some stories about Moshe Paranov and his philosophy of teaching music.

Competence and Incompetence

One of the mysteries about teaching in public schools is that almost all of our gurus and geniuses throughout history that daily receive universal respect and admiration would not legally qualify to be our child's teacher.

Moshe Paranov

Moshe Paranov was a musical guru who provided outstanding leadership at the Hartt School throughout most of the 20th century. He and his team of outstanding teachers developed an idea: to build an outstanding school of music in the greater Hartford, Connecticut area to international acclaim and respect. Moshe’s official title was Dr. Moshe Paranov, President of the Hartt School of Music of the University of Hartford. All the children knew him as “Uncle” Moshe. He was active into his 90’s as the Artist-in-Residence for the schools in Glastonbury, Simsbury, and Torrington, Connecticut. Imagine being in demand as a teacher at 90 years young.

The reality of Dr. Paranov’s talent began to unfold in his high school years, as he entered the principal’s office one morning requesting that the principal give him permission to attend school daily for the balance of his high school year beginning at 10:30 a.m. so that he would have time to practice the piano at home from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. With little hesitation the principal presented Dr. Paranov with the bad news regarding the request even though there was strong parental support.

With that decision, Dr. Paranov moved on with his life, left school and proceeded to practice four hours per day from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., and over the years became a legend without his high school diploma. He built one of the most respected music schools in the world, and he received an Honorary Doctorate from the Philadelphia Music Academy.

Over the years Dr. Paranov interviewed hundreds of candidates to teach in his highly respected school. His mantra was, “play first and then we will talk.” If the candidate played well, the hiring took place immediately. If the candidate could not play well, there was no talking just a painful silence that communicated the message.

Each year there was an opening meeting at the Hartt School of Music where all the faculty would return after a hearty summer of touring, recording, and many exciting musical performances. Dr. Paranov would command the open meeting with humor, enthusiasm, and commitment. The opening speech went like this each year:

I want to welcome you all back to another season of excellence. What I want from each of you teachers is to know “what have you done today to help each of your students and what have you done today to make yourself a more competent musician and a more competent teacher.”