Alumni Panel at Paranov Hour/Musicianship

Recently, two Hartt alumni returned the Hartt to speak with students during a panel discussion - Tales from the Front Lines - during Paranov Hour, which is the current iteration of the Musicianship class many of us attended. Michael Thornton ('79) and Mary Junda ('79) gave freely of their time, memories and advice to the students.  Dean Flagg moderated the panel.  After introducing Michael and Mary, Dean Flagg asked a sereis of questions to the guests for their comments and then opened up the microphone for students to ask what was on their mind about life after Hartt.

By way of introduction, Dr. Mary Junda is currently Professor of Music at the University of Connecticut teaching choral music and world music.  Her work, and clearly her passion, includes studies of the Gullah people of the Sea Islands off the coast of Georgia and South Carolina.  She explained that this culture was cut off from the mainland U.S. for many years, which helped preserve its rich traditions strongly influence by its ancestral roots in Africa.

Michael Thornton also attended Hartt as a music education major, but his career has taken him in a very different direction.  After further study at The Acting Studio and other theaters, Michael helped found and sustain The Capitol Steps, a show of comedy and songs parodying politics and politicians.  He produces his own theater productions and his experience on the stage is wonderfully varied.

Hartt's Honorary Degrees Given in the 1970s

Continuing the series of entries on the honorary degrees that Hartt has awarded over its illustrious history, here are the honorees from the 1970s.  All links are to wikipedia.

1970     Mary Primrose Fuller

1970     Martha Blake Walcott
 
1971     Isaac Stern

Hartt's Honorary Degrees Given in the 1960s

Hartt Underwent some significant changes in the 1960s.  Perhaps, most importantly, Hartt moved into the Fuller Center on the campus of The University of Hartford.  Nonetheless, Hartt awarded honorary degrees to the following individuals.  (All links are to wikipedia except where noted.) 


1960     Eileen Farrell

Hartt's Honorary Degrees Given in the 1950s.

In the 1950s, Hartt awarded honorary degrees to the following people.  Not a bad list.  All links are to wikipedia.

I enjoyed reading about these individuals.  These early years at Hartt must have been very exciting with the people at the school.

1952	Alfred C. Fuller
1952	Howard Hanson
1953	Wanda Lendowska
1954	Warren Lawson
1955	Harrison Keller
1956	William Schumann
1957	David Boyden
1957	Richard Burgin
1958	Marian Anderson
1959	Aaron Copland

BWW Interviews: Stephen Pier - Heart to Hartt

There is a wonderful recent interview with Stephen Pier - Hartt's Dance Division Director.

A link to the Broadway World website interview is here.

Remembering Two Former Hartt Professors

We have recently learned that two former Hartt professors have passed away - Robert Hess, vocal coach, and Edward Miller, composition. 

Condolences to their family and friends.

An obituary for Prof. Miller can be found here.

Jaime Laredo, violin, and Joseph Kalichstein, piano, perform at Hartt as part of the Richard P. Garmany Chamber Music Series

 Location: Alfred C. Fuller Music Center F Millard Auditorium

Admission:  $35 adults; $30 for seniors/educators/UofH alumni; $25 for students and groups 10+

Two of the pre-eminent musical artists of our time, Laredo and Kalichstein have performed, both as soloists and chamber artists, in the leading music venues of the world. They frequently are joined by internationally-acclaimed cellist Sharon Robinson as the Kalichstein/Laredo/Robinson Trio. In addition to his instrumental career, Jaime Laredo is a sought-after conductor, currently in his 13th year as music director of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra. For their Garmany Series appearance, Laredo and Kalichstein will perform as a duo on the first half of the evening; they will be joined after intermission by the Hartt String Quartet for a performance of the monumental sextet of Chausson.

This series is made possible in part by the Richard P. Garmany Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.

For additional information and to purchase Series subscriptions and pre-concert dinner subscriptions, call the University Box Office at 860-768-4228 or click
Here