Hartt's Guitar Department is 50! SAVE THE DATE

SAVE THE DATE!

Fiftieth Anniversary Concert celebrating the founding of the Guitar Department
                               

Saturday, April 12: 8:00 PM, Millard Auditorium

 Did you know?

The Guitar Department at The Hartt School University of Hartford is the oldest performance-based guitar program in the country. Graduating its first member in 1968, 

Hartt Community Division to Perform The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker

• Buy tickets now!
• Nutcracker events around town
• Support the Nutcracker

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The Hartt School Community Division will open its traditional production of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker on Friday, December 13 at 7:30 PM. As a special treat this season, the Hartt Dance Department will also offer a Nutty Nutcracker. If you’re a Nutcracker “regular,” you are in for a comical evening with this off-the-wall version of the original Nutcracker. The Nutty Nutcracker, will premiere on Sunday, December 15 at 7:30 PM. Hartt’s Nutcracker production includes two casts from its Pre-Professional and Children’s Ballet programs, former dancers from the Hartford Ballet, and surprise cameo appearances by several local celebrities and dignitaries. In total, the cast numbers more than 100 performers.
Set to Peter IIyitch Tchaikovsky’s glorious score, Hartt’s The Nutcracker features choreography by Community Division Dance Department’s Artistic Director Samantha Dunster, lighting by Production Designer Dewey Strang, brilliant costumes, a Christmas tree that grows to tremendous heights, snow falling and the ultimate battle between Clara’s beloved Nutcracker and his nemesis, The Rat King. Ms. Dunster’s choreography maintains the highest traditional quality of this holiday classic and lends itself to an enchanting evening for the whole family. “I look forward every year to our production of this time-honored tradition,” says Ms. Dunster, “The combination of Tchaikovsky’s enchanting music, the radiant costumes, stunning sets and lighting all paired with our immensely talented students makes for a magical holiday experience for young and old alike.”

Traditional Nutcracker Performances:

• Friday, December 13 at 7:30 PM
• Saturday, December 14 at 2:00 PM
• Saturday, December 14 at 7:30 PM
• Sunday, December 15 at 2:00 PM

Additional Information Concerning Malcolm Morrison

Dear Hartt alumni,

We write to inform you, if you have not yet heard, that former Hartt School Dean Malcolm Morrison died on November 8. We send you this news of his passing with great sadness; we have lost a great leader and lover of the arts, mentor, faculty member, and friend. Malcolm left his stamp on The Hartt School and the University, and changed so many lives for the better. We know you join us in expressing our deepest sympathy to his wife, Jo, his daughter, Nikki, and their entire family.

A Message from Stephen Pier

Dear Friends of Hartt Dance,

It has been some time since I sent out our last newsletter, “The Hartt Dance Occasional”, and things just keep getting better. We have had an excellent Fall semester so far with a promising freshman class starting to get traction and a beautiful group of seniors preparing to launch their careers.

Our dancers have just finished an extraordinary series of performances in the Roberts Theater presenting the first half of the Senior class in their own group works as well as solos created on them by professional choreographers.  It was very moving to see them perform along side their younger colleagues and appreciate how far they have come as aspiring artists and engaged human beings. Clearly, the work of our brilliant faculty is having a meaningful effect!

Hartt is Saddened by the Passing of Malcolm Morrison

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The following is a message from the Hartt Dean, Aaron Flagg.
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It is with great sadness that I must communicate the passing, today, of former Dean and University Professor of Theatre Malcolm Morrison. The Hartt family has just lost a great leader, mentor, faculty member, and friend.

Malcolm Morrison bravely battled illness for over ten years and always maintained his wit and good humor while serving the students and art form he so dearly loved. Professor Morrison was our dean from 1998 to 2008 and oversaw the expansion of Hartt from a distinguished music conservatory to a comprehensive performing arts conservatory including dance and theatre divisions. He oversaw the design and construction of the Mort and Irma Handel Performing Arts Center, which observes its fifth anniversary this month.

5 Questions with Christopher Selby

Christopher Selby (B.M. Music Education--Instrumental, 1992) studied violin/viola and music education at Hartt from 1988-1992.  He is currently living in Charleston, SC.

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

After leaving Hartt, I taught for five years in Fairfax County Public Schools in Northern Virginia. Then I moved to Columbia, SC to study Orchestral Conducting at the University of South Carolina. I earned my MM (1999) and a D.M.A. (2000) in Orchestral Conducting. After getting my doctorate, I became the District Orchestra Coordinator for Richland School District Two in Columbia, SC where I worked for eleven years.  While teaching orchestra classes and supervising string instruction across the district, I also lead our state MEA as President of the orchestra teachers from 2007-2009, and then President of the SCMEA Executive Board from 2011-2013. I’ve conducted regional and all-state orchestras, and co-authored the SC state standards for Instrumental Music. In the Spring of 2012, I took the Spring Valley HS Chamber Orchestra to the ASTA National Orchestra Festival and we won 1st Place in the competitive string orchestra division.

What are you involved with right now?

59 Years! Watson Morrison performs this weekend (UPDATED)

Among the fantastic events coming up this week, the Hartt Orchestra performs on Friday evening, and Watson Morrison, who celebrates 59 years of teaching at The Hartt School, performs a special 85th birthday concert on Sunday. Check out all upcoming performances at http://harttweb.hartford.edu/events/calendar.aspx!

11/8 UPDATE - Due to Illness, Dr. Morrison's recital has been cancelled.