News From the Hartt Dean's Office
May 7, 2008

Alumnus of the Year Award, May 18

The Hartt School of the University of Hartford in Connecticut has announced that accomplished Broadway music director and supervisor Patrick Vaccariello will be honored as Hartt Alumnus of the Year for 2008.  The award will be conferred on Mr. Vaccariello, who received his Bachelor’s degree in 1980, during Commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 18.   
           
Patrick Vaccariello started his theatrical career while in high school doing local theatre at the New Britain Repertory Theatre, Central Connecticut State University, The Windsor Jesters and the Hartford Stage Company.  After graduating college, he toured the country doing regional dinner theatre.  What was supposed to be one show at the Goodspeed Opera House turned into many, as Patrick spent five years with the theatre and became the company’s associate music director.  One of their shows, Take Me Along, transferred to New York City and marked Patrick’s Broadway debut.  Several National Tours followed, including Cats, Starlight Express and The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber. 

On Broadway, Patrick has been the Music Director and Supervisor for Cats, Joseph…Dreamcoat, Victor/Victoria, Cabaret with Natasha Richardson and Alan Cumming, Jesus Christ Superstar, Dance of the Vampires with Michael Crawford, Gypsy with Bernadette Peters, The Boy From Oz starring Hugh Jackman and La Cage aux Folles, and currently is the Music Supervisor of A Chorus Line and Music Director of Gypsy with Patti LuPone.  Cast Recordings include Cabaret, Gypsy, A Chorus Line and The Boy From Oz.  International credits include Cabaret and The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber with such stars as Michael Crawford, Sarah Brightman, Elaine Paige, Fei Xiang and Michael Bolton. Television credits include Andrew Lloyd Webber: Masterpiece filmed at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, multiple Tony Award Telecasts, The David Letterman Show, The View, The Rosie O’Donnell Show and numerous other daily talk shows.  Patrick also has conducted at Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall and City Center.  Upcoming for Patrick is the National Tour of A Chorus Line and the Broadway Revival of West Side Story, directed by its book writer, Arthur Laurents.  Patrick is the proud son of Mr. and Mrs. Paschal Vaccariello of New Britain, Connecticut.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

Last Newsletter of the Semester
This newsletter will be the last of the semester.  The next issue of News from the Hartt Dean’s Office will be in September.  Please email your news and announcements during the summer months to harttpr@hartford.edu.

Hartford Mayor Eddie A. Perez paid special tribute to the late Jackie McLean as he joined fellow mayors across the country in naming April “Jazz Appreciation Month”.
(Unotes Daily, April 22)

The Hartt School Community Division, University of Hartford, The Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz at The Hartt School, the Artists Collective, Inc., and The City of Hartford Office of Cultural Affairs are collaborating to launch the maiden voyage of The Jackie McLean International Arts Festival, Friday, May 16, and Saturday, May 17, 2008.  For details and a full schedule of events, visit http://artistscollective.org/events.htm or contact Melonae’ McLean at 860.527.3205.

The Zeta Omega Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia invites the communities of the Greater Hartford area to attend a free master class and concert given by Scott Hartman, trombone professor at the Yale School of Music. Mr. Hartman, world-renowned musician and teacher, performs and records with such ensembles as Proteus7, the Millennium Brass, the Brass Band of Battle Creek, the Hollywood Brass and the trombone quartet, Four of a Kind.  Phi Mu Alpha strives to provide quality musical experiences to foster growth in young musicians. This event will provide a worthwhile experience to both aspiring trombonists and the public audience. This event will provide an opportunity for the Greater Hartford communities to watch their own aspiring trombonists learn at the hands of an esteemed musician.  This master class and concert will be given at Lincoln Theater on the University of Hartford campus, Friday, May 9, at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., respectively. Please contact the Box Office at 860.768.4228 to purchase tickets for the 7:30 p.m. concert; $5 for students with ID and seniors, $10 general admission.
(Unotes Daily, April 22)

ACADEMIC ACCOLADES

Hartt’s own double bassist Robert Black is featured in the May 2008 issue of Esquire magazine as part of “Symphony in Black”, a photographic feature shot by Rick Guest:  “Variations on the modern tuxedo, featuring performances by twelve men who are redefining classical music – and classic orchestra wear – for the twenty-first century”.  To see and hear these musicians, including Robert (page 7), in action, visit www.esquire.com/symphony-in-black.

Hartt’s in-demand jazz bassist Nat Reeves is featured in the May 2008 issue of Hartford Magazine in “Happy to be a sideman” (pages 80-81).  www.hartfordmag.com.

Steve Davis, Hartt faculty member of The Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz, joins the Taipei International Summer Jazz Academy in Taiwan 2008 for the first time this year. 
www.allaboutjazz.com; May 1, 2008

STUDENT & ALUMNI NEWS

Lillie Wells (MM, 2007), violin student of Katie Lansdale, has been awarded a graduate teaching fellowship at the University of Oregon, for a full scholarship plus stipend. While pursuing doctoral studies there, Lillie will be Instructor of Pedagogy at the University of Oregon Community Music Institute.  She will also be assisting the Suzuki Strings Director in teaching the graduate-level string pedagogy courses.

Lou Steigler (BM, 1954) is featured in an article about his Oratorio Choir of the First Church of Christ, Congregational, in Pittsfield, MA.  Rev. Rick Floyd views the Oratorio Choir as a "remarkable institution in Pittsfield; Lou has very high, exacting standards and he created a wonderful ensemble of singers and musicians that produces extraordinary sacred music year after year. It's been a great gift to the singers, with thrilling and inspirational musical moments, and to the community.  His gift to sacred music in western Massachusetts is incalculable”.
(BerkshireEagle.com, April 25)

Dan Liptak, principal clarinetist of the Hartt Symphony Orchestra, will present the debut performance of the Anatolian Trio on Friday, May 9, at 8 p.m., at the Unitarian Church in Montpelier. The trio includes Dan Liptak on clarinet, Erberk Eryilmaz on piano and Matthew Jenetopulos on violin. All three musicians attend The Hartt School. On the program will be Burlesco, an original composition by Eyrilmaz; Lament by David Macbride; Time Pieces, Op. 43 for clarinet and piano by Robert Mucynzski; Suite for Violin, Clarinet and Piano by Darius Milhaud; and L'histoire du Soldat by Igor Stravinsky.  Admission at the door will be a suggested donation of $10, $5 for students; more information is available by calling (802) 272-1789.
(Barre-Montpelier Times Argus, May 2)

Carolina Flores (DMA, 2008) was awarded a Regents’ Honor Award this past April at the Graduate Research/ Creativity Symposium at the University of Hartford.  As a student, Carolina sang in and conducted various choral ensembles including the Hartt Collegium Baroque ensemble, the Yale Camerata, the New Haven Chorale, and the Yale Pro Musica chamber choir.  In 2004, she organized a tour to Spain of the Hartt Chamber Singers who performed several concerts under her direction.  She also served as choral director on tours of Austria and Italy.  Carolina’s lecture recital dealt with madrigals from Renaissance Spanish composers.  Her doctoral essay, under the direction of Professor Edward Bolkovac, was on the music of Fray Manuel Correa, one of the most important composers of Spanish Baroque polyphonic music.  This research resulted in modern performing editions of previously unpublished works.  Her current plans are to publish a pronunciation guide to major Iberian and Latin American vocal repertoire.  Carolina graduated in January 2008 and is an adjunct professor at The Hartt School and the Assistant Conductor/Accompanist of the New Haven Chorale. 

Read the Community Division's Newsletter

Hartt Community Division faculty members Leslie Frye and Lorelei Change, Hartt Community Division Intensive Student Elyse Inguanti, Hartt Community Division Adult Student Kate Moreaway and Hartt Dance Division Student Nick Franco will perform in Hartford Dances at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m.  Michael Uthoff returns to Hartford as Artistic Advisor.  Choreography includes works by Antony Tudor, José Limón, Michael Uthoff, Ted Hershey and Pilobolus.  For tickets and information, please visit the Bushnell Center’s website at www.thebushnell.org or call (860) 987-5900. 

Hartt Dance to Offer “Magic Garden Tea Party” for Young Children

The Hartt School Community Division Dance Department invites you to attend the world premier of a story ballet titled “The Magic Garden”.  Join Beatrice and friends as they stumble upon an enchanted garden where the roses and mushrooms come to life; fairies & butterflies fill the air; but the bees are not so friendly… This brand new 45 minute performance, geared toward children ages 3 through 8, is scheduled for May 31 and June 1 at 3 p.m. at The Hartt Dance and Opera Center in Hartford.   The cost is $15 for children, $10 for adults and includes a tea party and children's craft. A deluxe ticket for $25 includes a one-hour ballet class and a visit from characters performing in The Magic Garden.   For more information or tickets, contact the Dance Department at 860.525.9396 ext 10 or dancedesk@hartford.edu.  The Hartt School Community Division Dance Department carries on the traditions of the School of the Hartford Ballet, offering programs for children and adults.  Visit www.hcd.hartford.edu for details.