theperformer

Agreed. I have grandparents who live in Hartford (a lovely neighborhood, thankfully) and visiting that city isn't exactly a joy. If you're looking for good music schools in New England, Hartford isn't at the top of the list.

operasinger2000

Can anyone comment on the quality of the program, or the admitted students rate. Like Mitra I was accepted this year and will probably go. As much as the town 10 minutes away might be scary, I come from New York City, so I'm not exactly worried. I think it might be a factor for some people, but can anyone answer Mitra's original question?

theperformer

I've heard excellent things about the vocal program at Hartt. I hear the atmosphere is not as competitive and the faculty is nurturing and really cares about the progress of the student's achievement. Congrats on getting in!

Although this is a bit different, I have a friend who is a sophomore in Hartt's jazz studies program and he is having a ball. He said although the facilities are a bit dated, the teachers are amazing and the dorms are "Ok."

So despite the terrible location, the school is supposedly pretty good. A serious consideration.

BEK

Our acceptance letter from Hartt came today (flute performance). There are many things about the program which I like, including their emphasis on pedagogy and making a living in the music field. (Said as a true parent!) Their flute professors are both playing in the profession...Janet Arms plays with NY lyric opera and Greg Shearer is principal flute with Hartford Symphony. When we toured the campus it was in a very affluent looking part of town. The rest of Hartford seemd to be a mix of economic levels.

violadad

operasinger, mitra- as to the actual admit rates of the overall program, I can only repeat what son told me back in '02 as a freshman. From what I recall, he said his freshman class of about 250 (neither he or I can recall the exact number) across all Hartt disciplines was drawn from an applicant pool of about 1250. There is a poster "Hartt Admissions" who appears both here and more recently on the Music Major forum. A search of that poster name and a search of their posts will reveal past postings, and a contact phone number. I can't recall specific info on admit percentages on the Hartt webpages, but I'm sure a call to the admissions office will get you the info.

Hartt's "News from the Dean's Office" newsletter and back issues are available online here: THE HARTT SCHOOL: MUSIC-DANCE-THEATRE In the accolades section, you can see recent awards, recogntion of current students, alums and faculty. Two of note http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/09/ny...in&oref=slogin
UNotes Daily | News

I can't speak to the vocal or MT, jazz the or piano program specifically. My son was a violist. He did participate for his last two and a half years in the Performance 20/20 chamber program. The peer level was exceptional, across all instruments. The overall atmosphere was one of collaboration and cooperation. As a point of reference and comparison, my son has played with students and grads from Juilliard, Eastman, NEC, Peabody, San Francisco Conservatory, Yale SOM, Indiana and others in festival programs, orchestras and chamber ensembles, and won a regional chair on his fourth auditon. He was completely happy with his experience at Hartt.

Regards gms5287's comments, the campus is in a suburban residential area of West Hartford, not Hartford proper. It is roughly equidistant to some high end magnificent homes (including the govenor's residence) as it is from a less than desireable area of Hartford proper. There are areas of any city that most people will steer clear of, Hartford included, but Hartt is not in an undesireable location by any means. Hartford's unemployment rate is high, and the public school system is "troubled." Comparative crime statistics are available online.

There have been a number of the typical campus crimes including robberies, dorm break-ins, car thefts. There was also one incident (academic year '06-'07 I believe) of an accidental firearm discharge in a dorm. The "perp" was the sibling of a student. We found the university quick and forthcoming in advising of potential issues and in reporting/notifying students very promptly of incidents that had occurred.

RunningtheBasses

Like violadad, my S is a recent grad from Hartt (trombone performance). I'll echo some of the sentiments he expressed - S loved his time there. There is a great deal of camraderie amongst the students, and the faculty often went above and beyond with their tutelage (such as offering freebie lessons between semesters to help prepare for other auditions). Nice financial aid package and plenty of opportunities to make money getting paying jobs from the school's gig line. He found his time there to be a very positive and productive experience.

S is currently completing his first year of Hartt's grad certificate program, which he did in order to work on his playing sans the distraction of academic coursework. He was accepted to Mannes MM program for next fall, will be playing in Italy with CCM's Lucca Opera Festival this summer, and is a finalist in a concerto competition. He is more than happy with the training he received.

And violadad is spot on regarding the location of Hartt. The UofH is not situated in downtown Hartford, but at the convergence of two towns, West Hartford and Bloomfield, which are pretty nice areas. S opted to live off-campus two of his four years as an undergrad. His apartments were 5-10 minutes away in lovely residential neighborhoods that were quite safe.

Baritonevoce

OperaSinger2000,

Just my two cents for what it's worth but I looked at Hartt before but the general message/vibe I got was that it was not the place to go for vocal music. I don't think it's a terrible school but I have heard that the voice teachers there aren't the best-one person I know strongly urged me to stay away in fact...however, this is only what I've heard through the grapevine or what I've been told, nothing based on personal experience but it was enough to cause me to look elsewhere. I would advise you to visit and have a lesson with the teachers you are interested in studying with and see if you like them. Ask them questions on their teaching methods, studio, lessons, etc. Also, take a look at some of their alumni and see what they are doing. I have found that contacting students and asking their opinions of the school and teachers is extremely helpful. Facebook is a great resource. Lastly, be careful to not get blown away by a school's prestige. It may be a prestiges school but not the best fit for you or what you're looking for. Best of luck to you in your final decision! You have some excellent schools to pick from!

notfromme

We visited Hartt a few years ago for my d who is majoring in Musical theater. The ONLY thing I remember my d was not happy with is that the freshman did not have the opportunity to perform, but that was with musical theater. It is unfortunate that the drive through Hartford to get to Hartt takes you through some questionable parts, because the school is in a beautiful area. I live outside of Philly and drive into the city often. Penn, Temple, U of Arts, Curtis ect...are all in the midst of Philadelphia. We hear of more crime from a small campus in a very quiet, rural area of Pennsylvania than any of those schools! I would defiantly take a lesson with one of the instructors. Have you seen any performances? Our plans for younger d is to take lessons and see performances once she is accepted (hopefully) into a program. Good luck!

violadad

For general info, there are a number of ways in accessing Bloomfield Ave, depending on where you come from. You can get very different perspectives of the environs surrounding Hartt depending on your route. Coming in from Bloomfield, it's a picturesque suburban drive; from Asylum Ave off I -84, you start just above the railroad station on one of Hartford's main drags, a mix of business, church, and apartments that becomes high end residential; Prospect Ave off I-84 starts in a commercial zone, through rental housing that begins to look increasingly more appealing; approaching Elizabeth Park, the houses are Federal style brick, slate roofs, great detail and very well maintained.

jazzzmomm

Hartford is a city, with a wide spectrum of people and places, like all cities. I've had kids in Evanston and Providence and the less gentrified the neighborhood, the more they learned about life. You can venture off your campus or you can stay there if you're more comfortable.

Our feel of Hartt was a very collegial atmosphere and, in our case, a teacher for my son's instrument who seemed extremely professional and nurturing at the same time.

lorelei2702

I made some inquiries about Hartt with professional opera contacts in the state, and the strong message I was given is "no". I do not have any particulars, do not know anyone there, but the opinions expressed were that the voice teaching is weak. Of course, the best way to find out is to have a trial lesson, sit in on studio classes and/or studio recitals, and talk to the students there. I am certain that there are some good experiences and results. Good luck. Lorelei

operasinger2000

Thanks for all of the help everyone.
I have a visit scheduled next week and I am meeting almost everyone that is in charge of something. I'm not that worried about the area, and I'm not that worried about the program. From what I have heard from the students is that the amount of performing opportunities are endless as it is a small program and there is lots of individual attention. My other choice is Indiana and although I've heard great things about the program, I've found that the people there are rarely noticed and not worked with a lot as it is a very big program. The teachers at Hartt seem great and very supportive. I've heard some mixed reviews about their style, but I think it varies from person to person. As long as I can find a good teacher, my choice will be Hartt. Thank you for all of your help.

operasinger2000

Also, worst case, I'll transfer next year.
Thanks again

thumper1

I have to speak up here. We spent YEARS going to Hartt for youth orchestra for both of our kids, and private lessons for one, and chamber coachings. The school is a college that is very self contained. It is in a nicer part of the Bloomfield/West Hartford/Hartford area. The campus itself is rather pleasant and not too huge. The Hartt buildings could use a bit of a sprucing up...but they are no drearier than many other fine arts buildings we saw. Hartford is a city. Cities have areas that are safer no matter which city you go to. I will say...the public transportation in Hartford isn't as terrific as the T in Boston or the El in Chicago. But that is the only down side. There is plenty to do between things at the school, the Bushnell Center for Performing Arts, Hartford Stage, etc. In addition, there are a ton of really fine local choirs and orchestras that put on programs, many in the churches in the area. There is a train or bus that can take you to NYC or Boston in about two hours.

Some of the applied faculty who I know are just plain outstanding. Of course, this is something that is a personal relationship between each student and teacher.

I hate to say it, but this school is no less safe than Carnegie Mellon, for example (once you go down the hill), or any other urban campus...once you leave the campus.

StringMom

Congrats to those who've been accepted to Hartt! D is finishing up her first year as a violin performance major and has been very happy there. Her teacher is great and the studios and classes are small enough there seems to be plenty of individual attention. The new freshman dorm (Hawk Hall) is really nice; the older ones aren't bad. I'd advise against a triple room, at least in the old dorms. D was in one for first semester and three girls in a tiny room was a little crowded.