Richard P. Garmany Concert Series

Since its founding in 2009, The Garmany Chamber Music Series (now the Garmany Concert Series) has established itself as one of The Hartt School's signature activities. The series is recognized as one of Connecticut's premier live music attractions, presenting four concerts annually, and is dedicated to bringing the widest possible range of distinguished small ensembles and recitalists to the UHart campus. The series is generously supported by the Richard P. Garmany Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.

The series has routinely played to capacity houses in Hartt's Millard Auditorium, and has attracted national attention for the quality and diversity of its offerings. One critic hailed the series as a "who's who of American chamber music." 

The founding curator of the concert series, Steve Metcalf, oversaw the series for the first seven seasons. The series was then passed to Larry Alan Smith, who took the reins in 2016 and held them until his retirement at the end of the 2021 academic year.  Steve has again stepped into the role of curator for the current series, and is joined by Hartt faculty member Gilda Lyons, who has been named executive director. 

The 2025-26 Garmany Concert Series performance details will be announced in August. You can review our last season information below.

2024-2025 Garmany Performance Series

All concerts will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Millard Auditorium.  

October 10, 2024—Denyce Graves, Mezzo-Soprano and Laura Ward, Piano

To open the 2024 season, the Garmany Music Series is honored to present mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves, one of the most beloved and acclaimed vocal artists of our time. In collaboration with her longtime pianist Laura Ward, Graves will present a personally curated evening of American music, including songs and spirituals.  

November 21, 2024—Hub New Music Featuring Guest Artist Kojiro Umezaki

The imaginative and crowd-pleasing Hub New Music (flute, clarinet, violin, cello) will present a wide-ranging program featuring guest artist Kojiro Umezaki of the Silk Road Ensemble. In addition to being an award-winning composer, Umezaki is regarded as one of the world’s leading performers on the shakuhachi (bamboo flute). 

February 6, 2025—Verona String Quartet Featuring Saxophonist Steven Banks, Performing a New Piece by Grammy-Nominated Composer Christopher Theofanidis

The Verona String Quartet will perform with saxophonist Steven Banks. Banks, who has quickly come to be regarded as one of the foremost saxophone soloists in the world. The program will feature the world premiere of a major new piece for saxophone and string quartet by the distinguished American composer Christopher Theofanidis. 

 

April 10, 2025—Sandbox Percussion Performing a Multi-Media Piece by Composer Andy Akiho

Sandbox Percussion, a four-person ensemble, will perform a Grammy-nominated large-scale mixed media work composed by the celebrated American composer Andy Akiho.

 

Past Garmany Series