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Orchestras

Connecticut Youth Symphony

This ensemble regularly collaborates with professional guest artists and ensembles, including the Hartford Symphony.
This ensemble regularly collaborates with professional guest artists and ensembles, including the Hartford Symphony.

Connecticut Youth Symphony (CYS) is an orchestra made up of the area’s most advanced high school musicians (grades 10-12). This orchestra prepares and performs symphonic
masterworks, concerti, and contemporary works. Each year CYS presents three major concerts and hosts a concerto competition for Community Division students. Conducted by Dan D'Addio.

Listen In

Oboe Concerto in C Major K314, I. Allegro aperto by W.A. Mozart  Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68, I. Un poco sostenuto - Allegro by Johannes Brahms  Symphony No. 8 in G Major, IV. Allegro by Antonin Dvorak 

Audition Information

Auditions for this academic-year ensemble are held in June at our annual Ensemble Placement Day. At the audition, students are expected to perform scales, a solo or etudes demonstrating current skill level, and sight-read a piece (provided at the audition).
 
Auditions for our large ensemble program are accepted on a rolling basis during the academic year. All new students must audition to be placed in the proper ensemble. To learn more about Ensemble Placement Day in June and sign up, visit the link here

Rehearsals

CYS will meet on Sundays from 1:30-3:30 p.m. in Bliss Music Room 

Opus '89

Opus ′89 rehearses and performs advanced repertoire.
Opus ′89 rehearses and performs advanced repertoire.

In 1989, the late David Einfeldt founded the Hartt Suzuki Orchestras, with Opus ‘89 being the premier ensemble. Today, this string orchestra is open, by audition, to very advanced string players, regardless of their training method. This orchestra performs challenging String Orchestra literature, frequently collaborates with composers on new works, and occasionally performs symphonic works. Recent performance tours include Montreal/Quebec City, and NYC (including an Opus performance at Carnegie Hall.). Conducted by Emmett Drake.

Click here to learn more about the additional Suzuki Orchestras.

Audition Information

Auditions for this academic-year ensemble are held in June at our annual Ensemble Placement Day. At the audition, students are expected to perform scales, a solo or etudes demonstrating current skill level, and sight-read a piece (provided at the audition).
 
Auditions for our large ensemble program are accepted on a rolling basis during the academic year. All new students must audition to be placed in the proper ensemble. To learn more about Ensemble Placement Day in June and sign up, visit the link here

Rehearsals

Opus '89 will meet on Saturdays from 12:30-2:30 p.m. in Bliss Music Room 

Virtuosi

Virtuosi is the Hartt School Community Division’s newest addition to the orchestra program.
Virtuosi is the Hartt School Community Division’s newest addition to the orchestra program.

Conducted by Paul Pierce, Virtuosi is our newest String Orchestra. Join other advanced middle and high school string players from all over CT and MA to play a wide variety of exciting string orchestra repertoire at a high level in a fast-paced, rigorous environment.

 

Audition Information

Auditions for this academic-year ensemble are held in June at our annual Ensemble Placement Day. At the audition, students are expected to perform scales, a solo or etudes demonstrating current skill level, and sight-read a piece (provided at the audition).
 
Auditions for our large ensemble program are accepted on a rolling basis during the academic year. All new students must audition to be placed in the proper ensemble. To learn more about Ensemble Placement Day in June and sign up, visit the link here

Rehearsals

Virtuosi will meet on Saturdays from 9-11 a.m. in Konover Great Room

Sinfonia

This ensemble performs twice annually: fall and spring.
This ensemble performs twice annually: fall and spring.

Sinfonia is for middle school and high school string students interested in experiencing a rigorous rehearsal atmosphere while refining technique and ensemble skills through varied repertoire. Conducted by David Kramer.

Listen In

Archaic Voices by Doug Spata Johnny Comes Marching Home by Richard Stephan 

Audition Information

Auditions for this academic-year ensemble are held in June at our annual Ensemble Placement Day. At the audition, students are expected to perform scales, a solo or etudes demonstrating current skill level, and sight-read a piece (provided at the audition).
 
Auditions for our large ensemble program are accepted on a rolling basis during the academic year. All new students must audition to be placed in the proper ensemble. To learn more about Ensemble Placement Day in June and sign up, visit the link here

Rehearsals

Sinfonia will meet on Saturdays from 11:15-12:15 p.m. in Room 410 of the Fuller Music Center

Stringendo

Each year, Stringendo's repertoire creates a motivating and valuable experience for all participants.
Each year, Stringendo's repertoire creates a motivating and valuable experience for all participants.

Stringendo is for beginner to intermediate elementary and middle school string students
looking to further develop their ensemble performance skills. Conducted by David Kramer

Listen In

Aeolian Rock by Jeffery Frizzi Antagonist by Larry Clark  

Audition Information

Auditions for this academic-year ensemble are held in June at our annual Ensemble Placement Day. At the audition, students are expected to perform scales, a solo or etudes demonstrating current skill level, and sight-read a piece (provided at the audition).
 
Auditions for our large ensemble program are accepted on a rolling basis during the academic year. All new students must audition to be placed in the proper ensemble. To learn more about Ensemble Placement Day in June and sign up, visit the link here

Rehearsals

Stringendo will meet on Saturdays from 10-11 a.m. in Room 410 of the Fuller Music Center

Suzuki String Orchestras

Hartt orchestras are an essential part of the Suzuki experience.
Hartt orchestras are an essential part of the Suzuki experience.

Suzuki String Orchestras (Appoggiatura, Da Capo, Intermezzo, Vivace, Opus ‘89) reinforce concepts from private and group lessons, provide training in orchestral technique, and create high-level collaborative experiences for students.

Hartt Suzuki students join the first three orchestras by teacher recommendation and conductor approval. Admission to upper levels (Vivace, Opus ‘89) is by audition only. Orchestras are conducted by Emmett Drake and Virginia Kramer.

Students who do not participate in the Hartt Suzuki Program (but are Suzuki students elsewhere) are welcome to inquire about membership. Opus '89 accepts advanced players regardless of method of instruction.

Rehearsals

Level Orchestra Name Rehearsal Schedule Rehearsal Location
1 Appoggiatura Wednesdays, 5:45–6:30 p.m. Universalist Church of West Hartford (UUC), Fiske Hall
2 Da Capo Tuesdays, 6–6:45 p.m. UUC, Fiske Hall
3 Intermezzo Tuesdays, 5–6 p.m. UUC, Fiske Hall
4 Vivace Saturdays, 11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m. Konover Great Room, University of Hartford

Questions?

While you should consult with your teacher about appropriate repertoire, please feel free to contact Emmett Drake, Department Chair of Large Ensembles, at drake@hartford.edu

Together, we can ensure the gift of an unparalleled performing arts education is available to all.