Hartt Celebrates 2005

More than 130 guests came together earlier this month for Hartt Celebrates 2005 at The Bushnell in Hartford. The event, which recognizes the accomplishments of Hartt students and faculty, raised more than $33,000 for The Hartt School. Proceeds will go towards funding the educational programs of The Hartt School.

“This year we have much to celebrate,” said Dean Malcolm Morrison. “From sold-out performances of the musicals Hair and Pirates of Penzance, to the Community Division fundraiser featuring young violin prodigy Sirena Huang at The Bushnell’s Belding Theater, Hartt student performances continue to prove why the performing arts and arts education are so very important.”

After a cocktail hour, guests had the opportunity to bid on more than 30 silent auction packages. Then they were invited into the Autorino Great Hall for dinner and performances by Hartt faculty and students. Highlights of the evening included performances by the Hartt Choir and Children’s Chorus; Community Division and college student violinists; Hartt piano faculty member Margreet Francis and her student, Heather Bissell; a performance of the short play Philip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread by David Ives; Hartt faculty member and soprano Cherie Caluda and her student, Amanda Kohl; and performances by Hartt music theatre students and the Community Division’s “Company,” the music and theatre program for school-aged children.

During dessert guests were treated to a live auction featuring WTIC-AM Morning Show Host Ray Dunaway as auctioneer.

Sponsors for the event were People’s Bank, Wolf ColorPrint, Shipman & Goodwin, Eastern Rehabilitation Network, Thomas Cadillac Jaguar, Smith Edwards Architects, Downes Construction Company; Tyler Cooper & Alcorn, Alta Environmental Corporation, and Becker’s Diamonds and Fine Jewelry.