Instrument Specific Ensembles
Percussion Ensemble
The Middle and High School Percussion Ensembles perform music ranging from popular music, to “classical” music, to various world percussion traditions. Students rehearse and perform on high quality, authentic percussion instruments from around the world, under the guidance of Hartt Community Division faculty member Jianpeng Feng.
Interested in joining us?
Contact us at harttcomm@hartford.edu to learn more, or register directly below. No audition required!
Audition Information
No audition required.
Tuition and Rehearsals
Tuition is $580 for HCD private lesson students, and $690 for all others.*
*A one-time $25 registration fee may apply.
Middle School Percussion Ensemble: Thursdays, 5:30–7:00 p.m.
High School Percussion Ensemble: Thursdays, 7:00–8:30 p.m.
Guitar Orchestra
Guitar Orchestra offers advanced classical guitar students the unique opportunity to collaborate with fellow guitarists in an ensemble setting. This orchestra allows Suzuki students in Book 4+ (approx. ages 10–17) to perform guitar-orchestra repertoire, including Vivaldi Concerti and Handel Water Music selections, Joplin Ragtime pieces, and Inti Illimani selections.
The guitar orchestra is comprised of octave, alto, and contrabass guitars, as well as the traditional classical guitar. The various instruments will be loaned out to participating students. Directed by David Madsen.
Audition Information
Auditions for this academic-year ensemble are held in June at our annual Ensemble Placement Day. Students currently in the orchestra are not required to re-audition.
Tuition and Rehearsals
Tuition is $130 for HCD private lesson students, and $325 for all others.*
*A one-time $25 registration fee may apply.
Guitar Orchestra rehearsals will take place on Mondays from 6:00-6:45 p.m.
Small String Ensembles
The HCD Viola Tour Group is an ensemble made up of violists who have achieved a minimum level of having memorized and polished Telemann viola concerto or all of Suzuki Book 4 and who are willing to perform by memory. Membership is automatically offered to any violist in the Vivace, Opus '89, or Connecticut Youth Symphony orchestras. All other violists who meet the requirements listed above may audition for the group either during the HCD June Ensemble Placement Day, or by personal appointment.
The group has performed at The Bushnell and in Bach in the Subways. Concerts in local nursing homes and community centers are regular occurrences for the group, and they have also performed in venues as unusual as the New Britain Rock Cats stadium, where for ten seasons, the group performed a special eight-part version of the National Anthem at the start of the ball games. The group has also performed in Times Square as part of the New York Viola Society concert series, and has given concerts in Switzerland, Italy, and France. At the Hartt School, The Viola Tour group performs twice a year on the Hartt Suzuki group class concerts and has also performed with the Hartt College Viola Ensemble.
The Hartt Community Division Viola ensemble can be found performing pieces from the Suzuki repertoire as well as music originally written or arranged for viola ensemble ranging from Coldplay and Pharrell Williams to JS Bach and Bartok. Directed by Melinda Daetsch.
Tuition: $220 for HCD private lesson students, $600 for all others*
*Tuition is already included for Suzuki students placed in this ensemble in lieu of a group class. A one-time $25 registration fee may apply.
Rehearsals: Viola Tour Group rehearsals will take place on Saturdays from 9:30-10:30 a.m.
For more information or to request an audition, please e-mail Melinda Daetsch at daetsch@hartford.edu.
Advanced cello students will work with exceptional faculty to explore cello technique and cello ensemble repertoire. Students who are not a part of the Hartt Orchestra Program are required to audition. Directed by Blake Brasch.
Tuition: $220 for HCD private lesson students, $600 for all others*
*Tuition is already included for Suzuki students placed in this ensemble in lieu of a group class. A one-time $25 registration fee may apply.
Rehearsals: Cello Choir rehearsals will take place on Saturdays from 11:15 a.m.-12 p.m.
For more information, please contact us at harttcomm@hartford.edu or 860-768-4451.
Focus on double-bass technique and tone production while exploring various musical styles, such as classical and tango, and incorporating three to five-part harmonies. This ensemble is open to bassists of all abilities and ages and is directed by Susan Powell. There are no auditions to join.
Tuition: $220 for HCD private lesson students, $600 for all others*
*Tuition is already included for Suzuki students placed in this ensemble in lieu of a group class. A one-time $25 registration fee may apply.
Rehearsals: Bass Ensemble rehearsals will take place on Sundays from 12-1p.m.
For more information, please contact us at harttcomm@hartford.edu or 860-768-4451.
Questions?
While you should consult with your teacher about appropriate repertoire, please feel free to contact us with questions about audition guidelines and expectations: harttcomm@hartford.edu or 860-768-4451.