Anyone with recent experience or thoughts about Hartt for jazz studies?
Scrambling at the last minute for a sort of safety (for admissions only). Thought he might do the early notification audition but that means applying in the next few days (yikes!)
Electricbassmom’s son is a senior there in Jazz and has been quite happy and successful. You can PM her and I am sure she will answer. I will also try to tell her about your post and hopefully she will respond.
Hi-My son has been very happy at Hartt. He is studying bass with Nat Reeves, whom he adores. What instrument does your kid play?
@electricbassmom, I’m so glad you replied. My son plays saxophone. Does you son like the program in general? What does he think about the caliber of the other students? About how many jazz students all together?
We met Aaron Flagg when we were in NYC last spring and it seems like he had a lot to do with shaping what the jazz program at Hartt is today (even though he’s no longer there.) I was really intrigued by his vision of the jazz industry and jazz education.
He does like the program. I suppose it’s like anywhere else. Some of the students are outstanding, and some are less so. They live-stream the combo concerts which are coming up in early December. Keep an eye on the events page on the Hartt web page. It might be helpful to watch those.
I mostly know about bass players, because that’s who he talks about. I know one kid who graduated last year is at Julliard this year and another is at Purchase. One of the bass players who graduated recently was featured in an article on outstanding students in Downbeat.
It’s a pretty small program, I think. I’m guessing there are about 8 ensembles with about 5 students each so maybe 50 kids total.
When my son was applying, he went for a visit and sat in on an ensemble class with Nat Reeves. They seemed pretty open to that sort of thing.
Javon Jackson, the new director of the Jackie McLean Institute is a sax player. He’s trying to raise the profile of the program.
Thanks for the info. Really appreciate it.
This might be of interest to people. The Hartt School has signed a transfer agreement with the Schenectady Community College School of Music to accept transfer credits.
My S auditioned there. Very nice jazz guitar instructor. Seemed very supportive but a little too quiet - maybe current students stayed away on audition day? Also it was one of the few jazz auditions that did not involve a group jam.