<p>Like violadad, my S is a recent grad from Hartt (trombone performance). I'll echo some of the sentiments he expressed - S loved his time there. There is a great deal of camraderie amongst the students, and the faculty often went above and beyond with their tutelage (such as offering freebie lessons between semesters to help prepare for other auditions). Nice financial aid package and plenty of opportunities to make money getting paying jobs from the school's gig line. He found his time there to be a very positive and productive experience.</p>
<p>S is currently completing his first year of Hartt's grad certificate program, which he did in order to work on his playing sans the distraction of academic coursework. He was accepted to Mannes MM program for next fall, will be playing in Italy with CCM's Lucca Opera Festival this summer, and is a finalist in a concerto competition. He is more than happy with the training he received. </p>
<p>And violadad is spot on regarding the location of Hartt. The UofH is not situated in downtown Hartford, but at the convergence of two towns, West Hartford and Bloomfield, which are pretty nice areas. S opted to live off-campus two of his four years as an undergrad. His apartments were 5-10 minutes away in lovely residential neighborhoods that were quite safe.</p>
<p>Just my two cents for what it's worth but I looked at Hartt before but the general message/vibe I got was that it was not the place to go for vocal music. I don't think it's a terrible school but I have heard that the voice teachers there aren't the best-one person I know strongly urged me to stay away in fact...however, this is only what I've heard through the grapevine or what I've been told, nothing based on personal experience but it was enough to cause me to look elsewhere. I would advise you to visit and have a lesson with the teachers you are interested in studying with and see if you like them. Ask them questions on their teaching methods, studio, lessons, etc. Also, take a look at some of their alumni and see what they are doing. I have found that contacting students and asking their opinions of the school and teachers is extremely helpful. Facebook is a great resource. Lastly, be careful to not get blown away by a school's prestige. It may be a prestiges school but not the best fit for you or what you're looking for. Best of luck to you in your final decision! You have some excellent schools to pick from!</p>
<p>We visited Hartt a few years ago for my d who is majoring in Musical theater. The ONLY thing I remember my d was not happy with is that the freshman did not have the opportunity to perform, but that was with musical theater. It is unfortunate that the drive through Hartford to get to Hartt takes you through some questionable parts, because the school is in a beautiful area. I live outside of Philly and drive into the city often. Penn, Temple, U of Arts, Curtis ect...are all in the midst of Philadelphia. We hear of more crime from a small campus in a very quiet, rural area of Pennsylvania than any of those schools! I would defiantly take a lesson with one of the instructors. Have you seen any performances? Our plans for younger d is to take lessons and see performances once she is accepted (hopefully) into a program. Good luck!</p>
<p>For general info, there are a number of ways in accessing Bloomfield Ave, depending on where you come from. You can get very different perspectives of the environs surrounding Hartt depending on your route. Coming in from Bloomfield, it's a picturesque suburban drive; from Asylum Ave off I -84, you start just above the railroad station on one of Hartford's main drags, a mix of business, church, and apartments that becomes high end residential; Prospect Ave off I-84 starts in a commercial zone, through rental housing that begins to look increasingly more appealing; approaching Elizabeth Park, the houses are Federal style brick, slate roofs, great detail and very well maintained.</p>
<p>Hartford is a city, with a wide spectrum of people and places, like all cities. I've had kids in Evanston and Providence and the less gentrified the neighborhood, the more they learned about life. You can venture off your campus or you can stay there if you're more comfortable. </p>
<p>Our feel of Hartt was a very collegial atmosphere and, in our case, a teacher for my son's instrument who seemed extremely professional and nurturing at the same time.</p>
<p>I made some inquiries about Hartt with professional opera contacts in the state, and the strong message I was given is "no". I do not have any particulars, do not know anyone there, but the opinions expressed were that the voice teaching is weak. Of course, the best way to find out is to have a trial lesson, sit in on studio classes and/or studio recitals, and talk to the students there. I am certain that there are some good experiences and results. Good luck. Lorelei</p>
<p>Thanks for all of the help everyone.
I have a visit scheduled next week and I am meeting almost everyone that is in charge of something. I'm not that worried about the area, and I'm not that worried about the program. From what I have heard from the students is that the amount of performing opportunities are endless as it is a small program and there is lots of individual attention. My other choice is Indiana and although I've heard great things about the program, I've found that the people there are rarely noticed and not worked with a lot as it is a very big program. The teachers at Hartt seem great and very supportive. I've heard some mixed reviews about their style, but I think it varies from person to person. As long as I can find a good teacher, my choice will be Hartt. Thank you for all of your help.</p>
<p>I have to speak up here. We spent YEARS going to Hartt for youth orchestra for both of our kids, and private lessons for one, and chamber coachings. The school is a college that is very self contained. It is in a nicer part of the Bloomfield/West Hartford/Hartford area. The campus itself is rather pleasant and not too huge. The Hartt buildings could use a bit of a sprucing up...but they are no drearier than many other fine arts buildings we saw. Hartford is a city. Cities have areas that are safer no matter which city you go to. I will say...the public transportation in Hartford isn't as terrific as the T in Boston or the El in Chicago. But that is the only down side. There is plenty to do between things at the school, the Bushnell Center for Performing Arts, Hartford Stage, etc. In addition, there are a ton of really fine local choirs and orchestras that put on programs, many in the churches in the area. There is a train or bus that can take you to NYC or Boston in about two hours. </p>
<p>Some of the applied faculty who I know are just plain outstanding. Of course, this is something that is a personal relationship between each student and teacher. </p>
<p>I hate to say it, but this school is no less safe than Carnegie Mellon, for example (once you go down the hill), or any other urban campus...once you leave the campus.</p>
<p>Congrats to those who've been accepted to Hartt! D is finishing up her first year as a violin performance major and has been very happy there. Her teacher is great and the studios and classes are small enough there seems to be plenty of individual attention. The new freshman dorm (Hawk Hall) is really nice; the older ones aren't bad. I'd advise against a triple room, at least in the old dorms. D was in one for first semester and three girls in a tiny room was a little crowded.</p>
<p>I have no knowledge of Hartt, but just want to second what thumper1 said about campus safety in general. Any major metro area or large city will have relatively safe areas and those areas that just plain need to be avoided. My middle D went to Northwestern, and lived off campus the last two years in a large converted "mansion" maybe 5 blocks from campus. There were muggings, car break-ins and robberies, and by the time she left I was very thankful she was done with Evanston and Chicago in general. The neighborhood around NW is NOT all that safe. Fortunately, nobody was seriously injured, but two people were beaten and robbed just down the street from D's house. It really concerns me when I read these very tragic stories and discover, in the details, that someone (male OR female, but esp. female) was attacked because they were out walking at 2 a.m., alone. Some common sense really needs to prevail -- no matter where you are, it is NOT a good idea to leave the safety of your dorm or home at 2 a.m., unless it's a real emergency - and get a friend to accompany you and be sure someone knows where you are going and how to reach you.</p>
<p>I second what violinmom said. And, it does not matter where you are!! Older d goes to Shehandoah Conservatory in Virginia...very small school in the delightful town of Winchester. She can literally see her dorm from the conservatory HOWEVER...I have told her time and time again...DO NOT WALK ALONE!!! She assures me she does not. These rehearsals go until the wee hours of the morning. You have to use common sense no matter where you are. The bottom line is go to the school that you feel is best suited for YOU! If we started a list of schools located in "less than desirable neighborhoods", I think the list could go on forever and have some of the top schools in the country on it!!</p>
<p>Very well put. College life is no different than the "real world". Danger potentially exists around every corner. We have to teach our children to be safe at all times and in all places.</p>
<p>It is not possible to function as a college student and not walk alone some of the time, even at night. Many schools have escort services and emergency phones planted around campus. A student must learn the culture of the situation and respond accordingly. Orientation programs tend to cover such things.</p>
<p>BEK,
Congratulations to your daughter on acceptane to Hartt. HS daughter takes lesson with Greig Searer. He is a very well respected flute teacher and performer as well as a nice person. One of his HS students was assepted to Julliard few years ago. Hartt flute studio has students who palyed at major music festivals and master classes with James Gallway.</p>
<p>I had the opportunity to study with Greig Shearer my 4 years in HS, and it was amazing. He is such a nice person, who pushes his students to reach the potential he knows they have. I absolutely recommend going to Hartt and studying with him. I learned a lot, and now that I've moved on, I continue to see connections to what he taught me, and how valuable it is.</p>