Hartt Community Division

Weekly Email Newsletter

December 5, 2008

• Words from the Director
  A Musical Mentor Passes
  
• e-Billing Comes to the Community Division
  The important thing for every Community Division family to know is that they must declare a primary email address, to which all official correspondence from the University of Hartford will be sent. 
  
  
• SVI 2009 Dates Announced!
  June 25-July 5, 2009 ~ Audition Dates will be announced soon!
  
  
• HCD Faculty Members Neal & Tamila Humphreys announce the birth of their daughter!
  Welcome to the world, Sabina!
  
  
• The Winter Session of FIRST STEPS Classes begin next week!
  Music and movement classes for kids from birth to age five and a caregiver.  Classes are forming now!  Register today!
  
  
• Master Class with Miguel Campaneria ~ Friday, December 12th
  Free master class for advanced-beginner and intermediate ballet students Friday, December 12th!
  
  
• Don't miss the 2nd Annual Simsmore Square Family Festival
  This Sunday, December 7th from 1pm - 4pm.  
  
  
• Blend 30 Men's Voices; add Guitar, Viola and Charango; Drench with Passion and Serve Hot!
  The Empire City Men’s Chorus and the Alturas Duo perform in NYC on Friday December 5 at 8 pm
  
  
• See our own 7th grader, Alisha Kapur, in a presentation of “A Christmas Carol” at the Hartford Stage!
  A holiday treat you won't want to miss!
  
  
• Suzuki Uniform Information ~ Concert Dress for Group Classes and Orchestras
  & Notice to Suzuki Families
  
  
• Notice for CYS Parents:  Winter Festival Performance & Ticket Information
  Limited seating!  Reserve your tickets now!
  
  
• Information for CCC Parents:  HSO and CCC Holiday Pops Concert
  Performance & Rehearsal Information
  
  
• December Sight Reading Parties will be held at HAMILTON HEIGHTS
  A wonderful opportunity to reach out to the community bringing musical fun to the residents of Hamilton Heights.
  
  
• News from the Dance Department
  Important Information for all HCD Dance Students
  
  
• Ensemble Rehearsal Schedules
  Find out your ensemble’s upcoming rehearsal & performance schedule!
  
  
• HCD Email Newsletter Quiz
  Play to win: 2 tickets to the Hartt Symphony Orchestra concert on Friday, February 20, 2009 at 7:30 pm in Lincoln Theater.
  
  
• FYI and about our Newsletter
  How to contact the Hartt Community Division Staff; submit a newsletter article.
  

Words from the Director

A Musical Mentor Passes

The Hartt School lost a great treasure this week.  Joza Karas died on November 28th at the age of 82.  Community Division families knew Joza as a wonderfully nurturing teacher of the violin and conductor of the Joza Karas Adult String Ensemble.  His musical roots ran deep and strong within The Hartt School and beyond. Joza was a member of the Hartford Symphony for over 50 years and a teacher at The Hartt School for 53 years.

Joza Karas was a distinguished musicologist, having researched and authored Music in Terezin, 1941-45, a remarkable book about the music of the Holocaust.  He performed much of the music he encountered in his Holocaust research as a member of the Karas String Quartet.  The Quartet traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe.  Joza was also an accomplished vocalist and organist, performing mainly at Saint Peter’s Church in Hartford.

Music in Terezin, 1941-45,                 Joza Karas with members of the Joza Karas  Adult String Ensemble

 Joza will be remembered as a great musician and mentor of young musicians.  His kind smile and friendly demeanor were a blessing to all who knew him.  Maestro Karas will be greatly missed by all of us in the Community Division family.

Dr. Mark George, Director
The Hartt School Community Division

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e-Billing Comes to the Community Division


 University of Hartford Attempts to Save the Planet

The University of Hartford will begin electronic billing before the end of this year.  This effort will save tens of thousands of trees and lessen the impact of global warming.  It will also, most likely, cause a great deal of confusion.  The important thing for every Community Division family to know is that they must declare a primary email address, to which all official correspondence from the University of Hartford will be sent.  There are two ways to declare your primary email address:

1. Stop by any Community Division office (main campus, Handel Center, Simsmore Square) and give your primary email address to a friendly receptionist.

2. To sign on to the University’s self-service page, you will need your University of Hartford student ID number and PIN. The student ID number can be found on a pre-printed registration form or on any University of Hartford invoice. (If you can't locate the ID number, contact the Community Division office to request it.)  The six-digit default PIN is the student's date of birth (MMDDYY).

Go online to the University of Hartford self service web page at

https://banweb8.hartford.edu/ and click on student sign-on. Once you are signed on to the self-service site, click on Student Main Menu  → Hartt Community Division → I Fully Agree…Continue → View/Update Email Address. 

At this point, you can enter the e-mail address to which billing messages should be sent. If you have more than one student in the Community Division, you must sign-in using the ID number and PIN for each and input your e-mail address for each.

Bill-e says,

“Declare your

primary e-mail

address today!”

Be sure to contact the Community Division at (860) 768-4451 or harttcomm@hartford.edu if you have any questions.

Email harttcomm@hartford.edu with your student's name, and the email address you wish your bills to be sent to!

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SVI 2009 Dates Announced!

Please mark your calendars! 

The 2009 Summer Vocal Institute: Musical Theater Intensive will be held June 25-July 5, 2009.

Stay tuned!  Audition dates will be announce soon!

Nancy Andersen, Program Director                  
Jack Pott, Music Director       
Katie DeVries, Staging Director/Choreographer

Visit our website for more information at www.hcd.hartford.edu

The Hartt Community Division, The Hartt School, University of Hartford,
200 Bloomfield Ave. West Hartford, Connecticut 06117   (860)768.4451


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HCD Faculty Members Neal & Tamila Humphreys announce the birth of their daughter!

HCD Suzuki Piano Teacher Tamila Humphreys & Cello Teacher Neal Humphreys are proud to announce the birth of their daughter.  Sabina Humphreys was born on Friday, Nov 28th at 3:38am.  She was 20 inches long when she was born and she weighed 7lbs and 1oz.

Welcome to the world, little one!

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The Winter Session of FIRST STEPS Classes begin next week!

First Steps in Music is a series of music and movement classes for youngsters from birth to age five and a caregiver. The First Steps in Music program is designed to provide a fun, exciting musical experience both in and out of the classroom. Each class begins with 10 to 15 minutes of exploratory play that allows students to informally investigate various sound-making devices. The remainder of the class time is spent in a series of casual music and movement activities and games. Additionally, all main campus participants have access to a lending library of music books, tapes, CD's, videos and musical toys.




Click here to download the registration form!

Please note the NEW schedule for First Steps at Hartt for the Winter & Spring Sessions:

Fridays

9:00-9:30am ~ Infant/Toddler  (30 mins)
9:30-10:15am ~ Toddler Class (45 mins)
10:20-11:15 ~ Nursery/PreSchool (55 mins)
11:20am-12:20pm ~ PreSchool (60 mins)

Saturdays

9:00-9:30am ~ Infant/Toddler  (30 mins)
9:30-10:15am ~ Toddler Class (45 mins)
10:20-11:15 ~ Nursery/PreSchool (55 mins)
11:20am-12:20pm ~ PreSchool (60 mins)
  
Age Requirements and Tuition

Register today to reserve your spot!

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Master Class with Miguel Campaneria December 12th

The University of Hartford will present a free dance master class for the Greater Hartford community at the Mort and Irma Handel Performing Arts Center.  Miguel Campaneria, Chair of the Hartt Community Division dance program will work with advanced-beginner and intermediate ballet students on Friday, December 12, 6:00pm – 7:30pm.   Interested dance students should reserve a space in the classes by contacting the Hartt Community Division Dance Department at (860) 768-6000 or dancedesk@hartford.edu.

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Don't miss the 2nd Annual Simsmore Square Family Festival - this Sunday, December 7th from 1pm - 4pm.  

For an up-to-date schedule of events visit www.simsmoresquare.com

Also - a reminder that the Simsbury Holiday Farmer's Market is scheduled 10am - 5pm Saturday, and 11am - 4pm Sunday.   Visit www.simsburyfarmmarket.com for an up-do-date list of vendors.

Celebrate with Simsmore Square! 

Also do not forget - there will be an e-waste collection site during the Festival (Sunday, 1pm - 4pm)  Bring all of your e-cycling: they accept all types of computer and electronics equipment including; VCR's, Monitors, CPUs, Batteries, Air Conditioners, Ipods, PDAs, Cell Phones, Fax Machines, Stereo equipment, Toner & Inkjet cartridges, Printers, Copiers, Keyboards, Telephone PBX, Cables, Medical Equipment, Modems, Mainframes, Typewriters, Laptops, Lab Equipment, Test Equipment, etc. Also bring your CFL bulbs & batteries!

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Blend 30 Men's Voices; add Guitar, Viola and Charango; Drench with Passion and Serve Hot!

Friday, December 5th, 2008 at 8 pm, the Empire City Men’s Chorus begins its 16th season of concerts on the Upper West Side with a new artistic director, Christopher Clowdus. Christopher will conduct the Men's Chorus and guest artists, The Alturas Duo, in Estrella Brillante: Music and Rhythms of Latino, Ladino and Spanish Traditions; with a tribute to Norman Dello Joio (1913-2008). The Alturas Duo are virtuosos of the guitar, viola and charango, who play fiery programs moving easily between Bach, South American folk rhythms, and new music written for them. Estrella Brillante will feature a world premiere by Brazilian composer Raimundo Penaforte, and also the beautiful Misa Criolla of Ariel Ramírez, and Salmo 150 of Ernani Aguiar.

The Empire City Men’s Chorus and the Alturas Duo
Friday December 5 at 8 pm
The Church of St. Paul & St. Andrew, 263 W. 86th St. at West End Ave, NYC
Tickets: $25 in advance, $30 at the door
Students & Seniors: $15 in advance, $20 at the door
Tickets and information, call (212) 545-4110

Concert Location:

Church of St. Paul & St. Andrew, 263 West 86th Street at West End Ave, Manhattan
Wheelchair accessible entrance on 86th Street
Map:  www.spsanyc.org/location
Phone:  (212) 545-4110
Web:  www.empirecitymenschorus.org

Photo of Alturas Duo by Thomas Giroir
Original Painting by Kico Govantes

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See our own 7th grader, Alisha Kapur, in a presentation of “A Christmas Carol” at the Hartford Stage!

“Share with your family and friends the true spirit of the holiday season! Scrooge, Tiny Tim, and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future return for Hartford Stage's acclaimed presentation of Dickens' heart-warming classic. Flying ghosts soar across the stage, carols are sung, and snow falls, capturing the spirit of a Victorian Christmas. It's a holiday treat you won't want to miss!”
   --from the Hartford Stage’s website, www.hartfordstage.org

The show is being done numerous times over the next month.  The following are the performances that Alisha is appearing in.  She is playing Fan, Scrooge’s sister, in the scenes of Christmas past.

For ticket information, contact Hartford Stage at:

https://tickets.hartfordstage.org/public/

or call them at 860-527-5151

If you get a group of 8 - 19 people together, you can receive a discount of 10%, 20 – 29 people, 20%, and over 30 people, 30%!  Call group sales at 860-520-7244 for more information.

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Suzuki Uniform Information ~ Concert Dress for Group Classes and Orchestras

For information about Suzuki Uniforms, please click here!

Notice to Suzuki Families.

The success of the uniform exchange is, of course, entirely dependent on donations of old uniform your children have outgrown. At this time, we have nothing to offer yet in terms of exchange, as I have received only one offer of a single item donation. It would be great to be able to supply new families with gently used items from children who have grown up through the program. Please consider going through your children's closets and checking to see if you have pieces of uniform I can redistribute.  

Many thanks.
Stevie Zimmerman
steviez@sbcglobal.net

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Notice for CYS Parents:  Winter Festival Performance & Ticket Information

CYS will be performing with HCD dancers in the HCD Dance Department’s Winter Festival. 

Holiday Suite

Tchaikovsky’s - The Nutcracker

Performance Schedule
            Saturday, December 20th, 2008                    Matinee – 2:00 pm
            Saturday, December 20th, 2008                    Evening – 5:00 pm
            Sunday, December 20th, 2008                       Matinee – 3:00 pm

Ticketing
Each family participating in The Nutcracker will be allotted two tickets.  Tickets can be ordered at the University of Hartford Box Office at the Lincoln Theater starting Monday, November 24th.  All information regarding the box office has been outlined below.

Please feel free to contact the Community Division office with any questions.
Email: harttcomm@hartford.edu or (860) 768-4451

University Box Office Information:

Hours:
The University of Hartford Box Office, located in the lobby of Lincoln Theater, is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are also sold at the door beginning one hour prior to each event.

Payment Options:
The Box Office accepts cash, personal checks, American Express, MasterCard, Visa, and Discover.

Hartt Ticket Pricing:
Ticket prices for Hartt performances are generally offered in three categories, respectively, unless otherwise noted: general admission; discount price for senior citizens and University alumni, faculty, staff; and student discount price. All University faculty, staff, and students may have one free ticket per event.

Purchase Tickets online:
Buy tickets 24 hours a day on our website.    www.hartford.edu/hartt

Contact Information:
University Box Office, Lincoln Theater
University of Hartford
200 Bloomfield Avenue
West Hartford, CT 06117-1599
Phone: (860) 768-4228 or 1-800-274-8587

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Information for CCC Parents:  HSO and CCC Holiday Pops Concert

Performance Schedule
            Saturday, December 20th, 2008                    Matinee – 3:00 pm
            Saturday, December 20th, 2008                    Evening – 8:00 pm

Rehearsal
            Wednesday, December 17th, 2008               7:00 pm – PROMPTLY
***Please arrive between 6:30 and 6:45 pm***

Location -                    HSO Rehearsal Hall               ***Directions on reverse-side***
61 Woodland Street
Hartford, CT

Pick-up Time – 7:30 pm
(Parents may wait in the hallway; however, they may not enter the rehearsal space.)

Dress Rehearsal
            Friday, December 19th, 2008                         7:00 pm – PROMPTLY
***Please arrive between 6:30 and 6:45 pm***

Location -                    The Bushnell – Mortensen Hall
                                    166 Capitol Avenue
                                    Hartford, CT

Ticketing

Ticket order forms for the families of participants will be handed out at rehearsals.  Please complete the entire form and return to the Community Division office as soon as possible.  Per HSO procedures, forms will be delivered in-person to the HSO box office on the dates listed below.
Friday, December 5th, 2008
Friday, December 12th, 2008
Monday, December 15th, 2008

Please feel free to contact the Community Division office with any questions.

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December Sight Reading Parties will be held at HAMILTON HEIGHTS

On Friday, December 5th and Friday, December 12th, Sight Reading parties will be hosted by the Atria at Hamilton Heights, Senior Living Facility. (7:30-9pm on both Fridays)

http://www.atriaseniorliving.com/community.aspx?id=1574


The Atria at Hamilton Heights

The Atria at Hamilton Heights (off Fern Street, a few blocks from Prospect Ave) is close to both the University and the Fern Street UU Church. It is easy to get to, and has plenty of parking.

Please bring a stand (and folding chair if possible) and treats to share if you like. The residents at Hamilton Heights are invited to sight read with us too if they are string players. We will be reading from our usual sight reading books with an emphasis on "seasonal music" in honor of the holiday season.

Members of the Hartt Community Division Adult String Ensemble are encouraged to join the fun as well as members of the Intermezzo, Vivace, Concert Ensemble, OPUS and CYS orchestras.

The Atria at Hamilton Heights is a lovely and elegant place ~ very inviting for music making. We will set up to play in the first floor activities center, just as you enter the front door of the building.

Sight Reading parties at Hamilton Heights will be the same casual, fun, musical events we have come to love at the Hartt School, but now they will also be an opportunity to reach out to the community bringing musical fun to the residents of Hamilton Heights. We will have a wonderful time sight reading music together with friends, young and old.

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News from the Dance Department

Communication
Every effort is made to contact students/parents regarding class changes/cancellations/announcements and the Dance Department relies heavily on email and our Virtual Dance Bag on our website to communicate.
However, a large number of emails are returned to us for a variety of reasons, 

Please contact our receptionist at dancedesk@hartford.edu and confirm your email address and if it is correct you are still not getting our emails, please check your spam blocker.  Having your correct email address is even more important now with the new e-billing system that the University will be implementing.

Please check our Virtual Dance Bag often.  All notices/changes are posted there, particularly if your child has missed a class for any reason which means they may have missed a notice given out in class.  To reach the Dance Bag, go to www.hcd.hartford.edu – click on the word DANCE, then look to your right and scroll down and click on Virtual Dance Bag which will be in blue type.

Temporary Schedule Changes

Friday, December 5th
CII Pilates is Cancelled, ballet as normal 6pm – 7:30pm
Students may make up this class on Saturday, December 13th 10:30am – 11:30am with the DII class.

Reminder for Foundation I - Due to your teacher, Ms. Spada  being involved with the College Dance Performance,
Foundation I will be combined with Foundation II.  The class is 4:30pm – 6pm with Miss Rosi

Saturday, December 6th

Due to the Hartt School College Level Auditions, The University will be using most of the studios at the Performing Arts Center.   ALL INTENSIVE DIVISION TECHNIQUE CLASSES, YOUTH CLASSES AND ADULT CLASSES ARE CANCELLED.    Only Children’s classes will be running their normal schedule with the exception of Tiny Tap I which will be combined with Tiny Tap II at 9am until 9:45am.

As their will be many potential college students and their families at the Performing Arts Center on Saturday, we would like to remind  families to use the changing rooms provided in the building to change children into and out of dance attire and not use the main lobby or just outside studios 1 & 2 for this purpose.

Winter Performance (Nutcracker) tickets
are available by calling the
Lincoln Theater Box Office – 768-4228

Dates & Times for the Winter Dance & Orchestra Performance
Handel Center Black Box Theater

12/20 at 2pm & 5pm
12/21 at 3pm

Nutcracker Rehearsals For Saturday, December 6th
Angels,  2pm – 3pm – Studio 1
Mother  Ginger,  3pm – 4pm – Studio 1
All Other Roles Warm up , 11:30 – 12:30 Studio 2                                           
Rehearsal,  12:30 – 2:30pm – Studio 2

All Foundation I Students - Hartford

Friday, December 5th
Due to your teacher, Ms. Spada  being involved with the College Dance Performance,
Foundation I will be combined with Foundation II.  The class is 4:30pm – 6pm with Miss Rosi

Friday, December  12th
Due to your Teacher’s  internship  final with level ‘A’
Foundation I will be combined with Foundation II.  The class is 4:30pm – 6pm with Miss Rosi

Master Class with Miguel Campaneria is Scheduled For December 12th
The University of Hartford will present a free dance master class for the Greater Hartford community at the Mort and Irma Handel Performing Arts Center.  Miguel Campaneria, Chair of the Hartt Community Division dance program will work with advanced-beginner and intermediate ballet students  Friday, December 12, 6:00pm – 7:30pm.   Interested dance students should reserve a space in the classes by contacting the Hartt Community Division Dance Department at (860) 768-6000 or dancedesk@hartford.edu.

Hartt Dances
College Dance Division, Hartt Dances
Millard Auditorium,
Friday, December 5th & Saturday December 6th at 7:30pm
Sunday at 3pm

Tickets are available through the Lincoln Theater box office 768-4228
Tickets are $20 with discounts for seniors and groups, free with a University ID

Calendar:
December 12th – MasterClass with Miguel Campaneria
December 15 – 21st – Winter Performance Production Week
December 20th & 21st – Winter Performance
December 22nd Last day of classes before Holiday Break
December 23rd – Make Up day for scheduled makeup classes
January 5th – First day of classes after Holiday Break
January 26th – 31st – Parent Observation Week

Mark you Calendars for:

Sunday, January 18th 2009
Boston Ballet Summer Program Auditions
(If you are interested in auditioning for Boston Ballet, and you are a registered Hartt Student, please email dancedesk@hartford.edu to be placed on the list to have the $20 registration fee waived by December 18th)

Monday, January 19, 2009
BalletMet Columbus – Summer Program Auditions
Registration:  10:00-10:30am
Audition:  10:30am-12:00pm
Instructor:  Susan Brooker
Audition Fee:  $20.00
Audition will be held at the Performing Arts Center

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HCD Ensemble Rehearsal Schedules

Please check your ensemble’s web calendar to any last minute changes or cancellations:  http://hcd.hartford.edu/music/instrumental_ensembles.htm

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HCD Email Newsletter Quiz

This week’s question:  The tone of flutes, horns and trumpets is made by:

a)     humming
b)     blowing
c)     picking

Last week’s question: The lovely bell-like tones that you hear in Tchaikovsky’s Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy come from the:

a)     harpsichord
b)     cymbals
c)     celesta    


Correct Answer:       c)     celesta    

Quiz Winner:         Ben Rechel, piano student of David Westfall and member of Opus 89.


This week’s prize:     2 tickets to the Hartt Symphony Orchestra concert on Friday, February 20, 2009 at 7:30 pm in Lincoln Theater.

 

To submit your answers, send your reply to jburnham@hartford.edu with the subject “Quiz Answer”.  Answers must be received before 12 noon on the Tuesday after the Newsletter is sent.  If more than one person answers correctly, the winner will be chosen randomly, using the tried-and-true “pick a name out of a hat” method.  Please also note your connection to the Hartt Community Division (teacher/program) when you submit your answer.

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FYI and About our Newsletter

This Hartt Community Division Newsletter is distributed via e-mail to all faculty, staff, and families of the Community Division, who request the newsletter, every Thursday afternoon from September through June.  It is also posted in the lobby of the Community Division Office and on our website: www.hcd.hartford.edu   

Mark George, Director (george@hartford.edu ) – new program ideas, fundraising, general issues and concerns.

Alana Seddon, Associate Director (aseddon@hartford.edu ) – new program ideas, school-wide issues and concerns, current programming ideas or issues, and operational concerns.

Dawn Zumbroski, Registrar (zumbroski@hartford.edu ) -- registration issues, billing concerns and payments.

Jill Burnham, Administrative Secretary (jburnham@hartford.edu ) -- new student referrals and registration.

Judy Chestnut, Budget Administrator (chestnut@hartford.edu ) -- budget and payroll issues.

Jill Vasbinder, Assistant Director of Dance and Off-Campus Programs (jvasbinde@hartford.edu ) -- responsible for managing administrative details for the Simsbury Branch and the Dance Department.

Amanda Kilpatrick, Dance Administrator (kilpatric@hartford.edu ) -- dance department

Emmett Drake, Scheduling Coordinator (hcdevents@hartford.edu ) -- recital programs and room scheduling

Noah Glynn, Events & Programs Coordinator (glynn@hartford.edu ) – managing ensembles and coordinating special events

Marian Gandara (harttcomm@hartford.edu ) – full-time receptionist at the main campus

Jessica Rudman, Eva O’Brien (harttcomm@hartford.edu ) - part-time receptionists at the main campus

Cindy Graham, Isabelle Phillips, Cierra Berry and Gretchen Schrader (simsmore@hartford.edu ) – part-time receptionists at the Simsbury location

Krista Rescsanski and Danielle Edson (dancedesk@hartford.edu ) – part-time receptionists at the Hartford Dance Center

To submit an article, email jburnham@hartford.edu no later than the Wednesday of the week you would like it to appear.  We encourage our faculty, students and staff to submit articles.  Articles will appear once.  The staff of the Hartt Community Division reserves the right to edit articles for content, grammar and length.

Please visit our website at http://www.hartford.edu/hartt/community
To pay your bills online: http://uhaweb.hartford.edu/bursar/payment.html
To find out about Hartt news, activities, and events, please read the News from the Dean, which is published every other week: http://www.hartford.edu/hartth/Hartt_News/NewsfromtheDean.htm

TO UNSUBSCRIBE:  If you do not want to receive the Hartt Community Division’s Email Newsletter, please email jburnham@hartford.edu with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body or subject of the email.

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