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Hartt Persistence Keeps Piano Students Playing Through the Pandemic

photo of student at piano
Doctor of Musical Arts student Shuangning Liu with piano that was delivered.
student taking selfie with piano
Graduate Professional Diploma student Chenyu Wang snaps a selfie before practice.
When the University of Hartford made the difficult decision to close the academic buildings in March, a number of Hartt piano students lost access to their instruments and their ability to practice. Seeing how this would negatively impact these students, Maggie Francis, chair of the piano department, reached out to Hartt Dean Larry Alan Smith with ideas on how to help. Dean Smith then worked with UHart leadership and other departments on campus to facilitate the moving of 21 pianos to locations around the greater Hartford area. 
 
Former UHart Regent Tony Falcetti, who is also former chair of the Julius Hartt Musical Foundation, Inc. Board of Trustees and is owner of Falcetti Pianos, stepped in to help. He had a team help The Hartt School move 17 pianos from the Fuller Music Center, as well as four pianos from his facility in Springfield, Mass, into locations where the piano students can practice remotely and safely during this time.

It was a total team effort, and I wish I could share all of the comments that I have received from the students. They have repeatedly expressed their gratitude to the school and the University for helping them during this very difficult time.”

Larry Alan Smith, Dean, The Hartt School
“It was a total team effort, and I wish I could share all of the comments that I have received from the students. They have repeatedly expressed their gratitude to the school and the University for helping them during this very difficult time,” said Dean Smith. “This will ensure that these students will be able to successfully complete the semester.”

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