Since its founding in 2009, The Garmany Chamber Music Series has established itself as one of The Hartt School's signature activities. The series is recognized as one of Connecticut's premier live music attractions, presenting four concerts annually, and is dedicated to bringing the widest possible range of distinguished small ensembles and recitalists to the UHart campus. The series is generously supported by the Richard P. Garmany Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.
The series has routinely played to capacity houses in Hartt's Millard Auditorium, and has attracted nationals attention for the quality and diversity of its offerings. One critic hailed the series as a "who's who of American chamber music."
The founding curator of the concert series, Steve Metcalf, oversaw the series for the first seven seasons. The series was then passed to Larry Alan Smith, who took the reins in 2016 and held them until his retirement at the end of the 2021 academic year. Steve has again stepped into the role of curator for the current series, and is joined by Hartt faculty member Gilda Lyons, who has been named executive director.
2024-2025 Garmany Performance Series
All concerts will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Millard Auditorium.
Tickets now available!
October 10, 2024—Denyce Graves, Mezzo-Soprano and Laura Ward, Piano
To open the 2024 season, the Garmany Music Series is honored to present mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves, one of the most beloved and acclaimed vocal artists of our time. In collaboration with her longtime pianist Laura Ward, Graves will present a personally curated evening of American music, including songs and spirituals.
November 21, 2024—Hub New Music Featuring Guest Artist Kojiro Umezaki
The imaginative and crowd-pleasing Hub New Music (flute, clarinet, violin, cello) will present a wide-ranging program featuring guest artist Kojiro Umezaki of the Silk Road Ensemble. In addition to being an award-winning composer, Umezaki is regarded as one of the world’s leading performers on the shakuhachi (bamboo flute).
February 6, 2025—Verona String Quartet Featuring Saxophonist Steven Banks, Performing a New Piece by Grammy-Nominated Composer Christopher Theofanidis
The Verona String Quartet will perform with saxophonist Steven Banks. Banks, who has quickly come to be regarded as one of the foremost saxophone soloists in the world. The program will feature the world premiere of a major new piece for saxophone and string quartet by the distinguished American composer Christopher Theofanidis.
April 10, 2025—Sandbox Percussion Performing a Multi-Media Piece by Composer Andy Akiho
Sandbox Percussion, a four-person ensemble, will perform a Grammy-nominated large-scale mixed media work omposed by the celebrated American composer Andy Akiho.
Past Garmany Series
2023-2024
- Javier Colon
- The Juilliard String Quartet
- Rhythm & Brass
- Melissa White
2022-2023
- Bang on a Can All-Stars
- Aizuri Quartet
- Merz Trio
- Phillip Boykin '95
2021-2022
- David Finckel & Wu Han
- PUBLIQuartet
- Shane Shanahan M'98 and Friends
- Ryan Speedo Green '08
2019-2020
- Joshua Roman and the Verona Quartet
- Meredith Monk & Vocal Ensemble: Cellular Songs in Concert
- Sirena Huang
2018-19
- Kate Lindsey and Baptiste Trotignon
- St. Lawrence String Quartet
- The Handel and Hayden Society
- Cuarteto Latinoamericano
2017-18
- The Heath Quartet
- Trio Latitude 41
- Emmanuel Pahud, flute & Alessio Bax, piano
- Attacca Quartet
2016-17
- PRISM Quartet
- Juilliard String Quartet
- Chiara String Quartet
- Decoda – The Affiliate Ensemble of Carnegie Hall
2015-16
- Dawn Upshaw and Gilbert Kalish
- Dover Quartet
- Brooklyn Rider w/Gabriel Kahane
- Steven Isserlis and Stephen Hough
2014-15
- JACK Quartet
- Calder Quartet
- Roomful of Teeth
- International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE)
2013-14
- Jaime Laredo and Joseph Kalichstein, with Hartt Faculty Quartet
- Andy Narell, steel pans
- Sybarite5 string quintet
- Cantus
2012-13
- Tempesta di Mare (Philadelphia Chamber Orch.)
- eighth blackbird
- Imani Winds
- Miro Quartet/Colin Curie
2011-12
- Emerson String Quartet
- Regina Carter & Ensemble
- ECCO (East Coast Chamber Orchestra)
- Chris O’Riley and Carter Brey
2010-11
- Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society
- Bang on a Can All-Stars
- Brentano Quartet
- New York Woodwind Quintet
2009-10
- American Brass Quintet
- Bolcom and Morris
- David Finckel and Wu Han
- St. Lawrence Quartet