Due to the current COVID-19 situation and the precautions being taken by the University of Hartford and the State of Connecticut, the 2020 Women Composers Festival of Hartford is POSTPONED.
We are optimistic that we will find dates in the near future to feature these talented artists, and look forward to showcasing their work.
If you have any questions, please contact us at womencomposersfestivalhartford@gmail.com.
3-Day Festival passes are on sale for the 2020 Women Composers Festival of Hartford! Individual tickets for the Music Marathon and Ensemble-in-Residence Concert are also available.
Thursday, March 19, 7:00pm: Welcome Concert, Networking, and Registration
Bliss Music Room, The Hartt School, University of Hartford
Friday, March 20, 9:30am-4:00pm: Forum of scholarly presentations and lecture/recitals
Room 410, The Hartt School, University of Hartford
Friday, March 20, 7:00pm: Student Composers Workshop
Bliss Music Room, The Hartt School
Saturday, March 21, 10:00am-4:00pm: Music Marathon
Wilde Auditorium, Grey Conference Center, University of Hartford
Saturday, March 21, 7:00pm: Closing Concert featuring The Craft Ensemble and world premiere by Melika Fitzhugh
Wilde Auditorium, Grey Conference Center, University of Hartford
Supported in part by the Greater Hartford Arts Council’s United Arts Campaign with major support from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.
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Women Composers Festival of Hartford is pleased to present Duo Songs Exposed, Michelle Murray Fiertek, soprano and Michael Korman, piano In Celebration of Women, February 21, 7:00pm at the Town and County Club in Hartford (22 Woodland St. Hartford, CT 06105).
Songs Exposed will present a program titled In Celebration of Women, featuring music by Dawn Sonntag, Libby Larsen, Barbara Harbach, and Hartford composer Rami Levin. The texts, all by women, include the poetry of American lyric poet Sara Teasdale and letters from Calamity Jane to her daughter. Each work addresses women’s spirit of independence and connection to the land. The duo will also be joined by clarinetist Kristen Lauria. A dessert reception will follow the performance.
Tickets are $45.00. You can make your ticket donation online, or at the door.
Soprano Michelle Murray Fiertek is an active performer and teacher of wide-ranging styles from traditional classical and operatic repertoire to contemporary musical theater and pop/rock. Fiertek has received the University of Hartford Sustained Excellence in Teaching Award (2018) for her work in the Hartt School’s Vocal Studies Division; is trained and certified by NYC “rock musical guru” Sheri Sanders (Rock the Audition) as a teacher of the RTA curriculum (2018); and was nominated in the “Best Featured Actress in a Musical Production” category by Broadway World Connecticut (2015) for her performance as Miss Pinkerton/June Jinkins in Hartford Opera Theater’s double bill of “The Old Maid and the Thief” (Menotti) and “An Embarrassing Position” (Shore). Michelle’s career began in musical theater, performing for Disney World, on cruise ships, and in Japan. Her current research and performing focuses on Spanish and Latin American art song, contemporary American art song, and on helping singers understand the timbre, resonance, and stylistic differences between vocal genres to aid them in reaching their fullest potential.
She has been a faculty and guest recital artist at venues across the country and in Spain. Michelle made her Carnegie Hall debut with a solo performance of William Bolcom’s Cabaret Songs described as “First rate – engaging and authentic” in New York Concert Review. Michelle has studied under such famed musicians as the late pianist Miguel Zanetti and mezzo-soprano Teresa Berganza as part of the celebrated Interpretation of Spanish Song program, as well as returned to the program in subsequent years as a guest artist. She continues to return to Spain to study with Jorge Robaina, pianist and vocal coach at the Escuela Superior de Canto in Madrid, and Patricia Caicedo, soprano and Latin American art song scholar, in Barcelona.
As a recording artist Fiertek is poised to release a new album of contemporary American art song through Albany Records in spring 2020. She has previously released two albums on the Summit Records label: Blue: The Complete Cabaret Songs of William Bolcom and Arnold Weinstein, described as “exemplary” by BBC Music Magazine and named “CD of the week” by the Arizona Republic and KBAQ-FM, and The Juliet Letters.
She has been a featured soloist in many large-scale choral works, including Fauré’s Requiem, Mozart’s Coronation Mass and Mass in C Minor, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Bach’s B Minor Mass and Handel’s Dettingen Te Deum and Messiah with organizations such as Waterbury Symphony, New Haven Chorale, Con Brio Choral Society, Cypress Masterworks Chorale (CA), Pinnacle Presbyterian Church (AZ), and The Village Church (MA).
Professor Fiertek currently serves on the voice faculty of The Hartt School, University of Hartford where she teaches applied lessons, Vocal Literature I & II, and class voice. Additionally, she is adjunct voice faculty for Hartt Community Division and Manchester Community College; program director for the HCD Summer Musical Theatre Intensives; and Executive Director of Hartford Opera Theater. Fiertek is also a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. For more information please visit www.michellemurrayfiertek.com
Pianist Michael Korman, a native of Connecticut, is dedicated to providing audiences with new and authentic experiences through classical repertoire. Mr. Korman’s repertoire interests span from German lieder to cabaret song, opera to duo instrumental literature. His varied expertise as a vocal accompanist, piano teacher, organist, and singer have enabled him to work with musicians in numerous contexts. Mr. Korman believes that his identity as an artist is intertwined with his own self-education and with how he can help others learn. As a result of his dedication to the success of his students, Michael is the recipient of an MTNA Teacher Enrichment Grant. Michael holds a master’s degree from the Hartt School.
Clarinetist Kristen Lauria is a passionate teacher and performer. Kristen graduated from The Hartt School with a bachelors degree in music performance and education, and a masters degree in clarinet performance from Queens College. Kristen has performed avidly in orchestras and chamber ensembles and served as principal clarinetist of the Queens College Orchestra and the Hartt Orchestra. She performs with the Tahoe Festival Orchestra in the summer and has performed in the National Music Festival, Miami Music Festival, and Trentino Music Festival in Italy. Kristen student-taught both band and choir and currently teaches band at a middle school and high school. She will be performing and recording the Nielsen Clarinet Concerto with the Queens College Orchestra this December.
Leading up to our 20th anniversary season, the Women Composers Festival of Hartford is returning to where it all started: The Hartt School. Held over three days, the 2020 Festival will include a welcome concert and reception, Forum, Student Composers Workshop, Music Marathon, and Ensemble-in-Residence Concert.
Composer-in-Residence: Melika Fitzhugh
Ensemble-in-Residence: Craft Ensemble
The 2020 Festival will premiere a brand new work by Melika Fitzhugh, composed for Craft Ensemble, commissioned by WCFH.
We are are accepting applications for presentations and lecture/recitals for the Forum (Friday, March 20), and performances for the Music Marathon (Saturday, March 21).
The 2020 Call for Scores is open for string quartet submissions, to be reviewed by selection committee and Craft Ensemble. The winning selections will be performed during the Ensemble-in-Residence Concert (Saturday, March) alongside the featured commission by Composer-in-Residence, Melika Fitzhugh.
The 2020 Women Composers Festival of Hartford is being held at The Hartt School as part of the Hartt 100 celebration. Our thanks to The Hartt School and Dean Larry Alan Smith, Hartt Community Division and Director Noah Blocker-Glynn for their support.
Women Composers Festival of Hartford is looking for Connecticut composers for a collaboration as part of our upcoming 20th anniversary celebration! We will be commissioning a composer (or composers) to write a piece, 6 – 20 minutes in length, for dance. The collaboration with be with The Hartford Dance Collective and the Hartford Independent Chamber Orchestra, and will premiere during the our 2020/21 season. Interested CT composers can fill out the application here. Submissions due JULY 14, 2019.
