The premiere  of  “Four Passages Approaching Eternity”, the doctoral work of Associate Music Professor and Composer Arthur Hernandez, will be performed by the Hartford Independent Symphony Orchestra (HICO) on Thursday, March 1, at Centinel Hill Hall auditorium at 6 p.m.

Associate Professor Arthur Hernandez

The free public concert is part of  Concerts @ Capital  — a series of performances organized by Hernandez since he joined the faculty in 2005.  Hernandez’ doctoral work for string orchestra, piano, celesta, and percussion will be conducted by Erberk Eryilmaz. HICO is an orchestra comprised of the University of Hartford’s  Hartt School  of Music alumni and students.

Last year Hernandez was awarded his doctorate in composition from the Hartt School . He previously earned a Master of Music in Composition from University of Redlands  and a bachelor’s in theory and composition from the University of Texas at El Paso.

Hernandez, the coordinator of Capital’s music program,  teaches music composition and theory and music history and appreciation. He oversees a rapidly growing music program that includes the Associate Degree in Music Industry.  The College’s 11th floor “music and arts central” area now includes a state-of-the-art music technology studio, music practice rooms, a piano laboratory, and vocal and instrumental performing ensembles. Capital also offers applied instrumental, vocal, and composition music lessons.

Hernandez has been commissioned by, among others, The Cleveland Orchestra, the Fortnightly Musical Club, The Cleveland Music School Settlement’s Youth Orchestra, Turn On The Music, the Torrington High School Concert Band, e-cellist Jeffrey Krieger, and the Alturas Duo.

 Second Night of “One Play” To Follow March 1 Concert

The Concerts @ Capital performance on March 1 will be followed by the second of three performances of Hartford Stage Company’s  production of “The Whipping Man” at low prices for college employees ($15) and students ($5) of the College.

“The Whipping Man” by Matthew Lopez and directed by Hana S. Sharif is the second in the “One Play” program, a partnership between the College and Hartford Stage which began last fall.