The Hartford Independent Chamber Orchestra (HICO) premiered Associate Professor Art Hernandez’ doctoral work “Four Passages Approaching Eternity”  On March 1 at the largest gathering yet of the Concerts @ Capital series.

Hernandez’ doctoral work for string orchestra, piano, celesta, and percussion was conducted by HICO’s Erberk Eryilmaz.  HICO is a group of alumni and student musicians from the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford.

More than 200 persons, including students, alumni, colleagues and friends, attended the start of the 2012 Spring Concert Series.

The March 1 event also featured the premiere of a work by David MacBride, professor of composition and theory at the Hartt School where Professor Hernandez earned his doctorate last year.  MacBride’s “…mountains above, the valley below…” (2010) was conducted by Joseph Hodge.

There are two more Concerts @ Capital in March. On March 8th Women Composers Festival of Hartford will perform an electro/acoustic concert. On March 22nd the Vigil Ensemble featuring Kelli Kathman on flute and Bill Solomon on percussion will perform.  Concerts @ Capital are held at 6 p.m. at Centinel Hill Auditorium on the 11th floor of the College, 950 Main Street.

Humanities Chair Jeff Partridge (left) congratulates Art Hernandez after the concert.

Concert goers at Centinel Hill Hall