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Lee Hartman

Lee Hartman

Traditional and New Classical Contributor

Lee Hartman holds degrees from the University of Missouri-Kansas City (D.M.A., M.M.) and the University of Delaware (B.M.). At the University of Delaware, he received a Dean's Scholar position enabling him to pursue an individually designed academic program combining music education and composition. At the University of Missouri-Kansas City he served for three years as the Assistant Director to Musica Nova, the conservatory's new music ensemble, while teaching a variety of composition classes.

In 2007 he was invited to both the Iceland Academy of the Arts in Reykjavík, Iceland and the Sichuan Conservatory in Chengdu, China to give lectures and master classes in composition. In 2007-08 he was Visiting Instructor in music theory at the University of Delaware where he taught freshman music theory, honors music theory, graduate orchestration, and private composition. In the summer of 2009, Hartman served as an orchestra manager for the Aspen Contemporary Ensemble and Aspen Opera Theater Center for various performances.  He serves on the National Executive Committee of the Society of Composers, Inc. as Submissions Coordinator.  His primary composition instructors include James Mobberley, Chen Yi, Zhou Long, Paul Rudy, John Beall, and Jennifer Margaret Barker.

2nd International Conference on Music and Minimalism concerts 3, 4 and 5

Tue, Sep 08, 2009

2nd International Conference on Music and Minimalism concerts 3, 4 and 5

Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral probably did not know what it was in store for when Charlemagne Palestine was slated to perform there. The first performance of Schlingen-Blängen in America in forty years was a spectacular music experience complete with Palestine's altar of stuffed animals and brandy sniffer.

2nd International Conference on Music and Minimalism concerts 1 and 2

Tue, Sep 08, 2009

2nd International Conference on Music and Minimalism concerts 1 and 2

The series of concerts presented by the 2nd International Conference on Music and Minimalism, hosted by UMKC, offered up many juicy tidbits of predominantly American minimalism without including one note from either Steve Reich and Philip Glass. The series should be praised for presenting these important "other" composers - not to mention the stellar performances and mind-altering pieces.

'Sturm and drang’ at KC Symphony’s opening concert

Tue, Sep 29, 2009

'Sturm and drang’ at KC Symphony’s opening concert

I believe everyone has that one composer that they are supposed to like, but for one reason or another, can't. Brahms is that composer for me. I am completely indifferent to his music. Yefim Bronfman is that special type of performer, however, that can make anything sparkle.

KC Symphony presents nostalgic melodies

Tue, Oct 13, 2009

KC Symphony presents nostalgic melodies

Nostalgia was a theme in all three works on Saturday night's performance: Kodály's "Dances of Galánta," Dvorák's "Cello Concerto in B Minor" and Rachmaninoff's "Symphonic Dances."

The Fairy Queen is magical

Tue, Oct 20, 2009

The Fairy Queen is magical

Collaborating organizations Civic Opera Theater of Kansas City, Kansas City Chamber Orchestra, and Owen/Cox Dance Group made the fairy realm come to life in their impressive staging of Purcell's Fairy Queen. Primarily known for their contemporary repertoire, it was exciting to see the Civic Opera and Owen/Cox reach back into the catalogue to pursue this Baroque masterpiece. They handled the task admirably with accompaniment provided by the KC Chamber Orchestra under Bruce Sorrell's baton.

Local chorales offer southern warmth and Latin flair

Mon, Oct 26, 2009

Local chorales offer southern warmth and Latin flair

There was a plethora of choral music concerts in the metro this past week with at least five major performances. Among those offerings were the concerts by the Kansas City Chorale and the Metropolitan Chorale of Kansas City.

KcEMA @ Electronic Music Midwest 2009

Tue, Nov 10, 2009

KcEMA @ Electronic Music Midwest 2009

Kansas City is major center of electronic music composition with many area composers frequently winning international competitions. Most of these composers are members of the Kansas City Electronic Music and Arts Alliance (KcEMA) which was founded in 2007 to develop a community of understanding, appreciation and collaboration of electronic artists, and to support the creation of electronic music and arts.

Modern Masters

Tue, Nov 17, 2009

Modern Masters

Let me begin by saying Octarium is an exceptionally talented ensemble with stunning voices, synergy and stage presence to spare. There is no place to hide in this ensemble and the singers need not worry about that, as each is magnificent.

David Parsons' unforgettable "Remember Me"

Wed, Nov 18, 2009

David Parsons' unforgettable "Remember Me"

Wow. Native son David Parson's Parson Dance with members of the East Village Opera Company presented an amazing evening of music and dance at the Folly Theater last Friday as part of the Harriman Jewell Series. The performance is still seared into my brain days later.

Performing with precision

Wed, Nov 18, 2009

Performing with precision

Percussion Group Kansas City (PGKC) ia made up of members of the Kansas Symphony percussion section, Chris McLaurin, Joseph Petrasek, Matthew Henderson and Lia DeRoin showcased the diverse sonic possibilities attainable with percussion instruments in their all-American program.

KC Chamber Orchestra's evening of Vivaldi

Tue, Dec 15, 2009

KC Chamber Orchestra's evening of Vivaldi

Giant snowflakes, the Plaza lights, and Unity Temple's holiday bunting chock full of tiny white lights all provided for a lovely backdrop for the Kansas City Chamber Orchestra's performance of Vivaldi's Four Seasons last Tuesday.

KC artists make "Nutcracker" their own

Wed, Dec 16, 2009

KC artists make "Nutcracker" their own

Oh Hoffmann and Tchaikovsky, thank you for writing the basis for the Owen/Cox and People's Liberation Big Band to work their deranged magic upon.

Something old, something new

Tue, Jan 12, 2010

Something old, something new

The Kansas City Symphony's first concert of the new year presented a new piece, new soloists and a golden standard. Menachem Wiesenberg's "Reflections" in its US premiere showcased the composer's great ear for orchestration and controlled counterpoint.

And energy to spare

Wed, Jan 27, 2010

And energy to spare

With Michael Stern at the baton and master violinist Gil Shaham accompaning, the Kansas City Symphony shines with a great repertoire from Stravinsky, Barber, Prokofiev and Shostakovich.

Solid walls of sound

Wed, Feb 10, 2010

Solid walls of sound

A frequent complaint about electronic music is that it is dissociative, lacks humanity and physical performers. However, the three works presented by KcEMA, Kansas City Electronic Music and Arts Alliance, were organic, arresting and spoke to the soul and human condition.

High notes at "Hymn of the Highlands"

Tue, Feb 16, 2010

High notes at "Hymn of the Highlands"

The music played by the Fountain City Brass Band is pleasing and approachable for any audience. And as evident in the accolades being showered upon them by an international community, this is an ensemble in top form.

Hell hath no fury

Wed, Feb 24, 2010

Hell hath no fury

I could not contain my excitement last week that I would have the good fortune to hear the world's best flutist (no hyperbole) Emmanuel Pahud perform the world premiere of a new concerto by Italian composer Luca Lombardi with the Kansas City Symphony.

A non-typical Mass Ordinary

Tue, Feb 23, 2010

A non-typical Mass Ordinary

It was a noble pursuit. Take the text to the Mass Ordinary (every music student's mantra during their early music history days. Repeat after me: "King George Can't Sing Alto") from a slew of composers from the Renaissance to contemporary, throw them together into a pot, and pick out the best pieces to form a new Mass.

Moscow State Radio Orchestra misfires

Tue, Mar 09, 2010

Moscow State Radio Orchestra misfires

Music director and conductor Alexei Kornienko displayed clean baton work, excellent communication and dealt with missed entrances and musicians who were clearly lost like a seasoned pro. Poor Kornienko, I wanted to buy him a shot of vodka after this performance.