Foot in the Door is The Hartt School’s new music ensemble. The music featured on this album was written for – and premiered by – the ensemble, and is the work of Hartt alumni, or current and former faculty members. The pieces owe their inspiration to a TV series, to the mutations of fire, aerosol physics, political resistance, the process of breathing in meditation, and to the beauty of rebirth in the spring. The music is crafted to showcase the virtuosity and stylistic variety of this ensemble.

The Hartt School’s Foot in the Door Ensemble is one of the most recognised collegiate new music groups in the United States. Past composers-in-residence include Joan Tower, Joseph Schwantner, Bright Sheng, Michael Colgrass, John Corigliano, Chen Yi, Zhou Long, William Bolcom and Michael Daugherty.

Edward Cumming is director of orchestral activities at The Hartt School. He was music director of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra for ten years, twice receiving ASCAP awards for adventurous programming. Before coming to Hartford, Cumming was resident conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, during which time he also led the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra.