Barile shares teachable moments for educators in 'Leading from the Core'
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Central’s Department of Music is entering a vibrant period of growth, collaboration, and artistic excellence. Dr. Heather de Savage, Assistant Professor of Musicology, is honored to serve as Interim Department Chair, working alongside Administrative Faculty, June Aino, whose tireless support keeps the Music Office running smoothly.
This fall, we welcomed an outstanding group of students into our Music BA and Music Education BS programs. The BA concentrations include Performance, Theory & Composition, Jazz Studies, and Music Technology, plus flexible options for exploratory study and external minors. Under Dr. Drake Andersen’s leadership, Music Technology continues to grow, including contributions to Central’s new Integrated Multimedia Production program.
Our ensembles are thriving, with performances in Welte Auditorium, Founders Hall, and other venues on and off campus. Students prepare challenging repertoire with directors Dr. James Minnix (Wind Ensemble, Marching Band), Dr. Gaylon Robinson (Chorale, University Singers, Vocal Jazz), Dr. Carl Knox (Big Band), and Dr. Andersen (iPad Ensemble) and many participate in chamber groups led by our talented studio faculty. A highlight from last year was the University Chorale’s performance at Carnegie Hall, and Dr. Robinson continues to build on that success.
Looking ahead, we are excited to host the first Connecticut Music Festival this spring (featuring middle and high school students from the state) and to welcome back the Women Composers Festival of Hartford for its third year at Central. Our annual Prism concert will round out the year, showcasing all of our student ensembles in one dynamic performance in Alumni Hall. Please watch for information on these and other special events from Music!
Academically, our students are immersed in core courses in music theory and aural skills (Dr. Sunny Knable), music history (Dr. de Savage), music technology (Dr. Andersen), and piano (Dr. Susan Cheng), among others. Private lessons are taught by an impressive roster of applied faculty, including new additions Katherine Whyte (voice) and Gonzalo Cortés (flute).
We are also proud to share that our Music faculty maintain active profiles in performance, scholarship, and creative work in their respective fields. We enjoy sharing these activities with our students as they look ahead to their own careers. (For more information, please visit our faculty profiles, send an email, or visit us in Welte Hall.)
Central Music is energized, engaged, and growing, and we look forward to sharing more with you soon. For upcoming events, please visit our website or check the digital boards!
Statement from Interim Department Chair Dr. Heather de Savage: “At the heart of the Department of Music is a dynamic blend of community, creativity, and collaboration. Our dedicated faculty, exceptional student musicians, and innovative programs come together to shape a vibrant, forward-looking musical education. I am continually inspired by my colleagues and students, and appreciate all that they contribute to Central Music!”
The Department of Sociology showcase will be in the Carol A. Ammon College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Dean’s Office until the end of November. Make sure to check out the amazing work of sociology students in the office before it’s gone!
Scan the QR code below to visit the Department of Music’s website:
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Past Department Spotlights
Department of Sociology
As a branch of the social sciences, sociology allows students to understand how we interact with each other, the impact of social norms, and the social factors that influence both our individual and collective experiences. Both students and professors in CCSU’s sociology department work to do exactly that.
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Dr. Heather Rodriguez, the department’s new chair, is particularly excited about some of the new things coming to the department. Perhaps one of the most exciting developments is the return of study abroad courses (after a brief pause due to the pandemic) being offered by the department in collaboration with other departments and faculty. In January 2026, Professor John Mitrano will be joining a group of students and Professor Robbin Smith on a study abroad adventure in Bonaire, exploring the region’s environmental challenges, focusing on environmental sociology. And, in May 2026, Professor Fiona Pearson will be joining a group of students and Professor Michael Bartone on a study abroad excursion in Norway, learning teachers’ historical roles in social movements and protest during World War II.
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Additionally, the department has an exciting course opportunity for students: SOC 490, Community Internship Experience & Seminar. Offered in the spring, the internship course allows students to immerse themselves in community-based organizations for course credit, often being offered employment at the organization upon completing their internship. Some of the community organizations who have welcomed CCSU interns include Hands on Hartford, the New Britain YWCA, the Hospital for Special Care, the Institute for Hispanic Families in Hartford, Girls Inc of Meriden, and the New Britain Mental Health Institute. Students have the option to apply for an internship stipend through CCSU’s Center for Community Engagement and Social Research for their service in the community. This course is available for sociology majors and minors. The application for this course closes on Halloween- don’t miss out! Students can contact Dr. Rodriguez with more questions (hrodriguez@ccsu.edu).
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The sociology department will also be hosting an art exhibit on October 23 (11am to 3pm) in the Latin American, Latino, Caribbean Center, which will feature art created by students enrolled in the Latina Identity & Empowerment course. The hope for this exhibit is to put together about 25 pieces related to the course content that make students feel recognized and welcomed on campus.
The new department chair is also excited to be hosting a “Drop-In Hour” for students to get assistance with grad school applications and to ask any questions on October 6 from 11am to 12pm. Be sure to check out their Instagram page (@ccsusociology) for more events!
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Dr. Ashley Green, the newest member of the Sociology Department, served as co-guest editor for a special issue of the Journal of Lesbian Studies on Lesbian and Queer Generations, that examines the generational experiences of different cohorts of lesbians while accounting for the diversity in lesbian identities. The special issue was published this September. Dr. Green is discussing the special issue as part of a panel at the upcoming Lesbian Lives Conference happening October 24th through 26th in New York.
Dr. Bruce Day has been selected to be part of the 2025-2026 Cohort for the Community Engaged Scholars Program sponsored by the Center for Community Engagement and Social Research. The selected professors are working as a learning community to develop high impact, engaged learning experiences for students in their selected classes. The cohort will meet throughout the academic year sharing the work on their projects, culminating in presenting their work at the Spring Community Engagement Recognition and Awards Ceremony.
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The Sociology Department has the longest, continuing active chapter in the International Honor Society of Alpha Kappa Delta (AKD) in the state of Connecticut. Founded in 1978, the Sociology Department has inducted hundreds of students that meet the level of academic excellence required for invitation into the honor society.
Dr. Bruce Day is the current, on campus Chapter Representative of AKD and he has also served on the Executive Council of AKD for the last six years. The honor society has given Sociology students opportunities for funding to attend research conferences, participation in paper competitions, and recognition that carries beyond graduating as a Sociology Major.
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This past year, graduating Sociology Senior, Emma Farrow, won first place in the annual Undergraduate Research Paper Competition. 57 papers from AKD Chapters all over the United States were submitted and we are proud to say that a CCSU Sociology student was chosen for this award. In August, she traveled to the American Sociological Association meeting in Chicago to be presented with her award and to take part in the ASA Honors program with other students selected from Sociology programs around the country.
Dr. Day was also recently nominated to run for the position of AKD President. If elected, his term will begin in August of 2026.
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In the Spring of 2025, the Center for Community Engagement and Research paired Dr. Day with the YWCA of New Britain to collaborate on an oral history project recording interviews with a variety of people who have been instrumental in the development of this community resource. Dr. Day used this opportunity to include students in the project as research assistants. The students, Emma Farrow and Katy Sakash, submitted and were awarded a Student Faculty Research Grant in support of the project and they participated in all stages of the research project. During the Fall 2025 semester, Dr. Day is continuing this project with another pair of student research assistants. The interviews are being packaged to be archived at the YWCA of New Britain, the CCSU library, and sections of the interviews will be streaming on the YWCA website.
The Department of Sociology showcase will be in the Carol A. Ammon College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Dean’s Office starting October 3. Make sure to check out the amazing work of sociology students in the office before it’s gone!