May 19, 2004

People's Bank Partners With The Hartt Community Division To Present Summer Concert Series In West Hartford Center

Series to be Hosted in Courtyard of People's Bank Branch at 1013 Farmington Avenue

BRIDGEPORT, CONN. - People's Bank is partnering with The Hartt School Community Division of the University of Hartford to present the People's Summer Concert Series in West Hartford Center. The series will begin June 5 and end July 1. People's will also sponsor a special program "First Steps in Music" at the bank's booth during the Celebrate West Hartford weekend, June 5 and 6.

The concert series is comprised of six performances by young, talented musicians, some of whom are high school and middle school students, participating in The Hartt School's Community Division program. This program offers pre-college musicians the opportunity to develop a love of music and for students seeking a musical career to receive exceptional training in preparation for some of the great music schools in the world, including Julliard.

"People's Bank is pleased to offer our neighbors in the West Hartford community a series of musical performances to enjoy while they shop, dine or browse downtown," said Nancy Brecher, vice president and market manager for People's West Hartford branches. "The accomplished musicians trained at The Hartt School will provide great evening accompaniment to the many who enjoy the Center during the early summer months."

Steinert's Steinway & Sons Pianos, a West Hartford retailer of Steinway pianos and other fine keyboard instruments, will provide a piano to People's and The Hartt School for the musical performances.

The Hartt School's Community Division is one of the leading community arts schools in the country, serving approximately 2,500 students in the greater Hartford area, including inner-city youngsters. "West Hartford residents have long enjoyed musical performances by students of the Hartt School," said Michael Yaffe, executive director and director of The Hartt School's Community Division. "We're honored to partner with People's and to be able to provide our promising musical talent with a venue like West Hartford Center in which to perform. This summer concert series is an excellent example of how both People's and Hartt demonstrate their commitment to community."

First Steps in Music, the early childhood program of The Hartt Community Division, will present a 20-minute musical instruction class designed primarily for preschool children and their parents during the Celebrate West Hartford weekend. "This musical education for children dovetails nicely with the People's Bank goal of providing financial education to its customers," Brecher said. "While their children are learning about music, parents can learn about financing their child's education." All who visit People's booth during the Celebrate West Hartford weekend can receive a free People's College Snapshot, an assessment of a family's financial situation and how to pay for a college or secondary school education.

The People's Summer Concert series schedule follows (subject to change). All concerts will take place between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at the front courtyard of the People's Bank branch at 1013 Farmington Avenue, unless indicated otherwise in the chart below.

Date	Performance
June 5	Viola Tour Group (Elementary and middle school students) Connecticut Youth Symphony Violin Group (High school students)(concert from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00p.m.)
June 5 –6	First Steps in Music (classes every hour in People’s Bank booth)
June 10	Guitar Quintet (Elementary and middle school students)
June 17	Suzuki Violin Group (Middle school students)
June 24	The Hartt School Community Division on Parade **
July 1	The Hartt School Community Division on Parade **

** A performance featuring a collection of solo and small chamber ensembles.

The Community Division of The Hartt School of the University of Hartford (www.hartford.edu/hartt/community) is committed to providing students of all ages and levels of accomplishment with quality instruction in the performing arts, including theatre as well as music. Through its Fund for Access, supported by the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving and others, the Community Division offers financial aid for students with arts interest but with limited funds. Home to the Connecticut Youth Symphony, the Connecticut Children's Chorus and a variety of ensemble and private lesson programs, the Community Division affords its students both the quality of a comprehensive conservatory and an open admissions policy to encourage participation.

People's (peoples.com) is a diversified financial services company providing commercial, consumer, insurance and investment services. Founded in 1842, it is the largest state-chartered bank in Connecticut with assets of $11 billion, 154 branches and more than 240 ATMs. People's is a leader in consumer and commercial banking, residential lending, insurance sales, and supermarket banking. People's subsidiaries offer brokerage services, asset management, equipment financing and leasing, and insurance services.