Frank A. Martignetti

Frank Martignetti is the founding director of the Music Education program in the Isabelle Farrington College of Education. Previously, he led the music education program at the University of Bridgeport from 2012 to 2021, also serving as Director of Choral Activities from 2005 to 2021 and Chair of the Department of Music & Performing Arts from 2017 to 2021. Based on his ten years of K-12 teaching, almost exclusively in urban schools, Dr. Martignetti works to prepare prospective music educators to be innovative teachers prepared for the dynamic environment of today's schools. In 2006, the New Haven Symphony Orchestra recognized his efforts as a high school teacher in the New Haven Public Schools by naming him a recipient of its Excellence in Music Teaching Award.

As a conductor, Martignetti has prepared singers for performances at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, both at UB and as the Artistic Director of the Mystic River Chorale from 2008 to 2021. Dr. Martignetti was a finalist for the 2015 American Prize in Choral Conducting for his work with the Chorale. Additionally, he serves as Director of Music & Organist at First Church Congregational, Fairfield, where he conducts the Chancel Choir and directs the Music in the Meetinghouse concert series. As an organist and pianist, Dr. Martignetti has given recitals as solo organist and collaborative pianist around the metropolitan New York City area. Guest conducting appearances include Carnegie Hall with MidAmerica Productions (2025), The Mystic River Chorale (2024), Fairfield Center Stage (2023), the Sacred Heart University Orchestra (2022), the CMEA Southern Region HS Festival (2022), New Haven Oratorio Choir (2021), Hamden Symphony Orchestra (2013), New York University choirs (2013) and University Glee Club of New Haven (2005).

Dr. Martignetti’s current research focuses on studying urban music education via qualitative approaches, as well as innovation in the collegiate music curriculum. His scholarly writing has been published by Oxford University Press, Information Age Publishing, the Choral Journal, the Journal of Popular Music Education, the Music Educators’ Journal, and Visions of Research in Music Education. He has presented clinics, lectures, posters, and papers for a variety of organizations and institutions, as well as national and international conferences. He is a past Dean of the Greater Bridgeport Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, the Treasurer of the Connecticut Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association, and a Trustee and pre-concert lecturer for the Greater Bridgeport Symphony. He also serves on the College Music Society’s Community Engagement committee. Dr. Martignetti is available for adjudication, clinics, workshops, and guest conducting.

He lives in Fairfield, CT with his wife, Heather, and their cat, Piper.