Welcome to our frequently-updated schedule of events page. Driving directions to the various venues can be gotten via our Google map at the bottom of the page.
BMS Partners with the Colonial for 3rd Thursdays Events
Berkshire Music School students will perform between 5 pm – 8 pm at the Colonial Theatre during the following 3rd Thursdays in Pittsfield: July 15, August 17, and October 21. Stay tuned for a list of performances.
Sunday May 23, 4 pm – BMS Celebrates Steve Murray With Albany Pro Musica
Join Berkshire Music School as Albany Pro Musica presents a concert of compositions by Steve Murray, Sunday, May 23, 4 pm., at St. Ann Catholic Church in Lenox. Also appearing on this program will be special guest soloist, Jack Brown, a well-known area Bass-Baritone and BMS faculty member. Rahima Hohlstein, another BMS faculty member, will accompany him on piano. Admission to this BMS benefit concert is $15 for adults, and $5 for students ages 21 and younger. A reception at the church follows the performance. St. Ann is located at 134 Main Street, Lenox, MA. For tickets call 413.442.1411.
Published arranger and composer Steve Murray teaches music theory and composition at Berkshire Community College. His compositions range from art songs to choral works, from instrumental chamber music to jazz pieces. He is the former leader and present bass player in an eight-piece jazz band. Murray began singing with Albany Pro Musica in 2001, and is their composer in residence. Last fall he won the Vaughan Williams Memorial Composition award with a choral piece titled “The Blueberry Lesson”. The text for “The Blueberry Lesson” was written by the late Arthur Phinney, a Pittsfield poet. Another of Murray’s choral pieces, “Margery Make the Tea,” won the grand prize in the Harmonia Choir Choral Composition Contest (Ottawa, Canada) in 2006.
Albany Pro Musica’s is the premier choral group in the Capital Region, with approximately 65 singers in its core group and as many as 150 singers in its expanded APMasterworks chorus. The group is known for itslarge-scale choral orchestral works as well as its exceptional mastery of more intimate a cappella works. David Griggs-Janower is founder and director of this 27 year old organization.
Albany Pro Musica has produced numerous recordings and was one of just 16 choirs selected from across the country to be included in the National Public Radio’s CD “Christmas Around the Country” released in 2005. Pro Musica’s performances have been aired many times on local and national public radio. The group has also toured in France, Spain, and Italy.
Saturday, June 5, 3 pm – BMS Merit Scholarship Winners Perform At Colonial Theatre
Join the winners of 2010 Berkshire Music School Merit Scholarships for a concert at the Colonial Theatre Saturday, June 5 at 3 pm. The event will be followed with a reception in the lobby to honor the winners and BMS & Colonial Theatre donors. It is free and open to the public. For reservations and more information call BMS at 413.442.1411.
The Berkshire Music School students, ranging in ages from 11 to 17 years, competed on Saturday, May 8 in front of a panel of judges to win scholarships to study at BMS during the next school year. Students were rated on their level of ability and age. The judges were Andrea Goodman, choral conductor; Sara Jobin, opera conductor and pianist; and Andrew Pincus, Berkshire Eagle music critic. Students include: 1st place,Yeejin Yuk, piano; 2nd place, Gabriella Makuc, piano; 3rd place, Erik Laurin, double bass and Elaina Pullano, voice. Honorable Mentions were awarded to Alfred Brewer, trombone; Sophia Cohen, piano; Hallie Novak, piano; and Dylan Renner, violin.
Yeejin Yuk, age 12, has studied piano with Jean Stackhouse for the past year. He is the son of Gena and Yong Yuk and lives in Ghent, NY. Gabriella Makuc, age 15, also studies piano with Jean Stackhouse. She has been at BMS for four years, and lives in Monterey, MA with parents Mary and Mark Makuc. Erik Laurin, 17 year old son of Mary Ann and Tom Laurin of Castleton, NY, has studied double bass with Alice Spatz for three years. A trombone student with David Wampler for five years, 16 year old Alfred Brewer is the son of Ellen and Peter Brewer from Great Barrington, MA. Sophia Cohen, age 11, has studied piano with Jean Stackhouse for six years. She lives in Lee, MA with parents Stephanie and Dan Cohen. Hallie Novak, age 13, has studied piano with Amy Renak for eight years. She is the daughter of Sarah and Glenn Novak of Richmond, MA. Elaina Pullano, age 17, has studied voice with Jack Brown for seven years. She lives in Dalton, MA with parents Michelle and Mark Pullano. Dylan Renner has studied violin at BMS with Alla Zernitskaya and Eileen Markland for seven years. The 17 year old is the son of Michelle and David Moore of South Lee, MA.
Berkshire Music School scholarship funds are raised, in part, during the annual Music Marathon and private donors. Each year approximately $15,000 is distributed for need-based and merit scholarships.
Celebrate Your Next Event At BMS
The Berkshire Music School’s restored, historic carriage house is available for parties, performances and gatherings. Located in downtown Pittsfield, this spacious facility features:
Recital Hall: 50’ x 25’, seats 90. Stage and two grand pianos. Handicap accessible.
Dance Studio: 50’ x 25’, 2nd floor, can seat 40. Baby grand piano, wooden dance floor, mirrored wall. Not accessible.
Fully Equipped Kitchen: plates, flatware, cups, saucers and glassware to serve 40. Dishwasher, range, refrigerator, and microwave.
Plus: Free off-street parking,1st floor restrooms, air conditioning, dramatic high ceilings, sound equipment, tables and chairs, possible use of the great lawn.
BMS offers nonprofit and for profit rates. You may also book faculty members who perform with professional groups, from folk and guitar, piano and vocals, to chamber music and jazz. Fees vary. Contact Tracy Wilson: 413.442.1411; twilson@berkshiremusicschool.org
Berkshire Music School events
Welcome to our frequently-updated schedule of events page. Driving directions to the various venues can be gotten via our Google map at the bottom of the page.
BMS Partners with the Colonial for 3rd Thursdays Events
Sunday May 23, 4 pm – BMS Celebrates Steve Murray With Albany Pro Musica
Published arranger and composer Steve Murray teaches music theory and composition at Berkshire Community College. His compositions range from art songs to choral works, from instrumental chamber music to jazz pieces. He is the former leader and present bass player in an eight-piece jazz band. Murray began singing with Albany Pro Musica in 2001, and is their composer in residence. Last fall he won the Vaughan Williams Memorial Composition award with a choral piece titled “The Blueberry Lesson”. The text for “The Blueberry Lesson” was written by the late Arthur Phinney, a Pittsfield poet. Another of Murray’s choral pieces, “Margery Make the Tea,” won the grand prize in the Harmonia Choir Choral Composition Contest (Ottawa, Canada) in 2006.
Albany Pro Musica’s is the premier choral group in the Capital Region, with approximately 65 singers in its core group and as many as 150 singers in its expanded APMasterworks chorus. The group is known for itslarge-scale choral orchestral works as well as its exceptional mastery of more intimate a cappella works. David Griggs-Janower is founder and director of this 27 year old organization.
Albany Pro Musica has produced numerous recordings and was one of just 16 choirs selected from across the country to be included in the National Public Radio’s CD “Christmas Around the Country” released in 2005. Pro Musica’s performances have been aired many times on local and national public radio. The group has also toured in France, Spain, and Italy.
Saturday, June 5, 3 pm – BMS Merit Scholarship Winners Perform At Colonial Theatre
Join the winners of 2010 Berkshire Music School Merit Scholarships for a concert at the Colonial Theatre Saturday, June 5 at 3 pm. The event will be followed with a reception in the lobby to honor the winners and BMS & Colonial Theatre donors. It is free and open to the public. For reservations and more information call BMS at 413.442.1411.
The Berkshire Music School students, ranging in ages from 11 to 17 years, competed on Saturday, May 8 in front of a panel of judges to win scholarships to study at BMS during the next school year. Students were rated on their level of ability and age. The judges were Andrea Goodman, choral conductor; Sara Jobin, opera conductor and pianist; and Andrew Pincus, Berkshire Eagle music critic. Students include: 1st place,Yeejin Yuk, piano; 2nd place, Gabriella Makuc, piano; 3rd place, Erik Laurin, double bass and Elaina Pullano, voice. Honorable Mentions were awarded to Alfred Brewer, trombone; Sophia Cohen, piano; Hallie Novak, piano; and Dylan Renner, violin.
Yeejin Yuk, age 12, has studied piano with Jean Stackhouse for the past year. He is the son of Gena and Yong Yuk and lives in Ghent, NY. Gabriella Makuc, age 15, also studies piano with Jean Stackhouse. She has been at BMS for four years, and lives in Monterey, MA with parents Mary and Mark Makuc. Erik Laurin, 17 year old son of Mary Ann and Tom Laurin of Castleton, NY, has studied double bass with Alice Spatz for three years. A trombone student with David Wampler for five years, 16 year old Alfred Brewer is the son of Ellen and Peter Brewer from Great Barrington, MA. Sophia Cohen, age 11, has studied piano with Jean Stackhouse for six years. She lives in Lee, MA with parents Stephanie and Dan Cohen. Hallie Novak, age 13, has studied piano with Amy Renak for eight years. She is the daughter of Sarah and Glenn Novak of Richmond, MA. Elaina Pullano, age 17, has studied voice with Jack Brown for seven years. She lives in Dalton, MA with parents Michelle and Mark Pullano. Dylan Renner has studied violin at BMS with Alla Zernitskaya and Eileen Markland for seven years. The 17 year old is the son of Michelle and David Moore of South Lee, MA.
Berkshire Music School scholarship funds are raised, in part, during the annual Music Marathon and private donors. Each year approximately $15,000 is distributed for need-based and merit scholarships.
Celebrate Your Next Event At BMS
BMS offers nonprofit and for profit rates. You may also book faculty members who perform with professional groups, from folk and guitar, piano and vocals, to chamber music and jazz. Fees vary. Contact Tracy Wilson: 413.442.1411; twilson@berkshiremusicschool.org