Level I/II
Made up of adults with varying degrees of experience and ability. Designed for new students.
Mondays 6:00 – 7:30 pm. Limit 10
Fee: $300
10 weeks

Level III
Prerequisites are the completion of Level I/II and the passing of a vocal audition. Performance opportunities available.
Mondays 7:45-9:30 pm. Limit 8:
Fee: $350
10 weeks

2nd term: starting February 28, 2011

Sherri James Buxton first appeared professional at the age of seventeen as The Girl in an off Broadway production of The Fantastiks. She has performed on Broadway and in summer stock at The Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera and Kansas City Starlight. Sherri has appeared in numerous nightclubs and cabarets including Dangerfield’s and Playstreet in New York City.

As a jazz singer, Sherri took part in the International workshop, “Jazz in July”, where she performed with Sheila Jordan and Billy Taylor. She has also appeared at the Pittsfield Jazz Festival and her jazz group, the Sherri James Buxton Trio, was the main attraction in the Cranwell Resort “Music Room” supper club for several years

In the Berkshires, Sherri has performed at several local venues including The Colonial Theatre, Asters, Cranwell Resort and Castle Street Café. She is on the voice faculty at the Berkshire Music School where she teaches the very successful Adult Cabaret Workshops, and has performed with her Cabaret-To-Go group. She is also an on the Colonial Theatre Education Committee. Cabaret-To-Go consists of the advanced Adult Cabaret Workshop members. Cabaret-To-Go has provided entertainment at several local venues including The Colonial Theatre, Ventfort Hall, Arrowhead, The Norman Rockwell Museum, Pittsfield’s Third Thursdays and The Clark, as well as on WAMC radio. Cabaret-To-Go is approaching its eighth year.

Sherri is a music specialist for the Central Berkshire Regional School District and is on the Colonial Theatre Education Committee. Her article, “Look What These Kids Can Do: Teaching Music to Children with Autism” was published in the summer edition of “Massachusetts Music News”.

Bob Shepherd has had a lifetime of experience in solo, small jazz groups and big band formats and is a first-call vocal accompanist in western New England, specializing in the Great American Songbook. He has been pianist with the Adult Cabaret program since 2004. Bob owns a sound recording studio where he performs voiceovers and works closely with vocalists as he creates showcase CD’s backed by his full-band settings.

• Flute, guitar – $180
• Violin, viola, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, sax, French horn – $230
• Double bass, bassoon, cello – $260

• 30-minute ($986.00),
• 45-minute ($1317.50), or
• 60-minute ($1768.00)

Or share a lesson with a friend or family member. ($660/34 weeks)

Or try the BMS Sampler of three 30-minute lessons in an instrument of your choice, including voice. $100 includes the registration fee. (For new students only)

Private, individualized instruction is available at BMS in these instruments and fields:

• Piano
• Electronic keyboard
• Violin
• Viola
• Cello
• Double bass
• Guitar
• Flute
• Clarinet
• Oboe
• English horn
• Bassoon
• Saxophone
• Recorder
• Trumpet
• Cornet
• French horn
• Trombone
• Baritone horn
• Voice
• Percussion
• Theory
• Composition

Lessons for College Credit

BMS offers lessons for credit at Berkshire Community College (Pittsfield) and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (North Adams). High school, college, and adult students who desire college credit can register as BCC or MCLA students, paying tuition at BMS with waived tuition from the colleges. Private lessons earn three credit hours per 15-week semester. Payment in full is required at time of registration.

Fee: $581.25/45-minute lessons + $30 registration fee;
$780/60-minute lessons + $30 registration fee

BMS Orchestra with Norman Thibodeau, coach/conductor – Community musicians are invited to join BMS students to perform expanded chamber repertoire. Members of the Stockbridge Sinfonia who participate for free serve as section mentors. Students are encouraged to consult their teachers to determine their readiness for this ensemble. Ages 10 – adult.

Tuesdays, 5:15 – 6:45 pm;
Fee: $60 BMS students; $100 Non BMS students/10 weeks.
1st term: starting October 5, 2010
2nd term: starting February 1, 2011

The orchestra is supported in part by the Gia Cox Caird Scholarship Fund

Jazz Ensemble with Bill Chapman – Learn the art of jazz! Sessions will include theory, ear training, solo improvisation, and ensemble playing.

Mondays, 4:30 – 5:45 pm
Fee: $200
1st term: starting September 27, 2010
10 weeks
2nd term: starting February 27, 2011

Berkshire Music School Ensembles – Professionally coached ensembles! Weekly sessions starting September 27, 2010
Fee: $180. Choice of fifteen 60-minute, or ten 90-minute sessions.

Flute Choir – For mid-level to advanced players of all ages on piccolo, c flute, alto & bass flute; with Sharon Powers.

String Ensemble – Both adult and student levels, from beginner to advanced; with Bing Liu.

Mixed Notes – Combination of unique instruments, for mid-level players of all ages; with various BMS faculty. Create your own combination, or form a family band.

Thanks to Berkshire Productions, clips of the winning performances available at Berkshire Productions.

Students appearing in order on the video, their selections, and scholarship award:

Honorable Mention – Hallie Novak, age 13, piano. Amy Renak, BMS Faculty member.

Le Petit Ane Blanc by Jacques Ibert
Nocturne in C# minor (posthumous) by Frederic Chopin
Honorable Mention

Honorable Mention – Alfred Brewer, age 16, trombone. David Wampler, BMS Faculty member

Endure, Endure. Air from St. Mathew Passion by J.S. Bach
Fantasie by Yvonne Desports

Honorable Mention – Sophia Cohen, age 11, piano. Jean Stackhouse, BMS Faculty member

Abandoned Playhouse and Crystal Cage by Jacques Ibert
Invention by J.S. Bach

Third Place – Elaina Pullano, age 17, voice. Jack Brown, BMS Faculty member

Batti, Batti, o bel Masetto by W.A. Mozart
Ouvre ton Coeur by Georges Bizet

Second Place – Gabriella Makuc, age 15, piano. Jean Stackhouse, BMS Faculty member

Porcelain Doll from Prole do Bebe by Heitor Villa-Lobos
Toccata by Claude Debussy

First Place – Yeejin Yuk, age 12, piano. Jean Stackhouse, BMS Faculty member

Cat and Mouse by Aaron Copland
Sonata in C minor, first movement by Ludvig van Beethoven

The Berkshire Music School gives the gift of a lifetime every time you give! Donations to the annual fund, the capital “Tune-Up,” bequests and scholarships all perpetuate the joy of music. To discuss the many ways of giving on a personal note, please call Executive Director, Tracy Wilson: 413.442.1411, ext 12. Or click here to download donation form.

Annual Fund Categories:

$50-99 Friend

$100-249 Player

$250-499 Section Leader

$500-999 First Chair

$1,000-2,499 Principal

$2,500-9,999 Virtuoso

$10,000-24,999 Maestro’s Circle

$25,000 & above Founder’s Society

Annual and Endowed Scholarship Opportunities
Every year the Berkshire Music School provides financial assistance through need-based and merit scholarships. Please consider making a lasting legacy to enable a student to study music with a highly qualified instructor in a nurturing environment.

Annual Named Scholarship – $500 – $1,000
A one-time contribution for $500 up to $1,000 will provide partial financial assistance for a student to take a full year of private lessons. This scholarship can be named for departed loved one, a foundation, or group.

Half Endowed Named Scholarship – $20,000
A contribution of $20,000 will establish a scholarship, in perpetuity, for 50% of one full year of study. This scholarship can be named for departed loved one, a foundation, or group.

Fully Endowed Named Scholarship – $40,000
A contribution of $40,000 will establish a scholarship in perpetuity for one full year of private music lessons. This scholarship can be named for departed loved one, a foundation, or group.