Pretend that you are in 9th grade. Then fantasize about being on stage, sharing the piano bench with jazz legend Dave Brubeck, performing “Take the ‘A’ Train”. That dream came true for BMS student Sam Landes during the 5th annual Pittsfield CityJazz Festival. Landes played piano with Brubeck during the Berkshires Jazz Youth Ensemble’s finale October 17 at the Colonial Theatre. He is the son of Brenda and Fred Landes, and a BMS student of Jean Stackhouse. (See video of Sam with Mr. Brubeck on BerkshireLinks.com.)
Jacqueline Doucette earned praise from Berkshire Eagle critic Richard Houdek for “demonstrated supreme poise” in her vocal numbers with Berkshires Jazz Youth Ensemble. She sang “How High the Moon” and “Summertime.” A BMS voice student of Jack Brown, the Pittsfield High School Junior is the daughter of Michelle and Paul Doucette.
BMS alumni joining the Berkshires Jazz Youth Ensemble for the festival included: Alfred Brewer, trombone; Will Demick, tenor sax; and Andrew Smith, percussion.
Another highlight of the festival involved a guitar masterclass with the noted Frank Vignola at the Berkshire Music School October 15. Fourteen enthusiasts of advanced to intermediate levels participated, along with an audience of observers. Hailed as one of the most accomplished, multi-dimensional guitarists “walking the planet today,” composer and improviser Vignola plays proficiently in every genre, from jazz to bluegrass. He has worked with top musicians worldwide, recording with Donald Fagen, jamming with David Grisman, and acting as Les Paul’s right-hand man.
Berkshire Music School Merit Scholarship Winners 2010
On Saturday, June 5, Berkshire Music School Merit Scholarship Winners performed in recital on stage at the Colonial Theatre. These students competed on Saturday, May 8th in front of an unbiased panel of judges who included Andrew Pincus, Berkshire Eagle music critic, Andrea Goodman, choral conductor, and Sara Jobin, pianist/opera conductor. Winners were selected based on their level of ability and age. These students will receive a scholarship to support their study at Berkshire Music School next year.
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