This past Sunday, July 20th, BUTI held its first annual 5K in Lenox- drawing over 80 students, BSO members, and faculty members. The race lasted a total of 50 minutes, with student Jonathan Eng coming in first place, shortly followed by custodian Joseph Orlowski in second, and stage crew member Arthur Thovmasian in third.

The 5K started on Yokun Avenue, continued onto Cliffwood Street and Undermountain Road, and then ended at the West Lot at the Tanglewood Maingrounds. Students said it was a fun course to follow – the hills made it challenging, but the views on Undermountain Road made it worthwhile.

Joon Lee, the RA who planned the entire event, says that his drive in making the 5K a reality for the institute came from a desire to see students pace and push themselves mentally and physically outside of the classroom.

“Although BUTI is recognized internationally as the premiere summer training program for aspiring high school musicians, we would like to give an opportunity for students to grow beyond their musical studies, ” he wrote in his proposal plan to the town. The experience, he said, would be unique for the students.

To participate in the race, students were encouraged to donate $5 to the BUTI 5K Fund Box. All of the proceeds went to the  Lenox Library for the board members to use for programming and events. Lee and other BUTI staff members were happy to report that there was a total of $513 to donate to the organization.

“It was a great day,” Lee said. “We not only got to see the students reach the finish line, but we also gave back to our summer community.”