This year’s Workshop Program was a resounding success. Students attended masterclasses and lessons to hone their performance skills, focusing both on solo and chamber repertoire. While the program only lasted two weeks, it provided the students with a wealth of knowledge and experience. Our talented faculty performed in recitals almost every evening, introducing students to a variety of styles and repertoire. For the entirety of the program the campus was a flurry of musical activity, as students worked to implement the new techniques discussed in class earlier that day. 

Even with such a busy schedule, the students still found time to have fun. A small group of students braved the rainy weather to attend dance performances at Jacob’s Pillow. Student Life also hosted two hikes up Monument Mountain one Saturday morning; the students were able to explore the natural beauty of the Berkshires and its wildlife.  On the Fourth of July, the remaining Workshop students partook in a dodgeball tournament, followed by a screening of the BSO Fireworks.

As the end of the program neared, it was time for the students to demonstrate what they had learned. Each workshop program had a recital showcasing its students’ hard work. For many students it would be the first of many wonderful performances as they grow into talented artists and take the first steps forward into the world of music. To celebrate the culmination of two weeks of music and magic, Student Life transformed the dining hall into a fiesta with burritos, nachos, churros, and non-alcoholic sangria. Students enjoyed their Mexican cuisine surrounded by streamers, a piñata, and other colorful decorations.