Learn how to play nice at Berkshire Music School Summer Camps BMS String Camp: Beginners will meet in groups to work on tone production, proper positions, intonation, and bowing.  Alternating groups will concentrate on theory and sight reading.  The morning will end working as a string orchestra, learning repertoire and ensemble skills.  Groups will be formed the first morning of the week, to determine level of ability, age range, interest, etc. August 4 – 8, 9:15 am. – 12:15 pm.  Ages 6 – 10.  Fee $150.  Minimum enrollment:   Eight.   BMS Choir Camp: The class will offer the opportunity for young singers and instrumentalists to improve their sight reading and sight singing skills. Students will learn solfege, ear training, and work on songs in unison and harmony. Performance opens to the public at the end of the final class. Carolina Carry, instructor. July 21 – 25, 9:15 pm – 12:15  pm.  Ages 7 – 14.  Fee:  $150.  Minimum enrollment:  Eight.  Nature’s Music: Tari Wheeler Roosa leads parent and child on an exploration of the natural world through music, movement, storytelling and instruments.  Designed for families with young children and siblings. August 11- 15.  10 – 11 AM.  Ages 6 months – 5 years.  Fee:  $60 Minimum enrollment:  Five. BEHIND THE VELVET CURTAIN:  Opera Workshop for Kids.  The Berkshire Music School, in collaboration with the Berkshire Opera Company and the Berkshire Museum, invite you to enter the amazing and exciting world of opera through the door of Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro. Learn about the composer, the music, and the libretto of this operatic comedy. Learn about all the arts and artists involved in an opera production. Create your own miniature sets, opera characters, and costumes.  Learn arias and act out scenes from the opera. Visit the Opera behind the scenes at the beautiful Colonial Theatre, attend a performance and meet singers, costume and/or set designers.  August 11 – 15, 9:15 am – 12:15 pm.  Fee:  $150 plus a $30 materials fee.  LEVEL I- children going into first, second or third grades.  Minimum enrollment:  Eight.  NEW!!!  LEVEL II- Students going into fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh or eighth grade.  1:15 – 4:15 pm.  Fee:  $150 plus a $30 materials fee.  Tuition includes a free ticket to a matinee performance of Marriage of Figaro.  Students’ works from the workshop will be displayed in the Colonial Theatre’s lobby during the run of the opera.  Workshop conceived and presented by d’Arte a Musica, founded by Carolina Carry and Pam Koehler as a multidisciplinary educational initiative dedicated to Art, Theater, and Music.  More specifically, d’Arte a Musica seeks to create bridges between the performing and visual arts of children and adults alike. Minimum enrollment:  Eight.  Private Music Lessons: Students may sign up for private lessons in half hour increments (at least two lessons over the summer, or weekly). July through August.  All Ages, all levels, all instruments and voice.  Please call to arrange times and teacher, 413-442-1411. Flute Ensemble: For intermediate and adult players; extensive repertoire and technique sessions with Sharon Powers.  Several performance opportunities at end of session. Mondays and Wednesdays, July 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23.   5:15 – 7:15 pm.  Fee:  $150. Minimum enrollment:  Six.   Cabaret for Adults: Cabaret students work with professional musicians Sherri James Buxton: voice, and Bob Shepherd: piano.  Sessions will include vocal coachings in small groups, repertoire development, and experimentation with keys.  Last day of class includes a public performance.Minimum enrollment:  Six for each level. Level I /II- Fulfill that dream of being onstage! Learn the art of Cabaret performance, jazz repertoire, microphone technique, and stage presence.   Mondays, July 7, 14, 21, 28, August 4, 11 and 18 (final performance).  Level I/II 5:45 pm.; “Cabaret to Go” 8:00.   Fee:  $275.  “Cabaret to Go” Advanced Level- Requires the completion of Level I, and a vocal audition; previous “Cabaret to Go” members need not audition.  NEW!!!  Jazz in July Summer Workshop: A one week program for instrumental students ages 10 – 16 years old.  This performing ensemble will cover music from the turn of the century to modern day.  The music is arranged and class is taught by Tom Briggs, and will be adjusted to the proficiency level of each student.  All instrumentalists are welcome to join, including string players.  The music will be fun, educational, challenging, and diverse in style and content.  Students will receive instruction in jazz improvisation, proper counting, jazz rhythm, and interpretation.  On the final Friday class, a public performance will be given.  Tom Briggs is a percussionist with the U.S. Coast Guard Band and has a degree in Jazz Performance from Berkeley.   July 14 – 18, 9:30 – 11:30 am.  Fee:  $100.  Minimum enrollment:  Eight                NEW!!!  Working Towards Your Inner Idol: Singing Workshop for Teens: Tailored for voices ages 13 – 18, learn musical theatre and jazz repertoire, microphone technique, and stage presence with professional musicians Sherri James Buxton: voice, and Bob Shepherd: piano.  Sessions will include vocal coachings in small groups, repertoire development and experimentation with keys.  Last day of class includes a public performance. July 14 -18.  9:30 AM – 12:30 PM.  Fee:  $300 Min.  enrollment:  Six.    ALL Summer, July-August(Camps/Programs), For more information contact Jo Ann Losinger, 442-1411, jlosinger@berkshiremusicschool.org For more Infromation about BMS and the Camps Click Here Earth in Our Hands Ethnic Urban Community Garden Be a part of the “Mother Garden,” an ongoing Urban Community Gardening Workshop for youth, children, and all those inspired to expand their knowledge.  The educational experience includes: sustainable organic agriculture, working together for community change across all class, color, age, ability, and language lines.  There will also be community-based art making to honor the Earth, and storytelling to instill Earth-centered values.  The focus ages are 3-12, 12-21 and anyone else who may have a passion for learning about the community and agriculture.  It is open to all community members and a sliding fee scale based on income level from $0-10 per youth per workshop day is requested.  Reservations required and there will be a monthly workshop throughout the 2008 gardening season depending on the level of participation.  So come join in.   Saturday, Contact Anaelisa below for July Date (how to get involved), 10am-12pm, @ the Common Earth House of Manos Unidas, 366 Fenn St, Pittsfield, for more information contact Anaelisa, 243-9121, manosunidasorg@gmail.com, $0-10  Click Here to Check out the Manos Unidas Site Bocce Tournament and Bonfire ITAM Junior lodge is hosting a Bocce Tournament and accompanying bonfire.  For ages 10-18 you can come learn to play bocce and enjoy a bonfire with s’mores, snacks, and beverages.  It only costs 5 dollars.    Sunday, July 6th, 6-10pm, ITAM Lodge, 93 Waubeek, contact Joan Fields at 281-2638 or Angel Lampiasi at 442-3242, $5 Link to ITAM website, Click HERE Program and Audition Opportunities at Barrington Stage Company Barrington Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd, is holding open auditions for adults and children for one of the greatest novels of the 20th Century, Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize winning “To Kill A Mockingbird” in BSC’s Fall Mainstage Season from October 8 through 26. It is an artful and compassionate story of innocence, courage and what it means to be a family.  Auditions for men, ages 40-60, Young women to play an 18 year old girl,Girls who can play ages 9-10, and Boys who can play ages11-13, will be held on Saturday, June 28, from 1pm to 3pm at BSC’s Stage 2at the VFW Hall, 36 Linden Street in Pittsfield.  Set in Depression-era Maycomb, Alabama in the 1930s, Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” is the coming of age story of Jean Louise “Scout” Finch, thedaughter of Atticus, a lawyer who, despite threats to himself and his family,defends a black man accused of assaulting a white woman. The narrator of thestory, a grown-up Scout, looks back at her childhood, delivering a powerful message about prejudice, injustice, and humanity.  Men between the ages of 40-60 will be seen for a wide variety of roles. Also casting the role of Mayella, a 19 year-old, lonely, poor, overworked girl, afraid to tell the truth. Children’s roles include Scout (girl 9 – 11) – A tomboy, spunky and head strong, and Jem (boy 11-13) Scout’s olderbrother and protector, a young man on the brink of manhood. Those auditioning should bring a headshot and resume, and be prepared to perform a 2-3 minute contemporary dramatic monologue of his/her choice using a Southern accent. Those auditioning may also be asked to stay and read a scene from the play. Rehearsals will begin September 18, 2008 and performances will run October 8 through 26, 2008.  Performers must commit to the rehearsal schedule (Tuesday through Sunday) and performance schedule (Wednesday through Sunday, October 8 through 26).   To schedule an audition appointment call BSC Office Manager, Katie Johnson, at 413-499-5446 ext. 100. Join the Exciting KidsAct! Acting, Improv, etc. Drama Program  Join a great Saturday program at Berkshire Community College.  An Exciting Dramatic Acting Experience designed for ages 8-15 for comprehensive performance training.  Classes include acting/improve, movement, stage combat, mask and mime. At the conclusion of the program a performance of ORIGINAL music written and performed by the participants!  Registration starts now and you can do it on the form from the Barrington Stage Website or you can call the program director.  If you have any questions feel free to call!  Cynthia Saunders 499-5446 ext.118, education@barringtonstageco.org, $200 (partial scholarships available based on need) Auditions for Summer Staged reading of Play Barrington Stage Company is holding open auditions for boys who can play age 9 -10 for staged reading of the new play “Believer” by Lee Kalcheim.  Auditions for boys who can play ages 9-10 will be held on Saturday, June21 from 11am-12pm at BSC’s Stage 2 at the VFW Hall, 36 Linden Street in Pittsfield. Astronomer Howard Bonnard is having a peculiar midlife crisis. It’s Christmas and his precocious 9 year old son has decided he no longer believes in Santa Claus. Howard, disenchanted with organized religion, decides that Santa is the one being who’s really worth believing in. Who is the adult? Who’s the child?  Seeking to fill the role of Steven, 9-10 years old, smart, precocious, sweetbut with a slight wise guy edge. He's a boy trying to be a grown up. Those auditioning should bring a headshot and resume, and be prepared to perform a 2-3 minute contemporary dramatic monologue of their choice. Those auditioning may also be asked to stay and read a scene from the play.  Performers must commit to rehearsals on July 25th and 26th, and performances  on July 27th at 3pm and 7:30pm.  To schedule an audition appointment call BSC Office Manager, Katie Johnson, at 413-499-5446 ext. 100. To Check out BSC's Website Click HERE Summer Theater Camp for Students Taconic High School will host a Summer Theater Camp for students interested in exploring theatre games and exercises, improvisation activities, mime, character study, stage combat, group scenes and monologues.  The camp will have two sessions.  Session I will run from July 7—11 for students in grades 6-8.  Session II will run from July 14-18 for students in high school.  Both sessions will begin at 9am and finish at 12pm.  The registration fee is $150 per student, per session.  All students must register by June 30; a late fee of $50 will apply to students who register after June 30.    July 7-11, July 14-18, @ THS, for more information and to register please contact Jessica A Guzzo, at 448-9634 or jguzzo@pittsfield.net, $150 Youth Can Be Linked to Experienced Artists in Storefront Artist Projects Mentor Program The Storefront Artist Project is looking for high school students interested in the arts for this summer’s program.  Whether they want to beef up their portfolio for college or just want to try something new; they should be committed to carrying the Mentor project through and interested in learning from an experienced artist.  It is free and as with all Storefront productions they will expect that students in the program and visitors to the exhibition will come from all walks for life, represent diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds as well as various income levels.  The Storefront’s Mentor Program is a distinctive in that it provides students with training in the studio of the mentor.  The student works with the mentor to create a body of work in the chosen field (painting, printmaking, sculpture, photo etc).    Planned Timeline for 2008 Exhibit and Programming: Summer: 2 mentors with 2 students each Fall: 2 Mentors with 2 students each Exhibit in January 2009 with the work of each student  Summer-Fall, Storefront Artist Project, 124 Fenn Street, 442-7201, mail@storefrontartist.org, FREE To Check out the Storefront Artist Site Click HERE 11th Annual Short Story Writing Contest for Young Adults The Berkshire Athenaeum and The Friends of the Berkshire Athenaeum are pleased to announce the 11th Annual Short Story Writing Contest for Young Adults. Contest opens Monday, June 9, 2008.  Forms available at the Children’s desk.  There will be two divisions (Aged 11 – 14 and Aged 15 – 18 If there are not at least ten (10) entries in each one, the divisions will be combined.  Depending upon entries received, the following prizes will be awarded in each division: First Place will receive a $35.00 cash prize, Second Place will receive a $25.00 cash prize, and Honorable Mentions will receive $20.00 cash prizes.  Stories will be judged on their originality, appeal, and writing style. Each contestant should submit her/his story to the Berkshire Athenaeum Children’s Library (1 Wendell Avenue, Pittsfield, MA 01201); and all entries, whether delivered in person or by mail, must be received by 4:00 PM on Monday, July 14, 2008.Winning entries, honorable mentions and works of merit will be bound and added to the collection of the Berkshire Athenaeum, so community members may read and enjoy them! All entries become property of the Berkshire Athenaeum. Winners will be notified by telephone, and a list of winners will also be posted in the Children’s Library after August 18, 2008.  A reception for ALL participants will be held on Friday, August 22, 2008 at 1:00 PM.  The speaker will be local author, J. Peter Bergman, who will then award the prizes to the winners.   Refreshments to follow.  RULES:1. Your story must be your own original work. 2. Type your story (minimum 12 point font), or PRINT it in INK as neatly as possible (Entrants should type or print stories themselves if at all feasible; age-appropriate spelling & grammar mistakes, etc. are acceptable). 3. Use 8-1/2 x 11 inch paper, leaving a 1-1/2 inch margin on the left side. 4. Use only one side of the paper. 5. Do not write your name on your story *entry forms available at library*             PLEASE USE A PAPERCLIP – STAPLES ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE. 6. Limit your story to four (4) pages and Number each page (do not number any cover pages). 7. Do not include any artwork. 8. Only one story may be submitted per person. 9. All entries, whether dropped off in person or mailed, must be received by the Berkshire Athenaeum Children’s Library (1 Wendell Avenue, Pittsfield, MA 01201) by 4:00 PM on July 14, 2008.  STORIES NOT FOLLOWING THESE RULES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE.   30th Annual Short Story Writing Contest for Children Contest opens Monday, June 9, 2008.  Forms available at the Children’s desk. There will be three divisions (Aged 5 – 6 years; Aged 7 - 8 years; Aged 9 –10 years). If there are not at least ten (10) entries in a division, it will be combined with another.Depending upon entries received, the following prizes will be awarded in each division: First Place will receive a $35.00 cash prize, Second Place will receive a $25.00 cash prize, and Honorable Mentions will receive $20.00 cash prizes.Stories will be judged on their originality, appeal, and writing style. Each contestant should submit her/his story to the Berkshire Athenaeum Children’s Library (1 Wendell Avenue, Pittsfield, MA 01201); and all entries, whether delivered in person or by mail, must be received by 4:00 PM on Monday, July 14, 2008.  Winning entries, honorable mentions and works of merit will be bound and added to the collection of the Berkshire Athenaeum, so community members may read and enjoy them! All entries become property of the Berkshire Athenaeum. Winners will be notified by telephone, and a list of winners will also be posted in the Children’s Library after August 18, 2008.  A reception, for ALL participants, will be held on Friday, August 22, 2008 at 1:00 PM, when prizes will be awarded to winners. RULES:1. Your story must be your own original work. 2. Type your story (minimum 12 point font), or PRINT it in INK as neatly as possible (Entrants should type or print stories themselves if at all feasible; age-appropriate spelling & grammar mistakes, etc. are acceptable). 3. Use 8-1/2 x 11 inch paper, leaving a 1-1/2 inch margin on the left side. 4. Use only one side of the paper. 5. Do not write your name on your story: Entry forms are available at library or online*       PLEASE USE A PAPERCLIP – STAPLES ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE. 6. Limit your story to four (4) pages and Number each page (do not number any cover pages) 7. Do not include any artwork. 8. Only one story may be submitted per person. 9. All entries, whether dropped off in person or mailed, must be received by the Berkshire Athenaeum Children’s Library (1 Wendell Avenue, Pittsfield, MA 01201) by 4:00 PM on July 14, 2008.   For more information contact the Children’s Library 499-9480 ext, 203 or email at jpearson@cwmars.org, Free To Find out More about the Contests and Fill out Entry Form Pittsfield High School Students Pain for Pittsfield's 4th CityJazz Festival Dozens of students from Pittsfield’s two public high schools participated in a contest to create the poster art for the fourth annual Pittsfield CityJazz Festival, to be held from Oct. 10-19.   Art teachers engaged in the project were Colleen Quinn (Pittsfield High School) and Marybeth Eldridge (Taconic High School). They report that the students had a great time learning about Jazz, and incorporating that newfound knowledge into the projects. The contest was an engaging way to help spread the word --and the fun-- of Jazz, America’s cultural gift to the world.  Winning entries were announced and displayed at the “Art in Schools” exhibit at Pittsfield’s Lichtenstein Center for the Arts. The work of the three prize winners and five honorable mentions were on display until June 7.Cash prizes and/or gift certificates to Miller Supply were awarded to the top three prize winners (all from Pittsfield High School): 1st Place - Courtney Schanz 2nd Place - Melissa Chaffee 3rd Place - Ryder DeLeo   Honorable mentions: Alethea Couchman and Stephanie Van Bramer from Taconic High School; Joyceline Affou, Christian Austin and Joshua Menard from PHS.  Judges were graphic designer Mark Tomasi of Berkshire Bank, Pittsfield Youth Coordinator Cassandra Ynocencio, and Megan Whilden, Director of the City’s Office of Cultural Development. Project coordinator was Art Niedeck, a Jazz musician, music educator, and member of the Pittsfield CityJazz Festival steering committee. For more info click link and look for pictures and articles about the CityJazz fest and Student Art YMCA Youth Soccer for Fall Season Pittsfield Family YMCA Youth Soccer ranges from ages 3 (preschool) to 8th grade and Registration is open June 6 to August 1.  It is Boys and Girls Soccer and all games are played at Berkshire Community College.  Senior Division games on Saturdays and Wednesdays.  The season starts Sept 6 - Oct 25.  Cost is $40 for members of the YMCA and $70 for non-members.  Financial Assistance is available and the YMCA would be happy to provide more information about assistance.  The goals of the program are to teach participants the skills of soccer while ensuring equal playing time for all participants, putting winning in perspective, teaching teamwork, and developing positive attitudes about fair play and learn respect for teammates and members of other teams.     Register until August 1, Fall League (Sept 6 – Oct 25), BCC and Pittsfield YMCA, for more information contact Sharon Wong at 499-7650 x 42, or at sharrun20@aim.com To Check Out the Pittsfield YMCA website Click Here Free Summer Opportunities for Youth thanks to the Berkshire Athenaeum The Athenaeum in Pittsfield loans museum passes that provide free or reduced general admission to museums and places of interest.  Passes are available to the following area attractions: Arrowhead, Berkshire Museum: Hancock Shaker Village, Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Mass MoCA, Massachusetts state parks ParksPass, Norman Rockwell Museum, Clark Institute, The Mount, and Ventford Hall.  Borrowers must have a library card in good standing.  Passes are loaned for one day with no renewals.  They book quickly so interested patrons make their reservations early.  Detailed information, as well as an online reservation program is available at their website below.  Also a bookmark style handout that summarizes the Museum Pass information is available at the library and are there for families or if a group/organization/school would like to distribute them to their students and youth.     Summer, Berkshire Athenaeum, for more information contact, Madeline Kelly at 499-9480 x 158, FREE  www.pittsfieldlibrary.org You can remove yourself from this e-mail list by clicking this link.. 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