In Sunday’s (7/24) Berkshire Eagle (Pittsfield, Massachusetts), Clarence Fanto writes, “A big welcome mat is out for families at Tanglewood, even though it won’t be a musical theme-park. That’s the message of a concerted campaign to enhance the newly family-friendly ambiance at the Boston Symphony’s summer home and help develop the music audiences of the future. This summer, the BSO has added or expanded free access and activities as well as low-price deals and perks for concerts and weekly rehearsals previously off-limits to the public. The Friday morning closed rehearsals inside the Shed are now open to youngsters entering third grade or above this fall accompanied by a family member. The project is coordinated by the orchestra’s year-round, locally based Berkshire Education and Community Programs Manager Darlene White. The BSO has also announced that lawn admission to the Friday, Aug. 12, concert is free for anyone, thanks to a grant from the Highland Street Foundation of Newton, which purchased thousands of lawn tickets that normally cost $9 per adult on Fridays. … Last Friday at Tanglewood, dozens of children sat close-up in the Shed as guest conductor Jaap van Zweden led violinist Arabella Steinbacher through a final rehearsal of the Brahms Violin Concerto, part of Saturday night’s BSO concert.”
Posted July 27, 2011
