PITTSFIELD, Mass. — For the 2024-2025 academic year, Berkshire Music School (BMS) will offer increased need-based financial aid for private lessons, as well as talent- and merit-based scholarships to attract musicians in the region.

 

Students accepted into BMS' Talent & Merit Scholarship Program will benefit from financial assistance, up to 100 percent tuition. 

 

In the 2023-2024 academic year, Berkshire Music School awarded more than $28,000 in need-based financial aid and merit-based scholarships to 32 students. 

 

Auditions will be held by appointment on Saturday, June 15 for a panel of Berkshire Music School faculty. Auditions are open to the entire community, and musicians do not have to be a current BMS student to be considered. BMS encourages people of all ages and diverse backgrounds to audition for these scholarships.

 

For the audition, instrumentalists and guitarists should be prepared to perform the following: major and minor scales in two or more octaves, as requested by the panel and two songs of your choice in contrasting styles. Vocalists should be prepared to sing two songs in contrasting styles. Instrumentalists should be prepared to perform without accompaniment; vocalists may perform to pre-recorded accompaniment that they provide. BMS will not be providing an accompanist.

 

Each audition will last 5 - 7 minutes. To schedule an audition, musicians should email Executive Director Luis Granda at lgranda@berkshiremusicschool.org and include their training and/or performance background as a musician. For those who cannot attend on June 15, contact Luis Granda at the above email or contact the office at 413-442-1411.