Boston University Tanglewood Institute

The Boston University Tanglewood Institute (BUTI) is a summer festival for high school musicians located in Lenox, Massachusetts, USA under the auspices of the Boston University College of Fine Arts. For decades it has been regarded as a leading American center of advanced music education for young and talented performers.

Programs

Young Artists Orchestra

The Young Artists Orchestra is a six-week program focused on all aspects of instrumental performance, combining rigorous preparation of orchestral repertoire with an intensive program of chamber music study, solo master classes, and optional private lessons.

The Young Artists Orchestra prepares a wide variety of repertoire, which in previous seasons has included Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2, Stravinsky’s Symphony in Three Movements, Bartok’s Concerto for Orchestra, Mahler’s Symphony Nos. 1 & 5, Holst’s The Planets, Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2, Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 11 and Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet. The Orchestra presents three concerts in Seiji Ozawa Hall on the Tanglewood Main Grounds, as well as a performance in the Koussevitzky Music Shed as part of the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Tanglewood On Parade.

Students also receive regular chamber music coaching with artist-teachers such as David Martins of Boston University, Eric Larson of the Houston Symphony, and the T’ang String Quartet, BUTI’s string quartet-in-residence from 2001 to 2005. Formal chamber music concerts are held in the Chamber Music Hall on the main grounds of Tanglewood and at the Trinity Church in Lenox. Master classes are given by distinguished guest artists such as Pamela Frank (violin), Norman Fischer (cello) Barry Tuckwell (horn), and Lynn Harrell and students may elect to take private lessons with members of the BUTI faculty and the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Students receive a full-season pass to attend rehearsals and performances by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra, and guest artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Gil Shaham, Yefim Bronfman, Emanuel Ax, Midori, Joshua Bell, Christian Tetzlaff, and the Juilliard and Emerson String Quartets.

Young Artists Wind Ensemble

The Young Artists Wind Ensemble offers students the chance to study and perform a wide variety of wind ensemble and chamber repertoire, while taking advantage of the extensive opportunities offered by the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Tanglewood Music Festival.

Under the direction of outstanding wind conductor and pedagogue David Martins and internationally renowned wind ensemble conductor H. Robert Reynolds, students prepare major works from the wind ensemble repertoire, presenting concerts in Seiji Ozawa Hall on the Tanglewood Main Grounds. Daily chamber music coaching with artist-teachers of the Vento Chiaro Wind Quintet and Triton Brass Quintet give students the opportunity for individual attention in chamber music repertoire. Chamber groups perform in weekly performance classes and recitals, which provide a forum for students to receive feedback from their faculty and peers. Weekly guest master classes with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and other distinguished teachers allow students to focus on technique and solo repertoire specific to their instruments.

Students attend closed Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) rehearsals, and receive a full-season pass to all BSO and Tanglewood Music Center performances.

Young Artists Vocal Program

The Young Artist Vocal Program of the Boston University Tanglewood Institute (BUTI), for students age 15 through 18, provides a comprehensive curriculum designed to immerse young vocalists in the art of classical singing. Classes include movement, acting, diction, written and aural theory, weekly private lessons and repertoire coachings. Each student also participates in voice class twice a week, taught by Professors Phyllis Hoffman and Penelope Bitzas and/or James Demler. Dr. Ann Howard Jones leads daily rehearsals of the Young Artists Chorus. Weekly master classes are presented by guest artists and master teachers such as Phyllis Curtin, Sharon Daniels, Joy McIntyre and Joel Revzen. Students are featured in numerous performance including solo recitals, productions of opera scenes, and choral concerts in Seiji Ozawa Hall and the Koussevitzky Music Shed on the Tanglewood Main Grounds.

BUTI enjoys an on-going relationship with the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) and the Tanglewood Music Center (TMC). Students receive a full-season pass to attend rehearsals and performances by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra, and guest artists such as Renee Fleming, Deborah Voigt, Mattias Goerne, and Dawn Upshaw. In the past, our singers have collaborated with the BSO and Seiji Ozawa in a performance of Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and with the TMC Vocal Fellows in a performance of Sometime Voices as part of the Festival of Contemporary Music with composer, George Benjamin, at the podium. Our singers have also appeared in the TMC’s opera production of Ravel’s L’enfant et les sortilège under the baton of Maestro Robert Spano and this season, will again perform with the TMC Vocal Fellows in the Bach Chorale Project led by the renowned Bach scholar and conductor Craig Smith.

Young Artists Composition Program

The Young Artists Composition Program offers composers the opportunity to concentrate on composing, while taking advantage of all the resources of the summer music festival. There are daily composers' classes in orchestration, score analysis, composition techniques, creative strategies, as well as weekly private lessons and classes in theory and musicianship. Each week a section of the orchestra—winds, brass, percussion, strings—reads works-in-progress by each composer, and several pieces are selected for readings by the Young Artists Orchestra. A full evening concert showcases works composed during the summer. Selected readings and performances are recorded, providing the composer with a valuable record and learning tool. There are many additional opportunities for performances in chamber music, chorus, and other BUTI seminars and programs.

Students attend rehearsals and performances of the Festival of Contemporary Music at the Tanglewood Music Center and have the opportunity to meet visiting composers throughout the summer—a priceless opportunity to hear firsthand the latest thoughts of some of the world's leading composers. Special events are also arranged with the Composition Fellows of the Tanglewood Music Center.

Young Artists Piano Program

The Young Artists Piano Program offers young pianists private lessons, master classes, and chamber music opportunities. Private lessons, taught by Jonathan Bass, Anthony di Bonaventura and Maria Clodes Jaguaribe, enhance individual development through the study of technique, tonal quality, and repertoire. Each year, several advanced six-week students are accepted as collaborative pianists in the Young Artists Orchestra and Chamber Music Program. For these students, time is spent in the practice of instrumental accompaniment and chamber music for study and public performance, and in orchestral participation. Special classes are devoted to those interested in works for four hands and concerto repertoire. Each student in the Piano program will also be enrolled in both written and aural music theory classes. At the end of each three-week session, students are encouraged to perform at "in-house" recitals. Additional master classes are conducted by guest artists who have included such figures as Gilbert Kalish, Leon Fleisher, Andre-Michel Schub, and Emanuel Ax.

Harp Seminar

The Young Artists Harp Seminar, provides the opportunity for six weeks of intensive study with Boston Symphony Orchestra principal harpist Ann Hobson Pilot.

Students receive a one-hour private lesson with Ms. Pilot each week stressing technique and the interpretation and performance practices of the standard harp repertoire and important orchestral excerpts. Students also receive an additional weekly private lesson with Ms. Pilot's assistant. Ms. Pilot and guest artists give master classes throughout the session. Students are coached in chamber ensemble, in preparation for future auditions and competitions, and are expected to spend a significant amount of time in private practice..

Each season, harpists are chosen from the Harp Seminar to participate in the Young Artists Orchestra and/or Wind Ensemble.

Two-Week Workshops

Flute

The Flute Workshop addresses a broad range of topics related to flute performance. Under the direction of Doriot Anthony Dwyer, former principal flute of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, participants receive individualized attention during regularly scheduled master classes and coaching sessions.

A typical week will include up to twenty hours of master classes. The areas of study include tone production, intonation, performance practice, and specific flute techniques. Participants are expected to spend several hours daily in private practice in preparation for master classes.

Oboe

Continuing in the excellent pedagogical tradition established by former BSO principal oboist Ralph Gomberg, BSO principal oboe John Ferrillo and BSO oboe/English horn Robert Sheena will give instruction in the important fundamentals of "long-tones," slow scales, Barret and Ferling études, embochure control, and reedmaking. Classes will also cover solo and orchestral repertoire, musical style, practice techniques and recital/audition preparation and English horn work. Students will also be coached in small ensembles. Esteemed Boston-area soloist Andrew Price will be on hand to assist.

Clarinet

Under the direction of Dr. Ethan Sloane, participants in The Clarinet Workshop enjoy a collaborative yet challenging atmosphere. Participants explore clarinet techniques, repertoire, and musical styles.

A typical week will include up to twenty hours of classes and coaching. Mornings and afternoons will be devoted to sessions addressing a broad range of topics related to clarinet performance: tone production, articulation, intonation, reed adjustment, practice techniques, recital/audition preparation and other specific technical and musical issues. Special master classes will be given by guest artists.

Trumpet

Led by Terry Everson The Trumpet Workshop will address all aspects of trumpet playing and technique including warm-up routines, breathing and embouchure. Students participate in daily master classes with material drawn from solo, chamber and orchestral literature. Each student will participate in a weekly performance class with the opportunity to practice audition and recital techniques in an informal setting. Master classes by guest artists will occur throughout the session.

French horn

Eric Ruske, distinguished soloist, recording artist and pedagogue, leads The Horn Workshop which will address all aspects of horn playing. Students will participate in daily master classes covering both solo and orchestral repertoire. Performance classes and informal recitals will provide students the opportunity to prepare for auditions and recitals. Mr. Ruske will be joined by guest artists for master classes and special topics.

Trombone

Led by renowned soloist and pedagogue Don Lucas, is for serious trombonists who wish to develop and cultivate technique and musicianship through two weeks of intensive study.

Professor Lucas will offer daily instruction in slide technique, embouchure, air control, and orchestral excerpts. Master classes are structured to prepare students for auditions and recitals.

Students develop ensemble skills in trombone choir and chamber groups, coached by professor Lucas, and perform in weekly recitals and performance classes.

Tuba/Euphonium

Ideal for accomplished performers of high school and college age, the Boston University Tanglewood Institute Tuba & Euphonium Workshop is held under the direction of Boston Symphony Orchestra tubist Mike Roylance.

Through individualized attention in daily class settings, the workshop will address the technical and musical aspects of playing the tuba and euphonium. Master classes offered by the director will focus on technique, solo repertoire, orchestral excerpts, and audition preparation.

As an integral component of the workshop, students will also be organized into and coached in quartets and a tuba-euphonium choir. Weekly performance classes will provide additional opportunities for students to develop and refine their stage presence, audition, and recital skills.

Percussion

The Percussion Workshop, led by Tim Genis, Principal Timpanist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, covers a variety of topics including snare drum, timpani and mallet technique, and equipment maintenance such as wrapping mallets and changing timpani heads. Mr. Genis also offers instruction in the preparation of orchestral excerpts for auditions. In addition to individual practice, students have the opportunity to play in chamber groups and large ensemble. Master classes are offered by each member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra percussion section. Video sessions and discussion by both workshop participants and professional percussionists provide useful feedback and direction.

Double Bass

Under the direction of Todd Seeber, double bass with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Boston Pops Orchestra, the Double Bass Workshop will address fundamentals of technique such as intonation, posture, strokes, facility, sound production, and vibrato. Students perform throughout the seminar to improve musicianship, listening, practice skills, and ensemble playing. Daily classes also include solo master classes, preparation of orchestral repertoire, mock auditions, demonstrations, listening, and sight-reading.

tring Quartet

The String Quartet Workshop is intended for advanced players of high school age who have had considerable chamber music experience. The program is headed by violinist Bayla Keyes.

Notable alumni

* Lauren Ambrose, Actor, Six Feet Under
* Steven Ansell, principal viola, Boston Symphony Orchestra
* David Bernard, Music Director, Park Avenue Chamber Symphony
* Michael Brown, pianist-composer
* Harry Connick, Jr., Musician, Actor
* Benjamin Levy, double bass, Boston Symphony Orchestra
* Charles Pikler, principal viola, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
* Todd Seeber, double bass, Boston Symphony Orchestra
* Neal Stulberg, pianist-conductor
* Lawrence Wolfe, double bass, Boston Symphony Orchestra
* Owen Young, cello, Boston Symphony Orchestra

External links

* [http://www.bu.edu/tanglewood The official website]
* [http://www.bso.org Boston Symphony Orchestra]