Music - Berkshire School

Whether you're picking up an instrument for the first time or you're an experienced performer, you'll find your musical home at Berkshire. The music program hits a high note in our brand‑new Music Center, which features practice rooms, a professional recording studio, and multiple ensemble spaces where students collaborate in jazz, chamber, and a cappella groups. Whether you’re crafting beats in digital music production or learning music theory, Berkshire's facilities give students the ideal space to create, rehearse, and connect with fellow musicians.

Music Courses

A Cappella Ensemble

Chamber Music Ensemble

The Chamber Music Ensemble is dedicated to studying the masters of classical music from the Renaissance to the 21st century. Contemporary repertoire may also include music from movie soundtracks or popular music arrangements. Students in the Chamber Music Ensemble engage each other in musical dialogues, approaching a uniform interpretation of tempo, articulation, phrasing, and balance. Students perform regularly throughout the year, both on and off campus.

Students serious in instrumental performance can participate in district auditions and festivals.

Digital Music

The purpose of Digital Music is twofold. First, students should feel comfortable and aware of the growing and changing state of technology within the music industry. Second, young musicians should learn to work with technology to increase their overall creative abilities. This class uses the Digital Art Studio which boasts twelve stations, each equipped with a USB keyboard, a Launchpad, Ableton Live 12 Suite, Max for Live, and various other utility music-making software.

Students enrolled in Digital Music learn about MIDI sequencing, audio recording, microphones, the creation and editing of loops, synthesis techniques, and composition. Each trimester, students enrolled in Digital Music compose a series of pieces. Three times a year, the Music Department features works by Digital Music students during the school major concerts.

Guitar Fundamentals

Jazz Ensemble

Jazz Ensemble focuses on the standard jazz literature, emphasizing elements of swing, Latin, bop, and fusion styles. Students work regularly on scales, modes, improvisations, articulations, phrasing and sight-reading. The band also spends time reading and performing concert band and rock charts. Performances are regularly scheduled throughout the year.

Music Theory

Students in Music Theory learn about pitches, intervals, chord construction, scales, harmonic progression, chorales, figured bass, counterpoint and more. There is also an emphasis on ear-training and sight-singing to better students’ abilities to read and hear a score. During the second half of the year, students begin composing music, which is then premiered at the annual Capriccio classical music recital in May.

Visiting Artist Series

Visiting Artist Series

The Music Department invites professional musicians to visit Berkshire School each year in order to perform, give masterclasses, and interact with our musicians. Artists that have performed at Berkshire School include Warp Trio, Fred Sherry, David Alan Miller, the Revere Piano Quartet, Ari & Mia Duet, Alan Simon Jazz Quartet, Larry Chernicoff, Arthur Greene, and Donald Sosin, just to name a few. These events are funded by the Thomas Dixon Performing Arts Fund.

Private Lessons

Private, non-credit lessons may be arranged through the music department. Registration forms are available in the Parent Portal. For more information, please contact Dr. Tasia Cheng-Chia Wu at tcwu@berkshireschool.org.

Please note: an additional fee will apply for private lessons.

In addition to the full Berkshire Chorus, students may audition for one of the singing groups on campus: Greensleeves (boys’ a cappella), Ursa Minor (girls’ a cappella), or the Advanced Chorus (co-ed).