Berkshires Jazz community activities

Our involvement with the community extends beyond the popular concerts that we present. One of the key elements of the Pittsfield CityJazz Festival are Jazz in the Schools, which last year sent the Pittsfield Sister City Jazz Ambassadors to Lee Middle and High Schools, Kittredge Elementary School (Hinsdale), Becket/Washington Elementary School (Becket), Greylock Elementary School (North Adams), Sullivan Elementary School (North Adams), Mt. Greylock Regional High School (Williamstown), Brayton Elementary School (North Adams) where they gave lessons on jazz history and the fundamentals of jazz music.

Pittsfield Sister City Jazz Ambassadors – Kittredge Elementary School in Dalton, Mass.

BerkshiresJazz Youth Ensemble & Student Art Contest

Another program associated with the Festival is the annual Student Art Contest, which this year attracted entries from 123 students from Pittsfield High School, Taconic High School, St. Joseph’s and Miss Hall’s. The winning entry is used as the primary graphic element of that year’s Festival marketing effort. At last year’s awards ceremony, another important part of our mission, the BerkshiresJazz Youth Ensemble entertained their peers and guests at the Berkshire Museum.