Tanglewood Expects Economic Impact to Grow

Chamber of Commerce CEO Michael Supranowicz presents Mark Volpe with a gift bag for being the keynote speaker at Wednesday's breakfast.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Tanglewood isn't just a stage for the "greatest artists of our time" but also a major driver of the cultural and educational business in the Berkshires.

That was the word from Boston Symphony Orchestra Managing Director Mark Volpe on Wednesday morning about the BSO's summer home in Lenox.

Volpe was the keynote speaker at the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce's Good News Business Salute breakfast at the Crowne Plaza.

Weaving humorous stories with discussion on the business, Volpe said the BSO and Tanglewood are in a "threshold period" as the orchestra looks to expand its offerings while renovating some of the Civil War-era buildings.

"Our mission goes beyond providing the best artists of our time," Volpe said.

Tanglewood has just celebrated its 75th year but Volpe said the organization is now "bringing the Berkshires to the world" in a variety of ways to further the cultural economy here.

"What makes the Boston Symphony absolutely unique is Tanglewood," he said, adding that every major city in the world has a concert hall but none provide the experience that Tanglewood does.

The musical venue was donated by the Tappan family in 1936; it's named for "Tanglewood Tales," written by Nathaniel Hawthorne while staying at a cottage on the property in the early 1850s.

Last year's 75th anniversary concert series is being shown on televisions across the world and the BSO is producing its  own CDs — as well as "securing our place in the digital music" age — to help expand Tanglewood's reach, Volpe said.

Meanwhile, the organization is continuing the Tanglewood Music Center, a summer training program that has produced about 30 percent of the world's professional orchestra players, he said. The BSO is also finding other partnerships, including with that other Boston icon — the Red Sox.

Last year was the third best season the organization has had in its 75-year history, he said.

The BSO's Mark Volpe at the Good News Business Salute at the Crowne Plaza.

Increasing that economic impact is the goal, but there is ebb and flow as with any business. The organization is in the midst of renovating all 80 buildings on the campus, Volpe said, and has just recently hired a new music director.

Additionally the symphony is finding ways to "increase diversity" among the crowd by finding acts that draw various age groups and demographics.

"There are at least 40,000, 50,000 people coming before the BSO arrives," Volpe said of the acts that are booked early in the summer.

Expanding the venue's reach and upkeep of the buildings pose challenges for the organization right now — especially in a "cluttered marketplace." But Volpe sees the organization crossing the threshold and doing even more for the county.

The Good News Salute Breakfast is a series put on by the Chamber of Commerce to recognize businesses that have made a positive impact on the county. On Tuesday, Bascom Lodge, Berkshire County Kids Place, Berkshire Visitors Bureau, QualPrint and Signature Real Estate were all "saluted" for their contributions to the county's economy.

The program was emceed by Lori Gazzillo, assistant director of the Berkshire Bank Foundation, who spoke about the bank's support of the community. From donating to local nonprofit organizations to providing scholarships to employees volunteering, the bank is giving back to the community, she said.

She concluded by showing the crowd of more than 100 a video the employees made doing the "Harlem Shake," to show why Berkshire Bank is "America's most exciting bank" — per their motto.

Elected officials in attendance included District Attorney David Capeless and City Council President Kevin Sherman. Former Registry of Deeds Andrea Nuciforo was also recognized for being in attendance.

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