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BCI will bid farewell to its Sheffield home this summer after 35 years.

Berkshire Choral International Announces Its Final Summer in Sheffield

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SHEFFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Choral International, a nonprofit educational organization that provides amateur singers with professional-level choral immersion experiences, has announced that 2017 will be its final summer in its Berkshires location of Sheffield.

In efforts to increase both its national and international presence, BCI will bid farewell to its Sheffield home this summer after 35 years, closing out its Berkshires presence with two sessions scheduled to take place on July 15 and July 22. Founded in 1982, BCI is a mecca for amateur choral singers from across the world. BCI's choristers reside in 30 US states and five countries, and the faculty is comprised of career singers and musicians.

During their farewell weeks in Sheffield, choristers will study under two renowned conductors and be accompanied by the Springfield Symphony Orchestra. Referred to as "the brightest star in New York's choral music world," conductor Kent Tritle will lead choristers during the first farewell week in the Berkshires as they prepare to perform Mahler's Symphony #8 on July 15. Conductor Tom Hall will join BCI for his eighth season as he leads choristers in their performance of Verdi's Requiem, the final show in the Berkshires on July 22.

"We have incredible memories of Sheffield, but we are excited to begin a new chapter in the BCI legacy," President and CEO Debi Kennedy said. "Our decision to move beyond the Berkshires will allow us to truly become an international program and increase the number of cities our choristers visit each summer."

For tickets and information, visit BCI's website.


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Dalton Planning Board OKs Gravel Company Permit

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The Planning Board approved the renewal of Nichols Sand and Gravel's special permit for earth removal. 
 
The company, located at 190 Cleveland Road, operates a gravel pit there. 
 
The hours of operation will remain 7 to 4 p.m. The commission approved owner Paul Nichols' request to allow trucks to depart the property in either direction. 
 
Nichols has to apply for renewal of the special permit every year. The previous permit required the truck to exit the property to the right.
 
It makes more sense to go left if truck drivers have to go to the Pittsfield area, Nichols said. He has talked to the residents in the area and they are agreeable to the change. 
 
Former residents requested this stipulation nearly 16 years ago to reduce the number of trucks using the residential street to avoid disturbing the quality of life and neighborhood. 
 
There weren't any residents present during the meeting who expressed concerns regarding this change.
 
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