BMS Announces Talent and Merit Scholarship Auditions

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — For the 2024-2025 academic year, Berkshire Music School (BMS) will offer increased need-based financial aid for private lessons, as well as talent- and merit-based scholarships to attract musicians in the region.
 
Students accepted into BMS' Talent & Merit Scholarship Program will benefit from financial assistance, up to 100 percent tuition. 
 
In the 2023-2024 academic year, Berkshire Music School awarded more than $28,000 in need-based financial aid and merit-based scholarships to 32 students. 
 
Auditions will be held by appointment on Saturday, June 15 for a panel of Berkshire Music School faculty. Auditions are open to the entire community, and musicians do not have to be a current BMS student to be considered. BMS encourages people of all ages and diverse backgrounds to audition for these scholarships.
 
For the audition, instrumentalists and guitarists should be prepared to perform the following: major and minor scales in two or more octaves, as requested by the panel and two songs of your choice in contrasting styles. Vocalists should be prepared to sing two songs in contrasting styles. Instrumentalists should be prepared to perform without accompaniment; vocalists may perform to pre-recorded accompaniment that they provide. BMS will not be providing an accompanist.
 
Each audition will last 5 - 7 minutes. To schedule an audition, musicians should email Executive Director Luis Granda at lgranda@berkshiremusicschool.org and include their training and/or performance background as a musician. For those who cannot attend on June 15, contact Luis Granda at the above email or contact the office at 413-442-1411.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Friday Front Porch Feature: A Home with Comfort and Functionality

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Are you looking for a nice colonial home with room to enjoy life? Then this might be the home for you.

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 17 Kittredge Road.

The house was built in 1949 and includes four bedrooms and three baths. It is 2,430 square feet with 3.32 acres. It is on the market for $525,000.

The house also includes a sunroom and seasonal porch, along with a fireplace, as well as a garage. The house also features a fully finished basement with a game room, laundry room, and extra living space.

We spoke to Maggie Gavin with William Pitt Sotheby's International Realty.

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?  

Gavin: What really makes this home stand out is the combination of neighborhood setting, square footage, and versatility. It's located in a well-established Pittsfield neighborhood while offering a larger-than-average home with multiple living areas. Between the additional family room, finished basement, and the extra garage and shed space, the property provides exceptional storage and flexibility — features that are increasingly hard to find. It's a home that offers both comfort and functionality, with space to spread out and adapt to a variety of lifestyles.  

What was your first impression when you walked into the home?

Gavin: My first impression was how welcoming and functional the layout feels. The rooms flow naturally, there's great natural light throughout, and the home immediately feels comfortable rather than formal. It's the kind of space that feels easy to live in from the moment you step inside.

Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history?

Gavin: One of the most special aspects of this home is that it has had only one owner, which really speaks to how well it has been cared for over the years. It was clearly a home meant to be lived in and loved long-term, with thoughtful updates made along the way. That sense of pride in ownership is something you feel throughout the property.  

What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?

Gavin: This home is ideal for someone looking for space and flexibility — whether that's a growing family, multigenerational use, a buyer who works from home and needs multiple living areas, or someone who values privacy and outdoor space without sacrificing convenience. It's also a great fit for buyers who love to entertain or host holidays.

Are there any recent renovations or standout design features?

Gavin: Yes — there have been significant recent updates, including major mechanical improvements, roof and refreshed interior finishes. Standout features include the multiple living spaces, the four season sunroom overlooking the yard, and the finished lower level, which adds versatility for recreation, guests, or work-from-home needs.

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?

Gavin: I would encourage buyers to picture how effortlessly this home adapts to different seasons and lifestyles — cozy winter evenings by the fireplace, summer gatherings in the yard, quiet mornings in the sunroom, and flexible spaces that grow and change with your needs. It's a home that supports both everyday living and special moments.

You can find out more about this house on its listing here.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.


 

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