Pittsfield Women's Barbershop Chorus Welcomes New Director

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Hills Chorus announced the appointment of Sunhwa Reiner as its new Music Director. 
 
Sunhwa Reiner brings a wealth of experience and fresh energy to the chorus. After 11 years of devoted service, former Directors Gail Wojtkowiak and Pat Feldman will be stepping back onto the risers and participating in the chorus as singers going forward.
 
Sunhwa Reiner is a seasoned music professional with a diverse background in choral direction, vocal and piano performance, and music education. Her experience includes producing and directing musicals, teaching K-12 music classes and private lessons, directing music and songwriting workshops, and collaborating with community groups. She is also a recipient of the "40 Under 40" Berkshire County Award, awarded in recognition for her music education and community engagement accomplishments.
 
"We are incredibly excited to have Sunhwa Reiner join us as our new Music Director," said Leslie Murray, president of the Berkshire Hills Chorus. "Her talent and enthusiasm are contagious, and we believe she will inspire our members to reach new heights on their musical journey."
 
The Berkshire Hills Chorus, a women's barbershop chorus based in Pittsfield, has a long-standing tradition of musical excellence. For over fifty years, the chorus has been engaging audiences with a cappella performances in the Berkshires and beyond.
 
In celebration of this new chapter, the Berkshire Hills Chorus extends an invitation to new members to join the group. 
 
Rehearsals are held weekly
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Show-Cause Hearing for Pittsfield Bar Continued Again

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Bei Tempi will have a show-cause hearing for its liquor license in May after police brought forward pictures that appear to show underage patrons drinking.  

On Monday, the Licensing Board continued a hearing for Zuke's Soups and Variety LLC, doing business as Bei Tempi, to May 18. This is the second month it was continued. In the last year, the bar has been accused of underage service by two different parents.  

Earlier this year, Police Capt. Matthew Hill received a call from an upset parent about her 19-year-old daughter patronizing Iztac Mexican Restaurant at night and being served. 

Those photos resulted in a two-week liquor license suspension for Iztac, and the same mother submitted an almost identical complaint about Bei Tempi with photos, one of them with the owner "clearly visible" in the background, Hill said. 

The owners, Richard and Elizabeth Zucco, did not show up in March, and the hearing was continued again this month. 

"This show-cause hearing was scheduled for March 23 of 2026 and the licensee did not appear at that hearing, although I understand that notice went out by way of email," Chair Thomas Campoli reported after the bar's second no-show, adding that the Zuccos' lawyer communicated they had a "planned prepaid trip" that conflicted with the meeting. 

Last year, a different mother approached the Licensing Board asking for accountability after her underage child was allegedly served at Bei Tempi. After drinking at a graduation party, she said her 18-year-old son became further intoxicated at the establishment before returning home late and becoming combative, resulting in an arrest by police. 

In March, the pictures of alleged underage drinking at Iztac were printed and presented to the Licensing Board with faces blurred; the reporting party wished to remain anonymous along with her daughter and friend, and she was unable to attend the hearing. 

Hill ran the patrons' names through police records to confirm they were not 21. This is the same underage daughter who is said to have drunk at Bei Tempi, and her mother has provided photos. 

The Health Department ordered Iztac to close on March 13 after finding "pests" in the establishment.  On Monday, a notice stating that it was closed to the public to protect public health and safety was no longer on the door but the Health Department confirmed that the closure was still in effect. 

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