Updated August 01, 2025 10:40PM

UPDATE: Jacob's Pillow Production Manager Dies in Accident on Grounds

11:18AM / Saturday, August 02, 2025Print Story | Email Story

Updated on Aug. 2, 2025 at 11 am — The Berkshire District Attorney's Office reported that there are no criminal charges being brought to the accidental death of the Jacob's Pillow summer employee, 40-year-old Kathryn "Kat" Sirico o Rochester, N.Y.

After an investigation it was found that the events leading to Sirico's death were related to a work-place accident.

In the early afternoon of Friday Aug. 1, Sirico and a summer intern were moving platforms used for staging for a theater across the Jacob's Pillow property. The platforms were on a dolly. As the victim and intern began moving the dolly down a sloped area, they lost control of the dolly, and it began to roll. The Sirico attempted to regain control of the dolly; however, tripped and fell. The dolly ran over Sirico and the platforms fell from the dolly, landing on Sirico. Bystanders attempted life saving measures.

Becket Police responded to the scene at approximately 12:31 p.m. At approximately 12:35 p.m, the Town of Becket's Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene. Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Services Section and the Berkshire State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Berkshire District Attorney's Office also responded to the scene.

The official cause of death will be announced by the Medical Examiner.

BECKET, Mass. — Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival on Friday night identified the person who died on the grounds earlier in the day as a member of its staff.

The venue reported that a "tragic accident" occurred outdoors Friday afternoon, resulting in the death of one of the company's production managers, Kat Sirico.

There were no other injuries.

"Kat was a Pillow alum and an essential and hugely devoted leader on our team," executive and artistic director Pamela Tatge said. "Their spirit, generosity, and dedication touched the lives of many. We are holding their family, friends, and colleagues in our hearts as we grieve together."

The Berkshire District Attorney's Office Friday afternoon confirmed that a fatality had occurred on the grounds but could not provide any more information, only noting that the incident was under investigation and that the public was not in danger.

The fatality had been reported at 12:32 p.m. and State Police responded to the scene. The festival's website posted that an "unforseen accident" accident had occurred and that the day's performances had been canceled. A spokesperson told iBerkshires that "There is a critical incident under investigation. We are not able to say more at this time."

In its Friday night statement, Jacob's Pillow said investigations are underway by State Police, the state medical examiner and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Jacob's Pillow also announced that all performances at the venue through Sunday, Aug. 3, have been canceled.

People holding tickets for the canceled performances will receive detailed updates from Jacob's Pillow by email.

Updated with the identity of the victim on Friday at 10:45 p.m.

Tags: fatal, jacobs pillow,

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Berkshire Bach Society Announces Two Organ Recitals

11:46AM / Friday, January 30, 2026

GREAT BARINNGINTON, Mass. — The Berkshire Bach Society (BBS) announces two organ recitals on historic organs in Housatonic and Great Barrington as part of its Organ Masters series.

The recitals take place on Feb. 7, 2pm, at the UU Meeting House in Housatonic, and on May 2, 3pm, at the First Congregational Church in Great Barrington with master organists Renée Anne Louprette and Peter Sykes.

"We celebrate Bach and his circle in our Organ Masters series and give our audience a chance to hear two of today's most distinguished organists bring the repertoire to life on important organs in our region," said Terrill McDade, Executive Director of the Berkshire Bach Society. "For good reason we've called the 1893 Johnson Organ at the UU Meeting House in Housatonic a hidden gem and the 1883 great Roosevelt organ at the First Congregational Church in Great Barrington a remarkable and innovative instrument that defies comparison. Both organs have escaped modernization and kept their original voices. They sound very much the way they did when new—and that provides a unique musical experience. Combine the authenticity of the instruments, the virtuosity of the organists, and interesting repertoire and we have a recipe for two very special events."

According to a press release:

On Feb. 7, Renée Anne Louprette presents The Baroque Dance Masters with works by Bach, Georg Böhm, Dieterich Buxtehude, and Élisabeth-Claude Jacquet de la Guerre, one of the most remarkable composers of the Baroque era. To enrich the audience experience, Louprette provides commentary during the program, demonstrates thematic material, and conducts a Q&A session after the recital. Notably, her program includes the Chaconne in G minor that was one of two pieces recently attributed to a young J.S. Bach and added to the catalog as BWV 1179. The work dates from 1705 when J.S. Bach was 20 and is one of the earliest finished works by him to survive. It dates from the same year that he traveled to Lübeck to hear Buxtehude perform, which had a profound impact on his compositional style. Berkshire Bach is pleased to give our audience an opportunity to hear the work live.

Renée Anne Louprette is Assistant Professor of Music and College Organist at Bard College where she directs the Bard Baroque Ensemble. She has performed on important organs throughout the world and in 2022-2023 received a Fulbright research grant to document the restoration of historic organs in Romania.

On May 2, Peter Sykes returns to play the great Roosevelt Organ in a mixed program of French organ music. Beloved by many, the Roosevelt was the most important organ in America at installation in 1883 and is the largest example that survives in largely its original form by innovative organ builder Hilborne Roosevelt. Cousin to presidents Teddy and Franklin, Hilborne Roosevelt established Roosevelt Pipe Organ Builders in 1870 and built many of the largest organs in America in the period. He introduced electricity into the workings of his instruments and coincidentally contributed to aspects of the early telephone, including inventing the automatic switch hook. His Great Barrington organ remains a sophisticated and expressive example of his craft that, in the hands of master organist Peter Sykes, inspires awe and can literally shake the rafters with its majesty, power, and beauty.

Join Berkshire Bach for The Organ Masters at 2pm on Saturday, Feb. 7 at the UU Meeting House in Housatonic and 3pm on Saturday, May 2 at the First Congregational Church in Great Barrington. Tickets: $45 Nonmembers | $40 Berkshire Bach Members | $85 Two-concert package | $10 Card to Culture. Children and Students under 25 with valid ID are admitted free. Visit www.berkshirebach.org/events for more information, including tickets and specific venue information.

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