BCC Announces the Return of the Chorale

Print Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD, Mass — Berkshire Community College (BCC) announced the return of the BCC Chorale, led by Professor of Music Ellen Shanahan. 
 
The Chorale had been discontinued a few years ago when the College consolidated its for-credit jazz and choral ensembles into a single group. 
 
Now, thanks to renewed interest from students and community members, Professor Shanahan is bringing the Chorale back in a new form — as a non-credit, volunteer group open to BCC students, alumni, staff, and members of the broader community. 
 
"I am resurrecting the BCC Chorale, which was a staple on campus for decades," said Shanahan. "I have since heard that new students coming to campus have been inquiring about a choral group with which to sing. I am planning to restart it as a volunteer group
that is open to students, alums, staff and members of the community — it will be non-credit and no fees." 
 
The Chorale will rehearse on Thursdays from 2–3 p.m. in room K111 on the BCC campus. The first rehearsal will take place on Thursday, September 4, 2025. 
 
Participation is open to all, and no prior experience is required. For more information, please contact the BCC Music Department at eshanahan@berkshirecc.edu.
  

Tags: BCC,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield Council to See 2-Year Moratorium on Data Centers

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council will consider a two-year data center moratorium from the Community Development Board. 

The board endorsed the moratorium on Tuesday; it had previously voted to become the petitioner. 

"I still think that it is a necessary, proactive, responsible measure by the city in order to take some time to assess the potential impacts of these improvements on Pittsfield and on the county, and make sure that we understand these systems and create some really truly responsible regulations that take into account all the different aspects of this technology," City Planner Kevin Rayner said. 

The petition would amend City Code Chapter 23 and create Article 23-4 Section 4.332, "Data Center, Temporary Moratorium." 

Last month, Gov. Maura Healey signed an executive order that gives municipalities the power to say "no" to data centers, and earlier this year, Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren petitioned to explore implementing a moratorium on the establishment and siting of data centers.

Based on web results, there are as many as 75 data centers or projects in Massachusetts, none in Berkshire County. 

Rayner explained that he brought forward the same petition as before; it was sent to the council and then back to the board for a public hearing as part of the zoning amendment process. 

It defines a data center as a building or group of buildings where the primary use is to house computer systems, servers, data storage equipment, networking equipment, and associated infrastructure necessary for the processing, storage, and distribution of data and digital applications. 

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories