Berkshire Symphony Soloist Recital

This is the first of two optional recitals to give the student musicians an opportunity to play their pieces in front of an audience before the Berkshire Symphony Student Soloist Competition which will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 12, at 6 p.m. in Brooks-Rogers Recital Hall.

The award for this competition is to appear as soloist with the Berkshire Symphony at the fourth and final regular season concert on Friday, April 11. This concert showcases the remarkable talents of our Williams students.

The Berkshire Symphony is conducted by Ronald Feldman and includes nearly 70 members, half of whom are students and half of whom are professional musicians. The ensemble presents four major concerts each season; the programs balance orchestral standards with contemporary works.

The competition is open to Williams College students who have completed certain required instrumental or vocal studies and enrolled in qualifying courses. The students must be recommended by their instrumental or vocal teachers. The works may be one movement from a concerto, a single-movement work, a concert or operatic aria, song cycle, etc. for soloist and orchestra. The students are accompanied by professionals for both the optional studios and the competition itself.

Winners of the competition are chosen by a distinguished panel of judges consisting of three or four professional musicians from outside the Williams community. The auditions are overseen by Ronald Feldman, conductor of the Berkshire Symphony and one other music department faculty member.