Massachusetts

Tanglewood: Meet the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Its Summer Home

Program No. 15533RJ
Discover the historic summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, reveling in world-class music, fine art, local cuisine and pristine nature in the beautiful Berkshire Mountains.

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5 days
4 nights
11 meals
4B 3L 4D
2
Norman Rockwell, BSO Lectures, BSO Concert
Central Berkshires - Pittsfield
3
Morning Lecture, BSO Presentation, BSO Concert
Central Berkshires - Pittsfield
5
Program Concludes
Central Berkshires - Pittsfield
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At a Glance

Tanglewood has been the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra since 1936. Attend four concerts and discover the Tanglewood grounds on an expert-led exploration, with behind the-scenes access to performers and BSO staff. Hear instrument demonstrations with BSO musicians and attend lectures to heighten your enjoyment of the concerts.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Walking one hour or more, uneven terrain. Sitting during performances and lectures.

What You'll Learn

  • Attend live concerts at Tanglewood to take in the immense talent of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
  • Meet BSO instrumentalists to discuss what it is like to be in a world-class symphony orchestra, and learn from BSO staff about its inner workings.
  • Explore other unique parts of the Berkshires outside of the music scene, such as The Norman Rockwell Museum.

General Notes

Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available. Boston transfer at added cost. Additionally, due to the program lectures and concerts, we are limiting the enrollment to 70 people.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
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Jeremy Yudkin
Dr. Jeremy Yudkin is professor of music at Boston University, an associated faculty member of the Department of African American Studies, and visiting professor of music at Oxford University and Harvard University. Dr. Yudkin received his B.A. and M.A. from Cambridge University in classics and modern languages and his Ph.D. in historical musicology from Stanford University. He is the author of six books, and has written articles for journals including The Musical Quarterly, The Stanford Italian Review, The American Journal of Philology and others. Dr. Yudkin’s principal fields of research include medieval music, early Beethoven, popular music, and jazz.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Jeremy Yudkin
Jeremy Yudkin View biography
Dr. Jeremy Yudkin is professor of music at Boston University, an associated faculty member of the Department of African American Studies, and visiting professor of music at Oxford University and Harvard University. Dr. Yudkin received his B.A. and M.A. from Cambridge University in classics and modern languages and his Ph.D. in historical musicology from Stanford University. He is the author of six books, and has written articles for journals including The Musical Quarterly, The Stanford Italian Review, The American Journal of Philology and others. Dr. Yudkin’s principal fields of research include medieval music, early Beethoven, popular music, and jazz.
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Year
2024
  • 2024
  • 2025
Date
Aug 08 - Aug 12
  • Jul 18 - Jul 22
  • Aug 08 - Aug 12
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Aug 8 - Aug 12, 2024 Itinerary Differences: BSO Performances: Alan Gilbert conducts: “Rachmaninoff and Stravinsky” featuring Kirill Gerstein, piano - RACHMANINOFF Piano Concerto No. 3, STRAVINSKY The Rite of Spring; Dalia Stasevska conducts Sibelius and Stravinsky featuring Leila Josefowicz, violin SIBELIUS (arr. STRAVINSKY) Canzonetta, STRAVINSKY Violin Concerto, SIBELIUS Symphony No. 5; James Gaffigan conducts Clyne, Mozart, and Mahler featuring Elena Villalón, soprano Anna CLYNE Sound and Fury, MOZART Padre, germani, addio! from Idomeneo, MOZART Deh vieni, non tardar from The Marriage of Figaro, MAHLER Symphony No. 4
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Select trip year and date
2024
  • 2024
  • 2025
Aug 08 - Aug 12
  • Jul 18 - Jul 22
  • Aug 08 - Aug 12
Aug 8 - Aug 12, 2024 Itinerary Differences: BSO Performances: Alan Gilbert conducts: “Rachmaninoff and Stravinsky” featuring Kirill Gerstein, piano - RACHMANINOFF Piano Concerto No. 3, STRAVINSKY The Rite of Spring; Dalia Stasevska conducts Sibelius and Stravinsky featuring Leila Josefowicz, violin SIBELIUS (arr. STRAVINSKY) Canzonetta, STRAVINSKY Violin Concerto, SIBELIUS Symphony No. 5; James Gaffigan conducts Clyne, Mozart, and Mahler featuring Elena Villalón, soprano Anna CLYNE Sound and Fury, MOZART Padre, germani, addio! from Idomeneo, MOZART Deh vieni, non tardar from The Marriage of Figaro, MAHLER Symphony No. 4
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
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5 days
4 nights
11 meals
4 B 3 L 4 D
DAY
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Central Berkshires - Pittsfield
D
Holiday Inn & Suites Pittsfield-Berkshires

Activity note: Hotel check-in available from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).

Afternoon: Program Registration: 3:00 p.m. After you have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff, get any up-updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Your program materials will be sent to you a few days before the program, digitally, through your roadscholar.org account. This includes your program itinerary, any related handouts, and restaurant/free time suggestions. Please plan to print them out and bring along to the program, utilize the hotel's business center to access them, or view them on your own personal electronic device. Orientation: 5:15 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone with a warm welcome and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. Knowledgeable group leaders, along with local experts, will provide educational content during your program. Program-related travel and transfers will be via private bus. Free time is reserved for your personal independent exploration. Please be aware that program activities, schedules, and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the full day ahead.

DAY
2
Norman Rockwell, BSO Lectures, BSO Concert
Central Berkshires - Pittsfield
B,L,D
Holiday Inn & Suites Pittsfield-Berkshires

Activity note: Getting in/out of a van. Walking up to 1 mile.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We'll take a ride by motor coach to the Norman Rockwell Museum. The museum is home to the world's largest collection of original Rockwell art. The American painter and illustrator is best known for the cover illustrations of everyday life he created for The Saturday Evening Post magazine for over nearly five decades. We will receive a docent-led studio tour and also have time for self-exploration. We then head to Tanglewood, one of the homes of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, which was built in the late 1930s. It is located in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts and hosts an annual music series showcasing major talents. We will examine its history in a presentation by a BSO administrator.

Lunch: At the Formal Gardens tent on the Tanglewood campus, we’ll have boxed lunches.

Afternoon: One of the highlights of this program is the opportunity to meet and hear from BSO musicians and administrators. This afternoon we will enjoy two presentations by some of the players and staff.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: We will have our first BSO performance of the program in the Shed. We suggest bringing warm clothing as it can get cold at night in the Berkshires. Performance: TBD

DAY
3
Morning Lecture, BSO Presentation, BSO Concert
Central Berkshires - Pittsfield
B,L,D
Holiday Inn & Suites Pittsfield-Berkshires

Activity note: Walking up to 1 mile.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: At the hotel, we’ll be joined by Professor Jeremy Yudkin, chairperson of Boston University’s Musicology Department, for a presentation on topics related to our program

Lunch: At the hotel.

Afternoon: Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. We also will provide transportation for an elective field trip to Hancock Shaker Village. Participants will be responsible for this entrance fee. To expedite the entrance process, please bring $15 cash if you plan to attend. You may also pay with credit card there. The village contains twenty historic buildings and daily talks and demonstrations of music, woodworking, and more. We will regroup in the late afternoon at the hotel and depart to Tanglewood for a session with a BSO musician or administrator.

Dinner: At Tanglewood.

Evening: We will enjoy another BSO performance in the Shed. We suggest bringing warm clothing as it can get cold at night in the Berkshires. Performance: TBD.

DAY
4
Tanglewood Concert, BSO Presentation, BSO Concert
Central Berkshires - Pittsfield
B,L,D
Holiday Inn & Suites Pittsfield-Berkshires

Activity note: Walking up to 1 mile.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will attend a Tanglewood Music Center (TMC) chamber music concert at Seiji Ozawa Hall performed by TMC Fellows. The Tanglewood Music Center Fellowship Program is the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s summer academy for advanced musical study. This program offers an intensive schedule of study and performance for emerging professional instrumentalists, singers, conductors, and composers who have completed most of their formal study.

Lunch: At Tanglewood, we’ll have boxed lunches.

Afternoon: We’ll hear a presentation by a BSO musician or administrator prior to attending our last concert of the program in the Shed. Performance: TBD.

Dinner: Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

DAY
5
Program Concludes
Central Berkshires - Pittsfield
B

Activity note: Hotel check-out by 12:00 Noon.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: This concludes our program. If you have elected to take the Road Scholar shuttle, it will leave promptly at 9:00 a.m. The drive will be 2.5-3 hours, depending on traffic. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!






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