Berkshire Choral International, the leading non-profit educational organization for adult amateur choral singers, has announced programming for its 2026 Summer season. Over the past 44 years, BCI has enriched the lives of more than 10,000 singers through its residential choral programs and workshops under the batons of the world’s great conductors in prestigious venues throughout the U.S. and Europe.
“Singing together builds community and is an antidote to division,” said BCI’s President & CEO Steve Smith. “We’ve expanded to a sixth program this summer to give more singers a space to join us.” Dr. Sean Taylor, BCI’s resident Director of Music added, “I am looking forward to welcoming new conductors, singers, and pianists into the BCI family. Throughout the season, singers will experience enriching and engaging classes, participate in small group and one-on-one lessons, and hear spectacular performances led by our fabulous faculty.”
Dr. Anthony Trecek-King, BCI’s Artistic Director stated, “For summer 2026, I aimed to create a season that celebrates the incredible breadth of choral music, including beloved masterworks from Mozart and Brahms, and lesser-known masterworks from composers such as José Maurício Nunes Garcia, Marianna Martines, and Ethel Smyth. I’m thrilled that we are expanding our offerings with our first-ever a cappella workshop and a dedicated week exploring the rich tradition of treble choirs, ensuring there’s something inspiring for every singer who joins us. This season embodies my vision of expanding the reach of group singing by creating bridges between the familiar and by celebrating something new.”
Traditional choral-orchestral program weeks include Beth Willer conducting Ethel Smyth’s Mass in D along with Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb; Trecek-King leading a week of Mozart’s Coronation Mass along with works by Martines and Nunes Garcia; and a week in Tallinn, Estonia with Patrick Dupre Quigley conducting the Brahms Requiem along with Esenvalds Lakes Awake at Dawn.
Other programs include a 4-day program at Tanglewood’s Linde Center with Andre Thomas conducting works from the African-American diaspora; a pop a cappella workshop weekend with Deke Sharon; and BCI’s first SSAA program under the baton of Iris Levine featuring Andrea Ramsey’s Suffrage Cantata.
Full details, dates and program locations are available at BCI’s website at http://developer.island-wizards.com.
BCI continues its educational commitment to young professionals with its Frank Nemhauser Apprentice Program for undergraduate and graduate level conducting and voice students, along with its Vocal Scholar program. Sean Taylor, who leads the programs noted, “A highlight of my year is reviewing apprentice and scholar applications each spring, and selecting the very best students from across the country to learn from and perform with our choristers, faculty, and guest conductors.”
Berkshire Choral International mission is to expand the horizons of singers through participation in exhilarating performances, enriching travel and cultural exploration, lifelong music education, and connection to an inspiring community of choral artists. Further details and program registration is available at BCI’s website at http://developer.island-wizards.com.