We’re singing, we’re helping animals, we’re relaying for life. We here at Winstanley Partners believe that dedicating some of our own time to local, regional, or national charitable organizations is just as important as the work we do day to day.
Good example of this selflessness: Jeanne Zanetti. She’s more than just Winstanley’s Director of Interactive Services, she also serves as president of the Board of Directors at Berkshire Lyric, based in Pittsfield, Mass.
The non-profit Berkshire Lyric supports a wide range of music education projects and programs throughout Berkshire County. The organization is dedicated to helping all generations of choral musicians learn and hone their talents. Berkshire Lyric provides scholarship opportunities as well as tuition-free musical opportunities for children of all backgrounds.
Among programs that support and encourage local talent (namely those of youths)…
· The annual Young Musician’s Scholarship Program, which awards merit scholarships to talented young musicians in Berkshire County and surrounding areas who are between ages 13 and 21. The 10-year old program is funded by Berkshire Lyric, and provides students the opportunity to pursue their talents and love of music.
· The Choral Scholars program offers performance and learning opportunities for select, outstanding high school singers (nominated by their school’s choral/music director). The students chosen not only perform in Berkshire Lyric’s annual Masterworks concert, they also receive scholarships to further their vocal studies, they take part in professional vocal workshops with other artists, and receive special coaching from Berkshire Lyric’s Artistic Director Jack Brown, who studied at the Juilliard School and with faculty from Yale University and the Union Theological Seminary. A Jack of all (choral/vocal) trades, he also teaches and directs other music and vocal programs throughout the region and continues to perform as soloist nationwide.
· Berkshire Lyric’s College Choral Fest brings together local college choirs to perform together a sampling of classic and contemporary choral music. The program fosters collaboration and performance skills, as well as a chance to showcase their talents.
· A summer Choral Camp, offered through Berkshire Lyric’s Blafield Children’s Chorus, allows children ages 6 to 13 the chance to learn the basics of singing, music theory, music history, and even conducting music with Jack.
With her assisting hand in these and other such programs, Jeanne’s work with Berkshire Lyric has proven invaluable, time and again. And she even sings as a member of the Berkshire Lyric Chorus, which, by the way, is the longest running community chorus in the Berkshire County region of Massachusetts. One of the group’s most popular events is its annual holiday concert, which has been a regional tradition since 1963. Not too shabby.
Watch this space for eleven more ways our staff contributes to the world in all types of ways, big and small, and please let us know what organizations and charities you champion in the comments.
Happy Holidays, The Winstanley Team