Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
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the academy's most important fundraiser is August 10 in nantucket. internships and outreach programs involving elder care, elementary schools, and local libraries and museums. Charles participates in sing-alongs with the elderly and those with Alzheimer's disease. The most rewarding experience for me has been seeing Charles belong to a community and enjoy reciprocal friendships—which he formed on his own and we as parents could not have created for him. The whole family, including my other son, daughter-in-law, and CB loves to play songs from Grease on the piano. and the Hermès boutique in Boston, with 10 percent of proceeds benefitting the academy. The scarf design, from the Spring/Summer 2010 Quintessence collection by Zoé Pauwels, is inscribed with the name of the school and depicts a musical score of the creation of the world played by three angels. Help from community partners such as Hermès has made the school a success since we opened in 2001 with just 14 students. We eventually went from a two-year certificate program to the academy's Extended Learning Community pro- gram, which helps students transition to greater pendence. Originally percent inde- 85 of Williams students syndrome, had but sisters, involved with fundraising for have been the school. There are also many who don't have children at the school but sit on the committees for our events and are passionate about our cause. They know the joy of seeing their children suc- ceed and want others to have that experience. This year we are hoping to surpass the $50,000 raised at last year's summer gala. Fundraising has allowed us to plan for the 2013 construction of a performance hall and music center that will obvious that the Boston community wanted to "It became support this venture. " now more students with autism spectrum dis- order and other disabilities apply. Besides music education, the school helps foster social skills and teach students how to cook, do laun- dry, grocery shop, and manage money. We now have 27 students from across the US and Bermuda; our goal is to increase that number to 50. Some need more support than others—including Charles, who lives house next to the campus but requires addi- tional help because of his medical problems. In an effort to demonstrate what people with disabilities can offer, in a the academy has 12 It is include additional practice classrooms and a student-run café. Proceeds from this sum- mer's gala will help endow the center and build two modular residences on cam- pus as the next step for our students to learn about inde- pendent living. Our formed 120,000 students have per- for more people than since we opened our doors—including at Best Buddies, PepsiCo and Raytheon diversity events, and Red Sox games—and the community responds with remarkable ment. gratifying appreciation and encourage- extremely to see Berkshire Hills Music Academy's students transform their own lives while also giving others a glimpse of the gifts that people with disabilities have to contribute to our commu- nities. Not many of us can say we have sung in front of a cheering crowd at Fenway Park, but our students can. Now that's what I call a home run. For more information on the academy, 413-540-9720 or berkshirehills.org BC red sox Foundation What: after a game versus the minnesota twins, guests can join players for an autograph session, BBQ dinner, and live auction, hosted by mike o'malley. Last year's picnic raised more than $300,000 to support the foundation's cornerstone programs, including the red sox rookie Leagues and the red sox scholars. redsoxfoundation.org When: august 5, 2012, one hour after the end of the 1:35 pm red sox game Where: Fenway park, 4 yawkey Way bostoncommon-magazine.com 89 opportunities to give orchestra What: celebrate 75 years of classical music at tanglewood's anniversary gala, featuring the Boston symphony orchestra, Boston pops, tanglewood orchestra, and various solo artists such as yo-yo ma and Keith Lockhart. enjoy preconcert cocktails and an elegant dinner while helping the Bso achieve its goal of raising $475,000, nearly $150,000 more than last year's proceeds. bso.org Boston symphony When: July 14, 2012, 5 pm Where: the hawthorne tent hospitaL What: Join the Boston pops esplanade orchestra and a special guest performer in a concert to benefit the nantucket cottage hospital, the only full-time, year-round health care provider on the island. a preconcert cocktail reception, gourmet dinner with dessert, and dancing followed by fireworks on the beach complete the evening's festivities. this event has raised more than $1 million annually for the past 16 years. nantuckethospital.org nantucKet cottage When: august 11, 2012, 7 pm Where: Jetties Beach, nantucket Charity Regist er photography by eric Levin (cb bernon); miranda penn turin/fox (red sox); stu rosner (bso)