I haven’t been posting too much as of late due to my crazy work schedule; I’m the orchestra librarian and assistant orchestra manager at Boston University Tanglewood Institute, a summer camp for high school musicians in the Berkshires! It’s basically like a dream world up here. Some of the staff and I live in a giant stone estate reminiscent of Rebecca’s Manderlay, surrounded by picturesque mountains and pine trees. Music constantly floats through the air; we wake up to the theme from Debussy’s Afternoon of the Faun and dine to singers trilling arias. Black bears occasionally roam the grounds searching for food. On our free afternoons, we spend hours leaping off the dock into the warm, clear Laurel Lake. Nights will find us watching the Boston Symphony Orchestra, drinking wine and socializing in the outdoor seating area.

During the day, my main task is to provide the students and faculty with their music and make sure everyone is prepared for rehearsals. It’s truly wonderful being around the next generation of musicians, observing and nurturing their growth both musically and professionally. The other day I proctored auditions for the string instrumentalists, and enjoyed immensely offering guidance and soothing the nerves of the anxious auditionees. Sharing my experiences and hopefully aiding their development is one of my favorite parts of my job.

Another perk of my job is having unlimited access to the array of spectacular concerts offered at Tanglewood. The first concert I attended here featured Broadway singer Idina Menzel with the Boston Pops, followed by a Beatles Rock Band sing-a-long as an encore! Before the show, we even spotted Idina’s husband, Taye Diggs, roaming around the grounds. The following weekend we packed a cooler of delicious beverages and sprawled out on the lawn to enjoy the Boston Symphony Orchestra perform an all-Beethoven concert. I felt like I was in fantasyland, sipping homemade hard apple cider, hanging out with some of my best friends and loved ones, listening to world class musicians. Never in my life have I felt so blessed and been in such a state of joy!

Our fourth of July celebrations provided me with almost the same divine experience. A few friends and I packed a picnic of food and Prosecco, and took a canoe out onto Laurel Lake, which happens to be right behind the Tanglewood grounds. James Taylor and Carole King were performing their annual show that evening, and we had the sublime luck to hear the end of their performance wafting over the lake. After the sun went down, we watched the Tanglewood fireworks. A family on the lake happened to be doing their own firework display, and we were able to watch from a few feet away with the lights exploding right over our heads.

This past weekend I took a mini vacation, and went camping in nearby New York. My boyfriend and I had a splendid time exploring the area, roasting giant marshmallows, and lounging by the lake. I honed my outdoor expertise by starting the camp fire, collecting wood, and picking wild raspberries (note to parents: I do have camping skills! When I told my family I was going camping, they laughed and told me I couldn’t bring my heels or a blow drier) We even went to a Shaker village and a winery/orchard – Furnace Brook Winery – where we discovered the most delicious hard apple cider and peaceful apple orchard.

My idyllic weekend came to an end this morning, however, when work started back up again. I have barely a complaint though; most of my colleagues and friends are such a joy to work with and all our afternoons end with a dip in the lake. I don’t want our summer camp to end!

Our home, Groton Hall at Tanglewood

Laurel Lake

The BSO at Tanglewood

Idina!

Hanging out in the orchard at the winery

Only downside of the summer...the mosquitoes here are vicious!

Just a typical day frolicking in the fields

*photos property of Liv Hauck and TheNeave.com

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