WATERTOWN, MA – MassEcon, the state’s private sector partner in promoting business growth in Massachusetts, announced that Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra in Lenox, MA, will receive its 2019 Community Impact Award.
Employing over 1,100 in a typical year, including full-, part-time, and seasonal staff, orchestra members and extra players, Tanglewood brings more than $100 million in economic activity to the Berkshires annually. The $33 million Linde Center for Music and Learning, Tanglewood’s first year-round facility, opened in June of 2019.
“On behalf of everyone at the Boston Symphony Orchestra, I will be honored to accept MassEcon’s 2019 Community Impact Award, recognizing Tanglewood’s cultural and economic contribution to the Berkshire region and Commonwealth of Massachusetts,” said Mark Volpe, the Eunice and Julian Cohen Boston Symphony Orchestra President and CEO. “ We hope that Tanglewood’s annual impact on the region’s economy will only increase, as we present the first-ever fall/winter/spring season programming to take place at the beautiful new Linde Center for Music and Learning, from October to June. We’re very excited that this new facet of Tanglewood might bring an additional boost of economic energy to the Berkshire community that has supported Tanglewood as the BSO’s summer home since 1937.”
“Tanglewood is a treasured cultural asset in Massachusetts that delivers a tremendous economic impact in the Berkshires and Massachusetts,” stated Peter Abair, Executive Director of MassEcon. “With its latest investments in facilities and people and its on-going commitment to investing in the Berkshires, we will be pleased to honor Tanglewood with this special award.”
“Tanglewood is unquestionably the single most important driver for the tourism industry in my district,” said State Representative Smitty Pignatelli of Lenox, who represent the 4th Berkshire District. “I can still remember watching traffic coming and going from Tanglewood during my summers as a child. Tanglewood has served as an economic engine of the Berkshires since that time. It is truly remarkable to see Tanglewood’s journey from then to now, where they have gained world recognition and established themselves on an international stage. There is truly no better organization more deserving of this honor, and the Fourth Berkshire District is so proud that Tanglewood calls us home.”
Tanglewood will receive the Community Impact Award as part of the 16th Annual Team Massachusetts Economic Impact Awards Luncheon on November 26, 2019, at the Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel. Citizens Bank is the event’s presenting sponsor. The Community Impact Award is presented only occasionally by MassEcon, to honor employers for exceptional economic impact in their community and region over time. Fifteen other employers will be honored as Team Massachusetts Economic Impact awardees as part of the annual ceremony, which recognizes three companies from five Massachusetts regions, selected by judges based on job growth, investment and community involvement since January of 2018.
Tanglewood, located in the Berkshire Hills of Lenox and Stockbridge, MA, has been the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra since 1937. In addition to performances by the BSO and the annual popular artist series, Tanglewood also presents concerts by the Boston Pops, a chamber music and recital series in Ozawa Hall, and performances by the Fellows of the Tanglewood Music Center, the BSO’s acclaimed summer music academy established in 1940 by Tanglewood founder Serge Koussevitzky (BSO Music Director 1924-1949). Home to most of the Tanglewood Learning Institute’s programming, the Linde Center for Music and Learning, which opened to popular and critical acclaim in summer 2019, is also available for event and concert rental use.
