About BUTI

The Boston University Tanglewood Institute (BUTI) is recognized internationally as the premier summer training program for aspiring high school-age musicians and is the only program of its kind associated with one of the world’s great symphony orchestras. Under the guidance of distinguished professionals, and in the presence of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO), young people devote themselves to an artistic experience without parallel. The high artistic standards, rich culture of learning, and diverse programs make BUTI a unique opportunity for young artists, a starting point on the path to a future in classical music.

Watch a video about Boston University Tanglewood Institute

While they differ in content and length, all BUTI programs share a common element: excellence. From the moment students step onto the grounds, they are immersed in fine music making. Tanglewood is a magical blend of the formal and informal, of joy and hard work. No one who spends a summer at Tanglewood leaves untouched by the experience.

“BUTI is a unique experience that made me realize what playing at a high level was all about. My two summers there changed everything for me and served as the launching point of my professional career.”

–Owen Young, cellist, BUTI alumnus, 1979–1980;
Member, Boston Symphony Orchestra

The Summer Institute

In 1966, the music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf, invited Edward Stein, Dean of the Boston University College of Fine Arts, to create a summer training program for high school musicians as a counterpart to the BSO’s Tanglewood Music Center (TMC). His vision was of a program to challenge young musicians to perform at the highest level and allow them unprecedented access to the Tanglewood Music Festival. Stein then approached Wilbur Fullbright, the newly appointed director of the Boston University School of Music at the College of Fine Arts. Fullbright’s enthusiasm for the project transformed Leinsdorf’s goal into reality, and the Boston University Tanglewood Institute opened for its inaugural season in July 1966.

“The uniqueness of the program, set within the framework of one of the world’s leading orchestras, offers an unparalleled opportunity to be a part of music making at its highest level.”

–Dr. Wilbur D. Fullbright
Professor Emeritus and Former Director

The Tanglewood Music Center

The Tanglewood Music Center (TMC), established in 1940 by Serge Koussevitzky, provides a broad range of intensive musical learning and experience for emerging professionals of exceptional ability. The students of the Boston University Tanglewood Institute share rehearsals and performance spaces, and attend a selection of TMC master classes, rehearsals, and activities—often led by BSO members. BUTI students also enjoy free, unlimited access to all performances of the BSO and the TMC.

This interaction with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Tanglewood Music Center distinguishes BUTI from other summer music programs and offers aspiring young artists a superior, inspiring, and transforming musical experience.

The Tanglewood Institute Young Artists Vocal Program

Phyllis Hoffman, director
Ann Howard Jones, conductor

The Young Artists Vocal Program has been an important stepping-stone for young vocalists seeking to enroll in one of the competitive music schools and/or conservatories. Many vocal program alumni have gone on to be winners of prestigious competitions and are successful professionals in opera, oratorio, and recital.

As one of the leading summer institutes for advanced young singers, the Young Artists Vocal Program nurtures and encourages the development of gifted high school-age singers geared toward professional studies. The intensive curriculum provides a conservatory model of training in the components essential for well-educated singers: vocal technique, musicianship, and performance.

“My summers at BUTI are my single greatest source of inspiration. It is impossible for me to ever become disillusioned with singing, because I carry in my heart a knowledge of music’s tremendous importance, power, and joy; this is the great gift of BUTI.”

–Brenda Patterson, YAVP 1994 and 1995; BM, The Juilliard School; leading mezzo-soprano, Hamburgische Staatsoper; Metropolitan Opera debut 2008

Highlights of the BUTI Young Artists Vocal Program:

•  Classes essential for the development of young singers: music theory, music history, sight-singing, foreign language diction, movement, and acting

•  Weekly private voice lessons and repertoire coaching with experienced staff teachers

•  Daily voice classes taught by master voice teachers Phyllis Hoffman, Penelope Bitzas, Joy McIntyre, and James Demler and focused on healthy vocal technique and performance

•  Solo vocal training culminating in recitals presenting each student in performance

•  Daily chorus rehearsals focused on healthy solo vocal production in preparation for a full concert in Ozawa Hall and as part of Tanglewood on Parade in the Koussevitzky Music Shed

•  Musical and staging rehearsals for assigned opera scenes to be performed in the final week of the program

•  Master classes and Q&A sessions with BSO/TMC guest artists such as Renée Fleming, Christine Brewer, Stephanie Blythe, Heidi Grant Murphy, Jane Bunnell, Marcus Haddock, Joy McIntyre, Angela Meade, Lauren Ambrose, Brenda Patterson, and master teacher Phyllis Curtin.