The Reading Symphony Orchestra Andrew Constantine | Music Director

2016–17 SEASON www.readingsymphony.org Santander Performing Arts Center • 136 North Sixth Street • Reading, PA 19601

The Reading Symphony Orchestra Discover World-Class Music — Close to Home

Here it is, ladies and gentlemen, the brochure you’ve all been waiting to see! Could we be starting the Reading Symphony Orchestra’s 104th season in a more dramatic way? I doubt it very much! Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, with the great William Wolfram as soloist, and Holst’s “The Planets” are a music lovers dream for opening night. If you ever wondered about the structural integrity of the Santander Performing Arts Center, that’s the night to really test it. For those of you who also love the lighter approach in the RSO’s offerings, a New Year’s Eve in the company of the extraordinary Ellis Hall and the music of Ray Charles, plus the rampant virtuosity of the Mambo Kings in February need a ‘hold’ in your diaries straight away. Then, scanning through the other pages, you’ll see that we’ve spared no effort in creating for you one of our most compelling seasons to date. Great soloists returning to the RSO include Grammy-Award winning guitarist Jason Vieaux and the phenomenal pianist Fabio Bidini. Several new friends join the symphony for the first time and we are thrilled to be sharing the stage on a number of occasions with the Reading Choral Society and Baltimore Choral Arts. Familiar masterpieces such as Brahms’ Symphony No. 3 and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2 stand alongside several new and recent masterpieces that I know you’ll enjoy, whilst the combination of music, singing and spoken-word in Mendelssohn’s magical A Midsummer Night’s Dream will lead us merrily into our next summer recess! It’s here, it’s going to happen, it’s live music at its very best. Join your Reading Symphony Orchestra for more unforgettable evenings. I’ll see you at the symphony,

A n d r e w C o n sta n t i n e , M u s i c D i r e c to r

PHOTOS OF THE RSO BY PHIL MACARONIS

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A Grand Night of Music Saturday September 24, 2016 7:30 PM Tchaikovsky

Polonaise from Eugene Onegin

Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini William Wolfram, Piano Holst

“The Planets”

Reading Choral Society Women’s Chorus and members of the Berks Youth Chorus The Reading Symphony Orchestra opens its 2016-17 season with Tchaikovsky’s Polonaise—a spirited dance from his grand opera, Eugene Onegin, based on the classic novel by Alexander Pushkin. The orchestra is also joined by internationally recognized pianist William Wolfram for Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. Gustav Holst’s sweeping tribute to the solar system, inspired by the composer’s fascination with astrology, completes the program and features the Reading Choral Society Women’s Chorus and female members of the Berks Youth Chorus.

Concert Sponsor

CALL 610-373-7557 EXT. 223 OR EMAIL [email protected]

Soloist Sponsor

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Great Choral Works Saturday October 29, 2016 7:30 PM Sunday October 30, 2016 3:00 PM Kraushaar Auditorium on the Goucher College campus 1021 Dulaney Valley Road, Towson, MD 21204

Brahms

Tragic Overture

Leshnoff

“Dark Bells”

Vaughan Williams Flos Campi Peter Minkler, Viola Brahms

Schicksalslied

Baltimore Choral Arts Society

PHOTO BY CHRISTIAN COLBERG

Praised by The Baltimore Sun as “one of the finest cultural institutions in…the nation”, the Baltimore Choral Arts Society is featured in three choral works—the Pennsylvania premiere of acclaimed composer Jonathan Leshnoff’s “Dark Bells”, Brahms’ three-movement Schicksalslied, and Vaughan Williams’ wordless Flos Campi, together with violist Peter Minkler. Also on the program is Brahms’ Tragic Overture.

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A GrammyAward Winning Guitarist Saturday December 3, 2016 7:30 PM Dvorák ˇ

Slavonic Rhapsody No. 3

Visconti

Guitar Concerto Jason Vieaux, Guitar

Brahms

Symphony No. 3

PHOTO BY TYLER BOYE

Hailed as “…perhaps the most precise and soulful classical guitarist of his generation” by NPR, Grammy-Award winner Jason Vieaux’s artistry is highlighted in acclaimed composer Dan Visconti’s Guitar Concerto, exploring the future of classical music. Contrasting pieces from an earlier era by ˇ round out the program. Brahms and Dvorák

CALL 610-373-7557 EXT. 223 OR EMAIL [email protected]

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Mozart Celebration Saturday January 14, 2017 7:30 PM Tchaikovsky

Mozartiana

Mozart

Flute Concerto in G Major, K. 313 Yevgeny Faniuk, Flute

Mozart

Symphony No. 35, “Haffner”

Mozart’s compositions are given the spotlight with his four movement “Haffner” Symphony, and Tchaikovsky’s tribute and arrangement of some of Mozart’s short works. RSO’s own principal flutist Yevgeny Faniuk is also featured in Mozart’s Flute Concerto in G Major.​

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© SV HOEPCKER

An Evening of Beethoven Saturday March 4, 2017 7:30 PM Beethoven Leonore Overture No. 1 Beethoven Symphony No. 2 Beethoven

Triple Concerto Fabio Bidini, Piano Sabrina-Vivian Höpcker​, Violin Andrew Shulman, Cello

Beethoven’s dramatic music takes center stage with his overture to the opera Leonore, his majestic Second Symphony, and his Triple Concerto, featuring three musicians at the top of their game in a unique collaboration—pianist Fabio Bidini, violinist Sabrina-Vivian Höpcker, and cellist Andrew Shulman.

Concert Sponsor

CALL 610-373-7557 EXT. 223 OR EMAIL [email protected]

Soloist Sponsor

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The World of Shakespeare Saturday April 29, 2017 7:30 PM Sibelius

“The Tempest”

Nyman

Prospero’s Books

Mendelssohn

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream”

Reading Choral Society Women’s Chorus Explore Shakespeare’s world with music inspired by “The Tempest” by Sibelius and featured in the film “Prospero’s Books” by Michael Nyman. The Reading Choral Society Women’s Chorus are featured in Mendelssohn’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, evoking the spirit of magical possibilities.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF LEIGHALA J. MANAGEMENT & ENTERTAINMENT

A Tribute to Ray Charles and Friends Tuesday December 31, 2016 7:30 PM Pops Series Sponsor

Multi-instrumentalist, R & B vocalist, and protégé of Ray Charles, Ellis Hall gives a tribute to his mentor with songs including Georgia On My Mind, Hit the Road Jack, Ain’t No Mountain, America the Beautiful, I Heard It Through the Grapevine, and Let the Good Times Roll, as well as his own original songs, joined by the RSO.

Concert Sponsor

CALL 610-373-7557 EXT. 223 OR EMAIL [email protected]

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Hot Latin Nights! Saturday February 11, 2017 7:30 PM

As one of America’s foremost Latin jazz ensembles, the Mambo Kings, along with the RSO, take the audience on a journey through the Pan-American experience, from the sultry melancholy of Astor Piazzola and the Afro-Cuban jazz of Tito Puente, to the rhythmic playfulness of jazz great Dave Brubeck and the pop strains of The Beatles, featuring original orchestral arrangements and compositions from the U.S., Perú, Argentina, Cuba, and Puerto Rico.

Pops Series Sponsor

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Holiday Extravaganza

Saturday, December 17, 2016, 3:00 PM

The Reading Symphony Youth Orchestra ​ is featured in t​ his family-friendly event ​ that ​includes a concert, an “instrument petting zoo”, and a visit from a very jolly guest conductor.

Performances from the Reading Symphony Youth and Junior String Orchestras

The Messiah

Sunday, April 2, 2017, 3:00 PM Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church 1001 East Wyomissing Blvd., Reading, PA 19611

Dr. David McConnell leads the RSO in Handel’s choral masterpiece, The Messiah, with local community members as soloists and chorus members.

Concert Sponsor

CALL 610-373-7557 EXT. 223 OR EMAIL [email protected]

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RSO Extras Concert Extras

Education Extras

Get Involved!

Pre-Concert Performance

The Orchestra Zone

Reading Symphony Orchestra League

Prior to each concert (excluding Pops), local high school students perform in the SPAC lobby beginning at 6:30 PM.

The Orchestra Zone program provides instruments and music instruction to talented, underserved children in the Reading School District. The RSO is in need of music instructors willing to provide free after-school lessons to our students, to expand the program. Call 610-373-7557 if you are able to help.

The RSO League supplies hands-on help at select RSO events, and sponsors annual scholarships to promising young Berks County musicians. The League also promotes several event-driven fundraisers throughout the year, including a yearly trip to the Kimmel Center to hear The Philadelphia Orchestra, and the annual Symphony of Style Fashion Show, which is at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 5 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Wyomissing and features a silent auction, raffle and fashions for men and women from local merchants.

Concert Bus Service Round-trip bus transportation is available for all concerts (excluding Pops) through Alvernia University’s Access to the Arts program. Cost for the Classics Season is $30. On concert nights, pick-up is at Boscov’s East at 6:15 PM or the Berkshire Mall at 6:45 PM. Please refer to the ticket order form in this brochure to order your bus passes.

Masterclass Series For select concerts, the RSO hosts a Masterclass with visiting soloists beginning at 11:30 AM. Tickets are available at the door, with a suggested donation of $5 and free admission for students.

RSOvertures

Know Your Symphony Lecture Series

Guests artists join Music Director, Andrew Constantine for an informal discussion of the concert program beginning at 6:45 PM on the stage prior to eachconcert (excluding Pops).

Enhance your concert experience by attending the Know Your Symphony lecture series on the Wednesday evening prior to each concert at the The Highlands in Wyomissing at 7:30 PM (excluding Pops). The cost is $25 for the 6 lecture series, or a $5 charge per lecture at the door.

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Beat Beethoven! Race to the music of Beethoven performed live by the RSYO on the Alvernia University campus on April 30, 2017 at the annual Beat Beethoven 5K / 10K run.

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Moving to the next level of support Donors Donors & Concert Sponsorship Sponsors The Reading Symphony Orchestra is grateful to our many supporters who help us off-set the costs of bringing highquality music and educational programs to the Berks County Community. Since ticket sales only make up less than half of the operating costs of the RSO, the support from concert sponsors and donors is invaluable. As you enjoy your RSO experience, we invite you to consider an enhanced level of support by becoming a donor or even a concert sponsor. These uniquely generous patrons provide the additional revenue required, over and above ticket sales, to keep the RSO fiscally healthy.

Individuals and businesses that sponsor RSO concerts receive bespoke recognition in print, radio, TV, website and social media, as well as program listings, and receive invitations to special receptions and complimentary tickets for professional colleagues. With flexible benefits and marketing packages, the RSO can tailor your sponsorship to meet the needs and expectations of your company. If you are interested in contributing to the RSO or serving as a concert sponsor, please contact the RSO’s Development Director, Kyle Scroggs, at 610-373-7557 ext. 224 or by email at [email protected] for more information.

Thank you to our major sponsors who are RSO PROUD!

CALL 610-373-7557 EXT. 223 OR EMAIL [email protected]

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It Pays to Subscribe! Membership has its rewards

1

 ix classical concerts S for the price of five, plus keep your seats and receive 20% off additional concert tickets, if purchased before June 30, 2016. Includes the February Pops, Holiday Extravaganza, and The Messiah (New Year’s Eve concert not applicable).

2 3

Bring a friend for free! Receive one complimentary ticket per season for subscription series concerts.  Discounted parking at Reading Parking Authority garages when ordered with your subscription.

6

E  xchange any of your subscription tickets for tickets to another concert in your subscription series.

7 8

Invitations to preand post-concert subscriber receptions.

4 5

R  eserve the best seats in the house before they become available to the public.

Easy payment plan for credit card users — four monthly payments for June through September.

9 10 

Special  recognition of our 10, 20 and 30+ year subscribers at an upcoming concert. 

 Free admission to Masterclass series events. Free parking on concert nights at the Abraham Lincoln Hotel.

Your Club RSO card will be valid from July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017 and is for Classic Package subscribers only.

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2016-17 TICKET OFFERS Classics Package Six classical concerts for the price of five, plus keep your seats and receive 20% off additional concert tickets, if purchased before June 30, 2016. Includes the February Pops, Holiday Extravaganza, and The Messiah (New Year’s Eve concert not applicable). Those who purchase this package are also eligible for Club RSO benefits. New subscribers enjoy a 50% discount on this package and 2nd year subscribers enjoy a 25% discount on this package while enjoying full benefits of the Club RSO card!

Flex Package Pick any three classical concerts by June 30, 2016, and keep your usual seats. Enjoy subscriber benefits 4-10!

Pops + 1 Package Includes both Pops concerts, and a free ticket to a classical concert of your choice.

Gift Cards Can be used for any RSO concerts and merchandise. Receive best available seats.

All concerts held at the Santander Performing Arts Center, 136 North Sixth Street, Reading, PA 19601 unless otherwise noted

CALL 610-373-7557 EXT. 223 OR EMAIL [email protected]

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Star-Spangled Spectacular July 4th, 2016 • FirstEnergy Stadium Gates open to public at 6:00 PM • Concert at 8:00 PM Join the RSO and a few thousand of your friends and neighbors at this popular patriotic concert on the infield of the Reading Fightin’ Phils ballpark.

Reading Symphony Orchestra 147 North 5th St., Suite 4 Reading, PA 19601-3494 readingsymphony.org Andrew Constantine, Music Director

NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID READING, PA PERMIT NO. 177

2016–2017 ORDER FORM NEW SUBSCRIBER

RENEWAL

SINGLE TICKETS

NAME (PLEASE PRINT) ADDRESS CITY

STATE

ZIP

PHONE FAX E-MAIL ADDRESS

PAYMENT METHOD – (Paying by check saves money for the RSO) CHECK VISA MC AMEX credit cards incur a 3% fee CARD # SECURITY CODE EXPIRATION DATE

SIGNATURE

ORDER BY PHONE: 610-373-7557 EXT. 223

SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGE ORDER CLASSICS SEASON PACKAGE

FLEX PACKAGE

POPS + 1 PACKAGE

SECTION ___________ QTY. ______ X PRICE _________ = TOTAL __________

Subscription Total

$ _________________

FREE PARKING available at The Abraham Lincoln Hotel Garage with Club RSO Card.

SINGLE TICKET ORDER

CLASSICS

SECTION QTY. X

PRICE =

9/24/16 Concert 1, 7:30 PM ______ _____ X __________

TOTAL

= $ ___________

10/29/16 Concert 2, 7:30 PM ______ _____ X __________ = $ ___________ 12/3/16 Concert 3, 7:30 PM ______ _____ X __________ = $ ___________ 1/14/17 Concert 4, 7:30 PM ______ _____ X __________ = $ ___________ 3/4/17 Concert 5, 7:30 PM ______ _____ X __________ = $ ___________ 4/29/17 Concert 6, 7:30 PM ______ _____ X __________ = $ ___________ SPECIALS 12/17/16 Extrav., 3:00 PM

______ _____ X __________ = $ ___________

12/31/16 NYE., 7:30 PM

______ _____ X __________ = $ ___________

2/11/17 Latin Pops, 7:30 PM ______ _____ X __________ = $ ___________ 4/2/17 Messiah, 3:00 PM

______ _____ X __________ = $ ___________

PRE-PAID PARKING PASSES – SAVE $12! Covers all 6 classical concerts – regularly $48. Alvernia University Access to the Arts Shuttle Bus Season Pass – Classics Only (Limited to the first 24 patrons).

$36.00 = $ ___________

$30.00 = $ ___________

I would like to add a Make checks payable to: RSO tax- deductible contribution to the 2016-17 Annual Fund $ __________ Mail order form to: Reading Symphony Orchestra, 147 N. 5th. S ponsor tickets for a deserving Berks county student @ $10 ea. $ __________ St, Suite 4, Reading, PA 19601

Processing/ Handling Fee Questions? Call Donna Kline at the Symphony Office Subtotal Credit Card Fee: 3% of subtotal 610-373-7557 Ext. 223 OTAL ENTIRE ORDER T

$10.00 $ __________ $ __________ $ __________ $ __________

2016–2017 TICKET PRICING SINGLE TICKETS

CLASSICS SEASON PACKAGE*

FLEX PACKAGE

POPS +1 PACKAGE

HOLIDAY EXTRAV.

LOGE & BOX (L/B)

$80

$400

$240

$160

$15

FRONT BALCONY (FB)

$70

$350

$210

$140

$15

ORCHESTRA (OR)

$60

$300

$180

$120

$10

REAR BALCONY (RB)

$36

$180

$108

$72

$10

CORNER BALCONY (CB)

$20

$100

$60

$40

$10

SEAT LOCATION

THE MESSIAH CONCERT: SUBSCRIBERS: $20 NON-SUBSCRIBERS: $25 Prices include taxes and a facility fee of $6/$12 per subscription or $2 per concert. Additional handling fees may apply. * New subscribers receive 50% off and 2nd year subscribers receive 25% off.

SANTANDER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER LOWER LEVEL STAGE B1

B1

ROW A

B2 L

OR

OR

OR

A–E < FB

FB

L–P < CB ROW Z CENTER

RIGHT

LEFT

L

L

L

F–K < RB

LEFT

B2

UPPER LEVEL

FB

RB

FB

RB RB

CENTER

FB

CB RIGHT

Season Subscriptions Order through RSO Office, 610-373-7557. Make checks payable to RSO. Orders will be date-stamped and processed in the order received. Subscription deposit due by June 30, 2016. Seat assignments are made at the discretion of the RSO.

General Policy Programs, artists, dates, times and locations are subject to change without notice. Recording devices and cameras are not permitted. Concerts start promptly. Late arrivals will be seated at the first appropriate opportunity. Unless noted, concerts begin at 7:30 PM at the Santander Performing Arts Center, 136 N. 6th St., Reading.

Ticket Returns If you are unable to use one or more of your subscription tickets, consider donating them back to the RSO at least 48 hours prior to concert. You can also turn them in for tickets to another subscription concert. Call Donna Kline at 610-373-7557 Ext 223.

Parking and Security Park at the well-lit Poplar and Walnut Street Garage. Security is provided by Downtown Improvement District (DID).

Single Ticket Orders Single tickets will go on sale to the public July 1, 2016. Ways to purchase single tickets: • RSO Office: 610-373-7557 • The Santander Center Box Office: 700 Penn Street, Reading • RSO website: www.ReadingSymphony.org

Free parking at Abraham Lincoln Hotel for subscribers and complimentary parking for all other RSO ticket holders with a purchase of food and/or drink at the Abraham Lincoln Hotel Bar/ Restaurant. Dates to Remember Subscription renewal: April 2, 2016 to June 30, 2016. July 1, 2016 all remaining seats go on sale to the public as single tickets.