The Annual Father’s Day Concerts, since 1969
Performed Under the Linden Tree at the Reading Public Museum, featured local musicians/singers as soloists. This long-standing tradition is the event not to miss. Over the years, features have included: Schuylkill Valley Regional Dance Company, Kimberly Reighley, flute, Kay and Craig Weidner, Jason Michael, Connie Kurtz, Courtney Orlando, Charlotte Paulsen, Paul Breidenstine, trumpet, Jonathan Reinhold, Christianne Knaur, Steven Weiser, Deborah Greenawald, Beth Gelsinger, Jon Reinhold, Kenny Mease, Kristin Grassi, Rebecca Thompson, Orin Strunk, Katie Wiend, Josee Vachon, Courtney Chew, Celeste Galvin, Dane Santa, Jessica Kostival.
June 15, 2014 The Annual Father’s Day concert moved to Cacoosing Meadows Park. Soloists included Dave Kline, Dara Nuebling-Smith, flute
June 14, 2015 Dave Cullen
June 20, 2016 Josee Vachon
June 18, 2017 Americana
June 17, 2018 Music of America, Charles Kadyk.
June 16, 2019 The 50th Anniversary concert – the orchestra returned to the Reading Public Museum and invited Jonathan Reinhold to sing with us once again.
June 2021 the concert was moved to Green Valley Chateau Tent
June 19, 2022 combined celebration of Father’s Day and Juneteenth featured John Coakley, guest conducted by Andrew Cusano
June 18, 2023 Chrissyanne Lawson, guest conductor Andrew Cusano
June 16, 2024 All orchestra concert
Annual Muhlenberg Summer Concert Series 1991 – 2016
Combined with Muhlenberg Community Chorus
July 13, 1991 Al Leader clarinet, Connie Kurtz vocalist
June 27, 1992 Julie Beth Drey clarinet, Gene Bujnovsky guitar
July 10, 1993 Ken Kemmerer bass trombone
July 9, 1994 Thadd Shirey vocalist, Paul Breidenstine trumpet, Theresa D’Andrea vocalist.
July 8, 1995 Jonathan Reinhold vocalist
July 13, 1996 Tessa Lang, Johannes Schwaiger
July 12, 1997 Christianne Knaur, Elizabeth Ruch
July 11, 1998 Brian Gibson, Al Seifarth, Julie Beth Drey
July 10, 1999 Beth Gelsinger
July 1, 2000 Jason Michael, Julie Beth Drey
July 7, 2001 Ken Kemmerer
July 6, 2002 Vladimir Aleksandruk
July 12, 2003 Kenny Mease
July 10, 2004 Ken Kemmerer, Phyllis Peters harp
July 9, 2005 All Orchestral
July 8, 2006 All Orchestral
July 7, 2007All Orchestral
July 12, 2008 Vladimir Aleksandruk, “Lincoln Portrait” James Getty Lincoln impersonator narrator
July 11, 2009 Kim Webster, Kirstin Gordon oboe, Vladimir Aleksandruk
June 19, 2010 Vladimir Aleksandruk
June 18, 2011 All Orchestral
Orchestra Side by Side Concerts
1997 Spring with Governor Mifflin Middle School
June 16, 2012 First Side by Side with high school musicians, Mary McCormick Ina Grapenthin (2 pieces with students)
June 15, 2013 Christianne Roll, Student Side by Side (2nd half of concert)
June 14, 2014 Flag Day Celebration and Side By Side (2nd half) 54 students
June 13, 2015 Concert Commemorating Flag Day and Veterans, Side by Side, Tulpehocken High School (60 students)
June 11, 2016 Muhlenberg Summer Concert Phyllis Peters harp, Side bySide (62 students)
June 10, 2017 Flag Day and Salute to Veterans, Side by Side, Oley Valley High School (75 students)
June 9, 2018 Community Concert, Side by Side, Kutztown Area Middle School
June 8, 2019 Flag Day and Salute to Veterans, Side by Side, Oley Valley High School
June 8, 2024 Andrew Neu, Side by Side (full concert with students)
Annual Wyomissing Stone House Concert
July 6, 1997 Tessa Lang & Johanes Schwager, Steve Weiser
July 5, 1998 Jason Michael
July 11, 1999 Beth Gelsinger, Ken Mease
July 15, 2001 Kevin Cooper
July 14, 2002 Julie Beth Drey clarinet
July 13, 2003 Debbie Holland
July 11, 2004 All Orchestral
July 10, 2005 Jason Michael
July 16, 2006 Sharon Bailey
July 15, 2007 Yongmee Bashore
July 13, 2008 All Orchestral
July 12, 2009 All Orchestral
July 11, 2010 Youth soloists Seana Bentz, Ian Matthews, Emily Wisser, Andy Mohler
July 10, 2011
July 15, 2012 Youth soloists Katie Ott, Joshua Sell, Kerri McDonald, Shaun Swartz
July 14, 2013 Tribute to Morton Gould, Youth soloists Riley Pearson, Quinn Corcoran, Candance Ebersole
July 13, 2014 Youth soloists Sydne Lyons, Katie Spencer, John Bingaman
Julye 12, 2015 Tribute to Henry Gass, Youth soloists Ashley Calderon, Cassandra Malack, Becca Snyer, Marilyn Benvenuto
July 17, 2016 Youth soloists Skyler Moyer oboe, David Schucker trumpet, Hector Echevarria vocalist, Krystal Nolte vocalist
July 16, 2017 Tyler Readinger guest student conductor, Youth soloists Alexa Henry, Ryan Kauffman, Melanie Wilson vocalists
July 15, 2018 Youth soloists Maeve Bantra flugelhorn and vocalist, Kristen Suruskie, Mike Bean
July 14, 2019 All Orchestral
July 25, 2021 All Orchestral
July 10, 2022 Tyler Readinger guest conductor, Youth soloists Evie Ramirz, Micah Campbell, Andres Herrera, Music from the Movies
July 9, 2023 Veronica Mascaro guest conductor Symphonic Marches
August 4, 2024 Willis Rapp and Veronica Mascaro conductors, all orchestral
Vesper Service with St. Daniel’s Lutheran Church, Robesonia, Senior Choir, Bell Choir
December 16, 2001 250th Anniversary of St Daniel’s, Candace Goetz, Jonathan Reinhold
December 22, 2002 Candace Goetz. Jonathan Reinhold, Rycki Callan
(moved to Conrad Weiser High School in 2003)
December 21, 2003 Brian Lewis, Melissa Small, Katherine Aregood, Tara Bernstel
December 19, 2004 Heather Moehlmann-Karnes, Brian Lewis, Melissa Small, Tara Bernstel, Gretchen Patti
December 18, 2005 Melissa Small, Tara Bernstel, Gretchen Patti,
December 17, 2006 Tara Bernstel, Gretchen Patti, Jonathan Reinhold, Melissa Small
December 16, 2007 Katherin Aregood-Crusi
December 21, 2008 Tara Bernstel, Gretchen Patti, Melissa Small
December 20, 2009 Melissa Small
December 19, 2010 Amy Yavonovich, Gretchen Patti, Melissa Small
December 18, 2011 Jonathan Reinhold, Gretchen Patti, Melissa Small
December 9, 2012 Nichi Hunsberger, Gretchen Patti, Melissa Small
December 22, 2013 Soloists from Choir
December 21, 2014 Soloists from Choir
December 20, 2015 Tyler Ravert, Brian Lewis, Gretchen Patti, Melissa Small
December 18, 2016 Tyler Ravert, Brian Lewis, Gretchen Patti, Melissa Small
December 10, 2017 Katherin Aregood Crusi
December 23, 2018 Soloists from Choir
December 22, 2019 Soloists from Choir
December 12, 2021Jamie Caporizo and Kent Bollman
December 11, 2022 Jamie Caporizo and John Coakley
December 10, 2023 Suzannah Waddington, Orin Strunk, Tyler Ravert, Albright College Choir
December15, 2024 Tara Reber, Melissa Small, Tyler Ravert
Berks Jazz Fest
March 21, 1999 Paquito D’Rivera
March 12, 2000 Tribute to Skip Norcott with Nicole Pasternak, Ralph, Lalama, Dave Lalama
March 2001 Four Freshmen
March 2002 New York Voices
March 2003 Chuck Mangione
March 20, 2004 Jim Brickman
March 20, 2005 John Pizzarelli
March 18, 2006 Ramsey Lewis and David Benoit
March 18, 2007 David Cullen
March 2, 2008 Diane Shuur
April 5, 2009 Nelson Rangell American Songbook
March 21, 2010 Jane Monheit
April 3, 2011 Rick Braun, Phillippe Saisse
March 25, 2012 Rick Braun, Phillippe Saisse
April 13/14, 2013 Brian Bromberg, Chuck Loeb, David Beniot, Eric Marienthal,
April 5/6 2014 Keiko Matsui
April 19, 2015 New York Voices
April 10, 2016 Brubeck Brothers
April 8, 2018 Erich Cawalla
April 6, 2019 Keiko Matsui
August 14, 2021 Celebrate the Music of Django Reinhardt with Julien Labro
April 2, 2022 Royal Scam
April 7, 2024 Keiko Matsui
The Nutcracker with Berks Ballet
December16 & 17, 2017 Scottish Rite Cathedral
December 15 & 16, 2018 Scottish Rite Cathedral
December 14 & 15, 2019 Scottish Rite Cathedral
December 18 & 19, 2021 Scottish Rite Cathedral
December 17 & 18, 2022 Schaeffer Auditorium, Kutztown University
December 16 & 17, 2023 Schaeffer Auditorium, Kutztown University
December 21 & 22, 2024 Schaeffer Auditorium, Kutztown University
City Park Bandshell
July 1, 1995 Independence Celebration Concert
June 30, 1996 Independence Celebration Concert, Toni Lynn
June 28, 1997 Independence Celebration
July 10, 1998 Dave Stahl
July 4, 2003 Nations of Praise Choir
July 2, 2004 US Army Field Band Jazz Ambassadors
July 1, 2005 Erich Cawalla and Jen Kinder
July 3, 2015 Andrew Neu and Maria Damore
July 8, 2022 Maria Damore, guest conductor Daniel Neuenschwander
Sunday with the Pops, Miller Center Series
October 21, 2007 City Rhythm Orchestra, Sinatra, Music of Ol’ Blue Eyes
December 8, 2007 Four Freshmen
October 26, 2008 Tribute to the Beatles, Classical Mystery Tour
December 14, 2008 David Benoit, Charlie Brown Christmas
March 8, 2009 New York Voices
October 25, 2009 Memories of Harry James, Cathy Chemi and Skip Stine
December 13, 2009 A Pops, Holiday, Ann Hampton Callaway
December 12, 2010 A Pops Holiday, Four Freshmen
December 11, 2011 A Pops Holiday, Gamut and KU Chamber Singers
May 6, 2012 The Friendship Concert, Jonathan Reinhold, Jon Reinhold, Lulu Lloyd, Toni Palmertree, Reinhold Singers
October 7, 2012 Salute to Broadway, Jonathan Hayes
December 9, 2012 A Pops Holiday, Andrew Neu
September 29, 2013 Four Freshmen
December 15, 2013 A Pops Holiday with Reading Choral Society, Matthew Samluck
December 14, 2014 A Pops Holiday, Mary McCormack
September 27, 2015 Livingston Taylor (Named Honorable Mention as best of 2015)
December 13, 2015 A Pops Holiday, Elliott Yamin
October 2, 2016 South Pacific, concert version with Brickhouse Theater Company
December 11, 2016 A Pops Holiday, Georgia Lazariduou, piano, Berks Youth Chorus
April 9, 2017 Minas Sextet, Symphony in Bossa, Andrew Neu, Orlando Haddad, Patricia King
October 1, 2017 Concert version of Carousel with Brickhouse Theatre
February 17, 2018 Cabaret Valentine’s Concert with Brickhouse Theatre, Jonathan Reinhold, Jane Seaman, Jon Reinhold, Katie Sina, Tony Wellman, music of Xavier Cugat
October 28, 2018 Silent Movie Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
January 27, 2019 50th Anniversary Season. Four Freshmen
October 6, 2019 50th Anniversary Concert Music of Sinatra Rick Braun
October 24, 2021 Sherrie Maricle and Five Play
March 9, 2025 Remembering Jonathan Reinhold, Jon Reinhold
Special Events
1973-1975 Stonecliff Park, Schlegel Park Amphitheatre, Kutztown Park, Fire Tower,
1979-1981 Kaleidoscope Concerts
1991 Cacoosing Meadows
November 3, 1991-Conrad Weiser High School
June 12, 1994 Pagoda Award Concert, Charlotte Paulsen, Paul Breidenstine
April 18, 1997 Reception in Honor of Wesley C. Fisher, founder of the Reading Pops Orchestra, Reading Area Community College
July 4, 1998 Greater Mifflin Community Days
August 22, 1999 Downingtown Community Park
June 11, 2000 Downingtown Community Park
August 19, 2000 Hamburg Community Day
June 2001 Llamallennium, Herb Geri, Berry Acres Llama Farm
June 25, 2002 Kutztown Summer Music Festival Cathy Chemi and Skip Stine
June 21, 2003 Berry Picking, Nicole Pasternak and Ralph Lalama, Berry Acres Llama Farm
May 15, 2005 Robesonia 150th Anniversary, Community Worship, Conrad Weiser HS
May 19, 2005 The Diamonds, Sheraton Hotel
December 1, 2007 Michael W. Smith, The Katinas and Melinda Doolittle
August 16, 2008 Shillington 100th Anniversary Concert, Erich Cawalla Jen Kinder
September 11, 2010 Gala For Dyslexia, Scottish Rite Cathedral
October 22, 2011 Variety Show, Dyslexia Center, Scottish Rite Cathedral
November 11, 2015 Veterans Cay Concert, Olympian Ballroom (RPO and RP Big Band)
July 24, 2016 Hamburg Community Park, side by side Hamburg students, Jill Haley oboe
November 4, 2016 The Legend of Zelda, Santander Performing Arts Center
June 11, 2017 Hamburg Community Park, Jill Haley, Hamburg students
July 2, 2017 Constitution Concert, Mifflin High School
March 3, 2019 Recording session for Der Belsnickel
December 4, 2022 Christmas at The Highlands, Mary McCormick
September 16, 2023 Phoebe Berks
June 15, 1996 Peach Festival St. Paul’s, Douglassville
June 14, 1997 Peach Festival St. Paul’s, Douglassville, Jason Michael
June 20, 1998 Peach Festival St. Paul’s, Douglassville
November 2003 Tribute to St. Paul’s Congregation, Douglassville
Dinner Concerts
September 22, 1996, Jonathan Reinhold
February 16, 1997 Tessa Lang and Johannes Schwaiger
September 7, 1997 Jason Michael
February 15, 1998 Kay and Craig Weidner, Bobby Raye
December 6, 1998 Brian Gibson (Lantern Lodge, Myerstown, PA)
September 20, 1998, Frank Tenaglia
February 14, 1999 Herb Geri, A Tribute to Frank Sinatra
October 31, 1999 Christmas with the Reading Pops Orchestra (Lantern Lodge)
February 13, 2000 Bobby Burnett
October 8, 2000 Brian Gibson
December 3, 2000 Christmas with the Pops, Brian Gibson (Lantern Lodge)
February 18, 2001 Toni Lynn
October 14, 2001 Michael Kurowski
February 17, 2002 New Horizons Vocal Ensemble
October 13 2002 Reading Civic Theater: Maria Damore, Brad Weisman, Kevin Cooper
Laura Long, Sean Holuhan, Jonathan C. Reinhold, Racheal Pereira, Jonathan R. Reinhold
March 3, 2003 Cathy Chemi and Skip Stine (rescheduled due to snow Feb 16, 2003)
October 25, 2003 Maria Damore
February 8, 2004 Brian Gibson and Katherine Aregood
October 24, 2004 Pat Garrett
February 13, 2005 Erich Cawalla and Jenifer Kinder
October 23, 2005 Oktoberfest with Mickey Zahurak, accordian, Warren Boyer
February 12, 2006 The Ladies of Jazz: Sue Ernesto, Toni Lynne, Sharon Bailey
The Reading Pops Big Band was formed during the Dinner Concert years to provide entertainment during the meal. The full orchestra then took the stage following dessert.
Also, having saxes is a very beneficial component for Pops orchestras during programs.
The Big Band also performs regularly on its own.
June 21, 2014 Wine and Jazz event Cacoosing Meadows
April 4, 2019 Side by Side with Conrad Weiser Middle School Jazz Band
September 4, 2021 Night of Jazz, Green Valley Chateau Tent
April 30, 2022 Afternoon of Jazz, Yocum Institute
September 3, 2022 Night of Jazz, with Veterans Making a Difference, GV Chateua Tent
April 22, 2023 Evening of Jazz, Reformation Lutheran Church
April 24, 2023 Side by Side with Exeter Middle School
September 2, 2023 Night of Jazz, Green Valley Chateau Tent
April 16, 2024 Side by Side with Muhlenberg Middle School
April 28, 2024 Jazz Appreciation Month Concert, Reformation Lutheran Church
August 31, 2024 Night of Jazz, Green Valley Chateau Tent
Christmas Concerts with Reading Choral Society
December 1991 (Rajah Theater),
December 1992 through December 2001 Scottish Rite Cathedral
A Pops Holiday (Christmas Concert Series)
Scottish Rite Cathedral
December 15, 2002 Nations of Praise Choir, Amy Yavonovich
December 14, 2003 Nations of Praise Choir, Brian Gibson
December 12, 2004 Richard Troxel
December 11, 2005 Nations of Praise Choir, Toni Palmertree
December 10, 2006 Maria Damore
KU Presents
October 6, 2014 A Gershwin Tribute, Clipper Erikson, piano
November 10, 2017 with the Boston Brass
November 7, 2022 with Heartland Marimba Quartet
Willow Valley Lakes Community Cultural Center
August 18, 2006 Sharon Bailey
February 26, 2011 Katie Wieand
June 15, 2015 Memories of Harry James, Cathy Chemi and Skip Stine
Annual Flag Day Concerts Kutztown Community Park
June 11, 1991 Jason Michael, Sweet Adelines Quartette
June 16, 1992 Gene Bujnovsky guitar, Charlie Schaeffer alto saxophone
June 15, 1993
Annual Gring’s Mill Fine Arts Day Concerts 1993 – 2007
July 18, 1993 Americana! Kay and Craig Weidner, Lillie Foster, Brian Gibson, Rick Hartman, Berks Ballet, Country Western Dancers of Reading
July 17, 1994 Berks, Barbershop, & Broadway, Charlotte Paulsen, Thadd Shirey, Pretzel City Barbershop Chorus, Theresa D’Andrea
July 23, 1995 It’s A Small World, Brian Gibson
August 4, 1996 Jonathan Reinhold
August 3, 1997 Youth soloists Steven Weiser xylophone, Jennifer Peters vocalist, Pops Swing Band Mark Stump and Julie Cate soloists
August 2, 1998 Paul Breidenstine trumpet
August 1, 1991 Herb Geri Salute to Frank Sinatra
August 6, 2000 cancelled due to rain
August 5, 2001 Kay and Craig Weidner
August 4, 2002 Amy Yavonovich, Andrew Cusano xylophone
May 29, 2004 Spring Arts Festival, Brian Gibson
August 7, 2005 Broadway Tonight, ABC Community Theater, 13 youth soloists
June 25, 2006 Youth Soloists Andrew Rhoads, Lindsey Villecco, Melissa Eagan, Joshs Hirneisen, Caitlin Bement, Kelly Kantner
June 25, 2007 Youth Soloists Jaime Richard, Matt Howell-Clark, Abby Drey, Greg McCormick, Julie Kearshetsky, Jared Sherman, Caitlin Bement, Angela D’Angelo, Shaina Ward
Friends of Robesonia Community Library, Conrad Weiser
November 3, 1991, Kimberly Steinhauer
April 26, 1998 Jonathan Reinhold
April 25, 1999 Jonathan Reinhold
April 30, 2000 Beth Gelsinger
April 22, 2001 Deborah Greenawald
April 21, 2002 Deborah Greenawald
April 6, 2003 Jonathan Reinhold
April 4, 2004 Maria Damore
April 23, 2006 Deborah Greenawald
Scenic River Days
August 1991
August 2, 1992 Everything’s Coming Up Broadway, Kevin Cooper, Kimberly Steinhauer, Charles Schaeffer saxophone
August 1, 1993From Rap to Rhapsody, Connie Kurtz, Jason Michael
River Fest
June 13, 1998 Brian Gibson
