Reading Symphony Orchestra

West Side Story was a groundbreaking musical that tackled serious themes like urban violence, juvenile delinquency, and young love, all driven by Jerome Robbins’ Tony Award-winning choreography. But when Leonard Bernstein adapted the music into his famous concert piece, Symphonic Dances, why did he choose the word "symphonic"?

A) Because it was arranged for a massive, 100-piece full orchestra

B) Because the music grows from a few basic themes transformed into different moods, like a classical symphony

C) Because it was originally intended to be a standalone classical symphony before becoming a musical

D) Because the music publisher required the term

Answer: B!
Bernstein explained that he called these excerpts "symphonic" not because of the size of the orchestra, but because the music develops much like a classical symphony, taking a few core thematic motifs and transforming them to match the emotional arc and dramatic action of the play.

Experience Leonard Bernstein's electrifying Symphonic Dances live as part of our powerful Classics 2, Berks in Focus program!

🗓️ Saturday, October 10, 2026 | 7:30 PM
📍 Santander Performing Arts Center
🎼 Andrew Constantine, Conductor

🎟️ Don't miss this incredible night; reserve your seats today: https://f.mtr.cool/f4qwkoqhmw

Thank you to our sponsors for your generous support.

Sweet Street
Penske
Boscov's
The Highlands at Wyomissing
Alvernia University
Berks County Community Foundation
Pennsylvania Creative Industries
DoubleTree By Hilton Reading
Yocum Institute for Arts Education

Behind every powerful crescendo and flawless unison on stage are hours of quiet focus and tireless practice.

Swipe through to see our orchestra hard at work behind the scenes as our musicians fine-tune every detail, nuance, and bow stroke for our upcoming performance!

We can't wait to share the final result with you very soon! 🎼

See the hard work come to life. Secure your seats for our next performance: https://f.mtr.cool/3c2n7e7avt

Thank you to our sponsors!

Sweet Street
Penske
Boscov's
The Highlands at Wyomissing
Alvernia University
Berks County Community Foundation
Pennsylvania Creative Industries
DoubleTree By Hilton Reading
Yocum Institute for Arts Education

Crisp air. Trees matching the sunset. Autumn settles and gives us a gentle reminder to slow down.

Between busy fall schedules and constant screen notifications, finding a moment to pause can feel rare. A night with the Reading Symphony Orchestra offers the ultimate chance to unplug and press pause on a favorite seasonal moment.

Step into the warm, historic theater, leave the noise outside, and let pure, unamplified sound wash over you.

Give yourself permission to embrace the cozy fall slowdown and refresh your spirit.

🍁 Plan your autumn evening out: https://f.mtr.cool/kfeilggy9l
📅 Saturday, October 10
📍Santander Performing Arts Center

Huge shoutout to our incredible sponsors!

Sweet Street
Penske
Boscov's
The Highlands at Wyomissing
Alvernia University
Berks County Community Foundation
Pennsylvania Creative Industries
DoubleTree By Hilton Reading
Yocum Institute for Arts Education

What happens when world-class symphonic music meets breathtaking visual storytelling? You get symphonic photochoreography, a unique art form created live on stage by photographer and multimedia artist Nicholas Bardonnay!

As Creative Director of Westwater Arts, Nicholas live-cues hundreds of image transitions from memory, projecting panoramic visuals onto giant screens above the orchestra in perfect harmony with the music.

For our upcoming Berks in Focus performance, Nicholas brings two stunning visual concertos to the Santander Arena & Performing Arts Center stage:

🌲 National Park Suite: Set to Copland’s Tender Land Suite, this piece showcases photos from over 30 national parks and monuments, from Yosemite to the Great Smoky Mountains.

🖼️ Berks in Focus: Symphony of a Thousand Images: A special RSO commission paired with Joseph Curiale’s Awakening, featuring over 1,000 photos captured by local Berks County students celebrating the people, history, and beauty of our community.

Experience this visual spectacle live with us on Saturday, October 10 at 7:30 PM at the Santander Performing Arts Center!

🎟️ Reserve your seats today: https://f.mtr.cool/04snjs4bi2
📅 Saturday, October 10
📍Santander Performing Arts Center

One night. One orchestra. A thousand stories.

Thank you to our sponsors! This couldn't be possible without your support.

Sweet Street
Penske
Boscov's
The Highlands at Wyomissing
Alvernia University
Berks County Community Foundation
Pennsylvania Creative Industries
DoubleTree By Hilton Reading
Yocum Institute for Arts Education

Want to catch these student photos up close before the big show? 🎨📍

Here are 10 more incredible images submitted by local student photographers for Berks in Focus! (👀 See the beautiful foliage our community has to offer.) You can view the full Student Photography Exhibition right now on display at Kutztown University:

🗓️ Now through October 10
📍 Kutztown University of PA (McFarland Student Union) 🕒 Mon–Fri: 7 AM – 10 PM | Sat–Sun: 10 AM – 10 PM
📍 15200 Kutztown Road, Kutztown, PA

See them in person at the gallery, and then join us as the Reading Symphony Orchestra, Westwater Arts , and the Yocum Institute for Arts Education project these visual stories on the big screen during a live concert experience!

🎟️ Secure your seats to our Berks in Focus: Symphony of a Thousand Images today: https://f.mtr.cool/tbnx20iz05

Thank you to our sponsors! This couldn't be possible without your support.

Sweet Street
Penske
Boscov's
The Highlands at Wyomissing
Alvernia University
Berks County Community Foundation
Pennsylvania Creative Industries
DoubleTree By Hilton Reading
Yocum Institute for Arts Education

📸 SNAPSHOT BOGO! 🎶

For a limited time, bring a +1 to experience Classics 2!

Buy one ticket and get one FREE for the Reading Symphony Orchestra’s Berks in Focus: A Symphony of a Thousand Images concert on October 10 at the Santander Arena & Performing Arts Center.

And this is one you’ll want to experience together.

In a unique collaboration with Westwater Arts and the Yocum Institute for Arts Education, more than 1,000 photos submitted by local students and residents will be choreographed live and projected above the stage on three giant screens, bringing our community’s stories to life alongside the music.

Two seats. One incredible night of music, art, and community. 🎻

But don’t wait. This SNAPSHOT offer disappears Friday!

🎟️ HOW TO GET YOUR BOGO TICKETS:

✔️ Head to Ticketmaster and find Classics 2.
✔️ Click “Unlock.”
✔️Enter promo code: SNAPSHOT
✔️ Select the unlocked BOGO offer when choosing your seats.
✔️ Choose two eligible seats and complete your purchase.

📅 Classics 2 | October 10
🎟️ Promo Code: SNAPSHOT
⏰ Offer ends Friday!

Grab your +1 and get your tickets today!
https://f.mtr.cool/bx4f3g9vpf

Thank you to our generous sponsors for the opportunity to present a magnificent concert.

Sweet Street
Penske
Boscov's
The Highlands at Wyomissing
Alvernia University
Berks County Community Foundation
Pennsylvania Creative Industries
DoubleTree By Hilton Reading
Yocum Institute for Arts Education

www.ticketmaster.com

Future leaders of the stage take the spotlight!

We are thrilled to highlight a very special moment during our upcoming Berks in Focus concert on October 10th: a side-by-side performance featuring the talented young musicians of the Reading Symphony Youth Orchestra! 🎼

Under the direction of Conductor Christopher Cinquini, the RSYO will bring the soaring, cinematic power of John Williams’ The Cowboys Overture to the Santander Performing Arts Center stage.

As Berks County’s orchestra, we are incredibly proud to nurture the next generation of classical talent and share the stage with these inspiring young performers.

A special thank you to Fleetwood Bank for generously sponsoring the RSYO’s appearance for this unforgettable evening! 💙

Come support our youth and experience the magic of live music together!

📍 Santander Arena & Performing Arts Center
🎟️ Grab your tickets starting at just $25: https://f.mtr.cool/xk7oajgt6v

A big thank you to our generous sponsors for supporting our mission and allowing us to do what we love!

Sweet Street
Penske
Boscov's
The Highlands at Wyomissing
Alvernia University
Berks County Community Foundation
Pennsylvania Creative Industries
DoubleTree By Hilton Reading
Yocum Institute for Arts Education

100+ local perspectives. One unforgettable evening. 📸✨

Our upcoming concert, Berks in Focus: Symphony of a Thousand Images, isn't just a performance. It’s a reflection of our community seen directly through the eyes of talented student photographers from across Berks County in partnership with Westwater Arts & Yocum Institute for Arts Education.

From local youth sports depicting the pregame tension and the postgame celebration to breathtaking natural landscapes right in our backyard, these 10 featured student submissions capture the heart and spirit of the region. Swipe through to see a preview of their work, then experience these stunning photos brought to life alongside live orchestral music!

🗓️ Saturday, October 10 | 7:30 PM
📍 Santander Arena & Performing Arts Center
🎟️ Get your tickets now before they sell out: https://f.mtr.cool/vn92nzt9ee

A big thank you to our generous sponsors for supporting our mission and allowing us to do what we love!

Sweet Street
Penske
Boscov's
The Highlands at Wyomissing
Alvernia University
Berks County Community Foundation
Pennsylvania Creative Industries
DoubleTree By Hilton Reading
Yocum Institute for Arts Education

This is not just a concert. This is Berks County, amplified. 📸🎻✨

Join the Reading Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, October 10, for Classics 2: Berks in Focus: Symphony of a Thousand Images at the Santander Arena & Performing Arts Center!

In a unique collaboration with Westwater Arts and the Yocum Institute for Arts Education, over 1,000 photos submitted by local students and residents will be choreographed live and projected above the stage on three giant screens.

Plus, enjoy iconic American music by Gershwin, Copland, and Bernstein, alongside a special performance by the Reading Symphony Youth Orchestra!

🗓️ Saturday, October 10, 2026 at 7:30 PM
📍 Santander Arena & Performing Arts Center
🎼 Andrew Constantine - Conductor

One night. One orchestra. A thousand stories.

Reserve your seats: https://f.mtr.cool/wxtxhbxjsj
Thank you to our generous sponsors for the opportunity to present a magnificent concert.

Sweet Street
Penske
Boscov's
The Highlands at Wyomissing
Alvernia University
Berks County Community Foundation
Pennsylvania Creative Industries
DoubleTree By Hilton Reading
Yocum Institute for Arts Education

www.ticketmaster.com