It’s almost unheard of for any organization to survive 150 years, and for a musical ensemble, it’s almost unheard of.
But the Reading Choral Society has been thrilling audiences for that long, not merely surviving, but thriving in this anniversary season.
Organized in April of 1875, the first RCS director was Edward A. Berg, a German-trained musician and organist at Trinity Lutheran Church in downtown Reading. His pursuit of excellence through 30 years of leadership laid the foundation of high expectations and renowned performances in Philadelphia, New York City and Boston, earning Reading the moniker of Show Town in the late 19th century.
Musicians and soloists from the Northeast and Europe came to perform with the RCS in Reading, including the American debut of famed Polish pianist Moritz Rosenthal, who played with the brilliant 14-year-old violist Fritz Kreisler in the 1888-89 season.
In 1927, 1929 and 1931, Nelson Eddy was a featured soloist, as was renowned guitarist Andres Segovia (1938).
The Philadelphia Orchestra — originally the Germania Orchestra — frequently traveled to Reading to accompany the chorus in productions of Handel’s “Messiah,” Mendelssohn’s “Elijah” and Haydn’s “Creation” to cheering audiences and glowing reviews.
After a tenuous period during World War I, when many RCS men were off serving the country, by 1920 the choir rebounded to 250 voices, singing in the Rajah Theater (now the Santander Performing Arts Center) and accompanied by the 50-member Russian Symphony Orchestra.
In spite of the acclaim, by 1926 both the RCS and the Reading Symphony Orchestra (14 years young) were experiencing financial struggles, so to secure their futures they formed the Reading Musical Foundation which continues to support both organizations, along with a host of other musical groups, students and endeavors.
The RCS and RSO have frequently collaborated for concerts, most recently in a performance of Verdi’s “Requiem” and this upcoming season in Beethoven’s monumental Ninth Symphony.
Since its founding, the Reading Choral Society has been led by 12 conductors, each offering unique gifts of leadership.
Peter Hopkins (2007-2014) began “Summer Sings,” which invite the community to test drive RCS on a day of rehearsals and performance, often anticipating upcoming concerts. He, with Executive Director Susie Coughlin, also established an annual Gloria Singers weekend, welcoming parochial school students to join the RCS in a Saturday of rehearsals followed by a Sunday concert.
The choir is currently conducted by Graham Bier, in his 10th year at the helm. Bier has chosen traditional works by Bach and Brahms, sung in German, but has also stretched the choir to sing “Missa Criolla” in Spanish, Rachmaninoff’s “All Night Vigil” in church Slavonic and other choral works in Latin, French and Hebrew.
He’s engaged the singers in Berks Jazz Fest and in an annual Martin Luther King weekend, with guest conductors sharing music from the Black American experience. Even during the COVID-19 lockdown, when many musical groups hibernated or folded, Graham conducted virtual rehearsals and edited online concerts to keep choral members singing in their homes.
Reflecting on his decade with the RCS, Bier said: “It’s an honor to lead an organization with such a rich history. I’ve grown a lot as a musician and as a leader during my decade with RCS. When the concerts arrive and everyone is making music together in the way that we’ve spent months preparing to do, there’s a magic in the artistic expression that matches anything I’ve sung or heard elsewhere.
“What we do continues to bring people together in a shared and transformative experience that’s no less relevant (and perhaps more) in the current day than it has been in the past.”
Bier works closely with Susie Coughlin, who was the first executive director of RCS in 2012. She coordinates the details of every concert and program and works to make the society a more visible, self-sustaining organization.
Membership of about 80 members, ranging in age from early 20s to upper 80s, comes from diverse backgrounds, with people holding music degrees singing alongside newcomers, drawn by the love of making great music together.
Perhaps the best testimony to the Reading Choral Society’s staying power comes from the singers’ own reflections in this 150th year.
Darryl Jeffries attributes his longevity, with RCS for 55 years, to the joy of making beautiful music and for the opportunity to serve in leadership roles, eight years as president and 28 years as a board member.
“There is something about learning a great piece of music from the inside and practicing it over and over and finally presenting it that is profoundly moving,” said Bill Deegan, a newer member. “You inhabit the music. It swirls around you and within you. There’s nothing like it.”
“Singing refills my cup,” said Suzanne Kirk, one of the choir’s most senior members who has been with RCS for 35 years. “I can arrive at rehearsal tired and grumpy, lose myself in the music and return home rejuvenated and relaxed.”
With cup brimming, the Reading Choral Society is ready to toast the next 150!
Arts
The WCR Center for the Arts, 140 N. Fifth St., Reading, has announced that Kay Haring is the newest member of its board of directors. With a rich background in nonprofit leadership and a strong dedication to community service, Haring brings valuable experience and a shared passion for the arts to the organization.
Haring joined the board in May and is already contributing her expertise in fundraising and administration. Se has served on the boards of various arts, science and social service organizations in Berks County, deepening her commitment to supporting and strengthening local communities.
“I have always loved the WCR Center for the Arts and believe it is vital to preserve this beautiful and historic facility for future generations,” Haring said. “It’s not only a cultural landmark but also an intimate, high-quality event space that’s essential to downtown Reading’s growth.”
Her vision for the WCR Center includes continued preservation of the facility, raising awareness about its unique history and exceptional acoustics and expanding its role as a sought-after venue for weddings, celebrations and community events.
Comedy
Award-winning comedian, actor, director and writer Aziz Ansari has announced the next run of live stand-up shows on his highly anticipated “Hypothetical Tour.” Ansari will be performing at Santander Performing Arts Center in Reading on Aug. 23.
Tickets are available at at https://www.azizansari.com.
Ansari co-created, writes, directs and stars in the Netflix original series “Master of None,” for which he has won two Emmys for Outstanding Comedy Writing as well as Emmy and DGA Award nominations for his directing.
In October, he will release the film “Good Fortune,” which he wrote, directed and costars in with Keanu Reeves and Seth Rogen.
He is also known for co-starring in NBC’s “Parks and Recreation” and for being one of the few headlining comedians ever to sell out Madison Square Garden.
In 2019, he released his fifth standup for Netflix entitled “Right Now,” directed by Spike Jonze to critical acclaim and a Grammy nomination. His latest special “Nightclub Comedian” is streaming on Netflix.
