Reading Symphony Orchestra education programs continue to have a substantial impact on the quality of life in Berks County and beyond. From our Orchestra Zone program which offers free instrumental music lessons to Reading School District students, to our Junior String Orchestra and Youth Orchestra, right through to the Know Your Symphony and RSOvertures, the RSO provides inspiring programs for all ages.
Corporations that are interested in supporting RSO education programs may qualify for the PA Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program. Contact the RSO office or the PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).
Youth Orchestra
The Reading Symphony Youth Orchestra (RSYO), under the current direction of Christopher Cinquini, has been providing classical orchestral performance and learning opportunities to advanced high school musicians from Berks County and beyond, including Chester, Montgomery, and Lancaster counties. Since its inception in 1989, thousands of students have benefited from learning and performing advanced symphonic repertoire with like-minded peers under the guidance of skilled artistic leadership.
Junior String Orchestra
The Reading Symphony Junior String Orchestra (RSJSO) is a developmental ensemble for advanced fourth through eighth grade string students of Berks County and surrounding areas, serving as a training ground for the Reading Symphony Youth Orchestra (RSYO). Now in its 23rd season, under the baton of Brian Mishler, the 40+ member orchestra performs at least four times annually, demonstrating a wide variety of repertoire ranging in styles and difficulty. The Reading Symphony Junior Strings Orchestra has received superior ratings for the past several years for their performances at the Music in the Park Festivals in Dorney Park.
Orchestra Zone
The Orchestra Zone is a collaboration between Reading Symphony Orchestra and Reading School District, which offers free after-school instrumental music lessons on a weekly basis. Reading School District, Reading Symphony Orchestra and Reading Musical Foundation work together to make this program happen. Reading School District provides most of the instruments that the students use and all of the facilities where the lessons take place.
