Junior Orchestra
General Information
Concert Dress: Boys should wear black dress pants & a jacket, white shirt, black bow tie, black shoes & black socks. It does not have to be a tux. A black suit is fine. Girls should wear black floor length skirts or dress. No spaghetti straps, strapless or slits up to the thigh. Black pants are fine.
Festival: For the past several years we have participated in a music festival at Hershey Park. In the past, the festival was held at a school near Hershey and then we went to Hershey Park for the day. The awards ceremony was held at Hershey Park later in the day. We plan to do another trip this year. During this event, concert dress is worn for the performance and then the students change into their RSJSO t-shirts & shorts or jeans depending on the weather. Everyone has a lot of fun & last year we had a lot of parents go to the amusement park too. We got group rate tickets for the parents. The student’s ticket to the park is included in the festival fee. More to come.
Concert tickets: Tickets for the RSO concert are strictly handled through the RSO box office. Closer to the Holiday concert date, tickets will be available for sale at rehearsal. They are also available at the door.
Phone chain: We will use this in the event of bad weather if we need to cancel a rehearsal or if there is a last minute location change.
Rehearsals: Rehearsals start promptly at 9:00 am. Everyone should be tuned & in their seat by that time. So please be there by 8:45 am to give yourself time to unpack your instrument, sign in, find your seat & tune.
Finally, A Word on Snacks: Please remember the reason why we the students joined the orchestra…. for good snacks! Please remember your day for snacks and drinks. The students are disappointed when there are slim pickings.
Attendance
Attendance at all rehearsals is expected with the following guidelines:
More than three absences a semester may result in dismissal from the orchestra.
Students are responsible to report an absence to the attendance page of the RSJSO website prior to 8 p.m. the previous evening if possible.
The success of this orchestra is based on the sincere and honest commitment of all members. Report all absences using the following link.
Calendar
| Date | Time | Description | Location |
| 01/06/2024 | 9:00 am - 10:30 am | Full Orchestra | RLC |
| 01/13/2024 | 8:45 am - | Chamber | RLC |
| 01/13/2024 | 9:00 am - 10:30 am | Full Orchestra | RLC |
| 01/27/2024 | 8:15 am - | Chamber | SPAC |
| 01/27/2024 | 9:00 am - 10:30 am | Full Orchestra | SPAC |
| 01/27/2024 | 5:45 pm - | Report | SPAC |
| 01/27/2024 | 7:00 pm - | Performance at RSO - Handel-Air and Water Music-Memory Chamber-Mvt. 1 | SPAC |
| 02/03/2024 | 8:15 am - | Chamber | RLC |
| 02/03/2024 | 9:00 am - 10:30 am | Full Orchestra | RLC |
| 02/03/2024 | 10:45 am - 11:15 am | Sextet | RLC |
| 02/10/2024 | 8:15 am - | Chamber | RLC |
| 02/10/2024 | 9:00 am - 10:30 am | Full Orchestra | RLC |
| 02/17/2024 | 8:15 am - | Chamber | RLC |
| 02/17/2024 | 9:00 am - 10:30 am | Full Orchestra | RLC |
| 02/17/2024 | 10:45 am - 11:15 am | Sextet | RLC |
| 02/24/2024 | 9:00 am - 10:30 am | Full Orchestra | RLC |
| 03/02/2024 | 8:15 am - | Chamber | RLC |
| 03/02/2024 | 9:00 am - 10:30 am | Full Orchestra | RLC |
| 03/02/2024 | 10:45 am - 11:15 am | Sextet | RLC |
| 03/09/2024 | 8:15 am - | Chamber | RLC |
| 03/09/2024 | 9:00 am - 10:30 am | Full Orchestra | RLC |
| 03/16/2024 | 8:15 am - | Chamber | RLC |
| 03/16/2024 | 9:00 am - 10:30 am | Full Orchestra | RLC |
| 03/16/2024 | 10:45 am - 11:15 am | Sextet | RLC |
| 03/23/2024 | 8:15 am - | Chamber | RLC |
| 03/23/2024 | 9:00 am - 10:30 am | Full Orchestra | RLC |
| 03/24/2024 | - | RSJSO @Reading Royals - -2 PM report-3-5:30 performance and game | Reading Royals |
| 03/30/2024 | 8:15 am - | Chamber | RLC |
| 03/30/2024 | 9:00 am - 10:30 am | Full Orchestra | RLC |
| 04/06/2024 | 8:15 am - | Chamber | RLC |
| 04/06/2024 | 9:00 am - 10:30 am | Full Orchestra | RLC |
| 04/06/2024 | 10:45 am - 11:15 am | Sextet | RLC |
| 04/11/2024 | - | Performance Highlands 5:15-Chamber, 6-full, -8:15 PM |
|
| 04/13/2024 | 8:15 am - | Chamber | RLC |
| 04/13/2024 | 9:00 am - 10:30 am | Full Orchestra | RLC |
| 04/16/2024 | 12:30 pm - | Reading Phillies Performance 12:30-chamber-1pm full-report |
Ballpark |
| 04/20/2024 | 8:15 am - | Chamber | RLC |
| 04/20/2024 | 9:00 am - 10:30 am | Full Orchestra | RLC |
| 04/20/2024 | 10:45 am - 11:15 am | Sextet | RLC |
| 04/21/2024 | 9:30 am - 11:30 am | Performance | Reformation Lutheran Church |
| 04/27/2024 | 9:00 am - 10:30 am | Sectionals | RLC |
| 05/04/2024 | 8:15 am - | Chamber | Kutztown University-Schaeffer Auditorium |
| 05/04/2024 | 9:30 am - 11:30 am | Full Orchestra | Kutztown University-Schaeffer Auditorium |
| 05/04/2024 | 11:45 am - 12:15 pm | Sextet | Kutztown University-Schaeffer Auditorium |
| 05/05/2024 | 1:30 pm - | Chamber | Kutztown University-Schaeffer Auditorium |
| 05/05/2024 | 2:15 pm - | Full Orchestra | Kutztown University-Schaeffer Auditorium |
| 05/11/2024 | - | Music in the Parks - Hershey |
Notes:
RLC-Reformation Lutheran Church
3670 Perkiomen Ave, Reading, PA 19606
RSJSO Open House
Come watch the RSJSO
Date: 1/20/24
Time: 9 am-9:45 AM
Location: Reformation Lutheran Church
Address: 3670 Perkiomen Ave, Reading, PA 19606
Directions
Santander Performing Arts Center
136 N 6th St, Reading, PA 19602
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church,
30 Liberty St, Shillington, PA 19607
Reading High School
801 N 13th St., Reading, PA 19604
Reading Symphony Orchestra Junior Strings
Summer Academy 2024
Featuring:
Individual lesson instruction, music theory and aurals training, full ensemble and chamber music performance, as well as special topics with special guests.
June 17-21 and June 24-28
Beginners
1-2 years of playing - 2 hours/day - $150
Intermediate Level 1
3-4 years of playing - 2.5 hours/day - $200
Intermediate Level 2
5-6 years of playing - 3 hours/day - $240
Advanced
7 or more years of playing - 3.5 hours/day - $300
Scholarships available through RMF for those in Berks County and through rsjsooperations@gmail.com for those outside of Berks County.
Location:
Reformation Lutheran Church-3670
Perkiomen Ave
Reading, PA 19606
The Reading Symphony Junior String Orchestra Academy is open to any student playing, violin, viola, cello, or bass in the greater Reading area. The program is designed to help students continue improving during the summer months, while learning new techniques. Students will learn about proper posture, playing techniques, practice strategies, musicianship, rhythm and music theory, and chamber and full ensemble playing. Students will meet Monday through Friday in various formats and will have recreation time. Friday will end with an informance, followed by a party. Former RSJSO and RSYO members will serve as counselors for this camp, who have attended universities such as Juilliard School of Music, Eastman School of Music, the Cleveland Institute of Music, Peabody Institute and more.
Questions?
Contact rsjsooperations@gmail.com
RSJSO Audios
RSO Tickets
As a member of the RSYO or RSJSO, you are entitled to a ticket to each of the Reading Symphony Orchestra’s subscription concerts.
Auditions
Reading Symphony Junior Strings Auditions
Registration Deadline: 7/1/23
Audition Date: 8/26/23 - Morning
Volunteer Clearances
Instructions for New Volunteers:
All individuals volunteering for the first time in any capacity with the RSYO/RSJSO are required to complete the following three clearances:
- Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance– No associated fee (Once clearance is obtained it is valid for 5 years)
- Pennsylvania Criminal History Clearance– No associated fee (Once clearance is obtained it is valid for 5 years)
- FBI Federal Criminal History Record Report– Fee associated – Service Code: 1KG6ZJ
(Once clearance is obtained it is valid for 5 years)
Please Note: Please be advised that you will be instructed to provide a service code for the purpose of volunteering. This code is 1KG6Y3. This is specific to volunteering and may not be used for employment purposes.OR (in place of fingerprinting) Act 153 Volunteer Affidavit – Notary Fee associated (Once clearance is presented to the RSO it is valid for 1 year and must be renewed annually) Please Note: If you have lived continuously in Pennsylvania for at least 10 years, you may submit an Act 153 Volunteer Affidavit on an annual basis in place of the FBI Federal Criminal History Record Report. This affidavit must be notarized and submitted to the RSO office at the beginning of each season.
Once you have obtained your clearances, you should submit copied clearance reports to the RSO office. You will then be required to submit new clearances every five years for the PA Criminal/Child Abuse/and FBI Fingerprinting and annually if you choose and are eligible for the Act 153 Volunteer Affidavit.
Volunteer Clearances – Instructions for Returning Volunteers
Once your clearances are on file with the RSO you will be able to legally volunteer at various concerts, rehearsals and fundraising events. If your current clearances are more than five years old, you will need to submit a new set of Pennsylvania clearances and the fingerprint Universal Enrollment ID or Act 153 Volunteer Affidavit (if eligible) to the RSO office. Please keep in mind that you will need to re-submit all of your clearances before each five-year period has expired. Example: If you obtained your clearances in June 2014, you will be required to re-submit your clearances prior to June 2019 in order to remain in compliance.