Reading Choral Society Celebrates 150 Years of Singing

By Fred Opalinski

One hundred fifty years is a long time for any organization to survive. 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 1875, the first RCS director was Prof. 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 (yep, that 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 WWI, 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 invites 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. Dr. 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 JazzFest and in an annual MLKing 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 and engaged.

Reflecting on his decade with the RCS, Dr. Bier said that “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.” He observed, “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.”

Graham works closely with Susie Coughlin, who started as 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. Today’s 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. Bill Deegan, a newer member, reflected, “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. You ‘inhabit’ the music. It swirls around you and within you. There’s nothing like it.” Her time with RCS (35 years) is summed up by Suzanne Kirk, one of the choir’s most senior members: “Singing refills my cup. 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!

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