From Reading Symphony Orchestra
The power of a live symphony orchestra meets the breathtaking artistry of ballet when the Reading Symphony Orchestra (RSO) presents the Joffrey Ballet at Santander Performing Arts Center on Saturday, Nov. 21, at 7:30 p.m. Led by conductor Andrew Constantine, the RSO will perform alongside dancers from the Grainger Academy of the Joffrey Ballet for an unforgettable evening celebrating the connection between music and movement.
From the sweeping beauty of the classical repertoire to the bold, pulse-pounding rhythms of Igor Stravinsky, the program invites audiences to experience orchestral music in a new and exhilarating way. Featuring works by Antonín Dvořák, Gabriel Fauré, Stravinsky, and Dmitri Kabalevsky, the performance brings together the expressive power of a live orchestra and the extraordinary physicality of ballet.
“When music and dance come together at this level, something remarkable happens,” said Andrew Constantine, Music Director of the Reading Symphony Orchestra. “The orchestra does more than accompany the dancers. The music drives the drama, shapes the movement, and brings an entirely new dimension to the experience. We’re thrilled to bring this exceptional artistic collaboration to Reading.”
The program highlights Stravinsky, whose revolutionary approach to rhythm, orchestration, and musical storytelling transformed the world of ballet and reshaped 20th-century classical music. His music remains among the most electrifying in the orchestral repertoire, offering audiences a vivid demonstration of how sound and movement can combine to create something greater than either art form alone.
The performance also showcases the Grainger Academy of the Joffrey Ballet, the Chicago-based training institution established to develop the next generation of ballet artists through rigorous classical training and the Joffrey’s distinctive artistic vision.
For the Reading Symphony Orchestra, the presentation reflects its commitment to bringing ambitious, world-class artistic experiences to Berks County. By connecting orchestral music with dance and other performing arts, the RSO continues to create opportunities for audiences to discover classical music through fresh perspectives and compelling collaborations.
Whether you are a longtime ballet enthusiast, a devoted symphonygoer, or simply looking for an extraordinary night out, this performance offers an opportunity to experience the energy of live music and the beauty of dance together on one stage.
Tickets start at $25.00. Get a free student ticket with the purchase of a regular-priced ticket. Tickets are available at readingsymphony.org or by calling the Reading Symphony Orchestra at 610-373-7557. Ticket holders are invited to a post-concert reception to meet members of the Joffrey Ballet.
About the Reading Symphony Orchestra
Founded in 1913, the Reading Symphony Orchestra is one of the nation’s oldest continuously operating symphony orchestras. For more than a century, the RSO has brought exceptional orchestral music to audiences throughout Berks County and beyond while supporting music education, youth programs, and meaningful community partnerships.
“Berks in Focus: Symphony of a Thousand Images” is part of the RSO’s 2026-2027 season, Music That Tells Our Story, a season centered on community, collaboration, and the many ways music reflects who we are.
Full season details are available at readingsymphony.org/upcoming-events.
