Berks Sinfonietta will open its 12th season this month with a performance that blends youthful talent, international significance, and a revived community tradition.
Titled Romantic Revelry, the concert will take place on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. at Atonement Lutheran Church in Wyomissing, 5 Wyomissing Blvd. It marks not only the start of a new season but the debut of Berks Sinfonietta’s newly revived Concerto Competition for high school students, presented in partnership with the Reading Musical Foundation (RMF).
The evening’s program will feature works by Dvořák, Mozart, and Paul Creston—alongside the American premiere of Ruth Gipps’ orchestral work Ambarvalia, led by guest conductor Dr. Rick Barrantes Agüero in his first appearance with the orchestra.
“This concert is a perfect example of what we’re trying to do—build community and expand classical music,” said Berks Sinfonietta co-founder Kathleen Stevens Bahena. “We’re showcasing exceptional young performers while programming music that’s rarely heard, but deeply moving.”
Showcasing Young Talent
After a decade-long hiatus from the local music scene, the Berks County Concerto Competition has returned, reimagined and managed by Berks Sinfonietta. The competition welcomed applicants from across the county, inviting students in grades 10–12 to submit virtual auditions.
From a field of eight applicants, two winners were selected:
- Ariel Metzger, a recent Conrad Weiser graduate, will perform Paul Creston’s Concertino for Marimba and Orchestra (movements 2 and 3).
- Artemis Drake, a senior at Conrad Weiser and oboist in the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra, will perform Mozart’s Oboe Concerto in C, K.314 (movements 1 and 2).
Each student also received a $500 college stipend.
“We are delighted to provide a platform that enables exceptional young musicians in Berks County to showcase their skills,” said Artistic Director Dr. David McConnell. “It’s a continuation of a tradition that’s long benefited students and audiences alike.”
Introducing Ruth Gipps’ American premiere
Also featured in the August concert is the American premiere of Ambarvalia, the final symphonic work by British composer Ruth Gipps. The piece will be conducted by Dr. Rick Barrantes Agüero, one of three guest conductors joining Berks Sinfonietta this season as part of its ongoing effort to support and spotlight young conducting talent.
“Ambarvalia is a beautiful and slow dance,” said Barrantes, “using folk-like tunes and pastoral textures to create a peaceful atmosphere. It includes virtuosic solos for the oboe and flute and shows great compositional mastery. It’s wonderful that it will first delight the American public here in Berks County.”
Bahena noted that the orchestra has featured Gipps’ work before, including a world premiere of her Mazeppa’s Ride. “We’ve long committed ourselves to programming works by women, living composers, and underrepresented voices,” she said. “Our flexibility as a smaller ensemble allows us to take those risks—and we think the community benefits from it.”
A Mission Rooted in Access and Inclusion
Founded in 2014, Berks Sinfonietta was built on a mission to make classical music more accessible and inclusive, blending professional musicians with students and emerging artists from the region. Over the years, the ensemble has performed in traditional venues, local churches, nature centers—even online during the pandemic.
“We want the music we make to be accessible,” said McConnell. “Classical music can sometimes seem elitist, but we believe it should be as appreciated and welcoming as any other genre. We also want audiences to feel something deeply—to connect emotionally and spiritually with what they hear.”
Bahena echoed the sentiment: “Music forges connection between people. Whether it’s the comfort of a classic or the surprise of a premiere, we want everyone in the room to feel moved. Connection is healing.”
Tickets and Details
Romantic Revelry will be held on Saturday, August 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Atonement Lutheran Church, 5 Wyomissing Blvd, Wyomissing, PA 19610. Tickets are: $25 in advance, $30 at the door, $5 for students, and free for children under 18.
Tickets and concert details are available at berkssinfonietta.org.