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Reading Pops Orchestra honors lateconductorby Becca Y. Gregg • Jan. 11, 2016

Reading Eagle: Jeremy Drey | A large crowd at the Stone House inWyomissing enjoys the music of the Reading Pops Orchestra under thedirection of Willis Rapp on Sunday.

Reading Pops Orchestra honors late conductor — www.r... https://www.readability.com/articles/e1jjltbv

1 of 10 1/11/16, 2:43 PM

Sponsored by Redner's Warehouse Markets and open to the entire Berks community, Sunday's concert featured the Pops performing several of Gass' arrangements, and sharing stories about the Reading native.

Gass died in October at the age of 85. An Air Force veteran, he got his start as the chief arranger for the Air Force Radio programs "Serenade in Blue" and "Time for Defense."

In the years that followed, he studied and taught music, before returning to Reading, where he embarked on a decadeslong musical collaboration as an arranger and conductor for not only the Pops, but the Reading Philharmonic Orchestra and the Reading Symphony Orchestra.

In addition to Gass' music, Sunday's concert featured the vocals of several of this year's YNOT winners, the annual awards presented to top performers in Berks high school musicals.

" 'YNOT' is Tony spelled backwards," said Julie Beth Drey, president of the Reading Pops board of directors. "It's to honor these kids from high school musicals."

Among the YNOT winners featured Sunday: Reading High students Cassandra Malack and Ashley Calderon, as well as Antietam student Marilyn Benvenuto. Becca Snyder from Conrad Weiser also sang.

Diane Hollinger, director of the Wyomissing Borough Recreation Department, said the Reading Pops typically draws nearly 1,000 listeners for Stone House concerts.

The next concert in the park will feature the Ringgold Band for the annual lantern parade on July 29, followed by The Uptown Band featuring Erich Cawalla and Jenifer Kinder on Aug. 9.

"It's a great venue," Hollinger said of the Stone House. "It's a beautiful parklike setting. People should come out to hear some wonderful music. And it's free."

Contact Becca Y. Gregg: 610-371-5032 or bgregg@readingeagle.com.

Reading Pops Orchestra honors late conductor — www.r... https://www.readability.com/articles/e1jjltbv

10 of 10 1/11/16, 2:43 PM

Reading Eagle: Jeremy Drey | Reading High's Ashley Calderon sings"Defying Gravity" from the musical "Wicked" during the Reading PopsOrchestra concert Sunday evening at Wyomissing's Stone House.

Reading Eagle: Jeremy Drey | The Reading Pops Orchestra performsbefore a large crowd Sunday evening at Wyomissing's Stone House.

Reading Pops Orchestra honors late conductor — www.r... https://www.readability.com/articles/e1jjltbv

2 of 10 1/11/16, 2:43 PM

Reading Eagle: Jeremy Drey | The Reading Pops Orchestra performsbefore a large crowd Sunday evening at Wyomissing's Stone House.

Reading Pops Orchestra honors late conductor — www.r... https://www.readability.com/articles/e1jjltbv

3 of 10 1/11/16, 2:43 PM

Reading Eagle: Jeremy Drey | The Reading Pops Orchestra performsbefore a large crowd Sunday evening at Wyomissing's Stone House.

Reading Eagle: Jeremy Drey | The Reading Pops Orchestra performs before a large crowd Sunday evening at Wyomissing's Stone House.

Reading Pops Orchestra honors late conductor — www.r... https://www.readability.com/articles/e1jjltbv

4 of 10 1/11/16, 2:43 PM

Reading Eagle: Jeremy Drey | Spectators fill the hill Sunday evening at theStone House in Wyomissing to hear the Reading Pops Orchestra.

Reading Eagle: Jeremy Drey | The Reading Pops Orchestra performsbefore a large crowd Sunday evening at Wyomissing's Stone House.

Reading Pops Orchestra honors late conductor — www.r... https://www.readability.com/articles/e1jjltbv

5 of 10 1/11/16, 2:43 PM

Reading Eagle: Jeremy Drey | A large crowd at the Stone House inWyomissing enjoys the music of the Reading Pops Orchestra under thedirection of Willis Rapp on Sunday.