Reading Philharmonic Orchestra

Michael Slechta - Conductor

Michael J. Slechta joined the Reading Philharmonic Orchestra as Co-Conductor in 2002, and became Conductor in 2012. He holds both a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education and a Master of Science degree in music education from Lebanon Valley College where he earned college and music department honors for an independent study in instrumental conducting. As an Adjunct Instructor in the MME program at LVC Mike teaches Research Methods in Music Education and Interpreting and Using Research in Music Education.

Mike is the Coordinator for Music, Art, Humanities, and 21st Century Skills in the Lancaster School District. He hold National Board Certification as an early middle childhood music teacher, and in the fall of 2016 he received a Music For Everyone Award for his commitment to cultivating the power of music.

Mike is the Director of Music for Trinity UCC in East Petersburg where he directs the choir and the bell choirs. Aside from conducting, Mike plays bass with the Reading Pops Orchestra and freelances within Lancaster, Berks and other surrounding counties.

Carol Kelly - Assistant Conductor

Assistant Conductor Carol Kelly is a retired special education teacher and returned to her musical roots have played piano since age 10, glockenspiel, bass clarinet, and baritone since high school, and beginning bass lessons at age 62. She plays bass in the Moravian University Orchestra, Swing Fever Dance Band, Lehigh Vally Pops, and Reading Philharmonic Orchestra and conducts the Really Terrible Orchestra (RTO) which is designed for people who haven’t played their instruments in 20 years while having lots of fun. She began as Assistant Conductor with the Philharmonic in the fall of 2023, having substituted as conductor a number of times in previous seasons.