Reading Is Instrumental

Reading Is Instrumental

Virtual Storytime

Join the virtual family fun with Reading Is Instrumental, a weekly musical storytime produced by the Berkeley Public Library Foundation and the Berkeley Symphony. Each episode features a Bay Area celebrity reading a beloved children’s book with music by members of the Berkeley Symphony. Listeners of all ages will be sure to enjoy this uplifting virtual program.

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All-Star Lineup

Join us for comedian/actor Andy Samberg reading his longtime pal Jorma Taccone’s new book, Little Fox and the Wild Imagination and Thacher Hurd reading his award-winning book, Mama Don’t Allow, about a swamp band and alligators who love the saxophone. Berkeley Symphony artistic director René Mandel works closely with each all-star reader for every episode of Reading Is Instrumental to choose the pieces of music and instrument(s) to best complement the story and enhance the storytime experience. Guest readers include: Rita Moreno, Gasia Mikaelian, Tanya Holland, W. Kamau Bell, Kate Schatz and more!

Episodes

EPISODE 1

Rita Moreno Reads The Runaway Bunny Accompanied by Bassoonist Ravinder Sehgal

In this first episode of Reading Is Instrumental season 1 Academy Award winning actor Rita Moreno reads the beloved children’s book The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown, accompanied by Berkeley Symphony’s bassoonist Ravinder Sehgal.

EPISODE 2

Maxine Hong Kingston and Earll Kingston Team Up to Read Baby’s Got the Blues Accompanied by Bassist Michel Taddei

In this episode of Reading Is Instrumental acclaimed author and UC Berkeley Professor Emerita Maxine Hong Kingston and her husband actor Earll Kingston read Baby’s Got the Blues by Carol Diggory Shields, accompanied by Berkeley Symphony bassist Michel Taddei.

EPISODE 3

Andy Samberg Reads Jorma Taccone’s Little Fox and the Wild Imagination Accompanied by Violinist Matthew Szemela

In this episode of Reading Is Instrumental comedian Andy Samberg reads a new book by his longtime pal Jorma Taccone, Little Fox and the Wild Imagination. He is accompanied by Berkeley Symphony’s violinist Matthew Szemela.

EPISODE 4

Michael Kwende Reads Thank You, Omu! Accompanied by Pianist Ming Luke

In this episode of Reading Is Instrumental beloved children’s librarian Michael Kwende reads Oge Mora’s Thank you, Omu! He is accompanied by Berkeley Symphony Education Director and celebrated conductor and pianist, Ming Luke.

EPISODE 5

Thacher Hurd Reads Mama Don’t Allow Accompanied by Saxophonist Patrick Posey

In this episode of Reading is Instrumental author and illustrator Thacher Hurd reads his beloved book Momma Don’t Allow. He is accompanied by Berkeley Symphony’s Patrick Posey on the saxophone.

EPISODE 6

Berkeley Symphony Conductor Joseph Young & Guest Musicians on Reading Is Instrumental

In this episode of Reading Is Instrumental, Berkeley Symphony Conductor Joseph Young reads Jody Cox’s My Family Plays Music. He is accompanied by a small ensemble of Berkeley Symphony musicians.

EPISODE 7

KTVU’s Gasia Mikaelian Reads When Dinosaurs Came With Everything Accompanied by Percussionist Kevin Neuhoff

In this first episode of Reading Is Instrumental Season 2 celebrated KTVU – TV journalist Gasia Mikaelian reads When Dinosaurs Came With Everything by Elise Broach, illustrated by David Small. Berkeley Symphony percussionist Kevin Neuhoff accompanies her.

EPISODE 8

Tanya Holland Reads Ellington Was Not a Street Accompanied by Joan Cifarelli on the Piano

In this episode of Reading is Instrumental chef, cookbook author, and owner of Brown Sugar Kitchen Tanya Holland reads Ellington Was Not a Street by Ntozake Shange, illustrated by Kadir Nelson. She is accompanied by Berkeley Symphony’s Joan Cifarelli on the piano.

EPISODE 9

UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ reads Pierre: A Cautionary Tale in Five Chapters accompanied by Darcy Rindt on the Violin

In this episode of Reading is Instrumental UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ reads Pierre: A Cautionary Tale in Five Chapters by Maurice Sendak. She is accompanied by Berkeley Symphony’s Darcy Rindt on the violin.

EPISODE 10

Comedian W. Kamau Bell Reads Mr. Okra Sells Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Accompanied by Scott Macomber on the Trumpet

In this episode of Reading is Instrumental comedian W. Kamau Bell reads Mr. Okra Sells Fresh Fruits and Vegetables by Lashon Daley, illustrated by Emile Henriquez. The Berkeley Symphony’s Scott Macomber accompanies him on the trumpet.

EPISODE 11

Kate Schatz reads The Story of Ferdinand accompanied by Nancy Bien on the Cello

In this episode of Reading is Instrumental author and creator of the Rad Women book series Kate Schatz reads The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf, illustrated by Robert Lawson. She is accompanied by Berkeley Symphony’s Nancy Bien on the cello.

EPISODE 12

Linda Schacht Reads Never Play Music Right Next to the Zoo Accompanied by Joan Cifarelli on the Synthesizer

In this episode of Reading is Instrumental journalist Linda Schacht reads Never Play Music Right Next to the Zoo by John Lithow, illustrated by Leeza Hernandez. She is accompanied by Berkeley Symphony’s Joan Cifarelli on the synthesizer.

EPISODE 13

Josh Kornbluth Reads The Monsters’ Monster Accompanied by Joan Cifarelli on the Piano

In this episode of Reading is Instrumental journalist Josh Kornbluth reads The Monsters’ Monster by Patrick McDonnell. He is accompanied by Berkeley Symphony’s Joan Cifarelli on the piano.

EPISODE 14

Tabitha Soren Reads The Napping House Accompanied by Stephanie Wu on the Cello

In this episode of Reading Is Instrumental photographer Tabitha Soren reads The Napping House written by Audrey Wood and illustrated by Don Wood. She is accompanied by Berkeley Symphony’s Stephanie Wu on the cello.

EPISODE 14

Judith Klinman Reads Ada Twist, Scientist Accompanied by Stacey Pelinka on the Flute

In this episode of Reading Is Instrumental scientist Judith Klinman reads Ada Twist, Scientist written by Andrea Beaty and illustrated by David Roberts. She is accompanied by Berkeley Symphony’s Stacey Pelinka on the flute.

I grew up in Berkeley and I went to the Berkeley Public Library all the time. So this is very special for me.

–ANDY SAMBERG, ACTOR/COMEDIAN, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE ALUMNI

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