Jonathan R. Reinhold

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at the Albright Memorial Chapel, ALBRIGHT COLLEGE 1621 N 13th St, Reading, PA 19604. The family will receive family and friends beginning at 9:00 a.m.

Jonathan R. Reinhold, 70, of Wernersville, passed away on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in the Reading Hospital surrounded by his loving family.  Born in Reading, he was the son of the late Betty L. (Kauffman) and Jonathan F. Reinhold.  Jonathan was the devoted husband of Roseann (Eidam) Reinhold.  In addition to his wife, Roseann, Jonathan is survived by his children, Dr. Jennifer Reinhold, wife of Meredith Lemon of Philadelphia and Jonathan C. Reinhold, husband of Collier (Cobb) of New York, and his mother-in-law, Alice M. Kostival, of Reading.

After graduating from Muhlenberg High School, Jonathan continued his education at Temple University in Philadelphia, and then The Juilliard School in New York City, where he received his Bachelor’s degree in Music. 

Jonathan appeared with the Philadelphia Lyric Opera Company in the premiere of Gian Carlo Menotti’s, “The Hero”, in a role written for him by the composer.  Other appearances included the Colorado Opera Festival, the Virginia Opera Company, the New York Lyric Opera Company, Eastern Opera Company of New York, and the American Opera Center.  He has worked under the batons of James Conlon, Christian Badea, Robert de Cormier, and Christopher Keene.

Jonathan also had the privilege of singing at The White House for President Jimmy Carter to celebrate America’s bicentennial. 

Jonathan debuted at Carnegie Hall in New York as the baritone soloist in Handel’s “Israel in Egypt”, subsequently performing in Martinu’s “Military Mass” and Ralph Vaughn Williams’ “Hodie”.   He was featured as the baritone soloist in the Messiah at Avery Fisher Hall in New York City.  He also appeared in concert at the French Embassy in Washington, D.C., where he performed for the benefit of the Arlington Symphony.

Jonathan performed off-Broadway in the revue “Revenge With Music” and was the baritone soloist in the New York Choral Society’s Summer Sing of the “Brahm’s Requiem” at Cami Hall in New York City.  

Additional theater performances include Tom Trainor in “No, No Nanette” starring Selma Diamond, “Something To Do” at The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. starring Pearl Bailey and “Naughty Marietta” starring Cyril Ritchard, Emile de Becque in “South Pacific,’ and the Beadle in “Sweeney Todd”.

While he was not traveling around the country entertaining, he owned and operated a private voice studio, established in 1986, where he worked with professional and non-professional singers, specializing in breathing and body organization to facilitate an unencumbered singing technique.  

In 2013, Jonathan and his family announced the opening of Brickhouse Theater Company, where he served as the Artistic Director for several seasons. The theater combined professional talent and local talent, as well as provided educational outreach to the community.

Locally he performed with The Reading Symphony, Reading Civic Opera Society, Reading Pops, Opus One, and Genesius Theater.

In addition to his professional endeavors, those who knew him could quickly describe the full chested laugh at well-timed jokes. He loved his family and friends, his dogs, Stephen King and crime thrillers, cheesy horror movies and a good Manhattan (sometimes all at once!). You could always hear music in the house, whether created or played on the radio. You could also always find him in a store if you listened for keys jingling or the low hum of a tune. He loved to walk his dogs around the Reading Museum or Blue Marsh. He described food as “outrageous” if he really liked it. He always said of all his accomplishments, being Roseann’s husband and Jen and Jon’s Dad, was what he was most proud of. 

When he spoke of music, he had a way of connecting it, not just in technique and sound, but in feeling. He didn’t just hear music, he was able to feel it. When he stood in front of an audience, he was able to transfer the energy to his audience, captivating them, but also affecting them with his story telling. Everything was a story to be told, and a lesson to be learned. 

Jonathan will most be remembered for his ability to include those around him and create a loving circle, no matter what aspect of his life you were a part of, you were family.  

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at the Albright Memorial Chapel, ALBRIGHT COLLEGE 1621 N 13th St, Reading, PA 19604. The family will receive family and friends beginning at 9:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Albright College Domino Players, Opus One Berks Chamber Choir, the Reading Musical Foundation, Animal Rescue League of Berks County, or The Humane Society in honor of Mr. Jonathan R. Reinhold. Bean Funeral Homes, Sinking Spring is in charge of arrangements and online condolences may be made at www.beanfuneralhomes.com.