Annual ArtsFest Spotlights Arts in the RPS

The RMHS Jazz Ensemble plays at ArtsFest 2026.

Between April 13th and April 15th, the Reading Public Schools hosted their annual ArtsFest, highlighted by visual art displayed on Main Street and musical performances in the Performing Arts Center. ArtsFest remains an extremely popular event, drawing an audience from family members to friends and people within the Reading Community. 

In an email interview, RMHS choir teacher Mr. Mullen highlighted the emphasis on how the event fosters community. “ArtsFest has been happening for over a decade, and is a fond memory of every art kid that has passed through Reading’s schools for a long time,” he said.

RMHS Arts Festival is a staple performance in the Reading community that holds performances during three consecutive weekdays in April. This year, ArtsFest held their performances on April 13th, April 14th, and April 15th.

On Monday, April 13th, the event began with an open visual art reception on Main Street. Families walked up and down the main hallway, which featured hundreds of pieces of student work. From paintings to drawings, 6th-12th graders had their best work on display for families and friends.

Mr. Mulligan, the RMHS band teacher, recognized the unique nature of displaying this art within a limited timeframe, and how crucial it is to the experience. “I know that there’s a lot of work that’s also put in by the visual art teachers getting all of their students to submit work and get it up here at the high school. I know that that takes them a long time as well. But, I really think that it’s worth all of those. It’s worth all of that work when it all comes together,” he said.

Then, the elementary school had their musical performances. They displayed a wide variety of music: students sang, played on the recorder, and danced. “It was really neat to see the different levels of the elementary schools and kind of what those kids are learning in their classrooms,” Mulligan said. 

On Tuesday, April 14th, families and the Reading community came together to watch the eighth graders and high school students perform songs from the band and choir. The eighth graders kicked off the event, as they performed multiple pieces they practiced over a span of a semester. Then, the RMHS Symphonic Band performed. 

A special connection formed as the eighth graders and high school performers played alongside each other. This is because the RMHS symphonic band connected with middle school students that could join the band as a future high school student. “It’s always great to see those kids and encourage them to continue on with their performances when they come up to the high school.” Mulligan stated. 

Then, the RMHS Mixed Choir, the 8th grade combined chorus, and Harmonium -a before school RMHS group- took turns singing. They performed separately and then as a collective group. Eli Brown (‘26), the RMHS Choir President, acknowledged the sense of community the combined group of students had. “The mixed choir got to sing with the middle schoolers and it was a big, huge group. And it was really, really cool to see that,” he stated.

ArtsFest concluded their performances on Wednesday, April 15th. The Reading middle school Jazz Band, Stage Band, and Jazz Ensemble got to perform unique music styles like Jazz, Merengue, and Blues. Also, the 6th grade combined chorus and bands performed in the Performing Arts Center, respectively. 

The night ended, as the middle school Jazz Band, Stage Band, and Jazz Ensemble joined the high school students for a final performance.  It created an exciting finale for the festival. This experience is especially meaningful for middle school students because they not only perform concert music, but also explore new music styles. 

These opportunities help prepare them for high school and allow the tradition of ArtsFest to continue for future generations. Eli Brown used to play in the middle school band in Coolidge. He performed regularly at ArtsFest, as it helped him grow as a musician. “I did band ArtsFest and I really looked up to the upperclassmen because a lot of them learned the music in like one rehearsal… So, I just really respected that and I use that to inspire myself,” he said. 

Also, Band President and Jazz Ensemble member, Bryan Fernandez (‘26), believes that these opportunities help young musicians develop skills beyond music. He wrote his thoughts in an online interview. “I think any performance experience is good for young musicians, and for all kids it teaches them how to deal with pressure and the idea of having the best possible one rep they can have during a show,” he said.

Looking back on this year’s ArtsFest, students and teachers alike emphasized how much work it takes to put on the festival, and the strong value of having this annual event. “Because there [were] so many moving parts, the rehearsal schedule [had] been streamlined over the years and all fit into a very intricate puzzle of rehearsals and performances,” Mullen noted. Schedules had to line up in order for all groups to have an equal chance to practice on stage. 

ArtsFest continues to bring opportunities for young students, while also bringing the community of Reading together through the performing arts. “People of all ages watch performances from PK-12, and everyone leaves impressed with all the arts our schools have to offer,” Mullen said.