Our Story
About the Reston Community Orchestra
The Reston Community Orchestra (RCO) is a vibrant ensemble of volunteer musicians dedicated to sharing the transformative power of orchestral music throughout the Reston community. Through inspiring performances, educational outreach, collaborative partnerships, and mentorship of young musicians, we strive to enrich the cultural life of our community and foster a lifelong appreciation for music.
A Community in Concert
1989
A Living Room Beginning
The Reston Community Orchestra traces its roots to 1989, when a small group of fewer than two dozen string players gathered to make music together in founder Joellyn Kinzer’s living room. Known then as the Reston Chamber Orchestra, the ensemble focused on baroque and classical repertoire while building a community of musicians united by a shared love of music.
1990s
Growing the Orchestra
As interest grew, so did the orchestra. Throughout the 1990s, woodwind, brass, and percussion players joined the ensemble, expanding both its size and artistic possibilities.
1995
A Defining Chapter
A defining chapter began in 1995 with the appointment of Maestro Dingwall C. Fleary as Music Director. Under his visionary leadership, the orchestra became the Reston Community Orchestra, a name that reflected its expanding role within the community. Over the next 27 years, Maestro Fleary guided the orchestra’s artistic growth, championed community engagement, mentored generations of musicians, and helped build a thriving organization presenting a full season of concerts each year.
2022
Honoring a Legacy
The sudden loss of Maestro Fleary in 2022 was deeply felt throughout the orchestra and the broader Reston community. Determined to honor his legacy, the orchestra’s musicians and board members came together to complete the season he had helped shape, reaffirming the spirit of community that had always been at the heart of the organization.
2024
A New Era
Following an extensive search, Maestro Dietrich Paredes was appointed Music Director and Conductor in 2024. Under his leadership, the orchestra has entered an exciting new era of growth and artistic achievement. Today, the RCO includes more than 100 musicians and continues to expand its reach throughout the community.
While much has changed since those early rehearsals in a living room, the orchestra’s mission remains the same: bringing people together through the shared experience of making and enjoying great music.