Join us for an exciting 2010 - 2011 concert season filled with the high quality music our audiences have grown to love, infused with an element of fun found only at The POPS.
October 16, 2010 - "Symphonic Jubilation"
January 15, 2011 - "Battle of the Batons"
March 26, 2011 - "POPS Magic"
May 14, 2011 - "Moonlight Serenade"
"POPS by the Bay" by Paul Brent
Each concert offers a variety of music styles which is perfect for audiences of all ages. From classical to Broadway and film scores to current hits, you will hear it at The POPS! This season will be comprised of four concerts, all of which will be presented at the Arnold High School Auditorium, Alf Coleman Drive, Panama City Beach Florida.
"POPS by the Bay" by local artist and entrepreneur, Paul Brent, has been selected as the featured work of art on this season's Panama City POPS Orchestra brochure, program covers, advertisements and other related collateral.
PANAMA CITY POPS AND PAUL BRENT GALLERY TO UNVEIL 2010-2011 SEASON
Since 2007 the Panama City POPS has celebrated the local arts community by incorporating the work of local artists in its marketing and advertising materials. To commemorate the 15th season of the Panama City POPS those materials will be graced by the art of celebrated local artist, Paul Brent.
An unveiling of Brent’s painting for the POPS will take place at a reception the Paul Brent Gallery on Friday, June 18, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
"For the POPS' fifteenth anniversary I decided to focus on a dynamic painting of the orchestra showing the excitement of a performance in the setting of our beautiful, natural environment," stated Brent.
Following the unveiling of the painting at the Paul Brent Gallery, the painting will be on display at the Visual Arts Center of Northwest Florida and at the POPS concerts throughout the year, and will be sold auctioned during the final concert of the season on May 14, 2011.
"The Panama City POPS is pleased and privileged to have Paul Brent's painting as its featured art for this, our fifteenth season," stated Maestro Eddie Rackley, who will be greeting patrons at the reception. "Our audience loves the connection the POPS makes with the visual arts, and this year's connection is sure to delight them."
Visitors at the reception will also be able to enjoy hors d'oeuvres catered by Boatyard, wine and music. Gallery art and gifts will also be for sale, and for one night only, the gallery will offer 20% off any abstract music item featuring the artwork of Paul Brent. Sale items include prints (framed or unframed), Neqwa ornaments, coasters, ceramic desk top tiles and note cards.
The reception is free and open to the public. The Paul Brent Gallery is located at 413 West 5th Street in historic downtown Panama City. For more information call 850-785-2684, visit www.paulbrent.com, or download the flyer(PDF Format).
Saturday, October 16, The POPS opens its 15th season with featured piano soloist, Louis Stewart, at its opening concert entitled "Symphonic Jubilation."
"Our fifteenth season is expected to be the most musically outstanding effort yet, and we are pleased and proud to host Louis Stewart's return to the Panama City POPS stage," states Connie Gittard, President of the organization's Board of Directors.
Stewart commissioned "Music for Panama City" for the POPS' January 2009 performance celebrating the Panama City Centennial. At the October 16 concert he will perform George Gershwin's 1924 American classic, "Rhapsody in Blue."
"At the time it was written, the purpose of that piece was to be purely educational," explains Maestro Eddie Rackley. "Gershwin's intent was to provide music that would make it simple for the masses to understand, and therefore enjoy, symphony. Almost nine decades later it is still hugely popular with symphony audiences. Mr. Stewart's deft touch will elevate this piece even further."
Additionally, Stewart will play piano on five waltzes composed by Jack Jarrett. Mr. Jarrett will be in the POPS audience that evening. "Jack Jarrett has become a true friend," adds Rackley. "His dedication and support have enabled the Orchestra to sound even richer, and it will be an honor to play for him."
The program promises to be impressive. Other pieces on that program for the evening include Tchaikovsky's "Sleeping Beauty Waltz"; Edward Elgar's "Nimrod" (from Enigma Variations); "Slovanic Dances" by Dvorak; and two choral mountings from Haydn's "The Creation."
The second half of the evening will particularly showcase the POPS' brass section. "Fanfare for the New Millenium" composed by Kevin Kaska, also featured at the 2009 Centennial program is a brass extravaganza reports Rackley. The orchestra will also play a lush arrangement of De Bussy's "Claire de Lune" and a big band medley of composer/band leader, Duke Ellington's most popular hits. "Memory" from the musical, Cats, will round out the evening.
Finally, that evening's audience will be treated to the POPS' usual uplifting encore. While it is Maestro Rackley's custom to reveal the piece only at the time of its delivery, he has dropped a hint with regard to the evening's post script. "Featuring a vocal duet popularized by Andre Bocelli and Sarah Brightman, it’s sure to bring the house down."
Mr. Stewart, 64, is a native of Aberdeen, WA. Currently an Associate Professor on the faculty of the Berklee College of Music, he is a graduate of the New England Conservatory in Boston and the Peabody Institute in Baltimore. Specializing in new music, he has conducted and played premieres in New York, Seattle, Boston and Baltimore, and has guest conducted in the United States and Southeast Asia.
From 1971 to 1977 Mr. Stewart was pianist and assistant conductor with the Martha Graham Dance Company where he was involved with several revivals, premieres and international tours. In 1976 he was invited to play a performance at the White House as part of a special ceremony honoring Martha Graham. He has also authored two film and several theatrical scores, and is a recording artist for Denouement Records.
Mr. Jarrett's academic credentials include a B.A. from the University of Florida; an M.A. from the Eastman School of Music; a Diploma in Conducting from the Berlin Hochschule für Musik; and a Doctor of Music in Composition from Indiana University. From 1989 to 1999 he was Chairman of the Composition Department at the Berklee College of Music. Currently he is Professor of Composition at the same institution. He is the recipient of several awards and scholarships, including a Fulbright Scholarship.
All 2010-2011 season concerts will be presented at 7:30 p.m. at Arnold High School Auditorium, Alf Coleman Drive, Panama City Beach under the direction of Maestro Eddie Rackley.
Tickets are available here as well as at Cher's Hallmark, Lynn Haven and Panama City Beach; and Paul Brent Gallery, downtown Panama City. Single ticket prices: $25 for Adults; $20 for Seniors 65+ and Active Military; $10 for Children.
For more information, call (850) 785-POPS (7677).
"BATTLE OF THE BATONS" RETURNS TO THE STAGE THIS WEEKEND
Following its most ambitious program to date at its October opener, the Panama City POPS returns to the stage this Saturday, January 15, with the crowd pleasing "Battle of the Batons" at Arnold High School Auditorium.
The second annual fundraiser of its kind, the concert will feature The POPS' traditional program of classical and popular musical selections, but this time with a twist, whimsically referred to as "wand warfare."
The concert is a fundraiser for the orchestra. Three local luminaries will vie for the opportunity to conduct the final work of the night's program. They will try out on stage prior to intermission and the audience will then vote for their favorite conductor. Each vote costs $1.00.
And the competition will be fierce. This year's contenders:
"These three contenders will not want to be outdone by one another," stated Artistic Director and Maestro Eddie Rackley. "I hope people from the entire region join us for this exciting concert."
Adding to the uniqueness of the evening will be the presentation of hand-carved batons to each conductor. The batons are the gift of Mr. Bruce Goldflies, father of orchestra member David Goldflies. Bruce Goldflies is a retired music teacher who now enjoys hobbies such as wood carving and photography. David Goldflies is CEO of CyberSytes, Inc. He plays double bass in the orchestra.
The Panama City POPS concerts are traditionally a combination of familiar, light classical works and popular arrangements. Saturday night's program will be more than musically rewarding. The first half of the concert will be mounted with various classical styles, including the beautiful "Les Preludes," Franz Liszt's symphonic poem, noted to be the earliest orchestral work of its kind. One of the most popular and best-known compositions in all of classical music, Beethoven's "Symphony No. 5", 4th movement, popularly referred to as "Beethoven's Fifth" will be performed. Other selections will include pieces by Johann Strauss, Josef Strauss and Franz Joseph Haydn.
WATCH THE 2ND ANNUAL "BATTLE OF THE BATONS"
COMMISSIONER GEORGE GAINER WINS "BATTLE OF THE BATONS"
On Saturday, January 15, it was 'wand warfare' on stage as The Panama City POPS presented "Battle of the Batons" to a great turnout at Arnold High School Auditorium. The second annual fundraiser of its kind, the concert featured The POPS' traditional program of classical and popular musical selections, but with a twist.
The concert was a fundraiser for the orchestra, where three local luminaries vied for the opportunity to conduct the final work of the night's program. Each tried out on stage prior to the intermission, following which the audience voted for their favorite conductor. Each vote cost $1.00.
The competition was fierce! Contenders Doc Washburn of WFLA radio, Bay County Commissioner George Gainer and Dan Rowe, President and CEO of the Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors' Bureau each gave a fantastic performance.
The victor: George Gainer, with $2146 in votes. Congratulations, Commissioner!
SOPRANO SOLOIST JOINS PANAMA CITY POPS TO WEAVE "POPS MAGIC"
Margaret Carlson's voice has been compared to those of Julie Andrews and Maureen McGovern. Her musical program is described as great old standards with a fresh attitude. Her on-stage personality has been called effervescent.
On Saturday, March 26, The Panama City POPS welcomes Ms. Carlson to the stage for the third concert of the season, "POPS Magic."
Grammy nominee, orchestra darling and cabaret favorite, Carlson is so easy on stage, her mere presence makes audiences fall in love with her. She will accompany the POPS orchestra for the entire second half of the concert, performing pieces that range from mellow jazz to sultry sambas, high-flying scat to pure romance, all the way to deep-down blues.
"The POPS loves to inject a few surprises and keep every concert fun," stated Artistic Director and Maestro Eddie Rackley. "Margaret Carlson has a superb, flexible voice, a great sense of rhythm, and she sings in tune. Her songlist is versatile, and she will be an immediate hit with the audience."
In her early career, the native Minnesotan toured the United States singing in resorts and clubs, and was featured on numerous television and radio commercials. In 1985 she was awarded the prestigious "Outstanding Musicianship" award from the Elmhurst (IL) College Jazz Festival. Soon afterward she decided to leave the music business to raise her two children. She returned to the music business ten years later and recorded her first CD, "Once in a Blue Moon" with pianist/arranger Frank Mantooth. She follow up this recording with a second CD, "This Christmas... my favorite things," and received a Grammy nomination for it in the "Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album" category.
In keeping with The Panama City POPS concert tradition, the first half of the concert will mount a more classical program. Featured selections will include "Hungarian March" by Hector Berlioz; "Kaiser Waltz" by Johann Strauss II; Mussorgsky's "A Night on Bald Mountain;" and two pieces from "Peer Gynt" by Edward Greig.
Individual tickets are $25 for Adults; $20 for Seniors 65+/Active Military; and $10 for Children under 12 and Students with ID. Individual tickets for all concerts at Arnold High School may be purchased at Cher’s Hallmark, Lynn Haven and Panama City Beach, and Paul Brent Gallery, downtown Panama City. They can also be purchased online.
MOONLIGHT AND MAMMA MIA HIGHLIGHT POPS FINALE
"Moonlight Serenade," the season finale of The Panama City POPS promises a dreamy and romantic start, and a rousing and fun finish says its artistic director, Maestro Eddie Rackley. "People will go away happy," stated Rackley. "The orchestra will play everything from a complete symphony to a medley of one of Broadway's most beloved hits."
Mounting the program for the first half of the evening will be a fine selection of classical pieces. "Symphony No. 2, the Romantic" by American composer and champion of American classical music, Howard Hanson, will open the concert. The audience will recognize this piece for its use in the end credits of the 1979 Ridley Scott film blockbuster, "Alien." "The Toreador Song," from Georges Bizet's opera, "Carmen," describes various situations in the bullring, the cheering of the crowds and the fame that comes with victory.
Rounding out the first half will be "Procession of the Nobles," from "Mlada" by one of Russia’s greatest composers, Rimsky-Korsakov. It's a joyous, stunning, regal work featuring three trumpet parts and a solid low brass and woodwind foundation.
The second half of the program will feature an array of popular pieces including "Hoedown" from the "Rodeo" ballet by Aaron Copland; the suite from "Far and Away," John Williams' original composition from the movie by the same name; George Gershwin's perennial classic, "Summertime;" and Young and Heyman's "When I Fall in Love." "And it's the final piece of the evening that will have the audience on its feet," said Rackley. The POPS will present a medley from the ten-year-running, Broadway smash hit, "Mamma Mia." The POPS Chorale will accompany the orchestra for the ABBA vocals. Three female leads will perform with the chorale, and Rackley promises an amazing finale.
The night's arrangement has been written by Emmy Award-winning composer Gary Fry, who will be in the audience at Arnold at this performance. Fry's arrangements and compositions are audience favorites with the Chicago Symphony and Chorus, as well as with the Dallas Symphony, the Colorado Symphony, the Boston Pops, Philadelphia Pops, New York Pops, the American Jazz Philharmonic, and other regional orchestras. Fry also regularly is commissioned by major churches to write sacred music for special events as well as for the Christmas season.
Fry has composed for film, television, live theater, ballet, and more than 2500 radio and television commercials for McDonald’s, Sears, Kellogg’s, and hundreds of other major national advertisers. He received a 2006 Emmy Award for his work for Chicago’s CBS affiliate WBBM-TV. Air travelers hear Fry’s electronic version of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue when passing through the United Airlines terminal at Chicago's O'Hare airport. His music is also featured daily on the Cartoon Network program Baby Looney Tunes. Music education and music for children are other areas in which Fry is active. His teaching resumé includes positions on the faculties of the University of Miami, Northwestern University, and Midwest Young Artists, and he has conducted workshops and seminars at many other educational institutions. He is a past governor of the Chicago chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, and recently was named Artistic Consultant to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Gary and his wife Carol are longtime residents of suburban Chicago.
Established as a mentoring orchestra, The Panama City POPS invites advanced student musicians of all ages to audition. If qualified, they are mentored by current POPS musicians who help guide and teach them while giving them the opportunity to play and perform with an orchestra. Mentored students departing the POPS this year will be recognized at the concert.
Also that evening, The Panama City POPS will conduct its fourth annual silent auction in collaboration with the Visual Arts Center. The painting, "POPS by the Bay" by renowned local artist, Paul Brent, is the featured work of art on this season’s Panama City POPS Orchestra brochure, program covers and television commercials. The original artwork will be on display at the Visual Arts Center in downtown Panama City until the final POPS concert on May 14.
Individual tickets are $25 for Adults; $20 for Seniors 65+/Active Military; and $10 for Children under 12 and Students with ID. Individual tickets for all concerts at Arnold High School may be purchased at Cher’s Hallmark, Lynn Haven and Panama City Beach, and Paul Brent Gallery, downtown Panama City. Season tickets and individual tickets are also on sale now here or by calling (850) 785-POPS (7677).
Monday, July 4, 7:30 pm Aaron Bessant Park proudly presented by:
It's Bay County's premier 4th of July celebration and it's free!
Join The Panama City POPS as we salute our troops and veterans.
From 7:30-9:15 pm, enjoy classics such as The Star Spangled Banner...American Salute...Band of Brothers Suite...Salute to Patriots...and Tchiakovsky's incomparable 1812 Overture! Plus, some POPS favorite movie themes and show tunes!
Bring your blankets, lawn chairs and coolers and enjoy the musical spectacular that is The Panama City POPS...in sync with Pier Park's premier fireworks display!
See you there!
WAIT TILL YOU HEAR US NOW!
With its new season opening at its new home, The Panama City POPS has fittingly chosen Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, “The New World Symphony” in its entirety, Saturday, October 15, 7:30 pm.
“Our sixteenth season is expected to be the POPS’ most musically outstanding effort yet,” states Connie Gittard, President of the organization’s Board of Directors. “Symphony lovers will not be disappointed.”
Composed by Czech Antonin Dvorak in 1893 during his visit to the United States, Symphony No. 9 is his most popular symphony and one of the most popular in the modern repertoire. First commissioned by the New York Philharmonic, the four-movement piece is scored for a full symphony and is considered multinational in its foundations, fluently melding folk-tinged melodies into classical forms.
The second half of the program will feature an array of popular pieces and two selected vocal performances. “The second half of the evening is always just, plain fun,” stated Maestro Eddie Rackley. “Everything we play is familiar to everyone in the audience, and is true to the traditional POPS format.”
Selections include the original score and theme from “Jurassic Park” by John Williams; “Andalucia,” the Spanish number by Morton Gould; “I Dreamed a Dream,” from the Broadway hit, Les Mis, sung by Sharon Carroll; and a medley of songs from some of composer Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Concert dates are October 15, January 20, March 17 and May 5. All concerts will be performed at the Marina Civic Center and will start at 7:30 pm.
Tickets are available at the Marina Civic Center box office, 850-763-4696, or at www.marinaciviccenter.com. Single ticket prices: $29.50 for Adults; $20 for Seniors 65+ and Active Military; $10 for Children.
For more information, call (850) 785- POPS (7677).
On Saturday, January 15, it was 'wand warfare' on stage as The Panama City POPS presented "Battle of the Batons" to a great turnout at Arnold High School Auditorium. The second annual fundraiser of its kind, the concert featured The POPS' traditional program of classical and popular musical selections, but with a twist.
Margaret Carlson's voice has been compared to those of Julie Andrews and Maureen McGovern. Her musical program is described as great old standards with a fresh attitude. Her on-stage personality has been called effervescent.
The night's arrangement has been written by Emmy Award-winning composer Gary Fry, who will be in the audience at Arnold at this performance. Fry's arrangements and compositions are audience favorites with the Chicago Symphony and Chorus, as well as with the Dallas Symphony, the Colorado Symphony, the Boston Pops, Philadelphia Pops, New York Pops, the American Jazz Philharmonic, and other regional orchestras. Fry also regularly is commissioned by major churches to write sacred music for special events as well as for the Christmas season.
With its new season opening at its new home, The Panama City POPS has fittingly chosen Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, “The New World Symphony” in its entirety, Saturday, October 15, 7:30 pm.
Concert dates are October 15, January 20, March 17 and May 5. All concerts will be performed at the Marina Civic Center and will start at 7:30 pm.