JULY 3 2020-21 SEASON
PROGRAM INFORMATION It's been 41 years since The Philly POPS performed its first Independence Day show! Tonight, we continue that tradition, though our 41st performance looks different than in years past. We bring tonight's show to you virtually in a livestream from The Met — one of the city's most storied concert halls, located in a neighborhood known for its musical talent. Tonight's POPS on Independence features the 38-piece Philly POPS BIG Band + Strings, led by Music Director and Principal Conductor David Charles Abell, in his debut performance in the role. The show includes the world premiere of a newly commissioned work — "Fanfare for the Frontline Workers" — which is dedicated to healthcare workers who were first responders to the COVID-19 crisis. The POPS looks forward to returning to the concert hall in the near future and taking the stage at Independence Hall again next summer.
THE PHILLY POPS ROSTER 1ST VIOLIN
OBOE
TROMBONE
Luigi Mazzocchi Robert Vieira Carlos Rubio Guillaume Combet Blake Espy Kate Suk
David Schneider
Randy Kapralick Jarred Antonacci Paul Arbogast Dave Cianci
2ND VIOLIN
SAXOPHONE Anthony Nigro Chris Oatts Greg Riley Sean Bailey Mark Allen
Michelle Bishop Greg Teperman Diane Barnett James Keene
FRENCH HORN
VIOLA
TRUMPET
Davis Barnett Marjorie Goldberg Ellen Trainer
CELLO Glenn Fischbach George Atanasiu Pat Daniels
Todd Williams George Barnett
Jon Shaw Dan Wright Tony DeSantis Joe Anderson
HARP Elizabeth Steiner
TIMPANI Dave Nelson
RHYTHM SECTION Joshua Richman – Piano Kevin Hanson – Guitar Steve Beskrone – Electric Bass Steve Fidyk – Drums
POPS On Independence
PROGRAM “The Star-Spangled Banner” by John Stafford Smith “Fanfare For The Front Line Workers” by Robert Wendel “Philadelphia Freedom/I’m Still Standing” by Elton John
JULY 3, 2020 David Charles Abell music director and principal conductor
FEATURING
“S’Wonderful” by George Gershwin
Allison Blackwell vocalist
“Simple Gifts” by Joseph Brackett
Michael Cavanaugh vocalist and piano
“America the Beautiful” by Samuel A. Ward “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond “Sir Duke” by Stevie Wonder “My Country, ’Tis of Thee” Trad. “A Change Is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke “Amazing Grace” Trad. “Love Is Here to Stay” by George Gershwin “Lean On Me” by Bill Withers “God Bless America” by Irving Berlin
Terell Stafford artistic director for jazz, trumpet The Philly POPS Festival Chorus
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE LIVESTREAM!
SPECIAL GUESTS David Charles Abell, music director & principal conductor David Charles Abell is the newly appointed Music Director and Principal Conductor of The Philly POPS. David, who grew up in Mt. Airy, lived in London for 24 years, conducting many of the premier British orchestras. He has made numerous television appearances, most notably conducting the 10th and 25th Anniversary concerts of Les Misérables. Most recently, he conducted Carousel at the Vienna Click here to learn Volksoper and the Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess at Atlanta Opera. David more about David has conducted many POPS shows, including Cole Porter’s Broadway, Lenny’s Revolution, Blockbuster Broadway, and A Philly POPS Christmas in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2019.
Allison Blackwell, vocalist Philadelphia-native Allison Blackwell is an award-winning Broadway star. Her versatile voice and outgoing personality on stage make her a highly sought out performer. Blackwell has performed on Broadway in the Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, A Night With Janis Joplin, Disney’s The Lion King, and Pretty Woman: The Musical. She’s a frequent guest artist with The Philly POPS.
Michael Cavanaugh, vocalist and piano Michael Cavanaugh is a charismatic performer, musician and actor, famous for his piano/lead vocals role in the Broadway musical Movin’ Out, for which he earned Grammy and Tony award nominations. Cavanaugh was handpicked by Billy Joel to star in title role and evokes a style rivaling the Piano Man himself. Since 2005, Michael has performed worldwide and Billboard has called him “The New Voice of the American Rock and Roll Songbook”.
Terell Stafford, artistic director for jazz, trumpet
Click here to learn more about Terell
Artistic Director for Jazz Terell Stafford serves as Managing and Artistic Director of the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia. An acclaimed trumpet player, Stafford’s exceptionally expressive and well-defined musical talent allows him to dance in and around the rich trumpet tradition of his predecessors while making his own inroads. He is Director of Jazz Studies and Chair of Instrumental Studies at Temple University.
The Philly POPS Festival Chorus
Click here to learn more about the Festival Chorus
The Philly POPS Festival Chorus is a 170-voice ensemble that performs with The Philly POPS under the direction of Jeff Kern. The Festival Chorus performs with the POPS orchestra during the annual Christmas concert series and Broadway series.
THE VIRTUAL FESTIVAL CHORUS ROSTER James Bailey
Nancy Kadwill
Evan Samlin
Michelle Balentine
Helena Kan
Peter Scarpato
David Berkowitz
Maureen Keeney
Barbara Schwartz
Kellie Bowker
Larry Kirschner
Jim Sellers
Braina Brober
Amy Lewis
Sally Siegfried
Fabiene Brown
Joanne Lipa
Hong Sima
Amy Copeland
Shurong Liu
Peter Spengeman
Becky Crunk
Nicole Manning
Jonathan Storace
Joshua Eisenberg
Jeffrey Masino
Kate Strubinger
Joseph Fong
Meagan Moody
Nancy Sullivan
Faith Foyil
Kim Nurick
Emily Szal
Patricia Garver
Betty Pannell
Jane Tonkin
Jennifer Gottschalk
Michael Pugh
Carol Walton
Susan Gromley
Alison Quairoli
Bertina Whyte-head
Kathy Guy
Marilyn Radley
Claire Wunderlich
Alexandra Haas
Jamie Ray-Leonetti
Youjun Yang
Marian Henry
Betsy Rich
Melina Zhang
Kaytie Innamorati
Denise Rose
Connie Jones
Allison Rossi
Click here to learn more about the Festival Chorus
CREDITS David Charles Abell Music Director and Conductor
Production Company Center City Film and Video
Karen Corbin Executive Producer
Brian Isely Director
Keith Obaza Director of Production
Chris Foster Producer
Brendan McHale Producer
Tony Travia Technical Director
Austin Berner Producer
Jon Koengetter Camera
Jeffrey Masino Producer
Anthony Massey Camera
John Meko Associate Producer
Dean Tatulli Camera
Will Farr Graphic Design
Jack Wren Camera John Duncan Jr. Lighting Director
Audio Mixing and Support Clear Sound Brandon Prange Live Sound Mix for Broadcast
Pete Mecchi Editor Nick Salvatore Motion Graphics
Jon Picciano Monitor Engineer Produced in part by Live Nation Sam Robinson Assistant Monitor Engineer
Presented by Wawa Welcome America
About the Salute Series The Philly POPS Salute Series encourages recognition of service and commitment through an expanding set of events and activities — each transformative moments of celebration for our community. Salute performances recognize the service and sacrifice of those dedicated to a collective identity of American values and tradition.
SALUTE SERIES 2020 EVENTS COMCAST NBCUNIVERSAL PRESENTS MEMORIAL SALUTE September 7, 2020
VETERANS DAY SALUTE November 11, 2020
• The Vietnam Veterans Memorial • Dilworth Plaza
I’LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS: A SALUTE TO THE MILITARY AND FIRST RESPONDERS December 4, 2020
The Met Philadelphia
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SUBSCRIPTION SERIES PRESENTING SPONSOR