Community Corner
Blue Bell Resident & Encore Series, Inc. Chairman Sal DeBunda attended the Celebration of The Philly POPS® Announcement of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas Spectacular A Salute to the Military & First Responders”
It was a day to remember when Christmas in July was celebrated by The Philly POPS, dignitaries, and many guests on the Avenue of the Arts on July 10, 2014. It all began with a parade from the Union League to the Kiimmel Center led by a Highway Patrol Motorcade, police motorcycles, military in formal dress uniforms, a fire engine with Philly POPS President Frank Giordano and General Ronald Coleman, and a hook and ladder fire truck with, of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus. They were greeted at the Kimmel Center by a crowd, mounted police, members of the military, military vehicles parked on Avenue of the Arts and a red carpet for a procession into The Kimmel Center for the special announcement.
With support from the Commonwealth of PA, the City of Philadelphia Police and Fire Departments, the Liberty USO and many members of the military, Philly POPS President Frank Giordano shared plans for a new, exciting initiative to take place on December 5, 2014. It’s called I’ll Be Home for Christmas Spectacular – A Salute to the Military and First Responders and is the first concert of the Christmas Spectacular series. At this concert, 2,000 tickets will be gifted to military and first responders through the Liberty USO and the City of Philadelphia Fire & Police departments. Speakers at the program included DCED Deputy Secretary of PA Carolyn Newhouse who represented Governor Corbett, City Representative Desiree Peterkin-Bell, MAJ. Jerry Smith, Pennsylvania National Guard and chairman Rear Admiral (retired) Thomas Lynch.
In true Christmas spirit Santa and Mrs. Claus participated and Christmas Carols were performed by the POPS Brass Quintet and members of The POPS Festival Chorus, led by Jeff Kern. In addition, there were two Christmas trees in patriotic décor, Christmas sugar cookies and candy cane shaped soft pretzels were the refreshments and gifts to all attendees were Philly POPs Christmas ornaments in red and gold.
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I’ll be Home for Christmas Spectacular … A Salute to the Military and First Responders is the premiere concert of Philadelphia’s treasured musical tradition – The Philly POPS Christmas Spectacular on December 5th with nine concerts on several days from December 5 through December 20, 2014. Presented in Verizon Hall at The Kimmel Center, the guest conductor is Britain’s celebrated American-born conductor David Charles Abell, back by popular demand. As The POPS’ exceptional musicians present the beloved seasonal tunes in exciting arrangements, each concert also features three spectacular choirs -- Philadelphia Boys Choir, the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas Gospel Choir and the POPS Festival Chorus – and the ever-popular audience sing-along, in a rousing program guaranteed to please young and old. For 2014, The Philly POPS is pleased to welcome acclaimed singer/actor Hugh Panaro, who recently performed as the Phantom on Broadway’s Phantom of the Opera. Panaro is a Philadelphia native and Abell spent much of his youth growing up in Philly.
Tickets for the Christmas Spectacular concert series went on sale Friday, July 11 at 10 a.m. Tickets for opening night, I’ll Be Home For Christmas Spectacular, are not available for sale as this concert is invite-only for our military and first responders through the Liberty USO and the City of Philadelphia Fire & Police departments. For ticket information on the remaining eight Christmas Spectacular concerts on December 6-20 and to learn more about The Philly POPS and its 2014-2015 season schedule, please call 215-893-1999 or visit phillypops.org.
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About The Philly POPS:
Audiences are raving about the new energy of The Philly POPS and the talent and warm personality of Maestro Michael Krajewski, music director and conductor. Krajewski is a much sought-after conductor who has appeared with symphonies throughout the United States, Canada and around the world. He holds additional posts as Principal Pops Conductor with the Atlanta, Houston and Jacksonville Symphony Orchestras. The Philly POPS is the largest stand-alone POPS orchestra in America, performing in Verizon Hall at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 300 S. Broad Street in Philadelphia, and around the tri-state region, entertaining audiences with an eclectic mix of musical genres – from Big Band to Broadway, from Gershwin to the Beatles and beyond. The Philly POPS is a founding resident company of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. The orchestra boasts a blend of the most talented and best musicians from the musically rich Philadelphia region. The Philly POPS is presented by Encore Series, Inc. For more information about The Philly POPS and subscriptions to the 2014-2015 concert season, please visit www.phillypops.org.
