Peter Nero and the Philly Pops

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Peter Nero and the Philly Pops
A fixture on the Philadelphia music scene, Peter Nero and the Philly Pops is an entity that consistently brings an enthusiastic response from its loyal audience. Two-time Grammy Award winning pianist Peter Nero is proud to stand in front of the "Philadelphia music legend" he created in 1979.

Just entering it's 25th season, Peter Nero has molded a Pops orchestra that can authentically perform the widest variety of musical genres. Under the Maestro's leadership, the Orchestra has established itself as on of the nation's premier POPS orchestras.

In November 2001, the orchestra bid a fond farewell to its long-time home at the Academy of Music and in December commemorated their status as a resident company of the brand new Kimmel Center with two sold-out Holiday concerts, the first public concerts in Verizon Hall. December also marked another first — the first-ever recording of Peter Nero and the Philly Pops, a CD entitled Holiday POPS.

Under the baton of Maestro Nero, who serves as music director, conductor, arranger and pianist, the orchestra, with a blend of extremely talented and skilled musicians from the musically rich Philadelphia region, consistently brings audiences to their feet with their exciting performances.

Nero's imaginative programming has made Philly Pops concerts unique in the Pops world. His program concepts and participation as pianist with his guests have proven to be audience favorites. POPS concerts run the gamut — from great classics to jazz improvisation, big band to Broadway hits, ragtime to rock n' roll. "Our concerts are for people who love all kinds of music," explains Nero. "We've learned that audiences want an eclectic mix, a mix they can't get anywhere else. That's the success of our Pops concerts — quality, variety and a great orchestra that can play anything."

Recognizing the outstanding asset the orchestra and its conductor bring to the State of Pennsylvania, Maestro Nero was honored to receive Governor Ridge's Distinguished Arts Award in 1999. Along with this, the Orchestra was invited to perform for the Republican Governor's Association at the Republican National Convention during the summer of 2000.

Since the summer of 1981, Peter Nero and the Philly Pops has served as the city's musical host before millions at the Philadelphia Museum of Art during the July 4th fireworks festivities. They have been joined by such celebrities as Julius Erving (Dr. J.) and James Earl Jones who read from the Declaration of Independence and other great talents including Patti LaBelle, Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, Mickey Rooney, Ray Charles, Boyz II Men and Dionne Warwick. This past July, Peter Nero and the Philly Pops served as musical host for Independence Day, 2001, a live, star-studded broadcast on ABC-TV, sharing the stage with such renowned stars as Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman, Mel Gibson, Kevin Spacey, Whoopie Goldberg and Garth Brooks.

Due to Peter's national reputation, there have been many television performances that feature the music of this orchestra stemming back to a live coast-to-coast appearance on CBS-TV as part of Philadelphia's We The People concert celebrating the signing of the Constitution. Peter Nero served as music director and pianist of A Tribute to Johnny Mercer with Johnny Mathis, Melissa Manchester, Margaret Whiting, John Pizzarelli and many members of The Philly Pops in the orchestra which aired on PBS-TV as a national fundraiser. Other important highlights include their appearances on tour and the open-air concert at Independence Hall on July 4, 1981 that was telecast nationally over PBS.

Peter Nero and the Philly Pops made their New York debut on February 6, 1984 at Carnegie Hall and re-visited this prestigious concert hall in May, 1997. Other distinctions include an invitation to perform a gala concert in Washington, D.C. to commemorate NASA's 40th anniversary in 1998, and in the summer of 2000, the orchestra performed a sold-out concert in central New Jersey at the PNC Art Center.

The POPS Project and its Jazz In The Schools, the educational outreach programs of Peter Nero and the Philly Pops, is presented in the tri-state area in schools where music education budgets have been cut. Enriching the lives of young people with workshops and special performances, the goal of this program is to encourage children to value the importance of music. Jazz In The Schools was nationally recognized by receiving a federal grant from the United States Department of Education's National Fund for the Improvement of Education.

Peter Nero and the Philly Pops is presented by Encore Series, Inc., a non-profit organization enriching the cultural life of Philadelphia through the performing arts.

Our 2003-2004 Season: