Holiday season is welcomed in Philadelphia with a delightful winter tradition – Holiday POPS! This festive orchestral performance is returning to Verizon Hall this year at the very famous Kimmel Center for nine performances scheduled from December 6 to December 21. Led by the celebrated conductor, David Charles Abell, Holiday POPS will have the same exceptional group of musicians presenting the loveable seasonal tunes in beautiful arrangements. There will be three choirs in each concert and as is a favorite feature of POPS, the merry audience sings along. Verizon Hall will be resonating with the exciting sounds of this quintessential winter special. A visit from a special guest from the North Pole will make this year’s show even more memorable for the entire family.
The wonderful time of the year is back when the whole country is looking forward to holidays and the merry things it brings like Holiday Pops tickets. Among the so many brilliant shows, musicals and concerts, there is Holiday POPS. This orchestral music show which is playful yet sophisticated is a presentation of the Philly POPS.
Philly POPS
Philly POPS has been entertaining music lovers for 35 years now. The journey which was made along with the founding music director, Peter Nero since 1979 offered audiences’ unparalleled orchestral music, unlike any other symphony. Productions of the company have become a holiday tradition in Philadelphia and are presented in winters as well as in summers. Most recently, Nero has been replaced by Michael Krajewski who hopes to take Philly POPS to new heights.
The symphony is a presentation of Encore Series Inc. and is a resident company at Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. The Voices of the POPS debuted in 2000 as the voice ensemble of the company, to be featured in concerts with its group of incredibly talented professional performers. Apart from the regular artist, Philly POPS also welcomes guest artists like David Charles Abell who is also the conductor of Holiday POPS this season.
Kimmel Center
The popular saying “the venue plays a big role in the popularity of a show” is also true for Holiday POPS. Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts is a perfect setting for a symphony as amazing as this. Housing five different halls and theaters, Kimmel Center is a premier venue for performing arts in Philadelphia. Holiday POPS is hosted in Verizon Hall, the 2500-seats main performance center has a mechanical pipe organ which is larger than any concert hall in America. Kimmel Center is home to Philadelphia Orchestra, the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia and Philadanco.
The Holiday POPS
Opening on the day of the feast of St. Nicholas this year, Holiday POPS is an annual family festivity which brings the Christmas spirit with it for old and young alike. The concert captures holiday emotions and brings thrilling ride of orchestral music which will be presented through the beautiful vocals of Angela Brown this time. Accompanying her will be the POPS Festival Chorus along with the Philadelphia Boys Choir and The African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas Gospel Choir. The arrangement will be backed by Peter Conte, the renowned organist, who will be contributing to the brilliance of this concert through the magnificent 6000 pipe organ of the Verizon Hall.
Holiday POPS takes on a musical form which keeps audience engaged throughout the performance. The orchestra brings variety of music and it is this feature of presenting a diverse selection of music that keeps it full of surprises and audience members on their toes with anticipation.