Fifth Annual POPS Ball | The Philly Pops
 

Fifth Annual POPS Ball

Michael Krajewski, Conductor

The Bellevue Hotel

200 South Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Get Directions
14 September 2017
See All Dates & Times
Featuring

Michael Andrew, Guest Artist

Calli Graver, Guest Artist

Honoring Philly POPS Chairman of the Board: Salvatore M. DeBunda

Fifth Annual POPS Ball Honorary Chair: Governor Tom Wolf

Fifth Annual POPS Ball Co-Chairs:  Dottie and Frank Giordano

The Philly POPS proudly presents the Fifth Annual POPS Ball!
Please join us for an intimate concert, dinner, and an evening of dancing to the POPS on Thursday, September 14th, 2017.

6:00 pm – Reception
7:30 pm – An evening of dinner and dancing to The Philly POPS conducted by Michael Krajewski and guest artists Michael Andrew and Calli Graver

The Fifth Annual POPS Ball is The Philly POPS' major fundraiser of the 2017/2018 season. Ticket sales do not cover the costs of presenting great orchestral music. The Ball provides additional support from our generous patrons for which we are extremely grateful.

To reserve single tickets or a full table, request and invitation, or make a pledge, please call Jason Ward at 215.735.2841 or send us an e-mail to [email protected].

In Honor of Philly POPS Chairman of the Board
Salvatore M. DeBunda

Salvatore M. DeBunda, Esquire, has served for five years as Chair of The Philly POPS Board of Directors and spent over a decade as a member. As he and his significant other, Cheryl Finocchiaro, complete his final year as Chairman, the POPS dedicates this Fifth Annual POPS Ball to them.

Sal led the POPS Board through uncharted waters when the organization became independent with its innovative model of orchestral success in 2011. Today, The Philly POPS enjoys sold-out concerts, a growing subscription and donor base, a dramatically expanded Salute Series, which celebrates American holidays by saluting those who serve, and a successful POPS in Schools program that transforms the lives of Philadelphia students by supplementing their music education.

The Philly POPS tips its hat to Sal and Cheryl for his leadership and her support of his efforts and as music lovers and friends of The Philly POPS.

Guest Artists

Michael Krajewski, Guest Conductor

More

Known for his entertaining programs and engaging personality, Michael Krajewski is a much sought-after pops conductor in the U.S.A., Canada and abroad. 

His twenty-year relationship with the Houston Symphony included seventeen years as Principal Pops Conductor. He also served as Principal Pops Conductor of the Long Beach Symphony for eleven years, Principal Pops Conductor of Atlanta Symphony for eight years, and Music Director of the Philly Pops for six years. He is currently Principal Pops Conductor of the Jacksonville Symphony, a post he has held for twenty-four years. 

Michael’s busy schedule as a guest conductor includes concerts with major and regional orchestras across the United States. In Canada he has appeared with the orchestras of Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Regina and Kitchener-Waterloo. Overseas he has performed in Ireland, Spain, the Czech Republic, Iceland, Malaysia and China. 

Michael has conducted concerts featuring noteable musicians and entertainers from many diverse styles of music. He has worked with classical luminaries such as vocalist Marilyn Horne, flutist James Galway, pianist Alicia de Larrocha and guitarists Pepe and Angel Romero. 

In the field of popular music he has performed with Roberta Flack, Judy Collins, Art Garfunkel, Kenny Loggins, Ben Folds, Rufus Wainright, Jason Alexander, Patti Austin, Sandi Patty, Megan Hilty, Matthew Morrison, Doc Severinsen, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, The Chieftains, Chicago, Pink Martini, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. 

Born in Detroit, Michael studied music education at Wayne State University and conducting at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of music. He was an Antal Dorati Fellowship Conductor with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and subsequently served as the DSO’s assistant conductor for four years. Michael now lives in Florida with his wife Darcy. In his spare time he enjoys travel, photography and solving crossword puzzles. 

Michael Andrew, vocalist

More

For two years, Michael Andrew was the headline singer and bandleader at the world famous Rainbow Room atop Rockefeller Center in New York City, where he entertained audiences nightly and hosted a live radio broadcast, Live from the Rainbow Room. He was the bandleader and singer at Merv Griffin’s “Coconut Club” in the Beverly Hilton in California. While on Larry King Live, Merv called Michael Andrew “one of the great singers of all time.”

A frequent symphonic pops guest artist, Michael Andrew has appeared with orchestras in Akron, Albuquerque, Birmingham, Charlotte, Melbourne (Florida), Houston, Jacksonville, Long Beach, Missoula, Orlando, Pasadena, Philadelphia, Providence, Palm Beach, Palm Springs, San Antonio, Sarasota, and other cities across America.

He wrote the musical comedy, Mickey Swingerhead & the Earthgirls, that was a hit with audiences and the press. The hit show led to the formation of his band, Swingerhead, which remains a favorite among audiences and has toured extensively throughout the country. Michael also formed the Atomic Big Band, an 18-piece band that has performed in Hollywood for the premier of the Warner Bros. movie, Poseidon, and his bands continue to play engagements from Presidential Inaugural Balls to high society fundraisers.

On the other side of the curtain, as a composer, lyricist and book writer, he's created shows paying tribute to the writers of the American Songbook including Johnny Mercer, Sammy Cahn, and the Gershwins. He composed / performed his music for motion pictures including Heartbreakers, Inglourious Basterds, Mad Hot Ballroom, Bobby Jones – Stroke of Genius, and The Five People You Meet in Heaven. Recently, he produced music for Mitch Album’s new musical, Hockey, which debuted in Detroit.

Michael Andrew starred in the world premiere of the new musical, The Nutty Professor, written by Marvin Hamlisch and Rupert Holmes and directed by Jerry Lewis. Time Magazine praised his “terrific lead performance” and Jerry Lewis called him “one of the best talents to come down the pike in 50 years.”

Calli Graver, vocalist

More

Calli Graver is a Philadelphia-based crossover and jazz vocalist. She has extensive choral experience and currently sings with the Philadelphia Symphonic Choir, Voices of the POPS, and Philadelphia Heritage Chorale. She has performed with symphonies and pops orchestras around the country, including the Philly POPS, the Philadelphia Wind Symphony, the Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra, Opera Lancaster, the Ocean City Pops, Harrisburg Symphony, Jacksonville Symphony, Maryland Symphony, Seattle Symphony, and the Calgary Philharmonic.

Calli has performed with acclaimed musicians, including Ben Folds, Aretha Franklin, and Andrea Bocelli. Her theatrical experience includes numerous productions at the Fulton Opera House including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Ragtime, and The Secret Garden.

She regularly performs with a jazz trio in Philadelphia and teaches voice at the Lumberton School of Music and the Community College of Philadelphia. Calli is a graduate of University of the Arts (BM in vocal performance / MM in jazz studies). Her education allows her to work in various musical capacities and to seamlessly transition through genres.

The Fifth Annual Pops Ball Ticket Packages

The Chairman’s Table
$5,000 per couple

- (2) Tickets to The POPS Ball, seating at the President’s, Chairman’s, or Emeritus Chair’s Tables
- Sponsor Listing in The POPS Ball Program Book
- Donor List in 2017/2018 Season Program Books

Concert Master Circle Table
$12,000

- Table of (8), Best Available Seating
- Full Page Ad in The POPS Ball Program Book
- Sponsor Listing in The POPS Ball Program Book
- Name/Company listed on The Philly POPS Website
- Donor List in 2017/2018 Season Program Books
- $3,000 per couple
 

Encore! Circle Table
$8,000 

- Table of (8)
- Half Page Ad in The POPS Ball Program Book
- Sponsor Listing in The POPS Ball Program Book
- Name/Company Listing on The Philly POPS Website
- Donor List in 2017/2018 Season Program Books
- $2,000 per couple

Baton Circle
$1,000 per couple

- (2) Tickets to the POPS Ball

*Single Tickets may be purchased at 50% of the published package price at any level.

The Philly POPS is part of Encore Series, Inc., a nonprofit, 501(c)(3), corporation. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. In compliance with tax law regulations, we hereby certify that no goods or services were provided in consideration for your contribution.

Slideshow  |  8 Photos
POPS Ball
  • POPS Ball
  • POPS Ball
  • POPS Ball
  • POPS Ball
  • POPS Ball
  • POPS Ball
  • POPS Ball
  • POPS Ball
Save the Date!