THE POPS MOVES FORWARD WITH NEW LEADERSHIP
The Philly POPS is pleased to announce the election of Dr. Rollo Dilworth as the new Chair of the Board of Directors, replacing POPS Board Chair Joseph Del Raso who will remain on the Board. The Board also approved the appointment of Karen Corbin as President and CEO of the POPS. Corbin replaces POPS President Frank Giordano, who also will remain on the Board to aid the transition.
The selection of Dilworth, Vice Dean of the Boyer School of Music and Dance at Temple University, as Board Chair reflects our intention to shift focus in favor of our education and community engagement initiatives while simultaneously reworking our subscription series performances previously held at the Kimmel Center, where we had been a founding resident company until the suspension of our resident company status in January. Coupled with the change in leadership, the Board indicated that it is seeking to meet with the leadership of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, Inc. (POKC) – the Kimmel’s parent company – to discuss resolving their differences and finding a mutually acceptable path forward.
The changes were unanimously approved by the POPS Board as part of the Board’s commitment to developing a sustainable long-term financial model for the POPS.
Our intention is to reconnect with our audiences while also pivoting to expand our educational programming and our unique community engagement agenda. As part of this strategy, we look to resolve our differences with the Kimmel and work together for the benefit of the patrons we both serve.
President and CEO
Karen Corbin
Karen Corbin has been a member of senior staff at The Philly POPS since 2014. Corbin established the POPS’ longstanding community engagement initiatives: The Salute Series, concerts of civic celebration on national holidays such as Memorial Day and July 3rd and 4th, and POPSinSchools supplemental music education activities and programs generally provided for the School District of Philadelphia. She has been the Chief Operating Officer for The Philly POPS for three years. Throughout her career, Corbin has provided leadership in restructuring cultural organizations and implementing innovative program strategies.
Previously, Corbin served as Senior Vice President of Programs, Marketing and Business Development at The Franklin Institute and Chief Operating Officer of the International SPY Museum in Washington DC. Prior to her non-profit work, Corbin was the Senior Vice President of Programming and Development for Tribune Entertainment in Los Angeles. A native Philadelphian, Corbin began her career working at four of the six television stations in Philadelphia.
The Philly POPS is dedicated to the joyful performance of America’s popular music authentically rooted in our traditions of community and celebration.
Chairman
Dr. Rollo Dilworth
Dr. Dilworth serves on the National Board for Chorus America as well as the boards for the Presser Foundation and Beyond the Bars. He is an active life member of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). He also holds memberships with several other organizations, including the National Association for Music Education (NafME), the National Association of Negro Musicians (NANM), and the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP). In 2017, he received the Temple University Faculty Award for Research and Creative Achievement.
More than 150 of Dilworth’s choral compositions and arrangements have been published—many of which are a part of the Henry Leck Creating Artistry Choral Series with Hal Leonard Corporation.
I am honored to serve as Board Chair for the Philly POPS, which is such an important part of Philadelphia’s performing arts community. We believe that the POPS has a bright future that allows us ample opportunity to be innovative in presenting the music that our audiences have loved for so many years and finding new connections with our community of patrons and students.