To salute the frontline workers who have kept us safe in the past months, the POPS performed the debut of a newly commissioned piece, “Fanfare for the Frontline Workers,” by composer Robert Wendel!
We kicked off the 2020 Comcast NBCUniversal POPS on Independence with an uplifting arrangement of “Star Spangled Banner,” with the 38-piece BIG Band + Strings!
Here’s an all-new arrangement of “Amazing Grace,” by GRAMMY winner Bill Cunliffe—with a performance by our own GRAMMY-winning Artistic Director for Jazz, Terell Stafford!
Our love for Allison Blackwell is definitely here to stay! Here’s her performance of another Gershwin favorite, made popular by the unforgettable Ella Fitzgerald!
There’s only one thing we can say when we describe Allison Blackwell’s terrific performance of a Gershwin classic: “S’Wonderful!”
The Philly POPS Festival Chorus @ Home came together to bring us a new performance! Here’s “My Country ’Tis of Thee,” under the direction of Festival Chorus director Jeffrey Kern!
Enjoy this FREE Interactive Program Book!
The Philly POPS continues its 41-year Independence tradition with a streamed performance of POPS on Independence. The 38-piece Philly POPS BIG Band + Strings will perform an original program created and conducted by Music Director and Principal Conductor David Charles Abell, in his debut as Music Director. The program will feature Broadway star Allison Blackwell, a Philly native and inaugural member of the Temple Children’s Choir, POPS Artistic Director for Jazz Terell Stafford, POPS fan-favorite Michael Cavanaugh, and a virtual Philly POPS Festival Chorus.
POPS on Independence will feature patriotic standards, pop favorites, and more. As part of the performance, the POPS will make the world debut of a newly commissioned work—“Fanfare for the Frontline Workers,” which honors those who protect the United States and its people, as well as new arrangements of “Amazing Grace” and “A Change Is Gonna Come”. Listeners can expect to hear fan-favorites “Philadelphia Freedom,” “S’Wonderful,” “God Bless America,” and more.
POPS on Independence has become a Philadelphia tradition enjoyed by many each year. This performance is part of The Philly POPS Salute Series, honoring our nation's traditions, values, and commitment to service. Your sponsorship or donation will help to offset the cost of hosting the veterans, military, and first responders at Salute Series events throughout the year.
Comcast NBCUniversal is the Presenting Sponsor of the Salute Series. These free celebrations also rely on the generous support of Major Sponsors Bank of America, Archer Law, BB&T/Truist, and Visit Philly, as well as grants through partnership with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the City of Philadelphia.
