“PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – Panama City POPS Orchestra conductor, David Ott, and POPS bassist and former member of The Allman Brothers Band, David Goldflies, joined us in studio to talk about their upcoming concert.”
Read the whole story at wjhg.com
A year ago when the Panama City POPS Orchestra was planning its 2018-2019 musical offerings, a family-oriented performance honoring local first responders and military servicemen and women and their families took shape.
“Heroes and Super Heroes” takes place this Saturday with not one, but two performances. The 7:30pm performance is sold out, and a second performance has been added at 4:00pm.
The matinée was added to allow The POPS to continue with its origin plan of offering free tickets to all local military units and local law enforcement and fire protection agencies.
“Now more than ever the Board of Directors is committed to honoring those who have been on the front lines protecting our community and defending our country,” states POPS Board President Connie Gittard. “We’re thrilled to be able to recognize these dedicated individuals and their families.”
Invitations were sent to commanding officers of the local municipal organizations and military installations. All active and retired professionals and their families are invited
to the 4:00pm concert. Admission is free, however, reserved seat tickets are necessary and may be obtained by calling 850-785-POPS (7677).
In light of the sold out status of the 7:30 concert, the general public may also purchase reserved seat tickets to the 4:00 performance at www.panamacitypops.org.
The Panama City POPS concerts are traditionally a combination of familiar, classical works and popular arrangements, with an occasional entertaining surprise folded in.
“Heroes and Super Heroes” pays tribute to the champions of our day with masterworks by some of classical music’s most memorable heroes, as well as modern media’s scores and soundtracks.
“If you’ve always wanted to hear directly from Ludwig van Beethoven with regard to his inspiration for the masterpiece, Eroica, that evening will be the time to do that,” hints POPS Conductor and Music Director David Ott with a sly smile. “There have been sightings of the composer during our rehearsals, and Beethoven just might make an appearance at the concerts.”
The second half of the concert will be a variety of modern media’s scores and soundtracks revering super heroes from all walks of life. “Think Superman and Star Wars,” says Ott. Folks attending the concerts are encouraged to wear their favorite super hero costume, and free super hero capes will be given out to junior super heroes in the audience. Live super heroes will be roaming the lobby during intermission and following the concert, available for photos with concert-goers.
Sponsors of “Heroes and Super Heroes” are Summit Bank, the Charles A. Whitehead Foundation, Curiosity Marketing Group, Commercial Disaster Recovery and M&H Construction Services LLC.
Who inspired the composers of classical music? You’ll know on April 27 when you hear the works of Debussy and Rimsky-Korsakov. The POPS also welcomes acclaimed guest clarinetist, Richie Hawley, performing Mozart’s “Clarinet Concerto in A Major.” The virtuoso is Professor of Clarinet and Chair of Woodwinds at the Shepard School of Music, Rice University, Houston, TX. Reserved seat tickets are available now.
The Gretchen Nelson Scott Fine Arts Center is located at 501 Mosley Drive,
Lynn Haven, FL, 32444. Free parking is behind the venue, just off Minnesota Avenue.
Panama City POPS concerts start promptly.
For more information about The POPS call (850) 785-POPS (7677).
Join The Panama City POPS Orchestra for a joyous evening of your favorite holiday music at the Orchestra’s temporary home, Gretchen Nelson Scott Fine Arts Center, 501 Mosley Drive, Lynn Haven, FL 32444.
ADMISSION is FREE
Limited seating. You must have a ticket to attend.
Free tickets available Saturday, Dec. 8 – Saturday, Dec. 15, 10:00am – 4:00pm at Panama City Center for the Arts, 19 East 4th St, Downtown Panama City (closed Sunday, Dec. 9).
Conductor and Music Director David Ott is at the helm and excitement is in the air as The Panama City POPS Orchestra hoists its sails on its 2016-2017 season, Saturday, October 15, 7:30pm at the Marina Civic Center, and performs “Ports O’ Call,” a unique musical tour spanning three continents courtesy of Bay County’s local orchestra.
Opening the evening and making his Panama City POPS official season debut as the orchestra’s new Conductor and Music Director, Maestro Ott will lead The POPS in a powerful array of nationalistic music.
Departing from the bayside Marina Civic Center stage, the orchestra will cruise on a musical journey of Finland, Russia, the Czech Republic and America.
“Each of the imaginative works in the evening’s program comes from the soul of its people,” remarked Ott. “The audience will experience the persuasion of Sibelius as he urges his countrymen to fight oppression in Finlandia. They’ll walk over immense, desert plains and encounter a Russian expedition and an oriental convoy in Borodin’s In The Steppes of Central Asia. They’ll be transported to the hills of central Europe to hear the lively works of Dvorak’s Slavonic Dances.”
And that’s only the first half of the tour!
Following intermission The POPS maintains its established tradition of moving from classical compositions to popular pieces, changing its heading and sailing for the Americas. First stop, Mexico, with a lively piece featuring the dancers from Tonie’s Dance Workshop of Panama City. From there the orchestra stops at ports of call across our great nation, paying tribute to our greatest cities and including some of the best entertainment music of Louis Armstrong and Broadway. Soloist Chris Klaus, currently residing in Destin and formerly of Huntsville, AL, will accompany the orchestra for an occasional souvenir sung in lyric baritone.
“Getting to Know You” is the orchestra’s theme for the season, and The POPS’ new conductor has wasted no time reaching out to players, patrons and prospects. “I have often said that it takes three things to make music,” commented Ott. “Somebody has to write it. Somebody has to play it. Somebody has to hear it. Without an audience, the orchestra would have no meaningful reason to perform.
“Music unites us in one single purpose. As The POPS’ new conductor I have the privilege to lead an established orchestra performing in a marvelous concert hall for people of all ages who love great music.”
For his first season Ott has selected music that is colorful, exciting and dramatic. “Each piece is a celebration or reflection of life itself,” he continued. “Within each of the four concerts this season, partons will experience great symphonic music that expresses what life is all about.”
The orchestra has been in rehearsal for eight weeks. “Coming off The POPS’ recent performance of Windborne’s “The Music of Journey” at Aaron Bessant Park the musicians are anxious to return to the Marina Civic Center stage,” states POPS Board President Tammala Spencer. “Season subscriptions are on the rise and we’re pleased to know that more and more patrons are getting to know The POPS.”
New this year is a pre-concert lecture series which will take place at the Marina Civic Center, Mezzanine Level, 6:45-7:15pm, prior to each regular season concert. Led by the conductor in a comfortable, intimate setting, the public is invited to hear a medley of information such as the thoughts behind the selections, some of the history of the selections, and the nuances to listen and look for during the concert. The series is open to the general public. Admission is free for Baton-level subscribers and $20.00 for all other patrons.
Additional concert dates for the regular 2016-2017 POPS season are January 14, March 11 and April 29, 2017. All regular season concerts will be performed at the Marina Civic Center and will start at 7:30 pm. POPS season tickets are available on our website.
Individual tickets are available at the Marina Civic Center box office, 850-763-4696, or at www.marinaciviccenter.com. Single ticket prices: $29.50 for Adults; $20 for Seniors 65+ and Active Military; $10 for Children.