Philly Pops Musicians

Memorial Salute at The Mann Center for the Performing Arts!!! To watch the stream visit: https://phillypops.org/fifth-annual-comcast-nbcuniversal-me

Happy Birthday Peter Nero!!!Happy Birthday Peter Nero!!!

We can’t wait to perform in front of a live audience again https://fb.me/e/1vbndjcjl

Looking for some music to brighten your day? The Philly POPS Saxophone Quartet will be performing at the Cherry St Garden for the opening of the Cherry St Pier! The POPS will perform today from 5-6pm and 3-4pm on Sunday! Reserve your seat here: http://bit.ly/TheGardenResos

Good Things Happen in Philadelphia!!! Pops cellist Jonathan Fink and violist Marjorie Goldberg with friends playing a POPS favorite

Pops Cellist Jonathan Fink’s Kol Nidre performance in front of the Statue of Liberty

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Principal Trumpet, Matt Gallagher When Matt is not playing with the Pops he can be found teaching and conducting ensembles at the University of the Arts. Matt’s mad lead trumpet skills have brought him to the sub with the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Boston Pops!! (Drawing by Pops 2nd Flute and Sax soloist Ron Kerber)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Assistant Principal Cello, Jonathan Fink!! When Jon is not playing with the pops he can be found in the cello section of the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra or running his real estate business the Jonathan Fink Group!! Jon also spends his time volunteering with various pilot organizations flying patients, rescue animals and now during Covid, flying PPE to areas in need (see news story included here, about this special mission). Jon is also a proud Board member of PROJECT 440

Coffee with Philly Pops Music Director David Charles Abell!!

Meet French Horn player Todd Williams!!! When he is not playing music of this decade or last with the Pops, he can be found playing and teaching music of the Baroque era!!! See his extensive bio in the comments!! Todd and his wife, Soprano Angela Gilbert are wine enthusiasts and have visited close to 100 wineries over the years!! Todd served for 7 years as a member of the 38th Infantry Division Band, Indiana National Guard. ... Enjoy this video of Todd introducing us to all the various horns and when and where he plays them!!!

Meet Violinist, Blake Espy!! Blake has enjoyed a diverse career as an active recitalist and performer with several orchestras and chamber ensembles. He is a frequent performer with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony, Pennsylvania Ballet, and the Philly Pops. Blake is a founding member and current board member of Project 440, a Philadelphia based nonprofit which helps young people to use their interest to forge new pathways for themselves and ignite change in t...heir communities. For 4 years Blake was a violinist in La Catrina Quartet, in residence at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, NM. As a member of the quartet, he performed in more than 35 states in the US and Mexico. The quartet recorded with Cuarteto Latinoamericano on the Dorian Label, which subsequently won a Latin Grammy for best classical album 2012.

Happy Birthday to our amazing Bass player Steve Beskrone!!! Steve plays electric bass and upright with the Pops. He plays with many of Philadelphia’s finest Jazz musicians and is an instructor at the University of the Arts!!

Principal 2nd Violin, Michelle Bishop Bradley (and her hubby, their adorable son, and their amazing ice cream shop) featured on Channel 6 News!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to POPS Principal Oboe player David Schneider, who has been with the POPS since DAY 1!!!! Dave has been performing with the world's great orchestras and musicians for over 45 years. He has performed with artists as diverse as Frank Sinatra, Luciano Pavarotti and Peter Nero, David has subbed with the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, is the former principal oboe with the Opera Company of Philadelphia (now Opera Philadelphia) as well as... numerous regional orchestras. David’s commercial experience is extensive, including principal oboe at The Forrest Theater; on tour with Frank Sinatra; on tour with Sara McLaughlin; recorded for The Sound of Philadelphia (TSOP) and Sigma Sound; recorded with Tony Bennett, Lou Rawls and Johnny Mathis; and performed with Rod Stewart, Paul Sorvino and Lucy Arnez. David has given international and US oboe reed making seminars (Zagreb University, Zagreb, Croatia; The College of New Jersey). He is currently oboe professor at Drexel University, and maintains an active private teaching studio and oboe reed making business. See more

POPS Violist Ellen Trainer is also a member of the viola sections in the Chamber Orchestra of Phila and Opera Philadelphia. She is also the President of the Philadelphia Musicians’ Union, Local 77!!!!

Meet POPS Cellist Brooke Beazley. When she isn’t playing with the POPS she can be found in the Opera Philadelphia orchestra pit. She is also the program manager and cello instructor at Swan 4 Kids . SWAN: Scaling Walls a Note at a Time is a support group for children affected by parental incarceration and provides free music lessons, ensemble training, performance opportunities and mentoring. To learn more about this important organization please visit https://www.swan4kids.org/

Happy World Cat Day (which is apparently different than National Cat Day)! Share your cat pics in the comments!!!