Things are popping for Topilow and friends                  

03/29/04

Donald Rosenberg  Plain Dealer Music Critic

The Cleveland Pops Orchestra had hoped to give its first concert in September 1995 at Public Auditorium with pianist Peter Nero as soloist. But "we just couldn't pull it together," says Shirley Morgenstern, the orchestra's executive director.

It didn't take the Pops Orchestra long to do so. Two months later, the ensemble made its debut under music director and conductor Carl Topilow at a benefit ball for the American Red Cross at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel.

Nero finally will appear as guest when the Pops Orchestra begins its 10th anniversary season Oct. 22 at Severance Hall.

Topilow and company have much to celebrate. When they started out, with a $25,000 donation from The Plain Dealer, they gave only a few performances per season. Today, the orchestra's annual budget is close to $800,000, and the season includes four subscription concerts, a New Year's Eve bash, a holiday program and a "Salute to our Armed Forces" program.

Average attendance at Severance subscription concerts is 1,500. And the Pops Orchestra, which has maintained its mission of performing symphonic pops music with superb local players and guests, is branching out. This summer, it will embark on a partnership with the West Side Ecumenical Ministry on a program that provides instruction in music and dance.

The Pops Orchestra will present four subscription concerts next season at Severance Hall, home of the Cleveland Orchestra, with which it is not affiliated but which has encouraged the ensemble since the start. The Oct. 22 opener will feature Nero with his trio and as soloist in Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue."

The "Valentine Pops" concert on Friday, Feb. 11, 2005, will welcome baritone William Michals, who has played the Beast in the Broadway production of "Beauty and the Beast." Flutist Nestor Torres will be guest for a "Latin Pops Fiesta" Friday, March 18.

"Love a Piano," the final subscription concert on Friday, April 8, 2005, will feature pianist Rich Ridenour, who plays ragtime, jazz and rock music with humor a la Victor Borge.

The season also will include a "Happy Holiday Pops" program at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 28, at the Palace Theatre. The annual New Year's Eve Concert and Dance at Severance Hall will begin at 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31.

Baritone Phillip Boykin and the Tower City Men's Chorus will be guests for the "Salute to our Armed Forces" concert Friday, May 20, 2005, at Severance Hall.

Subscription and single tickets for the new season range from $10 to $90. For Severance tickets, call 216-231-1111. For the "Happy Holiday Pops" concert, call 216-241-6000.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

drosenberg@plaind.com, 216-999-4269