FRIDAY FOCUS / MUSIC

Fun is New Year's Eve focus for Topilow, Pops orchestra

Zachary Lewis

Special to The Plain Dealer

Putting on a New Year's Eve concert requires a unique gift, a special blend of talent, flair and discipline. Fortunately, that's just the sort of gift Carl Topilow possesses.

After 10 years at the helm of the Cleveland Pops Orchestra, Topilow has mastered the art of ringing in the new year in style at Severance Hall.

"This is one of my favorite concerts," Topilow says. "It's always fun, no matter what -- and this year, we've put special things into the program to make it even more fun than usual.

"But it takes work. You have to find music that's truly fun and upbeat, and that can take a while. In fact, playing the music is much easier than finding it."

At least he knows where to begin looking. Appropriately enough, much of the program will consist of music popular in 2005. Celebrants can expect to hear excerpts from "Hairspray" and "The Producers" and from major films such as "Harry Potter" and the final installment of "Star Wars."

Later, vocalists Jean Meilleur and Denise Pelley will help heat up the evening with jazz, Motown and Beatles selections. Meilleur often appears with the Canadian rock ensemble Jeans 'n' Classics, which is set to perform an Elton John program with the Pops in February.

"We wanted something upbeat and sort of in the rock genre," Topilow says. "People have been asking for that sort of thing. It's a little new for us, and we'll be interested to see how it goes."

Organizing the concert might take some work, but the one thing Topilow doesn't have to worry about on New Year's Eve is his orchestra. Topilow says he never has trouble rounding up musicians, even though many people would rather do anything than work that night.

"We have such a strong bank of players that we really don't have a problem. I make sure to book each of them as early as possible. We can count on the vast majority of the regular players."

Following the two-hour Pops concert, smaller bands playing swing and contemporary hits will serenade couples wishing to dance away the rest of the night. Also making an appearance this New Year's Eve will be Topilow's brother, an experienced jazz pianist. Free desserts and coffee will be served right up to the critical moment (and the traditional balloon drop).

By that point, Topilow will have fulfilled his duties with the orchestra, but he won't be among the dancers. He'll be accompanying the bands, playing one of four brightly colored clarinets: red, blue, green and white.

Don't expect to catch him holding a glass of Champagne, either.

"Just as it's illegal to drink and drive," he says, "you shouldn't drink and make music."

Lewis is a free-lance writer in Cleveland.