CLEVELAND, Ohio\u2014The Cleveland Pops Orchestra<\/a> is about to hit a big milestone: 30 years of making music that fills concert halls and radiates out into the community, touching hearts in unforgettable ways. <\/p>\n True to form, Pops maestro Carl Topilow<\/a>, CEO Shirley Morgenstern and company are marking the anniversary with a season that\u2019s as bold, diverse and downright fun as you\u2019d expect. <\/p>\n This year\u2019s lineup is a love letter to the many splendored facets of American entertainment.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not trying to take on ultra-modern work or create things way outside our field of vision,\u201d Morgenstern said. \u201cFresh, high-quality symphonic pops is what we\u2019re all about.\u201d <\/p>\n Think sweeping orchestral takes on country music, pure wonder with a full-blown magic show and the powerhouse vocals of Capathia Jenkins<\/a>, who can stop you in your tracks with one note. That\u2019s how the festivities at Severance Music Center are shaping up.<\/p>\n The first performance, featuring Byron Stripling<\/a>, is set for Saturday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. <\/p>\n Morgenstern, also Topilow\u2019s wife, marvels at the enduring success. What does it mean to celebrate the orchestra\u2019s 30th anniversary season and its lasting impact on the community?<\/p>\n \u201cIt feels wonderful,\u201d Morganstern told cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. \u201cWe just want to continue and bring music to the community and to people that are even outside of our direct community.\u201d<\/p>\n Much of the orchestra\u2019s longevity, Morgenstern explained, comes down to discipline and balance: The Pops have never spent money they didn\u2019t have, even when the pandemic brought unprecedented challenges.<\/p>\n \u201cWe never used money we did not have, and we were very prudent in the way we used the money we did have,\u201d she said \u2014 emphasizing careful planning, a mix of programming that appeals across generations and \u201ccultivating direct relationships with patrons.\u201d<\/p>\n From Motown and holiday concerts to experimental collaborations, the Pops focus on variety, accessibility and staying true to their identity \u2014 without chasing trends that don\u2019t necessarily serve their core audience.<\/p>\n Morganstern was equally candid about working alongside her husband, Topilow, saying their process involves debate. \u201cWe argue and then we laugh!\u201d she said.<\/p>\n The proof, as they say, is in the pudding. With a trajectory that has spanned film scores, jazz, Broadway, Motown and classical along the way, this 30th anniversary season is a flight of top-notch sweetness \u2014 filled with wide variety of popular music performance:<\/p>\n \u201cWhen the Saints Go Marching Home\u201d<\/b> on Oct. 28: Journey through classical melodies that gave birth to blues music, featuring hits such as \u201cSt. James Infirmary,\u201d \u201cSweet Georgia Brown,\u201d \u201cBasin Street Blues\u201d and \u201cThis Little Light\u201d with Byron Stripling<\/a>, who served as lead trumpeter and soloist for the Count Basie Orchestra.<\/p>\n \u201cJingle Bell Jamboree\u201d<\/b> on Nov. 30: Need a vibe check for the holidays? Festive songs, Santa and loveable, adoptable pets in the lobby. This isn\u2019t just a concert \u2014 it\u2019s a family-friendly must-do! Bring new toys and games to help the City Mission distribute gifts and bring joy to kids in need in our city. <\/p>\n \u201cLegends of Country,\u201d<\/b> Jan. 30, 2026: The greatest names in country music get a proper tribute, with vocalists Rachel Potter and Patrick Thomas. The show features classics by singer-songwriters Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Kenny Rogers and more. <\/p>\n \u201cSymphony of Illusions,\u201d<\/b> Feb. 20, 2026: Master illusionist Michael Grandinetti joins the Pops for a night that pairs music and magic \u2014 including \u201cfloating people, disappearing acts and surprises galore!\u201d Melodies from films like \u201cHarry Potter\u201d and \u201cHook,\u201d pair with grand selections by composers Shostakovich and Ravel.<\/p>\n \u201cFamous Ladies of Song,\u201d<\/b> March 28, 2026: Music\u2019s greatest female vocalists of all time are given the treatment by the remarkable Capathia Jenkins. Her voice soars through favorites from Whitney Houston, Carole King, Barbara Streisand, Adele and more. Goosebump-inducing, multi-octave enchantment.<\/p>\n \u201cWilliams & Spielberg,\u201d<\/b> April 24, 2026: A night honoring one of Hollywood\u2019s most legendary director-composer duos, Steven Spielberg and John Williams. If you love iconic film scores, you\u2019re in for a treat. Marquee program includes \u201cRaiders of the Lost Ark,\u201d \u201cJaws,\u201d \u201cE.T.,\u201d \u201cHook\u201d and \u201cJurassic Park.\u201d <\/p>\n \u201c250th Celebration,\u201d<\/b> June 6, 2026: A night of music that was Made in America \u2014 Ragtime, Dixieland, Big Band, Rock, Country, Blues, Hip-Hop and more. With the nation\u2019s semi-quincentennial in mind, a salute to armed forces and first responders is also on tap. <\/p>\n No doubt, Topilow\u2019s red clarinet is sure to make an appearance in that latter show.<\/p>\n The Pops has always had a knack for making every concert feel like an event \u2014 not just for classical fans or pops diehards, but for anyone who craves a good night out with music that stirs the soul and lifts the room.<\/p>\n Their legacy isn\u2019t just about what happens under the stage lights at Severance Music Center<\/a>. The orchestra\u2019s heartbeat has always been its outreach \u2014 something that feels even more significant as they celebrate three decades. <\/p>\n From their youth orchestra to the young artists competition, the Pops have carved out pathways for the next generation to discover the transformative power of music. <\/p>\n Their educational programming continues to inspire kids who might not otherwise get to experience a live orchestra, planting seeds that could grow into lifelong passions. <\/p>\n And come summer, the Pops spill out into the open air with outdoor concerts that turn a simple evening into a community gathering.<\/p>\n It\u2019s rare for an arts organization to stay this vibrant, relevant and connected after 30 years. <\/p>\n But then again, Cleveland Pops has never been content with just putting on concerts. <\/p>\n Beyond programming, Morganstern underscored the importance of accessibility \u2014 audiences value meeting the musicians, conductor and board members just as much as hearing the music. <\/p>\n Topilow, who is also passionate about mentoring the next generation of musical conductors<\/a>, loves getting to know the Pops\u2019 core audience.<\/p>\n \u201cWe really delight in making connections with our audience,\u201d Morganstern said. <\/p>\n \u201cI hope to see you at the Pops. It\u2019s music and fun for everyone. Music is a common ground, a universal language,\u201d she added. \u201cI wish the whole world was running that way, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n A complete listing of this season\u2019s programs taking place at Severance Music Center, along with subscription info, can be found at <\/i>clevelandpops.com<\/i><\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement<\/a> and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and\/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.cleveland.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" CLEVELAND, Ohio\u2014The Cleveland Pops Orchestra is about to hit a big milestone: 30 years of making music that fills concert halls and radiates out into the community, touching hearts in unforgettable ways. True to form, Pops maestro Carl Topilow, CEO Shirley Morgenstern and company are marking the anniversary with a season that\u2019s as bold, diverse […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25172],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2031249","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-entertainment"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2031249","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2031249"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2031249\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2031249"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2031249"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2031249"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"Orchestra](\"https:\/\/www.cleveland.com\/resizer\/v2\/5FD3BUPX6FBLRI3ZO2QBVYJWBU.jpg?auth=e8a74f36e24cd897619b4057e33e56a3b66197ae44de886f8b645ad1d18b4d23&width=1280&quality=90\")
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