What sets a “Pops” orchestra apart from any other kind of orchestra? The Lompoc Pops Orchestra has been performing for Lompoc for years, and is now entering its 15th season of providing regular concerts that keep the community involved and excited.
“The Lompoc Pops is patterned after the Boston Pops,” said Anthony W. Fox, president of the Lompoc Pops Trustees. “Basically, it’s following their tradition and repertoire of popular American music with an upbeat style; that’s generally what Pops orchestras do.”
The Lompoc Pops Orchestra is set to perform the debut concert of its 15th anniversary season on Sept. 26 at the Lompoc First United Methodist Church. The show will include standard American music from Broadway and movie scores, American orchestral composers, and standards, all masterfully interpreted by the skilled artists in the orchestra—and, of course, Maestro Rodolfo Fernandez.
Fernandez, a native of Chile, is also the conductor for the Nevada Chamber Symphony and the Tapanga Symphony in Los Angeles, but finds time in his busy musical schedule to conduct the Lompoc Pops Orchestra. Having been principal cellist or conductor for numerous orchestras, Fernandez brings an energy and quality to the music that feeds the musicians.
“We have about 40 musicians,” Fox said. “We try to keep a core of musicians that we have used over the past 14 years. They work really well together.”
The musicians come from Santa Maria, Lompoc, and the rest of North County, but also hail from as far as Los Osos and Los Angeles. The Pops also shares musicians with several local ensembles, including the Dick Clark Big Band Orchestra, the Allan Hancock College Concert Band, Santa Barbara Symphony, and the Santa Maria Philharmonic.
The Lompoc Pops Orchestra was founded in 1997 for a performance during “Space Week 2007,” in preparation for the launch of a Peacekeeper or Minuteman missile. The founding members included brigadier general Ralph May, Maestro Fernandez, the still current concertmaster and first violinist Diane Siminski, teacher Glenn Newcomb, and late Lompoc mayor Dick Dewees.
Dewees was the master of ceremonies for the concerts and was known for his trademark red tennis shoes he would wear even with a full tuxedo. The current master of ceremonies, Cecilia Walker, visited Dewees before his passing and received his blessing, Fox said.
“Cecilia went to visit him, and he gave her purple tennis shoes,” he said, “essentially passing the torch to her as master of ceremonies.”
The nonprofit Lompoc Pops Orchestra takes an active role in the community. The orchestra performs four program concerts a year, but also plays at city events, like the 4th of July celebration and other civic functions. There’s also an outreach and scholarship effort with the Lompoc Unified School District music programs. During concerts later in the season, Fox explained, the orchestra brings in youth ensembles as guest performers. Also, a local artist paints the promotional poster for each concert, and the original painting is given away in a ticket drawing.
“Lompoc lives up to its motto of the City of Art and Flowers,” Fox said. “The artists actually come to us to do the poster and have their art featured. We don’t have to beg.”
The upcoming concert will feature selections Lompoc Pops Orchestra patrons have voted as some of their favorites from over the years, so the lineup will feature music the ensemble is comfortable with and enjoys. There will also be a special guest performance by a capella singers The Agin Brothers and Territorial Law, who will perform the national anthem and the favorite “Ghost Riders in the Sky.”
“That’s where we are rich, not in money, but in friends,” Fox said. “We manage to keep sufficient funds to keep the Pops going, and as long as people are generous, the Pops will stay alive.”
Grapes and guitar
Guitar master Anthony Ybarra will be entertaining as part of the Hospice of Santa Barbara benefit event Harvest for Hospice of Santa Barbara on Sept. 24 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Brander Vineyard, 2401 North Refugio Road, Los Olivos. Cost is $125. More info: 563-8820 or hospiceofsantabarbara.org.
Cruzin’ with music
Cruzin’ for Life features a concert including 1960s legend Chuck Negron, The Sorenson Brothers, The Revels, and Merrell Fankhauser as part of the festivities Sept. 23. The local dance band Steppin’ Out performs as part of the car show Sept. 24 at 11:30 a.m. The event is at the Santa Maria Fairpark, Thornburg and Stowell, Santa Maria. More info: cruzinforlife.net.
Jammin’ in the park
The City of Santa Maria has extended the Concerts in the Park series by popular demand to include a concert featuring De La Tierra on Sept. 25 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Preisker Park, 330 Hidden Pines Way, Santa Maria. Free. More info: 925-0951, Ext. 260.
Music at the Maverick
The Maverick Saloon in Santa Ynez presents DJ Totem on Sept. 22 at 9 p.m. The rock and R&B music of Stone Fusion is on Sept. 23 at 8:30 p.m., followed by DJPJ at 11:30 p.m. Concert on the Deck with Crosby Tyler is Sept. 24 at 3 p.m. High Voltage performs ACDC tribute music Sept. 24 at 8:30 p.m., followed by DJPJ at 11:30 p.m. Tickets are available at 688-0383 or talesfromthetavern.com.
Contact Calendar Editor Joe Payne at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Sep 22-29, 2011.