Panama City Pops Orchestra – Celebrates 20th Season

BY VAL SCHOGER PHOTOS BY ANNA CHASTAIN & HOLLY GARDNER

“A Taste of Vienna” is the promising theme for Panama City POPS’ first season concert on October 17. It rings in the orchestra’s 20th Anniversary with an exquisite selection of compositions by Schubert, Strauss and Mozart. The concert description reads like a five-star restaurant’s Speisekarte: “…a delicious serving of Austria’s most auspicious classical composers. Savor the sweet melodies and rich flavors of symphonies, overtures, and waltzes from the masters of Vienna’s musical heritage.”

Connoisseurs of classical music and popular hits have enjoyed Bay County’s own orchestra for many years, beginning on a smaller scale when it performed as the Orchestra of St. Andrew Bay. When Maestro Eddie Rackley became the conductor in 2006, he felt that a new name was the first step in growing the audience. “I proposed that the name be changed to “Panama City POPS.” It sounded more fun, enticing, and accessible. The new name stood for the vision and concept of what we would become.”

Today the orchestra is comprised of more than 65 musicians who work diligently to benefit an appreciative audience. “We have become a world-class orchestra, and I am proud to be working with such great local musicians. I also have to credit our dedicated board of directors for the ultimate breakthrough,” says Maestro Rackley about the team of individuals who form the talented musicians’ counterparts in organizing and marketing the concerts.

As Maestro Rackley works successfully with the musicians to reach the top of their performance, the 20 members who make up the board of directors tackle tasks such as fundraising and public relations to fill the Marina Civic Center’s 2,508 seats for each POPS performance.

Business savvy advertising executive and entrepreneur Constance Gittard was president of the board of directors for the Panama City POPS for the last five years and is proud of the board’s achievements in growing the audience and launching unusual and fun concerts. “We’re committed to enriching the quality of life here. What once was a small troupe of musicians is now a formidable 65-piece orchestra performing world-class symphonic music right here in Bay County. When the orchestra started out 20 years ago it played at two smaller venues. Ten years ago they played at venues that would seat 1,000 people. But we had a clear goal and are now playing at the Marina Civic Center with its superior stage and acoustics and room for 2,508 spectators. We pride ourselves on being Bay County’s very own orchestra, with the majority of its musicians living and working right here.”

Ms. Gittard and her successor, current board president and local attorney Michael Dickey, also credit the efforts of numerous fellow board members, past and present, who have achieved a significant increase in seasonal ticket sales and number of benefactors for the POPS in recent years, while Maestro Rackley coaches and practices with dozens of local musicians. Two hours of concert performance are preceded by dozens of hours of rehearsals in the weeks and months before the concert. A complement of talents and capabilities culminates in extraordinary performances on four evenings of the season.

Maestro Rackley and Ms. Gittard agree that listening to the audience is a good strategy for the organization. “The audience might have requests or suggestions for us to play specific pieces or composers, and we try to accommodate them.

A good example is the performance of ‘Borodin, Broadway and Beyond.’ It was the request of one of our very loyal subscribers to play Borodin and the evening was a great success.”

POPS supporters know to be prepared for the unusual and exciting. Last year, the POPS showed off their versatility and knack for rock ‘n’ roll by playing with an ABBA revival band that flew in from Sweden. A few weeks later they performed Windborne’s Rock Symphony ‘The Music of the Eagles’ with local vocalist Terry Brock. Last year’s season finale, at the behest of many long time patrons, was geared toward the youngest of listeners with a performance of Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf” where children were “encouraged to bring their favorite adults.”

Maestro Rackley’s connections in the music industry have benefitted POPS audiences as well. His personal friendships with national composers and arrangers have yielded original compositions and arrangements debuted on the POPS stage.

In January the POPS will welcome Grammy award winning composer and national artist Dick Tunney. Drawing from the local music scene, in March the POPS will present a performance by the Panama City Youth Orchestra.

One of the POPS’ unique programs encourages emerging student musicians in ninth grade and beyond to audition for the orchestra’s mentoring program. If accepted, students are placed with a mentor who will guide them and serve as an intermediary between the conductor and the rest of the orchestra. Ultimately, the student has the opportunity to perform on stage during the concert season.

In all its remarkable accomplishments, the Panama City POPS Orchestra relies on the hard work of many dedicated volunteers. Connie Gittard says “There is no paid staff. Not even all musicians are paid all the time. However, the board remains committed to the long-term goal of being able to compensate every musician for every concert.” The POPS has patrons who have voluntarily increased their sponsorship the day after they attended their first concert.

With each performance, the Orchestra gains new spectators who approach the board to share their excitement about the quality of the performance.

 

 

[author image=”https://www.panamacityliving.com/media/2013/08/Val.jpg” ]Val studied communications and marketing in Germany and holds a marketing degree. She had a corporate career and has worked for nine years in media, PR and marketing internationally in Germany, England, the Caribbean and the United States. During an extended sailboat cruise n 2003, she traveled to the Gulf Coast and subsequently to Navarre, Florida and was immediately smitten with Northwest Florida. She started her first business in 2004 in Fort Walton Beach and as of July 2013, she became the sole owner and publisher of Panama City Living Magazine. She obtained her Merchant Mariner Credential (Captain’s License) right here in Panama City at SeaSchool and enjoys being on the water when she finds the time. [/author]