Expect Something Great

It is with great pleasure that we announce the 2007-2008 Pops series. Your enthusiasm for this fun and exciting series inspires us to make each Pops season bigger and better than the last. The upcoming season promises a truly Portland experience. Our city boasts some of the finest talent right in our own backyard, and we are proud to showcase that talent next season.

For our jazz and blues lovers, we are pleased to offer several programs that feature your orchestra alongside talented soloists including:

• Portland saxophonist Patrick Lamb and his 23 member band paying tribute to Ray Charles
• Legends of Swing featuring some of Nelson Riddle’s most memorable orchestra arrangements of the ‘40s and ‘50s
• Grammy-Award winning Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, showcasing their virtuoso musicianship and improvisational mastery
• Blues divas Marcia Ball, Shemekia Copeland and Bettye LaVette sharing their unique blends of this truly American art form

Harold Lloyd’s classic silent film Safety Last is featured Thanksgiving weekend complete with live accompaniment by the Oregon Symphony. Paired with Portland’s MarchFourth Marching Band, this program is perfect for the entire family.  Fast becoming a Portland holiday tradition, Yuletide Spectacular returns as a festive way to celebrate the holidays. 

For a very special treat, I’m pleased to share that Laureate Associate Conductor Norman Leyden will be returning to the stage for an unforgettable Pops concert, including music from Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and Rodgers and Hammerstein. We are also excited to celebrate Norman Leyden’s 90th birthday in a special concert with his big band on October 17, 2007.

Come and join us.

Sincerely,

Walter E. Weyler
Chair, Board of Directors