The Cleveland Pops Orchestra

Carl Topilow and the Cleveland Pops Orchestra Celebrate 30 Years

Sabrina Plumb DeCastra — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 19:47:26 +0000

In Monday’s (6/1) Beachwood Buzz Magazine (Beachwood, OH), Debby Zelman Rapoport writes, “In many ways, Cleveland Pops Orchestra is a love story set to music. It began with a shared vision between Carl Topilow and his late wife, Shirley Morgenstern Topilow, rooted in the belief that orchestral music could be exceptional, accessible, and fun. Although The Cleveland Orchestra had a strong presence, it did not have an orchestra devoted to symphonic pops. Carl and Shirley believed there was room in the city’s cultural landscape for both—and that Northeast Ohio audiences would embrace the energy, familiarity, and excitement of pops music performed by a full symphonic orchestra…. The orchestra made its public debut on Oct. 12, 1996…. Carl has been bringing music to life from the podium with warmth, artistry, and a sense of showmanship. As founding conductor and music director, he has shaped programs that blend the familiar and the unexpected … performed with the richness of a full symphonic orchestra…. Among Carl’s many accomplishments, Cleveland Pops remains the most personal expression of his life’s work … Today, that legacy is being carried forward by the next generation.”

Cleveland Pops Orchestra G-Clef Ball

Sabrina Plumb DeCastra — Thu, 28 May 2026 16:32:54 +0000

Hundreds of supporters of the Cleveland Pops Orchestra packed the ballroom at the InterContinental Hotel on May 2 for the annual G-Clef Ball, raising money for the storied orchestra.

Check out the event’s program book:

The post Cleveland Pops Orchestra G-Clef Ball appeared first on The Cleveland Pops Orchestra.

Review: Cleveland Classical Williams & Spielberg

Sabrina Plumb DeCastra — Fri, 01 May 2026 12:34:44 +0000

On Friday, April 24 at Severance Music Center, the Cleveland Pops Orchestra played to a packed house with a program devoted to John Williams and Steven Spielberg — a partnership that reliably fills seats. Williams writes themes you can recognize in seconds, sometimes in two notes.

Carl Topilow made that point before the first downbeat. “Ladies and gentlemen — the two notes that changed the course of music history,” he said, letting Jaws swim in with low strings, and a steady pulse, the interval repeating then tightening like a screw.

Read the full review.

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From Motown to the cosmos, Cleveland Pops Orchestra announces 30th season lineup

Sabrina Plumb DeCastra — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 12:07:16 +0000

The Cleveland Pops Orchestra is planning an eclectic 2026-27 season powered by popular culture, nostalgia and a sense of wonder, set to the modern, sweeping orchestral music that has become its calling card.

Fox 8 Highlights 30th Anniversary Season

Sabrina Plumb DeCastra — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 20:14:50 +0000

Get ready to celebrate! The Cleveland Pops Orchestra is turning 30, and we couldn’t be more excited for this milestone season!

Huge thanks to Fox 8 for helping us share the big news and the incredible lineup we have in store. From “Disco and Motown” to a special “Symphony of the Stars” collaboration with NASA, this is a season you won’t want to miss!

The post Fox 8 Highlights 30th Anniversary Season appeared first on The Cleveland Pops Orchestra.

Announcing the 2026-2027 Season!

Sabrina Plumb DeCastra — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 12:50:12 +0000

Announcing our 2026-2027 Concert Season!

Questions? Call (216) 765-7677

All programs and artists are subject to change without notice.

Subscribe now to the 26-27 season!

Saturday, October 17, 2026 | 7:30 p.m. | Severance Music Center

Disco & Motown: A Night to Dance

Soulful Motown and sparkling Disco collide in a high‑energy, feel‑good concert that will keep you movin’ and groovin’!

Get the details.

Saturday, January 30, 2027 | 7:30 p.m. | Severance Music Center

Stage to Screen: Broadway Movie Hits

From Broadway to the silver screen and back again, this concert delivers well known show tunes and movie favorites that are iconic classics.

Get the details.

Saturday, March 13, 2027 | 7:30 p.m. | Severance Music Center

Tina Turner: Queen of Rock & Soul

Hear Tina Turner’s greatest hits come to life in an electrifying celebration of powerhouse songs and unstoppable energy.

Get the details.

Saturday, April 3, 2027 | 7:30 p.m. | Severance Music Center

Rick Steves’ Europe: A Symphonic Journey

Rick Steves guides audiences across Europe on the big screen, with your Cleveland Pops providing a sweeping, cinematic musical soundtrack.

Get the details.

Friday, April 23, 2027 | 7:30 p.m. | Severance Music Center

The Soundtrack of Our Lives with Helen Welch

Helen Welch brings timeless favorites from pop, Broadway, jazz, and more in a heartfelt concert that celebrates the songs that mark our lives.

Get the details.

Saturday, June 5, 2027 | 7:30 p.m. | Severance Music Center

Symphony of Stars

Experience how stunning videos from NASA combine with dramatic music to create a breathtaking journey through space — featuring a Peter Nero piece narrated by a veteran astronaut.

Get the details.

Sunday, November 29, 2026 | Playhouse Square

Special Concert: Jingle Bell Pops

Kick off the holiday season with this Cleveland holiday tradition! Sing along to your favorite festive songs, ensure you’re on the nice list with Santa, and meet adorable, adoptable pets in the lobby.

Get the details.

The post Announcing the 2026-2027 Season! appeared first on The Cleveland Pops Orchestra.

Cleveland Pops at 30: vibrant music fills anniversary season

Sabrina Plumb DeCastra — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 11:36:00 +0000

The 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.

Cleveland Pops catalyst Carl Topilow molding next-generation orchestra conductors here at home

Sabrina Plumb DeCastra — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 19:36:04 +0000

Read all about Carl’s latest Conductor’s Workshop, here.

The post Cleveland Pops catalyst Carl Topilow molding next-generation orchestra conductors here at home appeared first on The Cleveland Pops Orchestra.

Announcing the 2025-2026 Season!

Sabrina Plumb DeCastra — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 13:04:50 +0000

Announcing our 2025-2026 Concert Season!

Presenting Season Sponsor: Don & Sally Messinger

Subscribe to our 2025-2026 concert season!

Questions? Call (216) 765-7677

Subscribe to our 25-26 Concert Season!

The post Announcing the 2025-2026 Season! appeared first on The Cleveland Pops Orchestra.

Cleveland Pops and LEGACY: Broadway on the Severance stage (Feb. 1)

Sabrina Plumb DeCastra — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 14:17:12 +0000

Cleveland is no stranger to welcoming Broadway talent, with Playhouse Square regularly hosting national tours of award-winning musicals. But on February 1, it felt like Broadway came to Severance Music Center instead.

The vocal quartet LEGACY teamed up with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra to present “Music of Motown,” a high-energy evening that was memorable in the best way. “Tonight is about having a really good time,” LEGACY founder Justin Reynolds promised the packed crowd — and the two groups certainly delivered.