"BATTLE OF THE BATONS"
RETURNS TO THE STAGE JANUARY 20

Following its October opener in its new home, the Panama City POPS returns to the Marina Civic Center stage this Friday, January 20, with the perennially popular "Battle of the Batons".

The third annual fundraiser of its kind, the concert will feature The POPS' traditional program of classical and popular musical selections, but this time with a twist, whimsically referred to as "wand warfare."

The concert is a fundraiser for the orchestra. Three local luminaries will vie for the opportunity to conduct the final work of the night's program. They will try out on stage prior to intermission and during intermission members of the audience will vote for their favorite conductor. Each vote costs $1.00.

And the competition will be fierce. This year's contenders: the Honorable Greg Brudnicki, Mayor of Panama City, Gulf Coast State College Women's Basketball Coach, Roonie Scovel and Bay County Sheriff Frank McKeithen. "These three contenders will not want to be outdone by one another," stated Artistic Director and Maestro Eddie Rackley. "I hope people from the entire region join us for this exciting concert."

Honorable Greg Brudnicki, Mayor of Panama City

Roonie Scovel, Gulf Coast State College Women's Basketball Coach

Frank McKeithen, Bay County Sheriff

Adding to the uniqueness of the evening will be the presentation of hand-carved batons to each conductor. The batons are the gift of Mr. Bruce Goldflies, father of orchestra member David Goldflies. Bruce Goldflies is a retired music teacher who now enjoys hobbies such as wood carving and photography. David Goldflies is CEO of CyberSytes, Inc. He plays double bass in the orchestra.

The Panama City POPS concerts are traditionally a combination of familiar, light classical works and popular arrangements. Friday night's program will be more than musically rewarding. The first half of the concert will be mounted with various classical styles, including the beautiful "Roses from the South" by Johann Strauss II, ranking among the "Waltz King's" most magnificent works, and Tschaikowsky's "Capriccio Italien," reminiscent of Italian street fairs.

In the second half the lighter sounds of the orchestra will emerge, featuring popular favorites by Cole Porter, Rodgers and Hammerstein, and John Williams. Highlighting the POPS portion of the evening will be a performance from Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Requiem." The exquisite "Pie Jesu" will be sung by soloist, Elizabeth Godfrey Ford, accompanied by the POPS Chorale.

Future concert dates are March 17 and May 5. All concerts will be performed at the Marina Civic Center and will start at 7:30 pm.

Tickets are available at the Marina Civic Center box office, 850-763-4696, or at www.marinaciviccenter.com. Single ticket prices: $29.50 for Adults; $20 for Seniors 65+ and Active Military; $10 for Children. For more information call (850) 785- POPS (7677).

THE PANAMA CITY POPS PLAYS CHRISTMAS!

Join us for "Fun for the Holidays," Friday, November 18, 6:00 pm as the Panama City POPS helps kick off the season with Panama City Beach!

Panama City Beach will serve as Santa's vacation home destination this holiday season with the launch of Fun for the Holidays. This six-week extravaganza encompasses themed events, activities, attractions and magnificent light shows that can be seen all the way from the North Pole.

Admission is FREE for this very special Christmas concert. Don't miss the Christmas tree lighting and surprise jaw-dropping spectacle.
Park in the lot at the corner of Alf Coleman and Front Beach Roads.

OUR VISION

To become an orchestra of excellence, to which competent local musicians will be eager to belong and which the people of Bay County will be proud to call their own.

OUR MISSION

• To provide quality performances of traditional, contemporary and popular symphonic music for the people of Bay County and surrounding area.
• To supplement the music programs of the local public, private, and home schools, community college and university by training advanced student musicians in the art of orchestral performance.
• To provide an opportunity for adults to enjoy and improve the music skills they acquired in life, and to pass these skills on to the next generation through mentoring of student musicians.

MEMBERSHIP

Membership in the Orchestra is determined by audition and is open to all advanced students and/or musicians of Bay County and the surrounding areas. Click here to inquire about an audition for the Panama City POPS Orchestra.

OUR HISTORY

The Panama City POPS Orchestra (formerly the Orchestra of St. Andrew Bay) began in 1996 as a small group of string players seeking opportunities to play and perform together. It was founded by Elaine Matson, Michael Reisman, and Sandy Rosengren. Led by John Boozer, this ensemble soon grew into a complete orchestra, playing a wide variety of symphonic music and training talented musicians guided by experienced adults.

At the end of the 1999-2000 season, Dr. Boozer left for a position in North Carolina, and the baton passed to Rusty Garner of Gulf Coast Community College, Division of Visual and Performing Arts. During his tenure the orchestra formed a close cooperative relationship with the college and presented Bay County audiences a series of ambitious and entertaining programs. Mr. Garner retired at the end of the 2005-2006 season.

The orchestra is fortunate to have an accomplished, creative and enthusiastic replacement in Eddie Rackley. Now in his sixth season conducting The Panama City POPS, Maestro Rackley brings a lifetime of musical education and experience to the POPS podium. Read more...

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