Philly POPS Announces Music Director-Designate: Todd Ellison

Encore Series, Inc., presenter of The Philly POPS, announced today that Todd Ellison will begin his tenure as Music Director and Principal Conductor on July 1, 2019.

"I'm thrilled to welcome Todd Ellison as Music Director-Designate of The Philly POPS," said Frank Giordano, President and CEO of The Philly POPS. "Over the last five years, we've enjoyed exceptional growth in all respects-growth in subscriptions, ticket sales, quality of programming and engagement activities. With Todd leading the orchestra, I look forward to continued success and a bright future for our organization-the largest standalone pops orchestra in the country."

Ellison made his POPS debut at 2015's Memorial Day Salute Series concert at Longwood Gardens. He returned for Best of Broadway and Memorial Salute in 2018. He will lead the full orchestra on July 3 for POPS on Independence, the BIG Band at July 4's Celebration of Freedom ceremony and this season's 11-show A Philly POPS Christmas.

"After leading this amazing orchestra through a number of performances, I've been impressed by the talent of the musicians, the enthusiasm of the audience and the upward trajectory of the POPS as an arts organization," Ellison said. "I look forward to building on recent successes and bringing first-class shows and talent to the POPS stage in the coming years."

"Having had great success in the demanding world of Broadway, Todd Ellison will now bring his years of experience and pizzazz to The Philly POPS," said Principal Guest Conductor David Charles Abell. "I look forward to working alongside him. Welcome to the team, Todd!"

Broadway legend Todd Ellison was recently the Music Director for the well-known, Tony-winning show, An American In Paris, and is the music supervisor for the hit production of 42nd Street, now playing in London's West End. Todd also has a Roman Holiday premiere headed for Broadway, and has The Black and White Ball in prep. His impressive list of Broadway credits includes: Michel Legrand's Amour, Monty Python's Spamalot (Best Musical Tony Award), La Cage aux Folles (Best Musical Revival Tony Award), 42nd Street (Best Revival Tony Award), Elton John's Lestat, Annie, The Wild Party, On the Town, Once Upon a Mattress (starring Sarah Jessica Parker), How To Succeed(starring Matthew Broderick), She Loves Me, Taller than a Dwarf, and A Class Act. He was the music director of the beloved Radio City Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall for many seasons.

Music Director Michael Krajewski will conclude his tenure with the POPS when his contract ends in May 2019. Principal Guest Conductor David Charles Abell, appointed in 2017, will continue in his role.

About The Philly POPS
The Philly POPS, the largest stand-alone pops orchestra in the United States, delights audiences with the inspired performance of American popular music. The POPS celebrates this distinctive musical heritage through an expanding repertoire of innovative concert presentations and a robust set of educational and engagement initiatives.

Now in its 39th season, the official POPS orchestra of Pennsylvania serves a consistently growing audience of over 150,000 annually. Music Director Michael Krajewski and the 65-piece Philly POPS orchestra keeps listeners tapping their toes to an impressive repertoire of songs from American traditions of music up through today's chart toppers. The Philly POPS BIG Band, an 18-20 piece ensemble performing a rock and rhythm and blues repertoire, premiered in 2017 to enthusiastic response at the July 4 Welcome America Concert on the Parkway.

Outside the concert hall, free Salute Series performances - including Memorial Salute, POPS on Independence on July 3 and the I'll Be Home for Christmas: A Salute to the Military and First Responders concert - celebrate the American tradition of service around important national holidays; POPS in Schools enhances music education for Philadelphia School District students; and POPS Outside brings POPS music to local communities.

The Philly POPS performs as a founding resident company of The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, and at venues throughout the mid-Atlantic region.

Photo Credit Ronnie Nelson

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