First-Ever Pops Youth Orchestra Launched by Conductor Carl Topilow

CLEVELAND, OH — 50 young musicians have embarked on an exciting adventure, forming the Cleveland Pops Youth Orchestra (CPYO), an educational and performing ensemble of the Cleveland Pops Orchestra founded by Pops Conductor Carl Topilow and President and CEO Shirley Morgenstern.

Under the direction of Topilow and Morgenstern, the Cleveland Pops Orchestra has collaborated with The Music Settlement (Cleveland) to establish a new and innovative training orchestra that introduces young musicians to American popular music—the Cleveland Pops Youth Orchestra. 

This is the first of its kind in the world. Until now, there have been no year-round “Pops youth orchestras” and the very few that exist at all only perform in the summer. While the concept of a “youth orchestra” is hardly new, a “pops youth orchestra”, which spans the concert season, certainly is. 

Children ages 11 to 18 are now playing in an ensemble with a unique, symphonic pops repertoire, which includes multiple genres, from Broadway, Hollywood, jazz, and rock—the music of our American heritage.

Repertoire for their first pair of concerts includes well-known music from Hollywood: James Bond, Star Wars, The Incredibles, and Disney movies.  Rock hits include “Hang on Sloopy” and the music of Queen.  Also to be played are The Ashokan Farewell from the documentary series The Civil War, and Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah.

This variety of music will be explored and performed in both traditional and non-traditional settings, with rehearsals at The Music Settlement in University Circle, Cleveland. 

“It’s my chance to give something special to this generation of young people about this music,” Topilow said. 

The students are enthusiastic and are enjoying the experience very much. CYPO will continue to grow and add players as the word spreads.

CPYO’s opening concert will be held on Monday, December 10, at Kulas Auditorium on the campus of John Carroll University in University Heights. Another performance is scheduled on December 17 at the newly opened Van Aken District in Shaker Heights.

In addition, junior and senior members of the orchestra performed two selections side-by-side with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra for their November 25 Holiday Concert at the Connor Palace Theater in Playhouse Square.

“I’m excited to start an orchestra whose entire focus will be on popular music!” Topilow said. “The orchestra is hard at work and looking forward to our first public appearances.”

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About Carl Topilow

Carl Topilow is renowned worldwide for his versatility, whether he is holding a conductor's baton or his trademark red clarinet. He is a multi-talented virtuoso who is equally at home in classical and popular music both as conductor and instrumentalist. Carl's pops performances blend the music of Broadway and Hollywood, as well as popular music, light classics and jazz, often finding an occasion to include a number on his array of brightly colored clarinets. His unique approach to pops programming includes extensive audience involvement and true showmanship.

Following his longtime dream of conducting his own pops orchestra, Carl founded the Cleveland Pops Orchestra. The orchestra, currently in its 23rd season, plays its subscription series in Severance Hall and performs in several other locations throughout Ohio. The Cleveland Pops Orchestra's diverse, innovative and electrifying programs have been critically acclaimed. 

Carl is Music Director and Conductor of the National Repertory Orchestra, a summer music festival based in beautiful Breckenridge, Colorado. He has bolstered the training of talented young musicians and conductors for positions in symphonic orchestras in the United States and abroad.

In 2008, Carl was appointed Music Director and Conductor of the Firelands Symphony Orchestra, based in Sandusky, OH. During Topilow's tenure with the orchestra, the number of subscriptions has increased from 56 to 550.

He is also the Founding Conductor of the Denver Young Artists Orchestra. 

As a guest conductor, Carl has appeared around the world with more than 120 orchestras, in 37 states in the USA, as well as orchestras in Canada, China, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland and Venezuela.

To learn more about Carl Topilow, visit his website.