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About the South Jersey Pops
Where Music Meets Community
Since 1969, the South Jersey Pops has been bringing vibrant, genre-spanning orchestral music to life across Burlington County and beyond. We’re a 70-piece ensemble of passionate musicians — professionals and volunteers alike — united by a love of performance and a mission to make music accessible, entertaining, and unforgettable.
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From cinematic scores and pop culture classics to jazz, rock, and Broadway hits, our concerts are crafted to delight audiences of all ages. Whether you’re a lifelong symphony lover or hearing live orchestral music for the first time, the Pops offers a fresh, fun, and welcoming experience.
Frank Salicondro (1917-2008) established the South Jersey Pops in 1967, originally naming it the Burlington County Pops. Affectionately referred to as Medford’s “Music Man,” Frank made it his mission to bring music to everyone, everywhere he went. He often used the tagline “Put some music in your life” for one of his ventures, a sentiment he genuinely believed in as he walked the streets of Medford, recruiting new musicians.
For 30 years, Frank conducted the orchestra. After his tenure, a line of talented individuals succeeded him, including his daughter Gia Walton, Sylvia Bookbinder, Bob Schiavanato, and finally, Robert Bradshaw. Over the years, the orchestra has transformed from a modest ensemble performing for a small audience into a central figure in the community, consistently captivating sold-out crowds at every performance..
We are an all-volunteer community orchestra that provides a venue for musicians of all ages to express themselves musically and to actively extend the learning process throughout live, and to promote and enrich the cultural life of the community by providing an educational musical experience through public concerts with broad audience appeal
VISION
The South Jersey Pops Orchestra (“The Pops”) is a community-based orchestra whose mission is to provide instrumental musicians of all ages an opportunity to express themselves musically, and to present music that appeals to audiences of all ages
MISSION
OUR VALUES