Shhh! The South Jersey Pops, the region’s own non-profit orchestra, concludes its 51st season with a “Top Secret” performance May 21, 2023 at Lenape High School in Medford, N.J. The 60-piece ensemble will salute spies, secret agents and heroes on a mission in popular culture, ranging from Mission: Impossible and Peter Gunn to James Bond and The A-Team.
“The music of secret agents has become some of the most identifiable and oft-heard melodies in contemporary music, appearing in all aspects of life. Who doesn’t think about the exploits of 007 the moment you hear John Barry’s classic strains?” said Robert Bradshaw of Audubon, the Pops’ conductor and musical director. “This orchestra has accepted the mission to summon those memories, and to add in a few surprises befitting the genre.”
Master spy James Bond himself will be ever-present during the concert, with the James Bond Theme and music from several movies including Skyfall and The World is Not Enough. His satirical alter-egos, Inspector Clouseau and Maxwell Smart, will also be highlighted with the classic Pink Panther and Get Smart themes. Along the journey, the audience will also be treated to iconic music accompanying other spies, heroes and their television shows, including Marvin Hamlisch’s upbeat The Glove, from The Sting.
The orchestra’s own Emma Gibbins will be featured vocalist, and Charlie Hannagan from Wilmington, Del., will once again return as guest singer-guitarist.
“Top Secret” begins at 3 p.m. May 21; doors open 30 minutes before the performance. Admission is $15 for adults, and $5 for children under 12. Children under 2 are free. Lenape High School is located at 235 Hartford Road, Medford, N.J. To order tickets, visit www.southjerseypops.org.
The 2022-23 concert season has been sponsored by Stokelan Estate Winery.
The orchestra has members from Audubon, Medford, Cherry Hill, Moorestown, Voorhees, Mt. Laurel, Williamstown, Marlton, Maple Shade, Haddonfield, Paulsboro, and more. Founded in 1969, the South Jersey Pops is a 60-piece community orchestra based in Burlington County, New Jersey. Comprised of professional and volunteer instrumentalists, the orchestra brings stylistic musical entertainment to South Jersey. For more information on the South Jersey Pops, visit www.southjerseypops.org.
