POPS
FXBG Music Scene
A Universal Language for our Community
Sophie Horn
by christina ferber
by Ashleigh Chevalier
It has been said that music is a universal language. If so, then we are lucky that our region is host to a talented musical group who speaks that universal language well. The Rappahannock POPS orchestra has been entertaining the people of the Fredericksburg region and giving our local talent a place to shine for the last fifteen years. They recently welcomed a new conductor, Jim Ford, and he is hoping to carry on the POPS’ mission of providing professional quality musical performances, while promoting music education and appreciation. “I’m excited to be a part of this well respected organization. I’ve been a professional performer my whole life and enjoy sharing my love of music with others,” says Ford. With a background in music through the Marine Corps music program and performances with a wide variety of bands, Ford made his debut in March and hopes to carry on the creativity and fabulous music that the concerts showcase. “From the POPS’ beginnings in 2000, the goal has always been to perform accessible music, whether Broadway tunes, light classical pieces, or even The Beatles and Barry Manilow,” says Kevin Crowder, the POPS Board President. “We are more than just an orchestra; we are an entertainment experience and our themes and concerts reflect that.” The POPS also tries to offer some surprises for the audience. A recent ‘Selfie with the Pops’ contest showcased the fun that audience members can have at their events. “We like to get the audience and orchestra involved in the total experience,” says Ford. “Our goal is to entertain people, and offer something unexpected in addition to the music.” The roughly 70 members of the orchestra are made up of professionals
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and educators who love music and enjoy sharing their talent with others. Vocal and musical soloists are regularly featured at the concerts, which are held four times a year at Grace Center for the Performing Arts and elsewhere around our region. Exceptionally talented local high school musicians may audition for the opportunity to sharpen their skills through the POPS outreach program. Students can participate in concerts and get exposure to more challenging material, and through a partnership with The Fredericksburg Festival of the Performing Arts, the winner of the young artist competition gets a solo performance. “Our outreach program and partnership gives teenagers an experience they may not have had. The chance to perform with professional musicians in an orchestra as a soloist is a rare opportunity for these high school students,” says Crowder. Their upcoming annual Memorial Day concert will continue the tradition of offering great patriotic music along with a few surprises. This free concert is their gift to our region and is held at the Mary Washington Hospital Ambulatory Care Entrance on May 25 at 6pm. Along with patriotic standards, expect to hear Big Band music and a tribute to Bob Hope. Ford had the pleasure of playing for and with him, and this will be a unique experience for the audience and musicians. For more information on the Pops, along with ways to support music in our community, visit www.rappahannockpops.org.
Christina Ferber is a teacher, writer and a mom who shares stories of our community and the people who make it great, every month in Front Porch
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Sophie Horn was in middle school when she discovered she could sing. Now, at 15 and as a high school sophomore, she is competing and performing with zeal and finesse as a successful young soprano. Miss Horn won first place in the vocal category at the Fredericksburg Festival of the Performing Arts Young Artist Competition in January, singing Voi Che Sapete from Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro. Since then, she auditioned and is currently cast as Cossette, the leading soprano, in Chancellor High School’s musical production of Les Miserables. This will be performed three times over the weekend of April 30-May 2. Miss Horn is discovering a love for the musical performing arts, listening to a variety of Broadway and classical pieces and performances. She has been to see Renee Fleming in Concert at The Kennedy Center and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night and Les Miserables live on Broadway in the Big Apple. It is a treat to hear the Toll Brothers Live at The Metropolitan Opera every Saturday afternoon on NPR; that is if she isn’t dancing, practicing voice, or studying. In middle school, Sophie began playing flute in band, but shifted her focus to voice and piano once she discovered her voice. She first studied classical voice with Elizabeth Eschen, and now studies classical voice with Ashleigh Chevalier. Ballet, jazz, modern, and tap dance classes are a part of her weekly schedule as well. Academically, she tackles as many honors and AP classes as possible, currently in honors Pre-Calculus, with AP Calculus and AP Statistics on the horizon. Yes, she is a straight A student. Last summer, her parents, Kevin and Meredith Horn, hosted an exchange student from France, as a part of the Sister Cities program. This summer, Miss Horn will spend a little over two weeks in Fréjus, France, and then a few days in Paris to end the trip. Hopefully this ambitious musician can take a voice lesson and French diction lesson. She is currently in her fourth year of French language study. This vibrant, dedicated, and hard working young lady plans to study music in college with the goal of being a professional performer. “I know I would be happy in doing this for a living. I love it. I could see myself doing other things, I guess, but I want to do this.” Miss Sophie Horn will sing the National Anthem at Celebrate Virginia Live’s first show of the season, presenting Dwight Yoakam with opener Luke Bell, Friday, May 15. Project 324, a non-profit
music outreach and youth development program, brings young talent in to perform when possible. Miss Horn will perform at the Annual Chamber Music Festival held May 19, 21, 22 at Trinity Episcopal Church. She will also perform two pieces for the Ballet & Beyond II performing arts fundraiser hosted Avery Ballet and The University of Mary Washington, at Dodd Auditorium, Saturday, June 6 at 7:30p.m. With so much on the books, it is safe to say Miss Horn is well on her way to realizing her dreams. Ashleigh Chevalier is a Blues/Jazz/Rock Musican-Vocalist, Songwriter, Music & Media Journalist and, a mother living in Fredericksburg
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