About
The Philly Pops is a popular music orchestra without limits.
Our musicians play all types of music in all types of settings – from street corner to concert hall – for audiences who want to enjoy songs they love presented in new ways, sing and dance along, and have a memorable good time.
[Re]Born to Perform.
The Philly Pops is a popular music orchestra that draws its energy from Philly’s (in)famous reputation for grit and attitude. Just like this city we love, we’re bold, vibrant, and unpretentious. We don’t just play music; we redefine it and push it in new directions. Our musicians are up for any challenge, bringing great music to Philly’s streets, parks, landmarks, schools, and concert halls. They care about and connect with music lovers throughout our city, always showing them a good time.
Our Mission
The Philly Pops believes that orchestra music belongs to everyone. For Philadelphians from all backgrounds and all communities, our musicians offer groundbreaking performances of genre-crossing popular music that inspires them to hear it in new ways, to love it even more than they did before, and to dance in the aisles.
Our History
The Philly Pops is the orchestra that knows no musical bounds. Founded in 2023 by a group of passionate and incredibly versatile musicians, today’s Pops pays homage to the symphonic pops legacy of Peter Nero, iconic pianist and conductor of the original Philly Pops (1979-2013), even as it carries forth his passion for breaking boundaries across all styles of music. The Philly Pops embodies our city’s infamous gritty spirit and love for hard work as it showcases Philly talent and leaves an indelible mark on the Philly music scene.
May 12, 2023
The musicians of the former Philly Pops publicly announce that they are performing independently and have formed their own organization, now known as the “No Name Pops.”
May 20, 2023
The No Name Pops gave their first performances at two venues in Fishtown: PlayArts and the Black Squirrel Club.
July 6, 2023
The musicians held a press conference at the AFL-CIO announcing that the No Name Pops would make their official debut at the Kimmel Center with a performance titled Let’s Groove Tonight: Motown and the Philly Sound.
September 9, 2023
The No Name Pops gave its first full orchestra performance, originally planned for Headhouse Square on South Street but moved indoors due to rain, at Philadelphia Performing Arts: A String Theory Charter School.
October 28, 2023
The No Name Pops made their Kimmel Center debut with a performance titled Let’s Groove Tonight: Motown & The Philly Sound.
April 20, 2024
The No Name Pops honored their Music Director Emeritus, Peter Nero, with a concert titled Timeless: A Tribute to the Legacy of Peter Nero. During the performance, Board Member Jim Gardner announced that the No Name Pops are in discussions with Peter Nero’s family, who intend to gift the trademark, The Philly Pops, to the organization.
June 13, 2024
The No Name Pops held their first fundraiser at the home of Jim Gardner and Amy Goldman, featuring a special performance by Broadway stars Hugh Panaro and Dee Roscioli, along with The No Name Pops Big Band.
October 31, 2024
The No Name Pops announced that it has officially acquired the trademark The Philly Pops from the Nero family. The agreement also included Peter Nero’s scores, sheet music, recordings, and other archival materials.
March 5, 2025
The No Name Pops announce their new Music Director, Christopher Dragon, at Independence Visitor Center.
March 30, 2025
The No Name Pops presented She’s Got Soul at the Kimmel Center, where it was announced that the organization will officially return to its historic name, The Philly Pops, on July 1, 2025. The concert also marked the announcement of a renewed partnership with Wawa Welcome America, reviving the beloved tradition of Pops on Independence to celebrate the nation’s birthday.
July 1, 2025
The No Name Pops has officially returned to its historic name, becoming The Philly Pops.
Every voice matters.
When our musicians, leaders, staff, and patrons work together for the future of Philly Pops, there is no limit to what we can achieve. We’re making sure that each group has a seat at the table as we shape the direction of this new organization together.
