Highlights:
- Broadway returns in a big way to the PNC Pops series with Broadway Standing Ovations in February 2017 — featuring some of the most iconic songs from Broadway’s greatest productions.
- The season kicks off with the Music of John Williams, one of the most legendary film composers in history!
- Journey through the music of the 1960s and 1970s with The Midtown Men in October 2016 and the Sounds of Simon & Garfunkel in March 2017.
- To close the season in June 2017, Byron Stripling and Marva Hicks recreate the chemistry between two legends of jazz in Louis & Ella: All That Jazz.
Toes will tap, fingers will snap and shoulders will sway at Heinz Hall during the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s 2016-2017 PNC Pops season! From heartbreaking jazz duets to soulful 70s hits to soaring Broadway numbers, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is proud to offer a fun pops season filled with an eclectic and dynamic mix of musical genres.
The season opens with a weekend that celebrates legendary film composer John Williams, who has been nominated for 50 Academy Awards, along with countless other honors. The Music of John Williams (September 30-October 2, 2016) is led by guest conductor Lawrence Loh, and features music from films like “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” “Indiana Jones,” “Superman” and many more.
“Oh, What a Night!” when the original cast of the “Jersey Boys” — Tony Award-winner Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard and Tony Award-nominee J. Robert Spencer — bring the sounds of the 1960s to Heinz Hall with the Midtown Men (October 28-30, 2016). Songs from The Beatles, The Rascals, The Turtles, Motown and, of course, The Four Seasons will be on our playlist!
We’re decking Heinz Hall with festive music during the annual Pittsburgh holiday tradition — Highmark Holiday Pops (December 9-11, 2016; additional performances on Dec. 17 & 18)! Classic carols, seasonal orchestral pieces and cherished holiday tunes — along with some fun surprises — will be performed with an all-star cast of guest artists — including Capathia Jenkins, Assistant Conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong and the return of Pittsburgh’s premier handbell group, Three Rivers Ringers, and the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh. Even Santa will be singing along!
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra returns to the “Great White Way” with guest conductor Jack Everly in Broadway Standing Ovations (February 17-19, 2017). Broadway vocalists and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Student Chorale join the symphony to perform some of Broadway’s greatest music like “Ya Got Trouble,” “Maria,” “This Is the Moment,” a “Les Miserables” medley and many others from composers Andrew Lloyd-Webber, Stephen Sondheim, Rodgers & Hammerstein and more!
Join the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and guest artists AJ Swearingen and Jonathan Beedle for a remarkable tribute to the classic hits of a timeless songwriting duo in Sounds of Simon and Garfunkel (March 24-26, 2017). With a quiet stage, acoustic guitar and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Swearingen and Beedle flawlessly capture the magic of Simon & Garfunkel — from classic hits and to less-known songs, such as “The Sound of Silence,” “Scarborough Fair,” “Mrs. Robinson,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and many more.
One of the legends of pop music, Neil Sedaka (May 12-14, 2017) has written more than 500 songs, many of which have become unforgettable parts of the musical landscape, like “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do,” “Solitaire,” “Laughter in the Rain” and “Love Will Keep Us Together.” Together with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Sedaka will take audiences on an enchanting journey through several decades of musical memories!
Byron Stripling and Marva Hicks’ chemistry lights up the stage as they join the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in Ella and Louis: All That Jazz (June 16-18, 2017) to close the 2016-2017 PNC Pops season. The night includes some of the most famous duets and solos recorded by Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. From “Love is Here to Stay” to “Just One of Those Things,” Stripling and Hicks recreate one of the most memorable collaborations in music history while capturing hearts along the way.
Seven-concert season ticket packages range from $129.50 to $656.25, and can be purchased by calling 412-392-4900 or visiting pittsburghsymphony.org. Tickets for individual concerts will go on sale around Labor Day.
Concert times for Fridays and Saturdays are 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees are at 2:30 p.m.
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra would like to recognize and thank PNC for its 2016-2017 title sponsorship of the PNC Pops, marking PNC’ 16th consecutive year as title sponsor of this series. The Pittsburgh Symphony also would like to recognize and thank Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield for its 2016 title sponsorship of Highmark Holiday Pops. Fairmont Pittsburgh is the official hotel of the Pittsburgh Symphony. Radio station WQED-FM 89.3 and WQEJ-FM 89.7 is the official voice of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
2016-2017 PNC Pops Season at a Glance
Programs, artists and dates are subject to change
September 30-October 2, 2016
The Music of John Williams
Lawrence Loh, conductor
Soar to new heights with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the music from legendary composer John Williams’ well-known movie scores, including “Superman,” “Indiana Jones,” “Harry Potter” and many more! Plus, enjoy new music from Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Arguably the most famous cinematic composer of all time, Williams has been nominated for 50 Academy Awards® and has won five. Experience the excitement and adventure captured in his compositions to the fullest. This concert promises to be a thrilling ride through the unmistakable melodies of Williams’ masterful movie music!
October 28-30, 2016
The Midtown Men
Todd Ellison, conductor
Christian Hoff, vocalist
Michael Longoria, vocalist
Daniel Reichard, vocalist
Robert Spencer, vocalist
Oh What A Night! The original Broadway cast of “Jersey Boys” — Tony Award-winner Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard and Tony Award-nominee J. Robert Spencer — celebrate the music that helped define a generation. As The Midtown Men, these talented entertainers thrill crowds on concert stages and in symphony halls across the continent. The Midtown Men bring their magic to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, singing favorite 1960s hits from The Beatles, The Rascals, The Turtles, Motown and, of course, The Four Seasons. Not a performance of, nor affiliated with, the show Jersey Boys.
December 9-11 (and Dec. 17-18), 2016
Highmark Holiday Pops
Francesco Lecce-Chong, conductor
Capathia Jenkins, vocalist
The Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh
Three Rivers Ringers (Nancy Lutz, director)
Santa Claus
And other special guests!
The annual Pittsburgh tradition returns with a sack full of fun and music for the whole family to enjoy. Favorite carols, a sing-along and much-loved holiday music with an all-star cast of guest artists (including Santa Claus) make this concert the perfect addition to the holiday season!
February 17-19, 2017
Broadway Standing Ovations
Jack Everly, conductor
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Student Chorale (Christine Hestwood, director)
Broadway vocalists join Jack Everly, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Student Chorale for some of the “Great White Way’s” finest moments, including music by Andrew Lloyd-Webber, Stephen Sondheim and Rodgers & Hammerstein. Featured songs include “Ya Got Trouble,” “Maria,” “This Is the Moment” and a “Les Miserables” medley, and many others!
March 24-26, 2017
Sounds of Simon and Garfunkel
Michael Krajewski, conductor
AJ Swearingen, vocalist
Jonathan Beedle, vocalist
The legendary folk rock duo Simon & Garfunkel left an indelible mark on music history with their unmistakable style and heartrending lyrics. Join the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and guest artists AJ Swearingen and Jonathan Beedle for a remarkable tribute to the classic hits of Simon & Garfunkel. Swearingen’s warm baritone and Beedle’s soaring tenor combine flawlessly to capture the essence and magic of Simon & Garfunkel’s sound of their early years in Greenwich Village. With a quiet stage and an acoustic guitar, the duo re-create the memories of the classic hits and lesser-known songs of Simon & Garfunkel.
May 12-14, 2017
Neil Sedaka
Jeffrey Reed, conductor
Neil Sedaka, vocals
Neil Sedaka, one of pop’s greatest legends and prolific song writers, has penned more than 500 songs, many of which have become unforgettable in the musical landscape, like “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do,” “Solitaire,” “Laughter in the Rain” and “Love Will Keep Us Together.” Together with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Sedaka will take audiences on an enchanting journey through several decades of musical memories!
June 16-18, 2017
Ella and Louis: All That Jazz
Byron Stripling, vocalist and trumpet
Marva Hicks, vocalist
Byron Stripling and Marva Hicks’ chemistry lights up the stage as they join the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra to take you on a journey through the most famous duets and solos recorded by Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. From “Love is Here to Stay” to “Just One of Those Things” and with highlights from Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess,” they recreate one of the most memorable collaborations in music history while entertaining and capturing everyone’s hearts along the way.
Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts is owned and operated by Pittsburgh Symphony, Inc., a non-profit organization, and is the year-round home of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. The cornerstone of Pittsburgh’s Cultural District, Heinz Hall also hosts many other events that do not feature its world-renowned orchestra, including Broadway shows, comedians, speakers and much more. For a full calendar of upcoming non-symphony events at the hall, visit heinzhall.org.