Pack a blanket, picnic basket and your beverages of choice before heading out to Symphony Park for an evening of music as the sun sets! The Charlotte Symphony’s outdoor Summer Pops series opens June 8, a great way to spend Sundays in June.
A Charlotte tradition since 1983, Summer Pops brings families and friends from across the community together for the shared enjoyment of live, outdoor symphonic concerts. The atmosphere is casual and the crowd is diverse. On a typical evening the scene might include seasoned symphony lovers sipping champagne from their lawn chairs, a group of young professionals playing a round of cards on their picnic blanket and a dad dancing with his young daughter, all while enjoying the Symphony.
Summer Pops at Symphony Park will occur on four consecutive Sundays in June, culminating Thursday, July 3 with the Celebrate America concert and fireworks. Spirited conductor Albert-George Schram will lead the orchestra (and the audience) through all five programs.
- Sunday June 8, A NIGHT ON BROADWAY – Some of the most memorable music of Broadway including selections from My Fair Lady, Chicago, Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera.
- Sunday June 15, ORCHESTRA AMERICANA – Silverado, selections from Oklahoma and The Patriot, Arkansas Traveler, and orchestral hoedowns, gallops and frolics for this Americana-esque concert.
- Sunday June 22, INSTRUMENTAL OPERA – The orchestra will delight with overtures, preludes and interludes in this instrumental-only revue of beloved opera music, including pieces used in popular radio jingles, TV ads, movies and cartoons.
- Sunday, June 29, THAT’S AMORE – Berlioz’ Roman Carnival Overture, the theme from Rocky and Mancini’s Pink Panther are among the Italian classics for an al fresco night of music at Symphony Park. O Sole Mio and other Italian love songs featuring tenor Frank Portone accompanied by the orchestra will add to the romance.
- Thursday, July 3 – CELEBRATE AMERICA – The Liberty Fanfare, Armed Forces Salute, This Land is Your Land, and America The Beautiful are among the spirited patriotic pieces the Symphony will celebrate for Independence Day. Fireworks end the show!
To see the complete repertoire for each concert, go to the Charlotte Symphony’s Summer Pops page.
New this year, the Symphony will offer convenient digital program books for each Summer Pops concert. They will be available through the CSO app for both Androids and iPhones. Deloitte is excited to come on board with this new project, sponsoring the digital program book on Opening Night (June 8).
Another value add to Summer Pops 2014 is the Symphony’s partnership with Whole Foods. Summer Pops audiences will be able to purchase a variety of tasty treats onsite at Symphony Park from the Whole Foods Mobile Kitchen, which will feature a rotating menu developed around the Summer Pops concert themes. Summer-Pops goers will also benefit from exclusive promotions for their picnic fare purchased from the Whole Foods on Fairview. To get the scoop on discounts, menus and the chance to win Whole Foods and Charlotte Symphony prizes during Summer Pops, just join the #SummerPops2014 conversation with @WFMCharlotte and @CLTsymphony.
Partnerships with DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Charlotte-SouthPark and Simon Property Group also help make Summer Pops possible.
Summer Pops is popular and the best spots in Symphony Park fill up fast, so plan to arrive early to stake your claim. Symphony Park is located at 4400 Sharon Road Charlotte, NC, behind SouthPark Mall.
Gates open at 5 p.m., the prelude performance is at 7 p.m. and the Charlotte Symphony takes the stage at 8:15 p.m. Many patrons mark their spots and return later, but there are also a number of concertgoers who stay and enjoy an early picnic while they wait. Blankets and low-back beach chairs are welcome, but high-back chairs are discouraged because they disrupt others’ views.
Tickets and passes can be purchased online at charlottesymphony.org or over the phone at 704.972.2000. Walk-up sales at Symphony Park begin at 4 p.m.
With adult tickets at $10 and youth 18 and under admitted free, Summer Pops is affordable for the whole family. The special July 3 concert celebrating Independence Day and including fireworks is $15 for adults, with youth again being offered free admission. A summer pass covering adult admission to all five Summer Pops concerts, including Celebrate America on July 3, is only $40.
Source: Charlotte Symphony | Photography Credit: Summer Pops 2013, © Michael G. Harding, Genesis Group Photography