MSO’s beloved season-capping Pops Series concert, Pepsi Pops, marks its 45th year on Friday, May 8, at Old Trace Park on the Ross Barnett Reservoir, bringing together family, friends, and fans for a spectacular evening on the water’s edge with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra.
This year’s concert celebrates a still larger anniversary – America250, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence – with American melodies, history and values weaving through the program in flag-waving folk songs, thoughtful hymns, stimulating marches, and an inspiring tribute to armed forces.
Highlights include Aaron Copland’s incomparable Fanfare for the Common Man, patriotic music by George M. Cohan, Scott Joplin’s Maple Leaf Rag, Morton Gould’s American Salute (set to the folk tune When Johnny Comes Marching Home), the famous Colonel Bogey March, and John Williams’ reverential Hymn to the Fallen, honoring those lost in the Normandy invasion of WWII.
As always, Pepsi Pops offers something for all ages and musical tastes including contemporary cinema favorites Frozen and the Twilight Saga, plus pop favorites by Mancini and neoclassical instrumental artist Yiruma.
You won’t want to miss the casual charm of a grassy “concert hall” on the reservoir’s sloping shore, the pretty sight of boats bobbing on the water, the setting sun twinkling on the waves, or the warmly familiar tunes wafting on a gentle breeze.
Community Camaraderie — Pepsi Pops brings together young and old, families on outings and couples on dates, the popular music crowd and the classical music lovers. People-watching is grand at dusk, and the music is sublime all night!
Kids Play — Old Trace Park’s playground and room for run-around fun makes Pepsi Pops an ideal family outing. What could be more fun than watching little kids dance in the grass in front of the orchestra?
Picnicking and Food Truck Fare — Picnicking in the park is a time-honored tradition for those who wish to bring their own, and local food truck offerings, as well as Pepsi products, will be available for purchase.
Fireworks Finale — As the orchestra tops the ultimate patriotic playlist, fireworks explode in the night sky and everyone shares a genuine swell of American kinship and pride to close out a fabulous evening.
Enjoy all this and more at the 45th Pepsi Pops, as Conductor Crafton Beck strikes up the band, fireworks spark up the sky over the Rez, and patriotic tunes stoke pride in Americans’ hearts.