Oh, how we love the Baldwin Pops!
Many of you live in a large city where you have access to professional symphonies and although we have the Mobile Symphony across the bay, our smaller community in Baldwin County has the Baldwin Pops Band.
Founded in 1997 and made up of volunteer musicians, the popular band offers free concerts throughout the year at different locations. Their outdoor concerts are always fun, and I can remember my son marching around the picnic blanket waving his flag during their “children’s parade” they always have during the Independence Day concert.
I played flute in the Okaloosa Symphony in Fort Walton Beach years ago, so I know the hours of work it takes to bring these concerts to the public. The Baldwin Pops have weekly rehearsals and perform 8-10 concerts each year.
Dr. Roger Jones is the current conductor of the Pops, and the night I was invited to visit, was taking the members through a rehearsal for their upcoming Founder’s Day concert this weekend in Fairhope. (Oct. 4th). This group sounds amazingly professional, and although many of them are music teachers or have spent their lives in another music related field, most just play their instruments as a hobby. No matter what their background may be, this group tackles difficult music and always sounds professional.
The Christmas selections are also being rehearsed for the popular holiday concerts in Foley and Daphne. For the complete concert schedule, click HERE.
What better way to bring in the much anticipated cooler fall air than to picnic beneath the pines and watch the sunset over the bay while listening to this talented group of musicians? If you are in the area, join us at Henry George Park in Fairhope on October 4th for what is sure to be a memorable evening.
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Did you always want to play an instrument, but think it’s too late to learn? Click HERE to read about a Fairhope resident who took up the tuba at age 74!
For specific times and dates of concerts, click HERE.