Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1474185
MACON POPS By loose definition, a pops orchestra is made of players from a larger city orchestra who perform popular music, show tunes and similar fare with classical works. Macon Pops has succeeded by simultaneously keeping and transgressing those tenants. One, Macon is not a "larger" city. Two, its players are not from a single, standing orchestra. And three, it concentrates on popular music in an orchestral, big band fashion, leaving classical works to others. "Macon Pops is not just a concert; it's an event," Pops President, CEO and percussionist Steve Moretti regularly says. Moretti founded the nonprofit Pops along with arranger- director Matt Catingub. "Every concert is created from scratch with unique arrangements from Matt. At Mercer's Hawkins Arena, The Grand Opera House, the Cherry Blossom Festival, Christmas lights show or wherever, we bring the fun with a 40-piece orchestra with rock show energy. And whatever we do, we do at the highest musical quality," Moretti said. The Pops has the musical power of the best studio, performing and orchestral musicians from Atlanta and beyond who come for one-off gigs. Added are a smattering of students from Mercer's Robert McDuffie Center for Strings plus local vocalists. It's a potent arrangement with themed shows covering Michael Jackson, The Beatles, James Bond soundtracks, southern rock, soul, big bands, country and more. As it enters a decade of performances, Moretti has observed large crowds for outdoor, public events like the Downtown Christmas Lights Extravaganza matched by substantial audiences for indoor ticketed shows. Ahead, he said, the Pops will expand community outreach and educational programs and develop an endowment program to ensure a long Pops future. "I'm grateful for the past 10 years," he said, "and can't wait to see what happens in the next." 84 maconmagazine.com | JUNE/JULY 2022 LEFT TO RIGHT: MATT CATINGUB, LAMAR WILLIAMS, JR., AND JOSH CARSON WITH THE MACON POPS ORCHESTRA'S TRIBUTE TO SOUTHERN ROCK.