POPS
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Orchestras are mainly known for playing classical music in large music halls. Conductor Arthur Fiedler and the
Boston Pops changed that image in the 1950’s by introducing casual, less formal presentations of lighter musical
pieces, or “pops” music. These concerts are now associated with holiday celebrations such as the Fourth of July.
The Quad City Symphony Orchestra had its first pops concert in 1917, but it was not the traditional pops concert.
This concert was a “pops” concert because it presented popular works that had been chosen as favorites by the
audience. The orchestra performed its first traditional pops concert in the 1950’s under conductor Harry John
Brown. These concerts continued until 1975 when the board decided to suspend them.
Eight years later pops concerts got another chance. The concert was held at Davenport’s LeClaire Park along the
river in order to accommodate several thousand concert-goers. The orchestra prepared light classical pieces and
was accompanied by drummer Louie Bellson, a Moline native. The 1812 Overture concluded the concert. The
event was such a success that the Quad City Symphony Orchestra continues to perform their annual September
River Pops Concert today.
Over the years the conductors of the orchestra have brought their own flair to the pops concerts. Kim Allen Kluge
both conducted the orchestra as well as performed as a piano soloist, the first time in the Quad City Symphony
Orchestra’s history. Donald Schleicher brought his trombone and joined the trombone section for the
piece Lassus Trombone. The concerts themselves have also evolved over time. They now feature largerscaled guest artists as well as small groups and tribute bands imitating popular groups, such as The
Beatles.
The Quad City Symphony Orchestra broke the mold for pops concerts when it held its first Holiday Pops
concert on November 20, 1993 with the Sanctuary Choir of Davenport’s First Presbyterian Church. The
event took place at the Adler Theater in conjunction with the “Festival of Trees”. The concert grew in
popularity and in 1996 the concert was moved across the Mississippi River to Illinois at the newly built
iWireless Center. This concert was bigger than any previous concert the Orchestra had attempted. The
Orchestra was accompanied by ice skaters from the Figure Skating Club of the Quad Cities and guest
Winter Olympics professionals, the newly formed Holiday Pops Children’s Chorus, the First Presbyterian
Church’s Sanctuary Choice, and visiting artist-in-residence Lauren Wagner.
Donald Schleicher introduced the idea of bringing in a special conductor specifically for the Holiday
Pops. Conductors such as David Tang and Michael Butterman came in to lead the Quad City Symphony
Orchestra during the holiday season. The concert began to incorporate all types of musical pieces, both
choral and instrumental. It provided a mix of Christmas carols, Hanukkah-inspired pieces, audience singalongs, and choreographed works for ice skaters.