Cypress Pops Orchestra to Play Its Debut Concert Today

The new Cypress Pops Orchestra will give its first concert today at the Cypress Ramada Inn at 5701 Katella Ave. A reception will be held at 5:30 p.m., followed by the concert at 6:45. Both events are free.

The 45-minute concert program will include excerpts from “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Oklahoma!” and Offenbach’s “Orpheus in the Underworld.” Vocalist Marianna Giordano will be featured.

The 26-member orchestra was formed in December by John Hall, an instructor at Compton College and conductor of the Long Beach Community Band.

“It’s strictly a pops orchestra,” Hall said Wednesday. “We’ll play film music, show music, Carmen Dragon arrangements and overtures. Occasionally, we will feature a piano or vocal soloist. . . . We feel that this kind of orchestra is conducive to our Southern California audiences. It’s a picnic-like atmosphere, much like the Boston Pops.”

Hall hopes over the next year to increase the number of orchestra members to 56 and to raise $50,000 from corporate sponsors and the public. He says he has “several thousand dollars in corporate support” in hand.

Future concerts, all free, are set tentatively for July 4 and 22, Oct. 26, Nov. 13 and Dec. 16 at locations to be announced. Information: (714) 527-0964.