Golden State Pops Orchestra

The Golden State Pops Orchestra (GSPO) is a symphony pops orchestra located in the San Pedro district of Los Angeles, California in the United States of America. The GSPO is the resident orchestra of the Warner Grand Theatre, an Art Deco movie palace built by Warner Brothers Studios in 1931. The orchestra performs a wide variety of musical repertoire, including classical, Broadway, pop music and even video game soundtracks. However, the primary focus of the GSPO remains film music, a specialty of the orchestra since its founding in 2002. The Golden State Pops Orchestra is composed of professional freelance musicians from around the Los Angeles area.
== History ==
The Golden State Pops Orchestra (GSPO) was founded in 2002 by conductor and composer Steven Allen Fox, a graduate of the University of Southern California's Scoring for Motion Pictures and Television (SMPTV) program. Joshua Godoy, also a USC film scoring graduate, served as the assistant conductor. Initially functioning as the instrumental division of the Southeast Civic Light Opera in Los Alamitos, California, the orchestra's original home venue was the Liberty Theatre on the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Military Base. 
The first public performance of the Golden State Pops Orchestra took place on April 6, 2002 at the Riviera United Methodist Church in Redondo Beach, California. The concert featured film music, and was titled Hooked on Film Scores. The Orchestra then performed four additional concerts in 2002, mostly at the Liberty Theatre.
Following its début season, the GSPO separated from the Southeast Civic Light Opera and moved its performances to the Long Beach Events Center (Scottish Rite Cathedral) in Long Beach, California for a portion of the 2003-2004 season, beginning with a St. Patrick's Day themed concert titled St. Pat Goes Pops! on March 15, 2003, and continuing with four additional concerts in Long Beach. In 2004, the orchestra moved to its current home venue, the Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro, California, premiering with a Valentine's Day themed concert titled Music for Lovers and Other Strangers on February 7, 2004. 
Since 2004, the GSPO has become the resident orchestra of the Warner Grand Theatre,Burlingame, John. "Film Scores Featured in Concerts around L.A. Area", The Los Angeles Times, October 18, 2009. and has grown into a professional ensemble of around 60 musicians. It continues to specialize in live performances of film scores, and frequently introduces new film music repertoire to its audiences; music that has not been performed since it was first recorded at the original scoring sessions. In 2005, the orchestra gave the North American concert premiere of film composer John Williams' Battle of the Heroes from Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith as part of its all Star Wars concert. Since 2005, the orchestra has presented over fifty world premieres to its audiences, both from recent films such as Drag Me to Hell, Avatar, Astro Boy, Superman Returns, and Scream as well as older films such as Three Amigos, Mysterious Island, and The Fall of the Roman Empire.
== GSPO Ensemble Series ==
In addition to its regular full orchestra concerts, the Golden State Pops Orchestra presents a series of chamber music concerts at the Grand Annex, Alvas Showroom, the First Presbyterian Church and other venues located near the orchestra's home venue of the Warner Grand Theatre. The GSPO Ensemble Series concerts consist of regular orchestra members who perform chamber music in a wide variety of styles from film and television music to classical repertoire.
== World Premieres ==
The Golden State Pops Orchestra has focused on live concert performances of film music from its inception. Due to the orchestra's connections with the film and music industry in Los Angeles, it has been able to perform many pieces of music for the first time outside the original films, often with the original composer in attendance or even conducting the orchestra. Some of the world premieres that have been performed by the GSPO include:
2011
*Jerry Goldsmith: The Gold Standard, a medley of thirty of Goldsmith's film score themes, as arranged by Austin Wintory (June 11, 2011)
*Sean Murray: Deviant from the video game, Call of Duty: Black Ops, with the composer and the orchestrator in attendance (April 9, 2011)
*Austin Wintory: Journey - Suite I, with the composer conducting. Featuring Tina Guo, cello soloist (April 9, 2011)
*Gerard Marino: City of Darkness/City of Light from the video game DC Universe Online, with the composer conducting (April 9, 2011)
*Russell Brower: The Shattering from the video game World of Warcraft: Cataclysm with the composer in attendance (April 9, 2011)
2010
*Christopher Young: Concerto to Hell (End Credits) from the film Drag Me to Hell featuring the violin soloist from the original soundtrack, Mark Robertson (October 30, 2010)Farrell, John. "Golden State Pops Gets into Spirit of Season", The Daily Breeze, October 28, 2010.
*Erich Wolfgang Korngold: Tomorrow, Op. 33 from the film The Constant Nymph featuring guest conductor Jeffrey Schindler and mezzo soprano Bonnie Snell Schindler. (West coast premiere - October 30, 2010)Farrell, John. "Golden State Pops Gets into Spirit of Season", The Daily Breeze, October 28, 2010.
*Disney in Concert: Tale as Old as Time (West coast premiere - May 22, 2010)
*James Horner: concert suite from the film Avatar (February 6, 2010)
*Christopher Young: End Credits from the film Creation, with the composer in attendance. Featuring Paul Henning, solo violin & Jonathan Hughes, piano (February 6, 2010)
*Michael Giacchino: Lost Suite from the television series Lost (North American Premiere - February 6, 2010)
*Alex North: Blanche from the film A Streetcar Named Desire, as arranged by film composer Elmer Bernstein (February 6, 2010)
*Leonard Bernstein: Love Theme from the film On the Waterfront, as arranged by film composer Elmer Bernstein (February 6, 2010)
2009
*John Ottman: End Titles from the film Astro Boy with the original orchestrator, Jason Livesay, conducting and the composer in attendance (October 24, 2009)
*Stu Phillips: Variations for Piano and Orchestra featuring Robert Thies, piano (October 24, 2009) "October Scores with Film Music in Concert: Symphonies Coast-to-Coast Celebrate Classic Soundtracks", The Film Music Society, October 6, 2009.
*Stu Phillips: Buck Rogers Suite #1 from the television series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century with the composer conducting (October 24, 2009)Burlingame, John. "Film Scores Featured in Concerts around L.A. Area", The Los Angeles Times, October 18, 2009.
*Stu Phillips: The Name of the Game is Kill from the 1968 film of the same name, with the composer conducting
*Bear McCreary: Colonial Anthem Variations from the television series Battlestar Galactica with the composer conducting (October 24, 2009)
*Wataru Hokoyama: Afrika and Savanna from the video game Afrika with the composer conducting (May 16, 2009)
*Timothy Michael Wynn: Red Faction: Guerilla Suite from the video game Red Faction: Guerrilla with the composer conducting (May 16, 2009)
*Gerard Marino: The End Begins (To Rock) from the video games God of War II and Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock with the composer conducting (May 16, 2009)
*Laura Karpman: O'er Thai Landis from the video game Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom (May 16, 2009)
*Christopher Lennertz: Main Title from the video game Warhawk with the composer conducting (May 16, 2009)
*Christopher Lennertz: Gun Suite from the video game Gun with the composer conducting (May 16, 2009)
*Russell Brower: Main Title from the video game World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King with the composer in attendance (May 16, 2009)
*Austin Wintory: The World of flOw from the video game flOw with the composer conducting (May 16, 2009)
*Austin Wintory: Captain Abu Raed Suite from the film Captain Abu Raed with the composer in attendance (February 7, 2009)
*Elmer Bernstein: Elmer Bernstein Medley from the films The Great Escape, Stripes and The Magnificent Seven as arranged by Victor Pesavento (February 7, 2009)
2008
*Bernard Herrmann: Suite from the film Mysterious Island (October 25, 2008)
*Bernard Herrmann: Children of Hydra's Teeth from the film Jason and the Argonauts (October 25, 2008)
*Irving Gertz: Eskimos Attacked from the film The Deadly Mantis with the composer in attendance (October 25, 2008)
:Note: This was the final concert the composer attended before his death on November 14th, 2008.
*Max Steiner: Selections from the 1933 film King Kong as reconstructed and orchestrated by John Morgan & William Stromberg (October 25, 2008)
*Joseph LoDuca: Main Title from the film The Messengers (October 25, 2008)
*Hans J. Salter and Frank Skinner: Suite from Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (October 25, 2008)
*Frank Skinner: Main Title and Finale from the film Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (October 25, 2008)
*Herman Stein: Suite from the 1955 film Tarantula (October 25, 2008)
*George Shaw: J-ok'el from the film J-ok-el: Legend of La Llorona with the composer conducting (October 25, 2008)
*Steven Allen Fox: Unleashed: A Journey Into Fear with the composer conducting and featuring Melissa Kaplan, soprano (October 25, 2008)
*Sam Spence: Ye Sons of USC (Fight Song donated to the University of Southern California) with the composer conducting (June 14, 2008)
*Christopher Lennertz: Main Title from the video game Medal of Honor: Pacific Assault with the composer conducting (May 24, 2008)
*Christopher Young: Main Theme from the film Murder in the First with the composer in attendance (February 9, 2008)
2007
*Jerry Goldsmith: Suite from the film Omen III: The Final Conflict as reconstructed by Leigh Phillips (October 27, 2007)
*Marco Beltrami: Suite from the films Scream and Scream 2 with the composer in attendance (October 27, 2007)
*John Ottman: Suite from the film Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer with the orchestrator, Damon Intrabartolo, conducting and the composer in attendance (June 9, 2007)Goldwasser, Dan. "Golden State Pops to Premiere New Fantastic Four Suite", SoundtrackNet: The Art of Film and Television Music , May 25, 2007.
*John Ottman: Superman Returns Concerto from the film Superman Returns with the orchestrator, Damon Intrabartolo, conducting and the composer in attendance.
:Also featured the pianist from the original soundtrack, Eric Anderson, playing the solo part (June 9, 2007)
*Bob & Barn: Suite from the video game MediEvil: Resurrection with the composers in attendance (February 3, 2007)
*Jason & Nolan Livesay: Triwizard Suite from the DVD Game to the film Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire with the composer, Jason Livesay, conducting (February 3, 2007)
*Joey Newman: Main Title from the video game Lineage (February 3, 2007)
*Colin O'Malley: Suite from the video game Superman Returns (February 3, 2007)
2006
*Dimitri Tiomkin: The First Christmas for orchestra, soprano soloist and choir (December 17, 2006)
*Steven Allen Fox: Overture from Symphonic Suite from Battleworlds with the composer conducting (August 20, 2006)
2005
*Christopher Young: Suite from the film Urban Legend with the composer in attendance (October 30, 2005)
*John Williams: Battle of the Heroes from the film Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (North American premiere - May 21, 2005)
*Dimitri Tiomkin: The Fall of Love (for string orchestra) from the film The Fall of the Roman Empire (April 9, 2005)
*Elmer Bernstein: End Credits from the film Three Amigos (February 19, 2005)
== Current Season (2011 - 2012) ==
Date 	Concert 	Guest Artists 	Notes	Poster
September 24, 2011	A Spoonful of Sherman: Celebrating the Sherman Brothers	Richard Sherman, guest composer	 	
October 29, 2011 	Halloween Fright Night 9 	 	 	
December 17, 2011 	Holiday Pops Spectacular 	 	 	
February 11, 2012 	Cinema Fantastique: Epic Choral Soundtracks 	 	 	
May 18, 2012 	Great Composers Tribute: John Williams 	 	 	
June 16, 2012 	On With the Show: Musicals from the Silver Screen 	 	 	
== Previous Season (2010 - 2011) ==
Date 	Concert 	Guest Artists 	Notes 	Poster
October 30, 2010 	Halloween Fright Night 8 	Mark Robertson, violin Jeffrey Schindler, conductorBonnie Snell Schindler, mezzo soprano 	World concert premiere of Concerto to Hell from the film Drag Me to Hell (Composer: Christopher Young)Farrell, John. "Golden State Pops Gets into Spirit of Season", The Daily Breeze, October 28, 2010.	
December 18, 2010	Holiday Pops Spectacular! 2010 	Windy Barnes Farrell, vocalistAraceli Applegate, vocalistThe Selah Singers, children's choir 	 	
February 12, 2011	Classical Contrasts 	William Stromberg, guest conductor 	 	
April 9, 2011 	VideoGame Soundtracks 	The Southern California Master ChoraleGerard Marino, composer & conductorAustin Wintory, composer & conductor Sean Murray, composer Emilie A. Bernstein, orchestratorRussell Brower, composer Laura Karpman, composer Joey Newman, composer Tina Guo, cello & erhu	 	
May 14, 2011 	Disney in Concert: Tale as Old as Time	Araceli Applegate, vocalist Drew Tablak, vocalistNatalie Taylor, vocalistStephen Van Dorn, vocalistChase Masterson, narrator 	Encore performance from the 2009-2010 season 	
May 20 & 22, 2011	Ein Deutsches Requiem, Op. 45 	The Southern California Master Chorale 	 	
June 8, 2011 	Video Games Live 	The Southern California Master Chorale John Debney, composer & conductor Russell Brower, composer & conductor 	Concert took place at the Nokia Theatre as part of the Electronic Entertainment Expo 2011 (E3) 	
June 11, 2011 	Great Composers: Jerry Goldsmith 	Austin Wintory, guest conductor 	Carol Goldsmith was in attendance Composer Richard Sherman was in attendance 	
== Past Seasons ==
2009 - 2010 Season 	 	 	 	
{| class="wikitable" 	 	 	 	
Date 	Concert 	Guest Artists 	Notes 	Poster
October 24, 2009 "October Scores with Film Music in Concert: Symphonies Coast-to-Coast Celebrate Classic Soundtracks", The Film Music Society, October 6, 2009.	Halloween Fright Night 7 	Stu Phillips, composer & conductor Bear McCreary, composer & conductor Robert Thies, piano 	Concert in honor of Stu Phillips' 80th birthdayConcert also featured: Steve Bartek, guitar; Chris Bleth, duduk & bansuri; & M.B. Gordy, percussion Composer Richard Sherman was in attendance	
December 19, 2009 	Holiday Swing 	Barbara Morrison, jazz vocalist 	Concert featured big band with strings 	
February 6, 2010 	Great Composers Tribute 	Christopher Young, composer John Ottman, composer 	World concert premiere of the orchestral music from the film, Avatar 	
April 17, 2010 	Curtains Up: This is Broadway! 	Araceli Applegate, vocalistCaleb Shaw, vocalistLisa Livesay, vocalist 	Concert also featured vocalists Melissa Greilach, Abigail Kinnahan, Jarret Lemaster, Gabriel Oliva, Stephanie Phillips & Drew Tablak 	
May 22 & 23, 2010 	Disney in Concert: Tale as Old as Time	Araceli Applegate, vocalist Drew Tablak, vocalistNatalie Taylor, vocalistStephen Van Dorn, vocalistChase Masterson, narrator	West coast premiere of this show created by the Disney Concert Library Also featured Madison Logan, child vocalist 	
June 17, 2010 	Video Games Live 	The Southern California Master Chorale 	Concert took place at the Nokia Theatre as part of the Electronic Entertainment Expo 2010 (E3) 	
July 24, 2010 	Video Games Live 	 	Concert took place at the San Diego Civic Theatre as part of Comic-Con 2010 	
2008 - 2009 Season 	 	 	 	
{| class="wikitable"	 	 	 	
Date 	Concert 	Guest Artists 	Notes 	Poster
October 2 & 5, 2008	Requiem: Mass in D Minor 	The Southern California Master ChoraleThe Cypress Masterworks ChoraleDr. Sheridan Ball, conductor 	Mozart's Requiem 	
October 25, 2008 	Halloween Fright Night 6 	William Stromberg, conductorStu Phillips, conductor 	Concert focused on classic horror movie scores Concert also featured George Shaw, composer & conductor and Melissa Kaplan, vocalistComposer Irving Gertz was in attendance	
November 8, 2008 	Opera at the Grand 	The San Diego Opera Ensemble 	 	
December 20, 2008 	Holiday Pops Spectacular 	Timothy Gonzales, tenorGrace Lee, soprano 	 	
February 7, 2009 	GSPO's Greatest Hits 	Timothy Gonzales, tenorJason Livesay, vocalist 	Concert celebrated 5 years as the Warner Grand Theatre's orchestra in residence 	
April 18, 2009 	Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat 	Nicole Mekenian, NarratorJason Livesay, Joseph 	A concert production of the musical (only partially staged and choreographed) 	
May 16, 2009 	Video Game Soundtracks: Loaded...Ready...Play	Wataru Hokoyama, composer & conductorTimothy Michael Wynn, composer & conductorLaura Karpman, composerGerard Marino, composerChristopher Tin, composer & conductorChristopher Lennertz, composer & conductorAustin Wintory, composerRussell Brower, composer	 	
June 13, 2009 	Great Composers: John Williams 	Samuel Fischer, violin 	 	
July 4, 2009 	Stars, Stripes and Pops 	 	Concert accompanied the fireworks display on Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro, California 	
2007 - 2008 Season	 	 	 	
{| class="wikitable"	 	 	 	
Date 	Concert 	Guest Artists 	Notes 	Poster
October 27, 2007 	Halloween Fright Night 5 	Marco Beltrami, composer Melissa Kaplan, sopranoThe Southern California Master Chorale	Concert featured the world concert premiere of music from the film, Scream with composer Marco Beltrami in attendance	
December 15, 2007 	Holiday Pops Spectacular! 	The Southern California Master Chorale 	 	
February 9, 2008 	Music For Lovers and Other Strangers 	Christopher Young, composerDamon Intrabartolo, conductorTimothy Gonzales, tenor 	 	
April 19, 2008 	Jason and Nolan: The Electric Violin Twins	Jason Livesay, violinist & vocalistNolan Livesay, violinist & vocalist 	 	
May 24, 2008 	We Remember: A Tribute to Fallen Heroes 	 	 	
June 14, 2008 	Pops for Pop: A Tribute to Fathers 	Sam Spence, composer & conductor 	Concert featured music from the NFL Films Series, with composer Sam Spence conducting the orchestra 	
July 4, 2008 	Stars, Stripes and Pops 	 	Concert accompanied the fireworks display on Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro, California 	
2006 - 2007 Season 	 	 	 	
{| class="wikitable" 	 	 	 	
Date 	Concert 	Guest Artists 	Notes 	Poster
November 4, 2006 	Music Legends of the Silver Screen	Damon Intrabartolo, conductorJohn Ottman, composer 	World concert premiere of music from the film Superman Returns by composer John Ottman Olivia Tiomkin Douglas (widow of film composer Dimitri Tiomkin) was in attendance, as well as film orchestrator Patrick Russ 	
December 17, 2006 	Holiday Pops Spectacular! 	Alistair Tober, vocalistThe Sheridan Ball Singers 	 	
February 3, 2007 	Video Game Soundtracks 	Tommy Tallarico, composerBob & Barn, composersJason & Nolan Livesay, composers Melissa Kaplan, sopranoGerard Marino, composer and conductorChristopher Lennertz, composer	 	
March 10, 2007 	Broadway Hits in Concert 	Jason Livesay, vocalistLainie Nelson, vocalistLisa Shaw, vocalist 	 	
May 5 & August 19, 2007	Come Fly With Me 	Alistair Tober, jazz vocalistBarbara Morrison, jazz vocalist 	Performances took place at the Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro, California and the Ivar Theatre in Hollywood, California 	
June 9, 2007 	Superheroes and Beyond 	John Ottman, composerDamon Intrabartolo, conductorEric Anderson, piano 	World concert premiere of music from the soundtrack to the film Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer by composer John OttmanGoldwasser, Dan. "Golden State Pops to Premiere New Fantastic Four Suite", SoundtrackNet: The Art of Film and Television Music , May 25, 2007.	
July 4, 2007 	Stars, Stripes and Pops 	 	Concert accompanied the fireworks display on Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro, California 	
2005 - 2006 Season	 	 	 	
{| class="wikitable"	 	 	 	
Date 	Concert 	Guest Artists 	Notes 	Poster
October 30, 2005 	Halloween Fright Night 4 	Christopher Young, composer 	World concert premiere of music from the film Urban Legend 	
December 17, 2005 	Holiday Pops Spectacular! 	Pat Hurley, narrator & comedian 	 	
January 21, 2006 	Warner Grand Does the Decades 	 	A celebration of the Warner Grand Theatre's 75th birthday 	
February 4, 2006 	Looney Tunes 	 	Concert featured music from cartoons 	
March 25, 2006 	Jesus Christ Superstar In Concert	J. R. Richards, vocalistAlistair Tober, vocalist	Concert featured Dishwalla lead singer, J.R. Richards as Jesus of Nazereth 	
May 20, 2006 	Out of this World 	 	Concert featured music from science fiction films 	
July 4, 2006 	Stars, Stripes and Pops 	 	Concert accompanied the fireworks display on Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro, California 	
August 20, 2006 	Superheroes and Beyond 	 	Concert took place in Bellflower, California while the Warner Grand Theatre was closed for restorations	
2004 - 2005 Season	 	 	 	
{| class="wikitable"	 	 	 	
Date 	Concert 	Guest Artists	Notes 	Poster
October 23, 2004 	Halloween Fright Night (3rd Annual)	 	 	
December 18, 2004 	Holiday Pops Spectacular! 2004 	 	 	
February 19, 2005 	Round Up: Themes of the Old West 	 	 	
April 9, 2005 	Swords, Sandals & Swashbucklers 	 	 	
May 21, 2005 	Star Wars: In Concert 	 	North American concert premiere of Battle of the Heroes from Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith	
July 3, 2005 	Stars, Stripes and Pops 	 	 	
August 20, 2005 	Broadway's Best 	 	 	
2003 - 2004 Season 	 	 	 	
{| class="wikitable" 	 	 	 	
Date 	Concert 	Guest Artists 	Notes 	Poster
March 15, 2003 	St. Pat Goes Pops! 	 	First concert at the Scottish Rite Cathedral in Long Beach, California (The Long Beach Event Center)	
May 3, 2003 	Broadway's Best! 	Frank Daniele, vocalist 	 	
July 27, 2003 	Stars, Stripes and Pops! 	 	Outdoor concert at Concordia University in Irvine, California 	
September 6, 2003 	Heroes & Villains 	 	 	
October 25, 2003 	Halloween Fright Night (2nd Annual) 	 	 	
December 20, 2003 	Holiday Pops Spectacular! 2003 	Chase Masterson, narratorCypress Masterworks Chorale	 	
February 7, 2004 	Music for Lovers and Other Strangers	 	First concert at the Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro, California 	
March 20, 2004 	And The Winner Is?? 	 	Concert featuring music from Academy Award winning films 	
April 17, 2004 Clinton, Paul. "Dishwalla to Take Stage with Golden State Pops", More San Pedro, April 2004.	Worlds Collide 	J. R. Richards, lead vocals 	Concert with alternative rock band Dishwalla 	
April 24, 2004 	Follow Me 	Frank Daniele, vocalist 	 	
May 15, 2004 	Once Upon a Time 	 	 	
July 3, 2004 	Stars, Stripes & Pops 	 	 	
2002 Season 	 	 	 	
{| class="wikitable"	 	 	 	
Date 	Concert 	Guest Artists 	Notes 	Poster
April 6, 2002 	Hooked On Film Scores 	 	First performance of the Golden State pops OrchestraConcert took place at the Riviera United Methodist Church in Redondo Beach, California	
July 14, 2002 	Concerts on the Green 	Cory Watkins, vocalist	 	
October 26, 2002	Halloween Fright Night 	 	Concert took place at the Liberty Performing Arts Center in Los Alamitos, California 	
December 7, 2002	GSPO Pops Spectacular! 2002	 	 	
== References ==
Los Angeles Times 
== External links ==
* www.gspo.com 
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