Jersey Shore Pops Open 2012 Concert Season with Tribute to Frank Sinatra
Pops special guest artist, Sinatra Singer Peter Oprisko.Peter Oprisko made his New Jersey debut with the pops in 2011 and was a sensation, receiving numerous standing ovations. Because of the overwhelming response, conductor Linda Gentille invited him back for an encore performance. Gentille states,” The audience reaction to Oprisko was so fantastic, that we simply had to invite him back. This new show of Opriskos will be a musical and historical walk down the life of this great American Icon.”
Oprisko, often described as the "American Michael Buble," or the "next Frank Sinatra," Chicago-based pop/jazz singer Peter Oprisko enjoyed a successful career as a writer, actor, voice-over performer, and nationally-syndicated radio host(interviewing and featuring the music of legends Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole, Henry Mancini, Michael Feinstein, and their contemporaries) before embarking on a path that has led him to become one of the country's most in-demand and acclaimed concert and recording artists.
Accompanied by various sized virtuoso music ensembles(ranging from solo piano to big band), Peter tours extensively and averages 300 performances annually at theatres, colleges, clubs, fundraisers, casinos and corporations nationwide. His exciting, engaging, and interactive presentation that preserves, promotes, and perpetuates the rich musical legacies of America's foremost singers and songwriters appeals to audiences of all ages and has attracted many fans.
The Jersey Shore Pops 2012 Summer Concert Series will include 8 concerts with a focus on international guest stars from around the world. The other 7 shows in the series are: “Hooked On Country” starring Dixie clarinetist Paul Butler on July 7 at the PS Theater, “Gershwin Is Grand” starring conductor and pianist Linda Gentille n July 14 at the PAC, “I Love Paris” starring Canadian Singing Star Claude Eric on July 28 at the PS Theater, “Hooked On Classics” starring international Flautist Bettine Clemen on August 18 at the PAC, “Broadway Showstoppers” starring Ron Baker on September 1 at the PAC. The final concert in the series at the Middle PAC is “Joy to the World” will star Broadway Soprano Jacklyn Buckingham.
Tickets to individual shows including the Sinatra show or season passes can be purchased. Season ticket sales end June 30 and offer the best discounts and premium seating preferences. The “Platinum Season Pass”: includes all 8 shows at both theaters and is $175 which includes the opening night reception on June 30. The “Gold Season Pass” is for the 5 shows held at the Middle Township Performing Arts Center and is $125. The “Silver Season Pass” includes 3 shows at The Paul Schmidchen Theater in Lower Township and is $75.
In Aug. of 2011, The Jersey Shore Pops appointed the position of concert mistress to Susan Elsayed, former concert mistress for the Ocean City Pops. She and her daughter Amina are featured guest duet artists with the Pops all season. Recently added to the roster was special guest Broadway vocalist Jacklyn Buckingham. Some of the other talented Jersey Shore Pop’s orchestra members include Clifford Buggs, (Trumpet), renowned trumpet soloist and former leader of the Coast Guard Band in Cape May, John Drechen, Band Director at Lower Cape May Regional High School (Trumpet), Jim Hines (Bass), Ray Deeley (Percussion) Angela Guido, Ted Blohm and Jim Tangney (Trombone), Paul Butler, Cindy Yenloevich , Christopher Kobik and Walter Palmer on Saxaphone, Clarinet and Flute. The newly added string section includes: Susanne Di Vincenzo, Sandy Miller, Susan Elsayed, Amina Elsayed, Mary Jo Zahradnik, John Lee, Sid Polivnilk and Edward Lin. The Pops has a long standing collaboration with the Atlantic Youth String Orchestra which is reflected in the musician roster.
This program is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. The funds were administered by the Cape May County Culture and Heritage Commission, under the authority of the County Library Commission, for the Board of Chosen Freeholders.
To purchase tickets to The Life & Times Of Frank Sinatra, or any season pass, please, call the JSP Ticket Office at 800-838-3006. Tickets for the Silver Season Pass and all the other Season Passes can also be ordered online at www.JerseyShorePops.org. To purchase the “Jersey Shore Pops Gold Pass” for Middle Township only, please call the PAC box office AT 609 463-1924. The PAC is open Mon. to Fri. from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. for walk in ticket purchases for the “Gold Pass” only and is located at the Middle Township High School, Exit 10 (GSP).
