OUR HISTORY
Lompoc Pops – Hometown Pride
By Diane Siminski, Pops Co-Founder & Former Concertmaster (1997-2015)
The Lompoc Pops Orchestra opened its premier concert with a bang. It all happened on July 15,1997 and it has been exploding with grand American music ever since. The founders of the Pops Organization were on a mission to serve its audiences with programs of American music that can carry the powerful feelings of patriotism and love of God and country.
The formation of our first orchestra began, as it were, at the invitation of Air Force personnel, corporate sponsors and Lompoc community leaders involved with the upcoming VAFB/ community event, Spaceweek “97, the orchestra was assembled and booked to perform at the opening night to enhance the prestigious upcoming event. The Premier concert opened with our beloved National Anthem which has become our tradition.. To pay tribute to the Space themed event, the orchestra featured American popular music of the time in which “space” played a big part. The program included Star Wars, Star Trek, Superman, Apollo 13 as well including plenty of patriotic music with the closing of the concert in the playing of the energetic ,ever popular Stars and Stripes Forever.. The audience applauded in a “standing ovation” and asked for 2 encores at that memorable opening night.
Soon after the opening season, The Pops began to evolve out of straight concert performance and into more of a show by the addition of singers, dancers and narrators. Thus our audiences grew as we added local talent such as local Madrigals, Master Chorale, Barber Shop Quartets, or Dance troops as well as pro vocal and instrumental soloists. The music of WESTSIDE STORY. The many Broadways shows and the music of popular, American entertainers such as Americas Beach Boys, drew the crowds to hear the popular music of America “live” In the many seasons that followed, we served the Lompoc community well , and also answered the requested concert dates of the former VAFB. Through the gifts of music, we helped to heal the pain of past wars and the grief and sorrow that made
its way into our lives from the events of 9 -11- 01 and the years that followed. We enjoyed a close friendship and connection to the Base Commanders and Military families connected with the former VAFB. And so with thanks to our many supporters throughout the years, those community members, sponsors, some of which are still with us today, we thank you. We remember with thanks also, our founding board members, founding conductor, concertmaster and the 22 original, hard working orchestra members, the dedicated Music Directors of both Lompoc and Cabrillo High Schools, and the wonderful media personnel from TV., radio and newspaper.
1997
2004
As said, Music is one of the most powerful vehicles of mankind. Throughout history, the armies of the world have sent their troops to war to the sounds of music. The goal of the Lompoc Pops Orchestra remains on its mission “for the love of music” Our concerts continue to feature popular American music, “for God and Country” hoping to instill the powerful feelings of honor, love and patriotism for our “Good old USA”, “One Nation under God” We now enter our 28th Season 2025-26…
Long Live the Pops