The Friends
of the Ocean City Pops, Inc. was incorporated in 1993 as a non-profit
organization (501 C-3). It is an all-volunteer organization with
no paid staff.
The Friends host a variety of
fundraising activities including the annual opening night dinner,
summer luncheon, periodic cocktail parties, and presentation
of concerts. In addition, they actively solicit contributions
from individuals and businesses who share a love of good music
and want the summer Music Pier series to continue for many generations.
Monies raised are able to significantly
augment the POPS season at the Music Pier. Funds are used to
bring in guest artists and extra musicians, purchase new music
for the POPS library, lodging for guest artists, and to help
defray the cost of needed extra orchestra rehearsals.
Guest speakers/artists featured
in Friends’ previous luncheons have included NJ State Senator
Diane Allen, Margaret Whiting, mezzo-soprano Barbara Dever, and
entertainer Elizabeth von Trapp. Concerts presented have included
Opera Night at the PAC, Broadway Salutes, Philadelphia Boys Choir,
Canadian Brass, and the Ahn trio.
The Friends have established an
endowment fund that will provide a source of income into the
future. And they have created a gift society—The
Ruggieri Society—which provides funding for specific
projects. This society was named in honor of the late Maestro
Frank Ruggieri.
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NJ State Senator Diane Allen
Sally Scheible with Margaret Whiting
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