History

Kingwood Pops Orchestra History

From its inception in 1994 under the direction of John Apple, Music Minister at Forest Cove Baptist Church, the Kingwood Pops Orchestra has been the love and work-in-progress of volunteer musicians and staff from every walk of life both within and far beyond its community in the Northeast quadrant of the greater Houston metropolitan area, drawing artists and audiences from around the world, and growing its revenue and reach through its patrons, sponsors, grants, benefactors, ads, concessions, and other subsidies and accommodations.

Kingwood Pops Orchestra History

In 1998, KPO set a new standard for the level of performance and its audience expectations with its WIZARD OF OZ concert, bringing cast members from the original motion picture. More recently the Pops have engaged Grammy Award winners and Las Vegas show stoppers in its offerings.

By reason of its close affiliation with Lone Star College System – Kingwood, KPO and its resident Conductor Gary Liebst have enjoyed the LSCS facilities, faculty, staff, where rehearsals and other vital functions of our organization are hosted.

For more than a decade, The Nathaniel Center has been KPO’s regular performance venue, with a facility that accommodates our unique, Pops-style table seating as well as a multi-million dollar sound and stage system.

Founding members of KPO are still engaged in our performances and music students enrolled at LSCS-Kingwood have joined our ensemble of 50+ musician/volunteers. The cumulative value of these musicians’ volunteerism exceeds $ 40,000 per concert and they gladly donate their valuable time to their love of music and commitment to our community.

Throughout the years, KPO has remained true to its mission and has not only continued its tradition of filling the stage with a complete symphonic orchestra performing popular music of all genres, but also bringing renown performers to our stage.

We enjoy long-term relationships with our audiences while playing to new and younger guests each season. The music began in 1994 and goes on . . . always and forever.