FAU, Palm Beach Pops Present a ‘Holiday Spectacular’ Concert
鶹ƷƵ and the Palm Beach Pops will usher in the holiday season with a “Holiday Spectacular,” a special concert featuring acclaimed conductor, pianist, vocalist and music director Tony DeSare and singer, actress and Broadway star Katharine McPhee.
鶹ƷƵ and the Palm Beach Pops will usher in the holiday season with a “Holiday Spectacular,” a special concert featuring acclaimed conductor, pianist, vocalist and music director Tony DeSare and singer, actress and Broadway star Katharine McPhee, on Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m. in the Carole and Barry Kaye Auditorium, 鶹ƷƵStudent Union, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton campus. The evening will feature holiday favorites, Broadway classics and selections from the Great American Songbook. A VIP reception will take place prior to the concert.
For more than three decades, the Palm Beach Pops has been a cornerstone of South Florida’s cultural landscape, recognized for its commitment to preserving and celebrating the Great American Songbook while making high-quality live orchestral music accessible to audiences of all ages. Founded by conductor and educator Bob Lappin, the orchestra quickly earned a reputation for presenting world-class performances featuring renowned guest artists and beloved American standards with nearly 10,000 subscribers.
Equally important to its artistic mission was its dedication to music education, with outreach initiatives that introduced nearly 100,000 Palm Beach County students to live music and provided scholarships, instruments, lessons and enrichment opportunities for aspiring young musicians. Following Lappin’s passing, the Palm Beach Pops Legacy Foundation continued that commitment, culminating in a transformational lead gift of more than $5 million to Florida Atlantic to establish the Bob Lappin and Palm Beach Pops Music Legacy Endowment. The extensive music library is comprised of more than 3,000 titles and scores – a significant amount of which were arranged by the industry’s most prestigious arrangers and from some of the Great American Songbook’s greatest composers.
Today, through scholarships, student support, educational programming and annual performances, the Palm Beach Pops legacy lives on at Florida Atlantic, ensuring that future generations of musicians and audiences continue to experience and appreciate America’s rich musical heritage. In keeping with that mission, select Florida Atlantic faculty and student musicians will perform side-by-side as part of the full Palm Beach Pops orchestra during “Holiday Spectacular,” which is dedicated to the legacy of Lappin. The executive producers of the show are Jon Lappin, former president and executive director of The Palm Beach Pops; Michael Zager, iconic music producer, Dorothy F. Schmidt Eminent Scholar in Performing Arts and director of the Florida Atlantic commercial music program; and Kevin Wilt, Florida Atlantic music department chair. All proceeds from sponsorships and ticket sales will go toward supporting student scholarships in Florida Atlantic’s Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters.
In addition, DeSare and McPhee will lead a special master class for Florida Atlantic music students, offering an intimate behind-the-scenes look at the craft of performance, career development and artistic collaboration through a moderated conversation and interactive discussion format that explores the personal and professional journeys behind success on the concert stage, Broadway and beyond.
“The Holiday Spectacular is much more than a concert – it is a celebration of the transformative power of music, the enduring legacy of Bob Lappin and the Palm Beach Pops, and 鶹ƷƵ’s commitment to educating and inspiring the next generation of artists,” said Florida Atlantic President Adam Hasner. “Bringing together world-class performers Tony DeSare and Katharine McPhee, alongside our talented students and faculty, creates a truly unique experience that honors our past while investing in our future. We are proud to continue the Palm Beach Pops tradition at Florida Atlantic, where artistic excellence, community engagement and student success remain at the heart of everything we do.”
DeSare is a rare talent whose artistry effortlessly bridges the worlds of jazz, pop and classical music, establishing himself as one of today’s most nationally recognized musicians for his distinctive style blended from jazz, pop, Broadway and classical influences. A Grammy-nominated artist known for his virtuosic piano playing and charismatic vocals, DeSare has performed with many of the nation’s leading symphony orchestras and in prestigious venues across the United States. His acclaimed interpretations of the Great American Songbook, along with innovative programs celebrating iconic artists such as Frank Sinatra and Billy Joel, have made him a sought-after performer in concert halls nationwide.
Beyond the stage, DeSare has also contributed as a composer, writing music for film and television, further demonstrating the breadth of his musical talents. DeSare’s Broadway credentials further distinguish his career. He made his Broadway debut in the hit musical “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations,” and is known for his ability to bring the storytelling, energy and emotional depth of musical theater into his concert performances.
Together, DeSare and McPhee create a dynamic concert experience that showcases their individual extraordinary musical talents, effortless chemistry and shared appreciation for musical storytelling. McPhee first rose to national prominence as the runner-up on Season 5 of “American Idol” before launching a successful recording career highlighted by multiple charting albums and singles. She later starred in the hit television series “Smash,” earning praise for her portrayal of aspiring Broadway performer Karen Cartwright, and went on to make her Broadway debut in “Waitress,” where her performances drew critical acclaim and sold-out audiences. A celebrated concert performer, McPhee continues to entertain sold-out audiences worldwide and recently released the two-part holiday collection “Christmas Songs” in 2022 and 2023 in collaboration with her husband, renowned record producer, composer, songwriter and musician David Foster.
Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at www.fau.edu/holiday or 561-297-6124. For sponsorship information, including VIP tickets and meet-and-greet information, contact Esther Swann at eswann@fau.edu or 561-297-4667.
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