Local Pandemic-founded Pops Orchestra Launches Choir for 2022 In-Person Season
WAKEFIELD, Mass. (May 18, 2022) – The Firebird Pops Orchestra, based in Wakefield, Mass., today announced the launch of Firebird Vox, the choir that will perform with the Pops beginning with the 2022 season.
The launch of the choir comes nearly two years after the founding of the Firebird Pops Orchestra, which was launched virtually during the pandemic.
“The founding of FPO filled a void for orchestral musicians when live performances weren’t possible and, from day one, there was an overwhelming interest from vocal musicians,” says Brendan Kenney, FPO President and Executive Director. “I am ecstatic to finally be able to open up high-caliber performance opportunities for vocalists and welcome them into the Firebird family with the launch of Firebird Vox.”
Kenney reports that there are already nearly sixty musicians signed up to rotate performing with the ensemble, with that number expected to grow over the coming season.
Firebird Vox will be under the leadership of Thomas Smoker and Samantha Prindiville. Smoker, assistant professor of voice at Berklee College of Music, has been selected to direct the ensemble in collaboration with Prindiville, a musical theatre veteran and music teacher for the Wilmington school district, as Associate Director.
“Exciting things are happening for the Firebird Pops Orchestra and Firebird Vox, and I am thrilled to work alongside Brendan and Samantha,” said Smoker. “There is such incredible energy when you bring together vocalists and instrumentalists. We need this now more than ever.”
“The Firebird Pops Orchestra has a reputation for excellence and quality performances, which is why when the opportunity presented itself to join this group, I jumped on it,” Prindiville added. “I am so honored to be named Associate Director of Firebird Vox and look forward to shaping and developing the ensemble with Thomas Smoker to ensure a positive, affirming and musically rich experience for all involved.”
More information on Firebird’s upcoming 2022 season will be forthcoming on firebirdpops.org and on social media at facebook.com/firebirdpops and instagram.com/firebirdpops.
About Firebird Vox
Firebird Vox, led by Director Thomas Smoker and Associate Director Samantha Prindiville, is the choral division of the Firebird Pops Orchestra with a roster of nearly sixty volunteer musicians performing with the orchestra on a rotating basis. The organization seeks to provide high-quality performance opportunities for vocalists of the region. For more information, visit firebirdpops.org.
About Firebird Pops Orchestra
The Firebird Pops Orchestra, a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization based in Wakefield, Mass., was founded in July 2020 to provide a virtual performance platform for musicians during the pandemic, focusing on repertoire from Film, Television, Broadway, and well-known Classical pieces. The orchestra’s virtual performances included nearly 150 musicians and received local and national media attention from Nerdist, BroadwayWorld, WHDH Channel 7 News, and the nationally syndicated viral video TV show, RightThisMinute. For more information, visit firebirdpops.org.