Album Notes

Maestro Bob Lappin

A gifted pianist, recording artist, broadcaster & music personality, Bob Lappin is among the most innovative & creative talents on today's concert stage. His keyboard skills, panache & genuine love for a wide spectrum of music provide the impetus for him to create programs that appeal to all ages. He's as much at home with the music
of Jerome Kern & Andrew Lloyd Webber as he is with Stevie Wonder.

Unlike many pops organizations that draw on orchestrations from commercial libraries, The Palm Beach Pops’ programs reflect Maestro Lappin's musical instinct in the unique & diverse themes he develops. He researches each concept in great depth, formulates the final program, & then recruits the best talent to bring his ideas to life. Behind this passion is his dedication to the orchestra's preservation & growth.

Maestro Lappin earned his music degree from Ithaca College, then signed with MCA (Music Corporation of America), & then toured throughout North America with his trio & orchestra. Moving to the Palm Beaches in 1982, he was determined to build a world-class pops orchestra. The Palm Beach Pops' debut concert, in 1992 at the Palm Beach Auditorium, launched what has become one of the finest orchestras in the country.

Maestro Lappin’s achievements have not gone unnoticed. In 2006 the City of Palm Beach proclaimed January 11th Bob Lappin Day & in May of that year he conducted and performed with the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall. In January of 2002 Mayor Joel T. Davies presented the Key to the city of West Palm Beach to him in recognition of all The Palm Beach Pops has contributed to the community through music & outreach programs for children. Again, in December 2003, West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel presented him the Key to the City & declared December 1, 2003 as Bob Lappin Day. In February of 2002, Mayor Steve Abrams presented the Key to the City of Boca Raton to Maestro Lappin. This second honor also recognized his success in keeping the Boca Pops music library in Palm Beach County.

In 2004 Maestro Lappin was honored by Florida Atlantic University when they awarded him the 2004-2005 Cultural Leader of the Year Award for his outstanding leadership, community outreach & education. Maestro Lappin was the first recipient of the prestigious award. At that time he also accepted the position of Florida Atlantic University’s Distinguished Artist in Residence.

In 2006 Maestro Lappin appeared at Carnegie Hall in a star-studded New York Pops tribute to its late founder Skitch Henderson. During this concert he conducted the orchestra and played the piano to shouts of bravo and standing ovations for his interpretation of Strings On Fire, The Man I Love and Long Ago and Far Away . Other guest artists appearing that evening included Liza Minnelli, Elaine Stritch, Kid Rock, Darlene Love and more.

Maestro Lappin has appeared as guest conductor with the Pittsburgh, Omaha, Calgary, Chattanooga & Florida Orchestras, & with the Seattle & Syracuse Symphonies, to name a few. He & The Palm Beach Pops were invited to perform at Avery Fisher Hall in New York City's Lincoln Center -- (a first for any Florida orchestra) -- & for the North Shore Hospital at the Phipps Estate on Long Island. Proud of what the orchestra has accomplished in fifteen years, Maestro Lappin is committed to leading the Palm Beach Pops through its second decade.