About the Winnipeg Pops Orchestra

The Winnipeg Pops Orchestra is a community-driven organization that performs popular and classical music. Our dedicated group of musicians have a wide range of ages and abilities, and love to perform across Winnipeg and throughout Manitoba. The WPO orchestra fosters a community tradition by reaching out to young musicians, nurturing local talent, and providing a fun, challenging experience for our members.

Artistic Mission Statement: To provide an opportunity for musicians to practice and perform a variety of music genres from classical to pops, of high artistic quality, in a full orchestral group.

Vision: To perform concerts for the public and for private institutions such as seniors retirement homes, churches, schools, rehabilitation centres and hospitals - at no charge. Tax receipts will be issued on request for honorariums and donations received and to operate as a non-profit organization. The organization shall be carried out without the purpose of financial gain for its members, and any surplus or other financial gains to the organization shall be used in offsetting the expenses of its operations and promoting its objectives.

Our History

Originally known as the "Airport City Pops Orchestra", the Winnipeg Pops Orchestra began in 1956 with an original group of six members. We have a current membership of 70 musicians of all ages and backgrounds.

The name was changed to the "St. James Pops Orchestra" in 1962 under the baton of William H. Lord. Over the first 35 years, the group was led by Mr. Lord and then succeeded by Leon Bell after Mr. Lord's retirement. In the 1980’s the name was changed to The Winnipeg Pops Orchestra to better reflect the broadening scope of players and their locations throughout Winnipeg.

In 1986 the WPO was granted status as a non-profit organization. Since then the WPO has been been directed by a suite of fine leaders including Mary Ann Taylor from 1993 to 2016, Dave Schmidt through 2019, and Owen Clark until 2024.

We play familiar light classics by composers such as Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Holst, Johann Strauss, Waldteufel, Copland and Offenbach.

We also perform “pops” (popular) music that includes medleys and show tunes by Gilbert and Sullivan, Andrew Lloyd Webber, George Gershwin, Henry Mancini, Cole Porter, John Williams, Leroy Anderson, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, and Count Basie.

We also highlight Winnipeg composers and arrangers.

Our Performances:

The WPO has performed in a host of venues and for a variety of events including:

Lyric Theatre - Summer Concert Series
ScotiaBank Stage - The Forks Market
Manitoba Legislature Canada Day Celebrations
Winnipeg Convention Centre
The Fort Garry
The Assiniboine Park Conservatory
Kristkindlmarkt - Fort Garry Place
Joint concerts and workshops with orchestras, vocalists and musical groups
Numerous concerts and venues in and around Manitoba