Lynchburg Pops Community band was created in late 2019 when Steve Aiello and Jim Meredith, both retired music educators, came together and discussed the need for such a group in our region. Jim agreed to take the helm as conductor and Steve as business manager and president, and the new band’s first rehearsal was held March 7, 2020. Despite a two-year interruption due to COVID shortly after the band’s formation, Steve and Jim’s shared vision and enthusiasm for Lynchburg Pops did not waver, and the result is the vibrant community band we enjoy today.

Lynchburg Pops provides the opportunity for local adults to play their instruments and improve their performance skills in a welcoming, all-volunteer band setting. Members of our multigenerational group come from a variety of professions and backgrounds, but we share the love of creating beautiful music together.

We rehearse year-round on Thursday evenings and perform major concerts at the historic Academy of the Arts in March, May, October, and December. Throughout the year we also have some informal free performances. Under the baton of conductor Jim Meredith and associate conductor Steve Williams, our concert programs are filled with pieces that appeal to all ages and include everything from familiar show tunes to marches to classic works for band. For some numbers we are also joined by guest musicians or the talented voices of the Lynchburg Pops Singers.