Frederick Fennell & the Eastman-Rochester Pops Orchestra was a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1957 by Frederick Fennell, a renowned conductor and music educator. The ensemble was based at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, and was made up of some of the most talented musicians in the region. Frederick Fennell was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1914, and began his musical career as a percussionist in the Cleveland Orchestra. He later became a conductor and was known for his innovative interpretations of classical music. Fennell was also a music educator and was the founder of the Eastman Wind Ensemble, which was one of the most respected wind ensembles in the world. In 1957, Fennell founded the Eastman-Rochester Pops Orchestra as a way to bring classical music to a wider audience. The ensemble was made up of musicians from the Eastman School of Music and was known for its lively and entertaining performances. The ensemble's repertoire included classical music, as well as popular music and show tunes. The Eastman-Rochester Pops Orchestra quickly became one of the most popular classical music ensembles in the United States. The ensemble performed regularly at the Eastman Theatre in Rochester, as well as at other venues across the country. The ensemble also recorded several albums, including "Pops Roundup," "Pops Festival," and "Pops Britannia." One of the highlights of the Eastman-Rochester Pops Orchestra's career was their performance at the 1964 New York World's Fair. The ensemble performed a series of concerts at the fair, which were attended by thousands of people. The ensemble's performance was so popular that they were invited back to the fair in 1965. The Eastman-Rochester Pops Orchestra also performed with several famous musicians, including Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, and Duke Ellington. The ensemble's performance with Ellington was particularly memorable, as it was one of the last performances that Ellington gave before his death in 1974. In addition to their performances, the Eastman-Rochester Pops Orchestra also received several awards and honors. In 1961, the ensemble was awarded the Grammy Award for Best Performance by an Orchestra for their album "Pops Festival." The ensemble was also awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1992, which is the highest honor that can be awarded to an artist in the United States. Despite their success, the Eastman-Rochester Pops Orchestra disbanded in 1985, after nearly 30 years of performing together. However, the ensemble's legacy lives on, and their recordings continue to be popular with classical music fans around the world. In conclusion, Frederick Fennell & the Eastman-Rochester Pops Orchestra was a classical music ensemble that was known for their lively and entertaining performances. The ensemble was founded by Frederick Fennell in 1957 and was made up of some of the most talented musicians in the region. The ensemble performed regularly at the Eastman Theatre in Rochester, as well as at other venues across the country. The ensemble also recorded several albums and received several awards and honors, including the Grammy Award for Best Performance by an Orchestra and the National Medal of Arts. Although the ensemble disbanded in 1985, their legacy lives on, and their recordings continue to be popular with classical music fans around the world.

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