Philly Pops Celebrates Return of Name, Looks to the Future

Published December 25, 2025 at 5:58 AM EST

A Tempo (12/27) wraps up its series on holiday season performance traditions with a look at the Philly Pops, whose musicians have worked for its survival after financial challenges threatened its status as a local tradition three years ago.

This year’s holiday concert was the first time since 2022 that the now-reconstituted Philly Pops was able to perform its traditional December program under its iconic name. When the ensemble’s previous leadership was faced with the probability of shutting it down because of lingering debts, the musicians regrouped as a new organization, performing as the “No-Name Pops Orchestra.” The ensemble this past summer received permission to use the original name from the family of the late Peter Nero, who founded the orchestra and led it until 2013. Host Rachel Katz speaks with the Pops’ Executive Director, Matthew Koveal, about the musicians’ efforts to hold on to the ensemble’s legacy and plans for the future.