Glen Rock Pops Celebrates 40 Years Of Entertaining Residents

The Glen Rock Pops has been entertaining Bergen County residents for 40 years.

The all-volunteer community orchestra performs a few times a year, including Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. at Glen Rock High School.

Susan Johnson founded the orchestra with the idea that it be not just about the music but community.

“She felt we needed to have something in Glen Rock that was a more than just a symphony,” said Georgene Betterbed, the Pops’ president. “She wanted something where people could come together.”

The group was founded in 1975 with only a handful of members. Now, the orchestra boasts about 50 musicians.

“It gives Glen Rock another dimension,” Betterbed said. “It gives the town a little more culture and that’s important.

The group performs a wide variety of musical selections, including: classical, Broadway, and show tunes, among others.

“It’s a fun experience,” said Sean Ryan, the Pops’ 31-year-old conductor. “You get to interact with people from all walks of life.”

Ryan has been the Pops’ conductor since 2006 – not long after he earned his degree from The College of New Jersey. He tries to educate the Pops performers and composes new work for the group to perform.

“Exposing people to new music is important and it’s been a great experience for everyone, I think,” Ryan said. “I like to educate people of all ages.”

For more information about the Glen Rock Pops, visit the group’s website or Facebook page.

(Pictured: Wendy Asea and Ann Kossakowski and Maggie Wolarik and Sasha Margolis)