“Photo courtesy of Lyn Morton Photography”
Achieving greatness
the pops
Mission and Vision
The Glen Rock Pops enriches the cultural life of the community by presenting live orchestral concerts of popular music, fostering exceptional musical experiences, presenting opportunities for artistic growth, and bringing people together through the joy of live music.
About Us
The Glen Rock Pops Orchestra, led by Music Director Anthony LaGruth, proudly continues a nearly five-decade tradition of performing popular music from diverse genres, including rock, jazz, Broadway, film, television, and light classical.
Composed of talented musicians from local communities, the Glen Rock Pops offers the gift of live music to friends, neighbors, and community members.
Join Us
Support the Pops and experience the magic of a live concert.
We have such a great depth of human history in all of the arts, whether it's opera or mathematics or painting or classical music or jazz. There's so many things to study, new books to read, and certainly always ways to transform old ideas and to come up with new ones.
The Glen Rock Pops is a community gem. We are SO fortunate to have them!
It was a lovely concert, I enjoyed it very much! Thank you!
Achieving greatness
conductor
Glen Rock Pops Music Director, Anthony LaGruth, has delighted audiences and critics alike with many exciting performances recognized for their innovative presentation of orchestral music. Roxanne Orgill of the Bergen Record (NJ) observed that, “Mr. LaGruth conducts with subtlety and a refined sense of style that is refreshing.”
On June 8, 2025, the Glen Rock Pops celebrated its 50th anniversary with a special concert honoring its rich history and enduring legacy. The journey began in 1975 when Glen Rock resident Sue Johnsen had what she humbly described as “a good idea.” That idea blossomed into the Glen Rock Pops—an orchestra that has been sharing the joy of live music with the community ever since.
Music Director, Conductor, and Composer Anthony LaGruth wrote an original march to honor Sue Johnsen’s memory. The video includes a heartfelt introduction by Anthony, followed by a performance of the piece by the Pops.
Achieving greatness
upcoming events
Glen Rock Pops Spring Concert
Join the Glen Rock Pops on Sunday, June 7, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. in the Glen Rock High School Auditorium for our annual Spring Concert.
Celebrate the arrival of spring—and the promise of summer—with a lively and uplifting afternoon of music performed by your community orchestra. Whether you are a longtime supporter or a first-time attendee, this concert offers a wonderful opportunity to enjoy live music, reconnect with neighbors, and welcome the season together.
Join us in celebrating Music Director Anthony LaGruth’s 10th anniversary with the orchestra, marking a decade of artistic leadership, memorable performances, and a deep commitment to the community.
POPS and Glen Rock Road2Liberty
The Pops is proud to partner with and participate in the Glen Rock Historical & Preservation Society’s Glen Rock Road2Liberty initiative, a community-wide series of events commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and New Jersey’s vital role as the “Crossroads of the Revolution.”
Road2Liberty will bring local history to life while placing it within a broader national framework, highlighting the people, places, and events that shaped our nation’s founding. Through this initiative, audiences can explore how the Revolutionary era continues to influence New Jersey—and American life—today.
Concert at the Thielke Arboretum
Join the Pops on Sunday, June 14, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. for a delightful outdoor concert set amid the beautiful, wooded surroundings of the Thielke Arboretum (rain date: Saturday, June 20, 2026).
Bring a chair or blanket, relax under the trees, and enjoy an afternoon of timeless musical favorites sure to delight listeners of all ages. The Thielke Arboretum is located at 460 Doremus Avenue (next to the municipal pool) and offers ample free parking.
This concert is free and open to the public. Donations at the door are gratefully accepted and help support the Pops’ mission of bringing live orchestral music to the community.
GLEN ROCK POPS Celebrates America’s 250th Anniversary
Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and join us for an evening of music on the lawn at Borough Hall on Friday, July 3, at 7:00 PM, as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary through music.
The Pops proudly joins the Glen Rock Independence Day Committee and the Glen Rock Historical & Preservation Society in celebrating Glen Rock Road2Liberty, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This special program honors our nation’s founding while highlighting Glen Rock’s place in this historic milestone.
Under the direction of Pops Music Director Anthony LaGruth, the program will feature stirring marches and beloved patriotic favorites—music designed to inspire, unite, and delight audiences of all ages. Come celebrate our shared history, community spirit, and the music that brings it all together.
The Glen Rock Pops Orchestra Store
https://glenrockpops.threadless.com/
Tee shirts, sweatshirts, and hoodies available for men, women, and children. All clothing available in various colors, styles, and fabrics with a choice of blue or black logo. Product information includes color choices, size chart, tailoring, and fabric details.
Watch our Concert!
Celebrating Glen Rock’s Quasquicentennial
Don’t Miss Our Next Concert
Join the FRIENDS OF THE POPS E-mail List Today
As a community orchestra, we like our supporters to know when and where we are performing and how to support us. To accomplish this goal, we have created a Friends of the Glen Rock Pops E-mail list. Using the data from the list, we send our supporters several messages each year that inform them about concerts and other important Pops related issues and activities. It is easy to join (see below) and you can unsubscribe at any time.
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- Point your phone’s camera at the QR Code
- Click on the link.
- Enter your Email address, First Name and Last Name on the form.
- Press the “Subscribe” Button to become a member.
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