Urbana Pops Orchestra


UPO is funded through generous donations from individuals and grants from the Illinois Arts Council Agency. the City of Urbana Arts and Culture Program and the Community Foundation of East Central Illinois.

Illuminated Music

The Community Foundation of East Central Illinois is funding UPO's proposal called Illuminated Music! The grant will allow UPO to purchase a full set of music stand lights, USB charging stations, and storage!

We are so thankful for generous individuals, our many partners, and organizations like CFECI that recognize how important the arts are in our lives!

Read the full list of grant recipients. 

Showcasing Youth

At UPO's 2019 concert, the top three winners of the Chambana Concerto Competition were featured. Please enjoy this performance from pianist and first-place winner Jacob Hankin playing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3.

Your gift helps UPO continue to mentor student musicians and offer free or low cost performances.

Past events

UPO's Happily Ever After concert featured music with a storybook theme that included the Hansel und Gretel Overture by Englebert Humperdinck.



Here's a recording. Enjoy!

Pops on the Prairie

On June 11, 2022, we celebrated Illinois with music. Relive the concert on UPO's YouTube channel.


The concert opened with TROTUPO. Visit UPO on YouTube for more.


2022 Urbana Park District Pit Orchestra for Newsies
Applehood & Motherpie hosted by Sigma Alpha Iota.
Spooky Strings at Urbana's Market at the Square