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.

2024 Concert - June 15 

Urbana Pops Orchestra is celebrating its 15th season with a free concert in the auditorium at Urbana High School at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 15.

A highlight of this concert will be Buster Keaton's 1920 silent comedy One Week accompanied by the orchestra.

Rags to Rhapsody will feature music from the musical Ragtime, a preview of the cast of Oliver!, and Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.

 And of course, a surprise at the end!

Audience members will each receive an Urbana Pops Orchestra "Plays Well With Others" cling that can be used inside a car window or externally on any surface.

Showcasing Youth

At UPO's June 15, 2024 concert, you're invited to come hear Urbana High School junior Kavinder Patel play Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. Written in 1924, this classic has stood the test of time.

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.


2023 Urbana Park District Pit Orchestra for Beauty and the Beast
The Bow-Dacious Strings Ensemble from C4A on stage with Urbana Pops in 2023
Spooky Strings at Urbana's Market at the Square