Golden State Pops Orchestra

History

The Golden State Pops Orchestra (GSPO) was formed in January of 2002 and is currently the only year-round pops orchestra in the Los Angeles area. The GSPO focuses on exciting and innovative concerts that are designed to entertain both the seasoned enthusiast as well as the casual music lover. The orchestra's repertoire includes film and television scores, legendary Broadway hits, and popular music of all kinds. Along with the more modern genres, the GSPO frequently programs influential pieces of the standard orchestral repertoire.

GSPO concerts often feature prominent guest artists and speakers. Recent guests include film composers Chris Young (Hellraiser, Spiderman 3), John Ottman (The Usual Suspects, Superman Returns, Fantastic Four), Hollywood film orchestrator and guest conductor Damon Intrabartolo, Video Game composers Gerard K. Marino (God of War), Tommy Tallarico (Video Games Live!), Christopher Lennertz (Medal of Honor) and Bob & Barn (MedEvil Resurrection). Recently GSPO performed the World Premiere of John Ottman's "Fantastic Four Suite" from the Fantastic Four films, and Ottman's Superman Returns Concerto, arranged for pianist Eric Anderson. In 2005, the orchestra gave the North American concert premiere of John Williams' "Battle of the Heroes" from Star Wars: Episode III-Revenge of the Sith. In addition, the GSPO's recording of Mascagni's "Intermezzo Sinfonico" from "Cavalleria Rusticana" has been featured on commercials for the television show, Alias.

The Golden State Pops Orchestra is composed of professional freelance musicians from around the Los Angeles area, many of whom are active in the recording industry. The GSPO's musicians have played on the soundtracks to films such as King Kong, Pirates of the Caribbean, Finding Nemo and Fat Albert, along with television shows including The Simpsons, Family Guy and King of the Hill.

The orchestra performs at the historic Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro, California.

 

Steven Allen Fox

Artistic Director/Conductor/Composer

Steven Allen Fox is the Founding CEO, Artistic Director and Conductor of the Golden State Pops Orchestra, and Music Director and Conductor of the El Segundo Concert Band. Steven has conducted with the City of Prague Philharmonic, the University of Southern California Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble, the Vintage Brass Band, the Lake Havesu Orchestra and acted as Assistant Conductor for the 2004 Southern California Chapter of "Tuba Christmas" and the Illegitimate Symphony Orchestra (which he co-founded). He has conducted recordings of his music at both the famed Paramount Studios "Stage M" and George Lucas' "Skywalker Sound". Mr. Fox has had the honor of acting as conductor and working with performing artists and composers such as Barbara Morrison, John Ottman, Tommy Tallarico, Christopher Young, Christopher Lennertz, Damon Intrabartolo, the modern rock band Dishwalla, JR Richards, Patrick Russ, the Elmer Bernstein and Dimitri Tiomkin Estates, Bob & Barn, Gerard Marino, Frank Daniele, Alistair Tober, Lainie Nelson, David Holladay, Chase Masterson, Miles Mosley, Josh Nelson, Graham Dechter, Kevin Kanner, Roger Befeler, Kim Huber and Jason & Nolan Livesay.

Steven was the conductor and a co-arranger for the CD, "50 Most Loved Christmas Carols" and acted as Artistic Director and Conductor for the 75th Anniversary of the historic Warner Grand Theatre, in San Pedro, California. The song "Ease the Moment", heard on the concert, "Worlds Collide", between Dishwalla and GSPO, was arranged by Mr. Fox and placed on Dishwalla's self-titled CD.

Mr. Fox has composed, conducted and/or supervised the scores and recordings to the feature length films Damnation of Souls, Children of the Road, Urban Nightmare and Wally Sitch Jr., Private Dick, the award winning short "The Artist", a television promo for the television show "Alias" and many other film shorts.

Steven has a degree in Music Composition from Illinois State University and an Advance Studies Certificate in Film and Television Scoring from the University of Southern California. His teaching experience includes private lessons, the Torrance Area Youth Band, marching band instruction and acting Band Director at El Segundo High School, in El Segundo, California.