Borough business owner invites public to “Sail Away” beginning Nov. 4 in Medford
The South Jersey Pops, the area’s own nonprofit orchestra, is set to commence a season that will include four themed concerts appealing to a variety of tastes. It begins with “Sail Away: Exploring the Sea,” on Sunday, Nov. 4, at Burlington County Institute of Technology’s Medford Campus Performing Arts Center.
Under the watchful eye of conductor Robert Bradshaw, founder and director of the Haddonfield School of Music, the Pops will embark on a 90-minute nautical journey with selections from “Jaws,” “Master and Commander,” “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Victory at Sea.”
Conducting is a job Bradshaw, a violin player by trade who joined the Pops in 2014, wasn’t really looking for, but has clearly warmed to the task.
“At one point the previous conductor, Bob Schiavinotto, decided he was going to step down as conductor. It did not hit me at all that I should give this a shot. I just wanted to play violin. Somebody said to me ‘you should audition for this,’ and I asked ‘why me?’ Once I threw my hat in the ring, I never wanted anything more in life,” he said.
Despite assuming the role of conductor with little preparation, Bradshaw noted his new responsibilities were only daunting for a couple of weeks. He was able to adapt quickly, figuring out that conducting means speaking a little bit louder at rehearsal and narrowing down what to practice. Time management is of the essence for a man who revealed he might be the only human who looks forward to Mondays, since those are rehearsal days.
Bradshaw has played his instrument since early childhood, but said it wasn’t until he joined an orchestra that he really began to love playing. He was originally a music major in college, but switched to public relations. Upon graduation, he ended up not using his degree.
However, shrewd use of the knowledge he gained from both majors worked out so he was able to start the music school, combining that original passion for music and a newfound joy for helping others learn how to play. It’s through his business, located on Kings Highway near the Haddonfield’s PATCO station, that Bradshaw became involved with the Pops.
“My connection happened through an adult student of mine. She was in it, and I was not. At one point I was invited to play in one of their concerts as an extra string player. I played with them for a couple rehearsals and a show, and really enjoyed performing with them,” he said.
It’s evident despite his lofty perch, Bradshaw still gets a thrill out of performing music, no matter whether it comes as a player or as conductor.
“I find that it goes by very quickly and it’s over before it begins, just because it’s so much fun. As far as the difference between playing and being the conductor: “Physically the only difference is I tend to sweat more. There’s an added excitement in running the actual show instead of playing the music when it’s time to play. Getting to tell the stories behind the music, and speaking to the audience and meeting people after the show is what I really love,” he mused.
The Pops will be accompanied by the Seneca Chamber Singers, and will also feature guest vocalist Jill Bradshaw, Robert’s younger sister, who is an elementary music teacher in West Deptford and resident vocal director for the Teen Arts Guild in Haddon Township.
“I’m lucky to be working with so many good musicians and good people. Their skill level is impressive. I’m very honored to put my name on that which we’re creating,” Bradshaw added.
All concerts for the South Jersey Pops are $10 for adults, free for children 13-and-under. To order individual tickets or to purchase a subscription, visit www.southjerseypops.org/events.
