PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
As President of Monterey County POPS!, I am thrilled to share the exciting plans we have in store for 2025. This year, our professional orchestra, conducted by Dr. Carl Christensen, will present 56 performances throughout Monterey County, reaching over 13,000 students, families, and seniors.
Our unique commitment to providing free concerts ensures that everyone has access to the power of live music. In 2025, we will present:
8 Community Concerts that celebrate the vibrant culture of our region.
20 Performances of Peter and the Wolf to introduce grammar school students to the magic of orchestral music.
8 High School Residency Programs to inspire and mentor the next generation of musicians.
20 Performances at Assisted Living Facilities to bring joy and connection to our senior community.
These performances are more than just concerts – they create lasting memories, inspire young minds, and bring comfort to those in need. The impact of our work can be seen in the faces of children discovering music for the first time, students gaining confidence through mentorship, and seniors reconnecting with cherished melodies from their past.
For additional stories about how Monterey County POPS! is making a difference – and to learn how you can support our mission by creating a legacy donation though our Endowment Campaign – please visit our website at www.montereycountypops.org or contact Paulette Lynch, (831) 206-2588.
Thank you for your continued support as we bring the joy of live music to every corner of Monterey County.
With gratitude,
​
​​
​
Steve DeCarli
President, Monterey County POPS!
CARL CHRISTENSEN
Music Director & Conductor
Carl Christensen was born in Pittsburg, California and attended the University of Southern California (Doctor of Musical Arts). Carl performed in Mexico for 10 years as Principal Trombone of the Orchestra of the State of Mexico, the Orchestra of the National Opera, and the Mexico City Philharmonic. He taught trombone at the Mexican National Conservatory of Music. Locally, Carl performed with the Monterey County, Santa Cruz, and Sacramento symphonies, the Monterey Brass Quintet, Ensemble Monterey and the Monterey Bay Symphony. Carl was an Instructor in Music and Director of the Orchestra and Band at Hartnell College in Salinas for over 30 years. For many years he was president of the Salinas Concert Association. Carl created the on-going Salinas Recorder Project to teach the soprano recorder and musical literacy to elementary school students in Salinas.
Carl served as Outreach Director and Conductor for the Carmel Bach Festival and Director of the Brass Ensemble for the Festival. Carl regularly guest conducted with the National Symphony of Guatemala and the UNT Orchestra in Tucumán, Argentina. In November 2011 he appeared as the Guest Conductor for the Inaugural Concert of Instrumenta Oaxaca 2011, in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Carl is co-author and programmer of Foundations of Music, a college music text now in its seventh edition.
​
Honors include: Outstanding Graduate of the USC Wind Department; USC Wind Departmental Award; Teaching Excellence awards at Hartnell College; and, Outstanding Music Educator by the Central Coast Section of the California Music Educators Association.
KEN WHITE
President Emeritus
Ken brings extensive leadership experience to the Monterey County Pops.
Ken has previously served the community as the chair of the Carmel Unified School District Board of Education, as a Carmel city council member, and as the Mayor of Carmel.
Ken chairs the Salvation Army Advisory Board and the Friends of Sunset Foundation, a service organization managing the concessions at the Sunset Center and using the profits for special Sunset Center projects including providing tickets to youth and seniors.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
President
Steve DeCarli
Vice President
Douglas Lee
Treasurer
Robert Lee, CPA
Secretary
Brenda J. Thomas
​
Joan P. Breuch
Ron Breuch
John Castagna
Jackie Craghead
Chuck Elliott
Victor Muñoz
Judy Proud
​Symphonie Sidhu
Ken White (President Emeritus)