Where Star Power Celebrates a Legacy for the Next Generation

A FOUR-TIME TOP 10 BILLBOARD JAZZ ARTIST TONY DESARE AND BROADWAY/TELEVISION STAR KATHARINE MCPHEE BRING SEASONAL FAVORITES, BROADWAY AND THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK TO FAU’S INAUGURAL HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR, DECEMBER 8TH

There is something about holiday music that connects generations. A familiar melody can bring back a memory, create a new one or introduce someone to a song that has been part of the American musical landscape for decades.

On Tuesday, December 8 at 7 p.m. at FAU’s Carole and Barry Kaye Auditorium, that connection between past, present and future will take center stage as Grammy-nominated Tony DeSare and Broadway star Katharine McPhee headline Florida Atlantic University’s inaugural Holiday Spectacular, accompanied by the full Palm Beach Pops orchestra and joined on stage by select Florida Atlantic faculty and student musicians.

Yet this is more than a holiday concert.

It is a celebration of the musical legacy created by acclaimed conductor and educator Bob Lappin, who founded the Palm Beach Pops more than three decades ago and built it into one of South Florida’s most recognized cultural institutions. Today, that legacy has found a new home at Florida Atlantic, where the music, educational mission and commitment to young musicians are being carried forward for a new generation.

“The Holiday Spectacular is much more than a concert — it is a celebration of the transformative power of music, the enduring legacy of Bob Lappin and the Palm Beach Pops, and Florida Atlantic University’s commitment to educating and inspiring the next generation of artists,” said Florida Atlantic President Adam Hasner.

Two Stars. One Spectacular Concert.

Audiences can expect an evening spanning holiday favorites, Broadway classics and selections from the Great American Songbook—a repertoire particularly well suited to its two headliners. Together, DeSare and McPhee bring extraordinary artistry, musical chemistry and a shared appreciation for storytelling through song to a concert that embraces both the season and the enduring repertoire at the heart of the Palm Beach Pops.

An acclaimed pianist, vocalist, conductor and music director, Tony DeSare has built a career that moves effortlessly among jazz, pop, Broadway and classical music. Known for his virtuosic piano playing and charismatic vocals, he has appeared with many of the nation’s leading symphony orchestras and earned acclaim for his interpretations of the Great American Songbook, along with programs showcasing artists including Frank Sinatra and Billy Joel. His creative range extends to composing for film and television and to Broadway, where he made his debut in “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations.”

Katharine McPhee first captured national attention as the runner-up on Season 5 of “American Idol” before building a career across recording, television, Broadway and the concert stage. She starred as aspiring Broadway performer Karen Cartwright in the hit television series “Smash” and later made her Broadway debut in “Waitress.” Her holiday credentials are equally fitting for the occasion. McPhee collaborated with her husband, renowned producer, composer, songwriter and musician David Foster, on the two-part collection “Christmas Songs,” released in 2022 and 2023.

Broadway star Katharine McPhee. McPhee is known for her starring roles in NBC’s “Smash” and CBS’ “Scorpion,” her acclaimed performances in “Waitress” on Broadway and in London’s West End, and her chart-topping recordings, including the holiday album “Christmas Songs.”

A Legacy Still Inspiring

For more than three decades, the Palm Beach Pops was a cornerstone of South Florida’s cultural landscape, bringing the Great American Songbook to life through world-class concerts, renowned guest artists and beloved American standards. Under Bob Lappin’s leadership, the orchestra grew to nearly 10,000 subscribers. Yet his vision extended well beyond the concert hall.

Music education became an equally important part of the Pops’ mission. Its outreach programs introduced nearly 100,000 Palm Beach County students to live music while providing scholarships, instruments, lessons and enrichment opportunities to aspiring young musicians.

Following Lappin’s passing, the Palm Beach Pops Legacy Foundation continued that commitment, culminating in a transformational lead gift of more than $5 million to Florida Atlantic to establish the Bob Lappin and Palm Beach Pops Music Legacy Endowment. The gift also brought an extraordinary library of more than 3,000 titles and scores to Florida Atlantic, including works arranged by some of the industry’s most prestigious arrangers and representing many of the great composers of the Great American Songbook.

That connection between the Pops’ history and its future is reflected in the team behind the Holiday Spectacular. Dedicated to Bob Lappin, the evening is executive produced by Jon Lappin, former president and executive director of The Palm Beach Pops; Michael Zager, iconic music producer, Dorothy F. Schmidt Eminent Scholar in Performing Arts and director of Florida Atlantic’s commercial music program; and Kevin Wilt, chair of Florida Atlantic’s Department of Music.

The Next Generation Takes the Stage

Today, what Bob Lappin and the Palm Beach Pops began continues at Florida Atlantic through scholarships, student support, educational programming and annual performances. That connection will be visible—and audible—during the Holiday Spectacular, with faculty and student musicians sharing the stage with the Pops and its celebrated headliners.

And their experience won’t end when the curtain falls.

DeSare and McPhee will lead a special master class for Florida Atlantic music students, offering an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at the craft of performance, career development and artistic collaboration. Through moderated conversation and interactive discussion, they will share the personal and professional journeys behind success on the concert stage, Broadway and beyond.

All proceeds from sponsorships and ticket sales will support student scholarships in Florida Atlantic’s Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters.

Perhaps that’s what makes this evening especially meaningful: audiences won’t simply be enjoying songs that have endured across generations. By being there, they’ll also help ensure another generation has the opportunity to study them, perform them and ultimately carry them forward.

“Bringing together world-class performers Tony DeSare and Katharine McPhee, alongside our talented students and faculty, creates a truly unique experience that honors our past while investing in our future, said Florida Atlantic President Adam Hasner. “We are proud to continue the Palm Beach Pops tradition at Florida Atlantic, where artistic excellence, community engagement and student success remain at the heart of everything we do.”