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ABOUT US
The First Coast Pops Orchestra is a diverse collection of novice, advanced and professional musicians from the greater Jacksonville area. The group is composed of people from all backgrounds and trades, including lawyers, engineers, teachers, students, technicians, librarians and retirees. Members range in age from high school to retiree, with player's skill level ranging from the novice musician to the experienced professional.
We are comprised solely of volunteers who maintain a love of playing music. We perform concerts at senior community centers, assisted living centers and churches in Jacksonville. ALL OF OUR CONCERTS ARE FREE.
We are led by co-directors Jeffrey Ackerman and Terri Booth Jesonek who have conducted bands and orchestras in our area for many years.
Ms. Jesonek was born and raised on the Northside of Jacksonville and is a graduate of University Christian HS. She studied Music Education at FJC (now FSCJ) and Florida State University and graduated from Jacksonville University with a Bachelor of Music Education.
Ms. Jesonek began her teaching career at Southside Jr.High (now Southside Middle School) and taught there for 5 years.
In 1990 she became the music teacher at St. Patrick’s Catholic School and in 1996 became the Band and Chorus director at Bishop Kenny High School. She completed her teaching career in the public school system and retired in 2019.
In addition to being co-director of the Pops, she currently serves as choir director at Garden City Community Church.
Mr. Ackerman is a State of Florida certified K-12 Music Educator and is Director of Instrumental Studies at Westside High School in Jacksonville Florida. He is also the Orchestra Director for the First Coast Baptist Church and the Co Director for the First Coast Pops Orchestra. Mr. Ackerman is the Principal Oboist for the St Augustine Orchestra and the First Coast Pops Orchestra. He serves on the Board of Directors for the St. Augustine Orchestra.
As an avid proponent of Chamber Music, Mr. Ackerman founded, manages and performs with 9B Woodwind Quartet. 9B performs regularly in the North Florida Region.
Additionally Mr, Ackerman is the Director or and President of the “A” Summer Orchestra Clinics.
The First Coast Pops Orchestra plays many genres of music including Pops, Light Classical, Swing, Movie Themes, TV Show Themes, Broadway Themes, Patriotic Themes, Jazz, Excerpts from Musicals and Holiday music.
Music we have played include 'STAR WARS', 'SALUTE TO TV', 'DANCE OF THE TUMBLERS', 'TRIBUTE TO HENRY MANCINI', 'A COHAN SALUTE', 'PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN', 'WHAT'S UP AT THE SYMPHONY', 'ARMED FORCES SALUTE', 'SCHINDLER'S LIST', 'PATRIOTIC THEMES THAT STIRRED OUR NATION', 'CINEMA PARADISO', 'ROCKY BROADWAY', 'DANNY BOY', 'A SALUTE TO THE BIG APPLE', 'THE THREE B's', 'VIVA LA VIDA', 'SMOOTH', 'TAKE FIVE', 'ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK', 'A SALUTE TO 'OL BLUE EYES', 'TRUMPETERS LULLABY', 'CURTAIN UP', 'SALUTE TO THE CINEMA', 'PUFFING BILLY', 'THE BEST OF THE BEATLES' and more, plus favorite Christmas and holiday Songs for the holidays.
We are comprised solely of volunteers who maintain a love of playing music. We perform concerts at senior community centers, assisted living centers and churches in Jacksonville. ALL OF OUR CONCERTS ARE FREE.
We are led by co-directors Jeffrey Ackerman and Terri Booth Jesonek who have conducted bands and orchestras in our area for many years.
Ms. Jesonek was born and raised on the Northside of Jacksonville and is a graduate of University Christian HS. She studied Music Education at FJC (now FSCJ) and Florida State University and graduated from Jacksonville University with a Bachelor of Music Education.
Ms. Jesonek began her teaching career at Southside Jr.High (now Southside Middle School) and taught there for 5 years.
In 1990 she became the music teacher at St. Patrick’s Catholic School and in 1996 became the Band and Chorus director at Bishop Kenny High School. She completed her teaching career in the public school system and retired in 2019.
In addition to being co-director of the Pops, she currently serves as choir director at Garden City Community Church.
Mr. Ackerman is a State of Florida certified K-12 Music Educator and is Director of Instrumental Studies at Westside High School in Jacksonville Florida. He is also the Orchestra Director for the First Coast Baptist Church and the Co Director for the First Coast Pops Orchestra. Mr. Ackerman is the Principal Oboist for the St Augustine Orchestra and the First Coast Pops Orchestra. He serves on the Board of Directors for the St. Augustine Orchestra.
As an avid proponent of Chamber Music, Mr. Ackerman founded, manages and performs with 9B Woodwind Quartet. 9B performs regularly in the North Florida Region.
Additionally Mr, Ackerman is the Director or and President of the “A” Summer Orchestra Clinics.
The First Coast Pops Orchestra plays many genres of music including Pops, Light Classical, Swing, Movie Themes, TV Show Themes, Broadway Themes, Patriotic Themes, Jazz, Excerpts from Musicals and Holiday music.
Music we have played include 'STAR WARS', 'SALUTE TO TV', 'DANCE OF THE TUMBLERS', 'TRIBUTE TO HENRY MANCINI', 'A COHAN SALUTE', 'PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN', 'WHAT'S UP AT THE SYMPHONY', 'ARMED FORCES SALUTE', 'SCHINDLER'S LIST', 'PATRIOTIC THEMES THAT STIRRED OUR NATION', 'CINEMA PARADISO', 'ROCKY BROADWAY', 'DANNY BOY', 'A SALUTE TO THE BIG APPLE', 'THE THREE B's', 'VIVA LA VIDA', 'SMOOTH', 'TAKE FIVE', 'ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK', 'A SALUTE TO 'OL BLUE EYES', 'TRUMPETERS LULLABY', 'CURTAIN UP', 'SALUTE TO THE CINEMA', 'PUFFING BILLY', 'THE BEST OF THE BEATLES' and more, plus favorite Christmas and holiday Songs for the holidays.