Amway Global Sponsors 'Pops On Independence' Concert 7/2

Mayor Nutter announced June 9th that, due to the generous support of Amway Global, Peter Nero and the Philly Pops® will return to celebrate America's birthday in a special "POPS on Independence" performance in front of Independence Hall on Friday, July 2 at 8:00 p.m. One of Philadelphia's most popular Fourth of July traditions, "POPS on Independence" features the Voices of The POPS. The concert is sponsored by Amway Global and presented by the National Constitution Center as part of the 2010 Wawa Welcome America! festival.

"Amway Global is proud to present POPS on Independence, and to join the city of our founding fathers in honoring America," says Steve Lieberman, Vice President & Managing Director of Amway Global. "We joined in this celebration because we have so much in common with those who celebrate their freedom today. Amway Global champions the American dream every day by empowering people to live better lives and we are thrilled to celebrate this spirit of independence and optimism with the city of Philadelphia this 4th of July.""POPS on Independence Presented by Amway Global" celebrates the birth of our nation with a free performance of great American music including stirring patriotic anthems, rousing marches, and holiday favorites, set against the fitting backdrop of Independence Hall. Seating is first come, first served, and the concert will be performed without intermission. This annual concert has traditionally drawn a picnic-loving crowd and, as in previous years, the audience is encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, and picnic baskets to the lawn of Independence Mall. More information about the performance and all of this year's Wawa Welcome America! events is available at www.americasbirthday.com.

"Philadelphia's Independence Day celebration would not be complete without the patriotic tunes of Peter Nero and the Philly Pops," said National Constitution Center President and CEO David Eisner. "We are grateful to Amway Global for their support of this Philadelphia tradition and look forward to working with Historic Philadelphia, Inc. and all of our Independence Mall partners to make this year's festivities memorable."

About Amway Global
Based in Ada, Mich., Amway Global is part of the Alticor group of companies, founded by the DeVos and Van Andel families. Alticor is the parent company of Amway Corporation, Access Business Group LLC and Alticor Corporate Enterprises. The company offers consumer products and business opportunities, as well as product development, manufacturing and logistics services in more than 80 countries and territories worldwide. The company reported annual sales of $8.4 billion for the year ending December 31, 2009.

About Peter Nero
Mr. Nero has built an impressive career as a conductor, arranger, composer, and master pianist. A Grammy Award winner in 1961 and 1962, Mr. Nero has since garnered 10 additional nominations and released 67 albums. His recent guest performances include engagements with the Indianapolis Symphony, the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, the Charlotte Symphony, the Buffalo Philharmonic, and the Baltimore Symphony, among others. He has made numerous television appearances on national networks, as well as PBS. He is the recipient of six honorary doctorates and, in 1999, received the Pennsylvania Distinguished Arts Award.

About the Voices of The POPS
The Voices of The POPS is the featured vocal ensemble for Peter Nero and the Philly Pops. A member of The POPS family since 2000, they have become an integral part of The POPS' programming, performing a wide range of music and styles. This multi-talented group adds a new dimension to the already imaginative arrangements of the Philly Pops, bringing vibrant melodies to life amid the rich sounds of the orchestra.

Consisting of professional singers and led by choral director Jeffrey Kern, the Voices of The POPS strive for excellence in the performance of a broad repertoire. The ensemble consists of three sopranos, three altos, three tenors, and two baritones, all of whom possess an extensive array of theatrical, operatic, and choral experience.

About Peter Nero and the Philly Pops
One of America's premier pops orchestras, Peter Nero and the Philly Pops was founded in 1979 under the musical leadership of Mr. Nero, whose unique talents and innovative programming blending all musical genres have made their concerts widely popular in the pops world. POPS concerts run the gamut from great classics to jazz improvisation, big band to Broadway hits, ragtime to rock 'n' roll. Guest artists - both established stars as well as outstanding new vocalists from Broadway and the concert stage - join The POPS each season. Peter Nero and the Philly Pops is the Official Pops Orchestra of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and a significant part of Philadelphia's cultural scene. The POPS has produced continuously growing and loyal audiences and performs to regularly sold-out crowds as a resident company of The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. Peter Nero and the Philly Pops has also played a role in the City of Philadelphia's Fourth of July celebration for over 20 years. More information is available at www.phillypops.org.

About the National Constitution Center
The National Constitution Center, located at 525 Arch St. on Philadelphia's Independence Mall, is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing public understanding of the U.S. Constitution and the ideas and values it represents. The Center serves as a museum, an education center, and a forum for debate on constitutional issues. The museum dramatically tells the story of the Constitution from Revolutionary times to the present through more than 100 interactive, multimedia exhibits, film, photographs, text, sculpture and artifacts, and features a powerful, award-winning theatrical performance, "Freedom Rising." The Center also houses the Annenberg Center for Education and Outreach, which serves as the hub for national constitutional education. For more information, call 215.409.6700 or visit www.constitutioncenter.org.

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