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Honoring the outstanding lifetime musical achievements of Peter Nero, and recognizing his innumerable contributions to arts and culture in Philadelphia as an award-winning pianist and the founding conductor and Artistic Director of the world renowned Peter Nero and the Philly POPS Orchestra.
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WHEREAS, Born in Brooklyn, New York, Peter Nero began his formal music training at the age of seven. By the time he was 14, he was accepted to New York City's prestigious High School of Music and Art and won a scholarship to the Juilliard School of Music; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Nero's early career included appearances on many national variety and talk shows including 11 guest appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show and numerous appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Nero recorded his first album in 1961 and won a GRAMMY Award that year for Best New Artist. Since then, he has received another GRAMMY, garnered 10 additional nominations, and released 68 albums; and
WHEREAS, Recognized as one of America's premier pops orchestras, Peter Nero and the Philly POPS was founded in 1979 under his musical leadership. They are now recognized as the official pops orchestra of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and have remained a vital part of Philadelphia's cultural pulse; and
WHEREAS, Among Mr. Nero's long list of honors include: the American Federation of Musicians' Lifetime Achievement Award; the Abraham Lincoln Foundation of the Union League of Philadelphia's Lincoln Award; the Mario Lanza Award, in recognition of outstanding achievement in the field of music; six honorary doctorates; the prestigious International Society of Performing Arts Presenters Award for Excellence in the Arts; being named on the Philadelphia and Miami historic walks of fame; and the Pennsylvania Distinguished Arts Award; and
WHEREAS, Peter Nero's enthusiastic and seemingly endless talents have gained him invitations to perform during numerous nationally-televised concerts and with symphonies from around the globe. He has collaborated with musicians and celebrities of every stripe, and his successful The Summer of '42—became a million-selling single and album; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Nero and his eponymous orchestra continue to elicit international attention while strengthening Philadelphia's cultural significance domestically and abroad. In addition to critical acclaim, their standards of excellence enrich the lives of Philadelphians through: an active role in our City's Fourth of July celebrations for over 25 years; its establishment as a resident company of The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts; and frequent performances at other Philadelphia landmarks such as the National Constitution Center and Independence Hall; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Nero is an active supporter of many important causes, including the funding of school music programs, fundraising for the building of new arts centers across the country, as well as research for cancer, dystonia, and autism; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council does hereby recognize, honor, and thank Peter Nero for his lifetime of contributions to musical excellence and his commitment to preserving Philadelphia as a national focal point for arts and culture. We wish him and the Philly POPS continued success.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Artistic Director Peter Nero as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
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