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Philly Pops Plans Free Christmas Concert For Military, First Responders

By Hadas Kuznits

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Philly Pops orchestra is preparing for its annual Christmas Spectacular, in December.

The Kimmel Center announced today that tickets for the annual holiday shows are now on sale.

"We have the 60-piece orchestra playing Christmas music, we have the Pops choir, we have an African choir," notes Salvatore DeBunda (below), chairman of the board of the Philly Pops.

 

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(Sal Vatore DeBunda, board chair of the Philly Pops, outside the Kimmel Center. Photo by Hadas Kuznits)

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And he says this year, for the first time ever, the first concert of the series will be free, for certain people.

"We're going to be having 'Welcome Home for Christmas' in December for the military, the police, and the fire," he explains.  "It's our way of saying thanks."

DeBunda said he loved making this announcement in the heat of the summer -- it makes him feel festive.

"That's why I'm wearing my red jacket!"

 

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