When the world went quiet due to lockdowns, Brendan Kenney found a way to keep the music playing. The idea for The Firebird Pops Orchestra had been in his mind for years and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic presented the perfect opportunity to turn his long-held dream into reality. This orchestra became a symbol of hope and harmony during a time of widespread uncertainty.
Founded during the COVID-19 pandemic, The Firebird Pops Orchestra in Wakefield, Massachusetts, quickly grew into an extraordinary and inspiring organization. Under Brendan’s music leadership, it became a community orchestra where music came alive again.
I believe Brendan’s story shows us that the ideas we hold onto, can transform into significant
realities when given the chance. This is true for everyone—no matter how big or small, your
thoughts and dreams can shape the world around you.
I hope you can take this story as inspiration for your own and create meaningful change in any area of your life you desire.
Music Leadership & Innovation
Artistic Origins
Vicki: “Can you share a story of what drew you to your chosen medium and how your artistic journey began?”
Brendan: “I was lucky enough to show interest and capability in music from a very young age. I remember having been given a very tiny toy keyboard on which my Aunt and other family members showed me basic piano. I played by ear for years until my parents insisted I start lessons around age 8 or 9. I also sang in school and church choirs as soon as they would let me. From there, I moved to the stage in middle school in a musical theatre summer camp and played in several bands in high school. I began music directing for theatre in my sophomore year of high school and eventually took over as the high school’s theatre music director in my junior year. Each of these stepping stones led me to discover the joy of conducting and working with orchestras.”
Pivotal Moments
Vicki: “Is there a pivotal moment or experience in your life that influenced your music?”
Brendan: “I attended elementary school and middle school in a very small Catholic school in the Boston suburbs and, while I gained a lot from the music staff there, it wasn’t really until high school that I was able to participate in and gain exposure to the professionalism and process of an organized band or orchestra. I was determined to attend a Catholic high school like the rest of my friends but, seeing my musical potential, my parents knew that I would benefit more from a public school arts program – foresight for which I am still incredibly grateful to this day.
In what I suspect was an effort to help persuade me to accept attending the public high school, I shadowed a sophomore band student the spring before my freshman year. I remember walking into the band rehearsal wide-eyed and watching one of the top school bands in the state begin their rehearsal. I still remember the piece they were rehearsing (Armenian Dances by Alfred Reed) and the moment their director (and Head of Performing & Visual Arts for the district), Dr. Kim Smith, stepped up on the podium and gave the first downbeat. I’m pretty sure that moment sparked something new in me.
Later that day, I had the opportunity to play piano for Dr. Smith, and she looked me square in the eye and said, “You belong here.” I eventually did attend the high school and had one year under her baton before she moved on to become the Vice Principal and begin her long administrative journey to Superintendent, but it was in that year that I realized I had the urge to get up on that podium and do what she does.”
Creative Process
Vicki: “Could you walk us through your creative process for The Firebird Pops Orchestra? How did you transform your initial idea into this amazing organization?”
Brendan: It’s funny… my initial idea for Firebird came about many years ago, but I didn’t know it would be Firebird at the time. I had a crazy idea as a late high school/early college student to found a community pops orchestra similar to the Boston Pops because I personally loved the repertoire (particularly film music) and didn’t see much opportunity for “every day” musicians to perform it. Local community symphony orchestras would occasionally dedicate one concert in their season to a similar program, but there weren’t any dedicated to such repertoire. I talked about starting it for many years, but never felt I had the time or knowledge to take the leap.
Enter COVID, over a decade later. Shortly into the pandemic, the Boston Pops released a virtual performance of a John Williams piece. I was so incredibly moved by the unity in the face of such distance and isolation that it lit a new fire in me, and I thought, “I… I think I could do this.” I have no idea what gave me such confidence, considering I had exceptionally little experience in video editing and even less with audio mixing, but within a month or two, I had sent out a survey to local musicians assessing interest in a “Virtual Orchestra Project.” It received an overwhelming response and began the process of officially organizing the ensemble. I developed a new system of virtual performance that I hoped would allow for greater musicality and humanity in the recordings, but truthfully had no idea how it would all work.
Over sixty recordings came in, and after combining them all into a singular performance, I was floored by the result. It sounded like a truly professional orchestra! I took some extra time with the video editing, and on August 14, 2020, Firebird “rose from the ashes” of COVID and debuted its first-ever performance virtually—the Harry Potter Symphonic Suite.
Since then, Firebird has pivoted to in-person performances and enjoys wonderful partnerships with local landmark organizations, including Hammond Castle Museum, the Umbrella Arts Center, and the Museum of Science Boston, among others.“
Meaningful Creations
Vicki: “Is there a performance you’ve led that is particularly meaningful to you? What’s the story behind it?”
Brendan: “I think, obviously, the very first inaugural virtual performance holds a special place for so many reasons. But aside from that, our first full orchestra in-person performance really hit home for me and made this all real. We closed the program with a performance of the final three movements from Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite. Aside from the connection to the ensemble’s name, this particular excerpt felt like it rather eerily depicted the chaos, pain, and eventual hope and victory over the pandemic. The concert, titled “Firebird Rises,” closed with the triumphant sounds of the Firebird Finale, symbolizing the resilience and triumph of the arts in the face of that which brought them to a grinding halt so suddenly for so long.”
Future Aspirations
Vicki: “Looking forward, what are your aspirations or dreams for your future as a conductor and for The Firebird Pops Orchestra?”
Brendan: “Oh, gosh! We’ve already surpassed so many of my highest hopes for the group that it’s hard to think beyond what we’ve accomplished so far! My primary focus with Firebird has become making professional-level experiences, typically reserved for elite orchestras, accessible to the wide range of talented musicians and local audiences that otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to perform or witness them. In that respect, I suppose my aspirations are to continue to build the ensemble to reach more of those heights and unlock more of those experiences for the community at large.”
Vicki: “Is there anything else you’d like to share about your music, experiences, or perspectives we haven’t covered?”
Brendan: “We’ve certainly covered a lot here! But I will say to anyone who is reading this and standing on the precipice of a scary, risky decision, musically inclined or not – take the leap! There is so much anxiety and doubt and self-sabotage that comes with putting yourself out there, but if I’ve learned anything since starting Firebird, it’s that people will rally for you from every corner of your life in ways you’d never expect. Even if you take the leap and fall, you land among a newly formed pack of friends and supporters you never would have had if you never leapt in the first place. You’re never guaranteed success, but you ARE guaranteed the doubts and “what-ifs” for as long as you put off taking that first step.”
How Can People Find You
Vicki: “How can someone contact you to support your efforts and enjoy your performances?”
Brendan: “Firebird’s work is exceptionally expensive and money is honestly the biggest inhibitor of our efforts. Those who care to support our efforts can make a monetary, tax-deductible donation through our website at firebirdpops.org/donate. Just as valuable, though, is following and sharing Firebird’s online presence far and wide!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/firebirdpops
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firebirdpops/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirebirdPops
Upcoming performances are always announced on social and our website, firebirdpops.org (where you can also sign up for our mailing list to get announcements straight to your inbox).”
Vicki: “Where do you offer online or in-person performances?”
Brendan: “We hope to continue virtual performances in the future, but are currently focusing on building our in-person season! Firebird offers in-person shows from June through December each season at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium of the Galvin Middle School (Wakefield) and at various touring locations, including Hammond Castle Museum (Gloucester) and the Umbrella Arts Center (Concord), among others!”
Photos courtesy of Gillian Gordon, Spencer Butterfield/SRB Photography, and Barry Wilkinson.
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