Ocean City Pops Orchestra Has New Permanent Conductor

OCEAN CITY, NJ — The City hired Vince Lee this week as the permanent conductor for the Ocean City Pops. Lee served as guest conductor the past two summers as the City auditioned candidates.

Lee debuted at age 13 with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. He has conducted throughout the world and held positions with the New York Youth Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra and Union City Orchestra.

He was a master's and doctoral candidate in orchestral conducting at Indiana University before being invited to study at the Julliard School, where he received a post-graduate degree.

“Lee’s talent and credentials as a conductor are unquestionable,” Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian said in a statement.

Lee is the orchestra's first permanent conductor since William Scheible, who held the position from 1987-2018.

The Ocean City Pops have entertained local audiences since the 1920s. Lee makes his debut as conductor May 9 in a concert featuring special guest Jackie Evancho.

Click here to get Patch email notifications on this or other local news articles or get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our app. Download here. Follow Ocean City Patch on Facebook. Have a news tip? Email josh.bakan@patch.com.