Maestro Luke Frazier, a Parkersburg native and founder of the American Pops Orchestra conducts his orchestra during the Dec. 15 PBS feature “Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas”.

Parkersburg native and Parkersburg South High School graduate Luke Frazier has managed to have a productive year for his orchestra, the American Pops Orchestra, and is to be featured on PBS on New Year’s Eve.

“APO was founded in 2015 with a mission to build community through the preservation, promotion and reimagination of American popular music,” Maestro Frazier explained. “Through live and virtual performances, educational initiatives and collaborations, APO makes the highest quality art accessible to the broadest audiences.”

Frazier said he created the APO with the intent of breaking the mold of the traditional pops orchestra.

This “distinctly American orchestra” brings together versatile musicians and reimagined programming focused around the Great American Songbook, and presents it with an approachable, fresh spin in order to engage diverse audiences and make attending a live orchestral show fun again, according to a press release about their upcoming PBS performance.

Frazier touched on the fact that he really strives to create a seat for everyone, no matter their age, upbringing or taste in music. He wants everyone to be included.

“Through non-traditional orchestral settings, APO aims to deliver popular American classics to those who already know and love them, while also introducing these timeless pieces to younger generations in approachable settings,” said Frazier.

The APO will be performing in the PBS program “United in Song: Celebrating the Resilience of America,” which has been pre filmed at George Washington’s Mount Vernon and the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts and will air at 8-9:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time and again from 9:30-11 p.m.

“This program encourages our nation to come together and celebrate our irrepressible strength as we welcome the new year. Despite the enormity of COVID-19 and the significant presence of social injustice, this special evening of wide-ranging music joins us in the ever-present pursuit of uniting as one America,” according to a press release on the event.

The APO will be accompanying many artists, such as Grammy-nominated mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton; multi-Grammy Award-winning violinist Joshua Bell; world-renowned soprano Renee Fleming; celebrated mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves; multi Grammy- and Tony Award-nominated artist Josh Groban; rising opera star Soloman Howard; recording artist and Broadway star Morgan James; 26-time Grammy and Latin Grammy Award winner Juanes; Grammy Award-winning and world-renowned artist Patti LaBelle; internationally celebrated cellist Yo-Yo Ma; six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald; two-time Tony Award winner Brian Stokes Mitchell; celebrated actor, playwright and professor Anna Deavere Smith; and world-renowned pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet.

“This is really the high point to my career so far,” said Frazier.

On Dec. 15, Frazier was featured on a different PBS broadcast.

During this feature, Frazier and APO presented a new take on Ella Fitzgerald’s classic 1960 holiday album, “Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas,” performed in its entirety by a lineup of artists. It featured classic American songs of the season, including “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “The Christmas Song,” “Sleigh Ride” and “Winter Wonderland.”

Artists included Grammy and Tony Award-winner Dee Dee Bridgewater; Broadway and jazz vocalist Carmen Ruby Floyd; Broadway star and recording artist Morgan James; Grammy and Tony Award nominee Norm Lewis; and celebrated recording artist Nova Y. Payton. The program also featured performances by its host, the multi-Grammy, Emmy and Tony Award nominee Vanessa Williams.

“To me, it feels more important than ever that we embrace the things that take us back to a simpler time, a time of celebrating the holidays with a sense of nostalgia,” said Frazier. “This extraordinary holiday album has been the soundtrack for so many of us for more than four decades. To share Ella’s iconic music interpreted by a new generation of extraordinary singers is a gift to us all.”

For those interested in viewing it, the program is still available on PBS.com.

Frazier has attributed much of his success to his upbringing in West Virginia, where he “learned the value of hard work” and to his “incredible music foundation” that he developed in Wood County schools and alongside his piano teachers. Frazier said that instilled value of hard work really paid off, because orchestras are not as popular today, and he was starting from scratch in a big city, where he had to compete with already famous orchestras.

“It wasn’t easy, but in five years I have already secured two national TV broadcasts and am in the talks with PBS about more opportunities,” he said.

Frazier has not forgotten his roots either; he has started a series of local scholarships with Artsbridge for students pursuing the arts.

“It is not always financially promising to follow your passions and pursue the arts, so I want to offer help where I can,” he said.

Frazier said he wants to bring excitement to all students and encourage them to pursue those passions, because you never know where it could lead.

“I was lucky and have been very fortunate to be able to pursue and thrive doing what I love,” said Frazier.

Madeline Scarborough can be reached at mscarborough@newsandsentinel.com