The Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1984 by Music Director Louis Panacciulli and Managing Director Dawn Simmons Manuel. The orchestra not only appeals to a wide audience, but is dedicated to community service as well.

The Nassau Pops performs a full summer concert series as well as holiday concerts for its audiences. For the last nine years, they have been an integral part of many ceremonies at St. John's University including a Christmas Holiday Concert with the resident one-hundred voice mixed chorus.Based in the Village of Mineola, The Nassau Pops also maintains affiliations with Nassau Community College.