In the fall of 1975 the musicians of the Germantown Pops Orchestra began rehearsals in the band room of Germantown High School under the direction of Noel Gilbert, assistant concertmaster of the Memphis Symphony and retired Memphis State University professor. On January 23, 1976 the first concert was presented, with GHS band director Jim Terry as soloist in the Weber Concertino for Clarinet and Orchestra. Another concert was given in May, also at the high school; fall concerts were presented in West Memphis and at Harris Auditorium, Memphis State.