The New York Pops
Music Director Steven Reineke conducts the concert of“Dancing Queen,” “Mamma Mia,” “Take a Chance on Me” and other favorites by the supergroup ABBA performed by the acclaimed Finnish vocal ensemble Rajaton. electrifying orchestral arrangements of classic ABBA hits.
The New York Pops is the largest independent pops orchestra in the United States, and the only professional symphonic orchestra in New York City specializing in popular music. Led by Music Director Steven Reineke, the orchestra performs an annual subscription series and birthday gala at Carnegie Hall, enjoying one of the highest subscription renewal rates of any series at Carnegie Hall. The New York Pops was founded by former NBC Music Director Skitch Henderson in 1983 with a mission to create greater public awareness and appreciation of America’s rich musical heritage through presentation of concerts and education programs of the highest quality.
Along with performing at Carnegie Hall, The New York Pops tours throughout the world and gives free concerts in New York City parks through its Summermusic program. In 2009 the orchestra made its fifth annual appearance in the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular on NBC Television. Past media projects include producing a nationally syndicated radio series and performing on PBS. The orchestra’s extensive discography includes recordings of popular song, film and theater music, and music for the holidays.
The New York Pops’ far-reaching education programs allow public schoolchildren to participate in numerous concert and music-making experiences: Salute To Music offers free instrumental lessons to more than one hundred New York City junior-high school students each year; Kids in the Balcony provides hundreds of free tickets to children to attend all of The New York Pops concerts at Carnegie Hall; other education programs such as Create a Symphony and Rhythm, Rhyme & Rap teach skills such as composition, instrument building, percussion performance, and literacy.
A recipient of grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, The New York Pops is a not-for-profit corporation supported solely through the generosity of individual donations, institutional grants, and concert income.