New York Pops Features Music of ABBA and More

On Friday, October 15 at 8:00 p.m. in Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage, Steven Reineke leads The New York Pops in the first concert of their 2010-2011 Carnegie Hall season with a program saluting pop music super group ABBA, featuring the acclaimed Finnish vocal ensemble Rajaton. Together, they will present energetic performances of some of ABBA's most popular chart-topping hits including "Dancing Queen," "Mamma Mia," "Take a Chance on Me," and other favorites. The New York Pops returns to Carnegie Hall for six additional performances this season-including three holiday performances.

On Friday, November 19 at 8:00 p.m., Reineke leads the orchestra in a celebration of Stephen Sondheim's 80th birthday with choral ensemble Essential Voices USA and additional special guests. This performance features some of Sondheim's best loved songs and soliloquies from some of his most popular works including A Little Night Music, Company, Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd, and Follies.

For two nights, on Friday, December 10 and Saturday, December 11 at 8:00 p.m., Reineke leads The New York Pops and Tony Award-winner Brian Stokes Mitchell in a program of holiday favorites in Stern Auditiorium/Perelman Stage. Dubbed by The New York Times as "the last leading man," Stokes Mitchell is famous for his rich and commanding baritone, as well as for his memorable performances in Broadway productions of Ragtime, Kiss Me, Kate!, and Man of La Mancha. The orchestra continues its celebration of the holiday season on December 11 at 2:00 p.m. with a Carnegie Hall Family Concert, performing a concert version of the beloved children's classic How The Grinch Stole Christmas!, narrated by Brian Stokes Mitchell with Izzy Hanson-Johnston as Cindy Lou Who and performances by the New York Theatre Ballet, Essential Voices USA, and Camp Broadway Chorus. This Family Concert is presented by Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute.

On Friday, January 28 at 8:00 p.m., The New York Pops and a very special guest, trumpet virtuoso and former Tonight Show bandleader Doc Severinsen, perform sizzling arrangements of Argentinean tango, Spanish flamenco, and gypsy jazz in a program entitled El Ritmo de la Vida. Severinsen was a longtime friend of his Tonight Show colleague and New York Pops founder Skitch Henderson. This program also features violinist Pedro Cartas and guitarist Gil Gutierrez.

For their final Carnegie Hall concert of the season on Friday, March 11 at 8:00 p.m., Reineke returns to lead The New York Pops in a tribute to Judy Garland. The concert marks the 50th anniversary of her legendary Carnegie Hall performance, later released as the acclaimed recording Judy at Carnegie Hall. The concert program, entitled The Great Judy Garland, features Broadway leading ladies Ashley Brown (Mary Poppins), Heather Headley (Tony Award-winner for Aida), and Karen Olivo (Tony Award-winner for West Side Story) in a reprise of Garland's 1961 performance, including "Over the Rainbow," "The Trolley Song," and "The Man That Got Away," among others.

About Steven Reineke
Steven Reineke's boundless enthusiasm and exceptional artistry have made him one of the nation's most sought-after pops conductors, composers and arrangers. In 2010-2011, Reineke begins his second season as Music Director of The New York Pops. In addition to conducting the orchestra's annual Carnegie Hall concert series, Reineke leads concert tours, recordings and nationwide telecasts, including the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks on NBC Television. Mr. Reineke also serves as Principal Pops Conductor of the Long Beach and Modesto Symphony Orchestras and he retains the title of Associate Conductor of the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, where for fifteen years he served as a composer, arranger and conducting protégé of the late celebrated pops conductor Erich Kunzel. Steven Reineke's notable guest conducting appearances include the National Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops, Philadelphia Orchestra and his debut at the Hollywood Bowl in 2007. Mr. Reineke is also an established symphonic composer, with his works most recently performed by the New York Philharmonic and Los Angeles Philharmonic.

About The New York Pops
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 venue's highest subscription renewal rates of any series. 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. Along with performing at Carnegie Hall, The New York Pops tours throughout the world and gives free concerts in New York City parks. The orchestra's media projects include performing for the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular on NBC, nationwide radio broadcasts, and numerous recordings. The New York Pops' extensive education programs allow thousands of public schoolchildren to participate in concert and music-making experiences at Carnegie Hall and in schools throughout New York City's five boroughs.