James A. Read, Board Chairman The New York Pops & Anne M. Swanson Photo

From: Photo Coverage: The New York Pops Celebrates Ruth Henderson

The New York Pops family gathered at The National Arts Club on May 18th to celebrate the life of Ruth Henderson who passed away at her home in New Milford, Connecticut on February 25th 2015. In 1983, Skitch and Ruth Henderson founded The New York Pops. Chris Poe, President of The National Arts Club welcomed the guests and introduced James A. Read Board Chairman of the New York Pops. Many friends spoke of the dynamic, caring, beautiful and inspiring person that Ruth was. In 1991 Ruth established the PopsEd program, Kids In The Balcony, which provides free tickets to students for New York Pops Concerts.  Steven Reineke, music director of The Pops presented board member June Freemanzon, long time friend of the Henderson's with a framed photograph of one of the few pictures that exist of the two music directors of The New York Pops. Steven then sat at the the piano and played "Einsamkeit" a composition composed by Skitch Henderson for Ruth Henderson.  The afternoon was truly A Celebration of the Life of Ruth Henderson.