The New York Pops will celebrate the holiday season this year with two evenings of timeless carols and seasonal favorites at Carnegie Hall. On December 18 & 19, 2009 at 8:00 PM, the orchestra is joined by celebrated vocalist Sandi Patty for this festive program. Known to many simply as "The Voice," Sandi Patty is one of the most highly acclaimed singers in contemporary music today. The five-time Grammy winner has also been awarded four Billboard Music Awards, 39 Dove Awards, and has been inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. She recently headlined the sold out show Sandi Patty's Broadway with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.
Also performing with The New York Pops is the internationally renowned Young People's Chorus of New York City, an ensemble that has performed in venues ranging from The White House to Smetana Hall in Prague. The choir, directed by Francisco J. Núñez, sang at the 2005 World Symposium on Choral Music in Kyoto, and Pope Benedict XVI's first papal visit to the United States.
Guest conductor John Morris Russell, Music Director of the Windsor Symphony Orchestra, leads the annual holiday concert, one of Carnegie Hall's most popular December traditions. The New York Pops and Mr. Russell continue the celebration of the season on Saturday, December 19 at 2:00 p.m. in Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage with a Carnegie Hall Family Concert of the beloved holiday children's tale The Polar Express and a selection of holiday favorites.
About the Artists
Sandi Patty's 30-year career is heavily rooted in contemporary Christian music, but in recent years her reach has extended beyond the gospel genre. For over ten years, Ms. Patty has performed with symphonies across the country including the Boston Pops, Cincinnati Pops, Dallas Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Houston Symphony, Oklahoma City Philharmonic, and many more. Her first pops album, An American Songbook, was recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra and features several favorites from her symphony performances. In 2000, she was the featured headliner for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra's annual Yuletide Celebration, and later became the most requested headliner in the celebration's history. Ms. Patty's relationship with the Orchestra soon gave her an opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream of performing the Broadway show tunes that she'd listened to as a little girl when she was invited to perform a Broadway revue called Sandi Patty's Broadway featuring songs from such classic musicals as West Side Story, My Fair Lady, The Phantom of the Opera, The Music Man, and many others.
Young People's Chorus of New York City has provided children of diverse abilities and ethnic backgrounds with a unique program of music appreciation and choral performance, while maintaining a model of artistic excellence and harmony that enriches our community. One of the most celebrated and influential children's choruses today, YPC has performed around the globe, released acclaimed recordings from across the musical spectrum and collaborated with many of the world's most highly regarded artists. The chorus has commissioned many new works through their celebrated Transient Glory® series, and has had residencies at three of NYC's major cultural institutions-the 92nd Street Y, Frederick P. Rose Hall at Jazz at Lincoln Center, and WNYC (New York Public Radio). YPC is frequently seen on national television, including PBS's "From the Top at Carnegie Hall". Season highlights include return engagements at St. Patrick Cathedral, collaborations with the Kronos Quartet, a Swiss debut with the Geneva Chamber Orchestra, and a 15-city tour of Japan in 2010.
John Morris Russell has consistently won international praise for his extraordinary music-making and visionary leadership. Since his appointment as Music Director of the Windsor Symphony Orchestra in 2001, he has ushered in a new era of unprecedented artistic growth and has invigorated the musical life of the Windsor-Essex region. As a guest conductor, Mr. Russell has led many of North America's most distinguished ensembles, including the orchestras of Toronto, Edmonton, Victoria, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Dallas, Minnesota, Oregon, Colorado, and Louisville; Miami's New World Symphony, New York City Ballet, and New York Philharmonic. 2009 marks Mr. Russell's 12th season conducting the concerts of the "LinkUP!" music education program presented by Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute, Last season, he made his debut with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl and was immediately reengaged for this summer. Mr. Russell has previously served as associate conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra for 11 years where he regularly led concerts at Music Hall and the Riverbend Music Center.
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 through its Summermusic program. 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.
TICKETS
$33, $37, $46, $74, $94, $104. Tickets are available at the Carnegie Hall Box Office, 154 West 57th Street, or can be charged to major credit cards by calling CarnegieCharge at 212-247-7800 or by visiting the Carnegie Hall website, www.carnegiehall.org.
