New York Pops Present AN EVENING OF CELTIC MUSIC at Carnegie Hall, 3/12

On Friday, March 12, 2010 at 8:00PM, Music Director Steven Reineke will lead The New York Pops in a festive celebration of St. Patrick's Day with renowned Irish vocalists Ronan Tynan and Méav. The beloved Irish tenor and the former star of Celtic Woman will headline this memorable night of Celtic music at Carnegie Hall alongside celebrated fiddler Liz Knowles and Uilleann piper Kieran O'Hare. The program features traditional Irish anthems that will transport concertgoers to the Emerald Isle, such as "My Irish Molly O'", "Dúlamán" and "The Fields of Athenry", as well as present-day favorites like Bill Whelan's phenomenon "Riverdance" and an orchestration of U2's chart-topping hit "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For." Darrah Carr Dance joins The New York Pops for this unforgettable celebration of history and heritage.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Méav is a multi-million selling Irish singer and recording artist, and a founding member of the group Celtic Woman. Her traditional and classical backgrounds have influenced her sound, which combines Irish drumming, violin, guitar, traditional flute, piano and haunting vocal harmonies. Named the #1 Top World Music Artist by Billboard Magazine, Celtic Woman has sold more than 4 million units, and remained at number 1 in the Billboard World music charts for a record-breaking 90 consecutive weeks. Méav has also released three successful solo albums including Celtic Journey (EMI) which debuted in the top ten in Billboards World Music charts. She has also toured as a solo artist in Europe, Asia and North America. In March 2008 she performed the Irish and American National Anthems in New York to celebrate the re-opening of the American Irish Historical Society. A personal highlight of her career with Celtic Woman was performing at Radio City Music Hall on St Patrick's Day. This concert with The New York Pops marks her Carnegie Hall debut.

Ronan Tynan quickly became known for his unique voice and irresistible appeal as a member of the Irish Tenors, and his rendition of "God Bless America" at numerous Yankees' games over the years has further catapulted him into fame. In 2004, he delivered a memorable performance at President Ronald Reagan's funeral. Ronan sang at the White House Governors' Ball at the invitation of President Bush in February 2007, and in 2008 returned to the White House to sing at the St. Patrick's Day Reception attended by members of the U.S. and Irish governments. In the spring of 2005, Ronan released his self-titled debut album, which debuted at #2 on Billboard's Classical Crossover Chart and reached #2 on the World Album Chart. He has appeared on Primetime Live, Good Morning America, the Hour of Power, 700 Club, Fox & Friends and many other television shows. He is currently in the recording stages of two upcoming CD releases, one an all-Irish CD, and a second collection of songs performed at his concerts and requested by fans throughout the world.

 

Liz Knowles has brought her distinctive sound - a synthesis of classical training and Irish traditional music - to festivals and concert stages across the world. As a fiddle soloist, she has recorded on the soundtrack of Michael Collins, performed on Broadway in The Green Bird and The Pirate Queen, toured with the Irish dance extravaganza Riverdance, and performed and recorded with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. Ms. Knowles has been a member of the John Whelan Band and Cherish the Ladies, and is currently part of the highly acclaimed female fiddle supergroup the String Sisters. She has collaborated with a wide range of performers - from jazz pianist Marcus Roberts, to singer Paula Cole and pop music icon Don Henley - and has also seen great success as a composer and arranger for numerous artists. Her latest project has been as musical director/composer/performer for Celtic Legends, an Irish music and dance show currently touring the world.

 

Kieran O'Hare is a highly respected and sought-after performer of the uilleann pipes, concert flute, and tinwhistle. In 1994, became the first American-born player of Irish music invited to perform in the annual "Ace and Deuce of Piping" concert, held in Ireland's National Concert Hall. Since then, Mr. O'Hare has appeared in countless festivals and concerts throughout North America, Europe and Japan, and performed such notable artists as Josh Groban, Don Henley, Bonnie Raitt, and The Paul Winter Consort. Mr. O'Hare also works extensively in designing music for the stage; he was the original piper and whistle player for Boublil & Schönberg's musical The Pirate Queen, and Seamus Egan's Dancing on Dangerous Ground which premiered in 2000 in London's West End. On screen, he appeared in a musical role in the acclaimed Sam Mendes film Road to Perdition, and was a featured performer on VH1 Storytellers and the PBS special presentation "Celtic Origins". Currently, with his wife Liz Knowles, Mr. O'Hare is musical director of the touring show Celtic Legends.

Darrah Carr Dance specializes in ModERIN: a unique blend of traditional Irish step and contemporary modern dance. The company blends Irish music, step dance footwork, and spatial patterns to create high-energy, rhythmically based work that is accessible to a broad audience. Recent performance highlights include: NBC's "The Today Show," the company's 10th Anniversary Season at the Irish Arts Center, "The Yeats Project" at the Irish Repertory Theater, a New York season at The Duke Theater on 42nd Street, Celebrate Brooklyn in Prospect Park, and "Stam-pede" at Symphony Space. Darrah Carr Dance has toured internationally, and regularly collaborates with The Andy Cooney Band. Committed to Arts in Education, the company performs through the rosters of Young Audiences New York, Young Audiences New Jersey and The Brooklyn Arts Council. Artistic Director Darrah Carr, named 'One of the Top 100 Irish Americans of the Year' by Irish America Magazine, holds an MFA from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. She teaches in the Dance Department at Hofstra University and has been a guest artist at Manhattanville College and Adelphi University. Carr is a frequent contributor to Dance Magazine, Dance Studio Life, and The Dance Insider.

Steven Reineke began his tenure as Music Director of The New York Pops with the 2009-2010 season. Mr. Reineke conducts the orchestra's annual concert series at Carnegie Hall as well as tours, recordings, and nationwide telecasts, including the annual Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular on NBC Television. Mr. Reineke is also Principal Pops Conductor of the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra and the Modesto Symphony Orchestra. He holds 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. Reineke's notable conducting appearances include his 2007 Hollywood Bowl debut, his 2008 Carnegie Hall debut conducting The New York Pops, and his Boston Pops and Philadelphia Orchestra debuts in 2009. Mr. Reineke is also an established symphonic composer, with the most recent performances of his works by the New York Philharmonic and Los Angeles Philharmonic.

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 their 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 summer concerts in New York City parks. The orchestra's media projects include performing music for the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular on NBC since 2004, 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 the five boroughs of New York City.

TICKETS
$33, $37, $46, $74, $94 and $104; Tickets are available at the Carnegie Hall Box Office, 154 West 57th Street. Tickets may also be charged to major credit cards by calling CarnegieCharge at 212-247-7800 or online by visiting www.carnegiehall.org.

PRESS TICKETS
Contact Whitney Holden at Cohn Dutcher Associates: 917-339-7188 / wholden@cohndutcher.com

PROGRAM
Friday, March 12, 2010, 8:00PM, Carnegie Hall, Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage
Celtic Music: A Saint Patrick's Day Celebration
The New York Pops, Steven Reineke, Music Director and Conductor
Méav, Ronan Tynan, Guest Artists; Liz Knowles, Violin; Kieran O'Hare, Uilleann Pipes and Tin Whistle
Darrah Carr Dance (Darrah Carr Byrne, JoAnna Barry Connolly, Caitlin McNeill, Niall O'Leary)

Program Highlights include:

Steven Reineke/Jack Everly: A Piper Celebration
WILLIAM BALFE/Alfred Bunn: I Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls, from The Bohemian Girl
WILLIAM McPEAKE: Will You Go Lassie, Go (Wild Mountain Thyme)
TRADITIONAL: Steps from the Highlands (arr. Steven Reineke and Jack Everly)
Jay Ungar: Ashokan Farewell
TRADITIONAL: My Irish Molly O'
BRENDAN GRAHAM: The Voice
Bill Whelan: Riverdance
U2/BONO: I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
TRADITIONAL: Dúlamán (arr. Conor O Reilly)
John Williams: Far and Away
Phil Coulter: The Old Man
JOEL McNEELY: Where the Sunbeams Play, from Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure
JOSEPH BRACKETT, JR.: Simple Gifts
James HorneR: My Heart Will Go On, from Titanic (arr. Steven Reineke)
TRADITIONAL/FREDERICK WEATHERLY: Danny Boy (arr. Steven Reineke)
TRADITIONAL: The Fields of Athenry

Dates, artists and programs are subject to change.

The New York Pops is a not-for-profit corporation supported solely through the generosity of individual donations, institutional grants, and concert income.