The New York Pops Announces 28th 2010 - 2011 Season; Features Brian Stokes Mitchell, Sondheim Celebration and More

On October 15, 2010, The New York Pops orchestra - famous for presenting popular music with a symphony orchestra of the highest quality - will launch its 28th season; a Carnegie Hall series celebrating the stylistic diversity of some of popular music's greatest icons. Music Director Steven Reineke leads the orchestra in this electrifying season, which includes chart-topping pop hits, a tribute to the greatest living lyricist and composer of American musical theater, holiday favorites, sizzling Latin flair, and an evening of songbook classics associated with a legendary American icon. Reineke has been heralded by The New York Times as "young and vigorous, with a playful attitude that has been a pops orchestral tradition since the heyday of Arthur Fiedler...a polished, welcoming host."

Friday, October 15, 2010, 8:00PM at Carnegie Hall
The Music of ABBA
Steven Reineke, Music Director and Conductor
Rajaton, Guest Artists
The New York Pops opening night concert features the acclaimed Finnish vocal ensemble Rajaton in energetic performances of "Dancing Queen," "Mamma Mia," "Take a Chance on Me", and other favorites by the supergroup ABBA. A bona fide pop phenomenon in their native Finland, Rajaton's singing style and presentation has made them a phenomenon on the world stage. Music Director Steven Reineke conducts the concert of electrifying orchestral arrangements of classic ABBA hits.

Friday, November 19, 2010, 8:00PM at Carnegie Hall
Stephen Sondheim 80th Birthday Celebration
Steven Reineke, Music Director and Conductor
With Special Guest Artists
Described by The New York Times as "the greatest and perhaps best-known artist in the American musical theatre," Stephen Sondheim is celebrated for his incomparable achievements as a composer and lyricist for the stage. In commemoration of his 80th birthday, The New York Pops present a collection of the greatest songs and soliloquies from Sondheim's extensive career, which includes hit musicals A Little Night Music, Company, Gypsy, Into The Woods, Sweeney Todd, and West Side Story, among others. Music Director Steven Reineke will lead The New York Pops and select guest artists in this vibrant tribute to one of musical theatre's greatest icons. The New York Pops' concert on November 19 will be Carnegie Hall's only concert in celebration of Stephen Sondheim's 80th birthday.

Friday and Saturday, December 10 and 11, 2010, 8:00PM at Carnegie Hall
Celebrate the Holidays with Brian Stokes Mitchell
Steven Reineke, Music Director and Conductor
Brian Stokes Mitchell, Guest Artist
The New York Pops Festival Chorus
The New York Pops celebrates the season with a program of timeless carols and holiday favorites featuring Brian Stokes Mitchell and The New York Pops Festival Chorus. Famous for his rich and commanding baritone, Mitchell - a Tony Award-winning actor of Kiss Me, Kate!, Man of La Mancha and Ragtime fame - was dubbed Broadway's "Last Leading Man" by The New York Times. In addition to his spectacular success on the theatre stage, he has enjoyed a rich and varied career in television and film, and his concert performances across the nation have met enormous critical acclaim. The New York Pops Festival Chorus will join Steven Reineke and the orchestra in the annual holiday concert, one of Carnegie Hall's most popular December traditions.

Friday, January 28, 2011, 8:00PM at Carnegie Hall
Doc Severinsen's El Ritmo de la Vida
Steven Reineke, Music Director and Conductor
Doc Severinsen, Guest Artist
The New York Pops will ease the January chill with exciting new arrangements of Argentinean tango, Spanish flamenco, and gypsy jazz. El Ritmo de la Vida - The Rhythm of Life - is a sizzling new Latin music experience led by trumpet virtuoso and former Tonight Show bandleader Doc Severinsen and featuring violinist Pedro Cartas and guitarist Gil Gutierrez. Severinsen was a longtime friend of his Tonight Show colleague, The New York Pops' Founder Skitch Henderson, and has appeared with The New York Pops several times since his first appearance in 1985. Music Director Steven Reineke will conduct the high energy concert.

Friday, March 11, 2011, 8:00PM, at Carnegie Hall
The Great Judy Garland
Steven Reineke, Music Director and Conductor
Ashley Brown, Heather Headley, and Karen Olivo Guest Artists

Fifty years after her legendary Carnegie Hall debut, The New York Pops remembers Judy Garland with "Over the Rainbow," "The Trolley Song," "The Man That Got Away" and other highlights from her historic 1961 performance. Broadway luminaries Ashley Brown, Heather Headley and Karen Olivo guest star in this revival of the concert that is referred to by so many as the greatest night in show business history.

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.

Subscriptions to the 2010-2011 Carnegie Hall series are available now to renewing subscribers at a speciAl Price. New subscriptions, priced at $145, $165, $210, $350, $460 and $510, go on sale April 17. Subscriptions may be purchased at the Carnegie Hall Box Office, 57th Street and 7th Avenue, or by calling CarnegieCharge at 212-247-7800. Visit www.carnegiehall.org for more information. Single tickets will be available to the public beginning August 30, 2010 and are priced from $33 to $106.