Young People's Chorus of NYC Celebrates Next 25 Years with Major Gala Event, 3/3

The Young People's Chorus of New York City, founded in 1988 by Artistic Director and MacArthur "genius" Fellow Francisco J. Núñez on a mission of diversity and artistic excellence, celebrates its next 25 years with a gala benefit concert at Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, followed by a festive dinner at the Mandarin Oriental. It all begins at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 3, 2014, with all proceeds benefitting the almost 1,400 children, ages 7 to 18, in YPC's award-winning after-school and in-school programs.

The New York Pops and special guest artists Ashley Brown--Broadway'sMary Poppins--and NEA Jazz Master Delfeayo Marsalis will join over 350 YPC choristers, known worldwide for their virtuosity and showmanship, in a spectacular, one-performance-only musical showcase. The exciting, non-stop concert spotlights the range and brilliance of the performers in a 90-minute program that includes folk, jazz, and classical music, as well as incredible productions numbers from West Side Story, Mary Poppins and more, fully choreographed by Jacquelyn Bird.

The dinner following the concert, takes place at the five-star Mandarin Oriental overlooking Central Park at Columbus Circle and is co-chaired by Hugh Gordon of The Coca-Cola Company and Martin Kehoe of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP with vice-chairs Thomas Wagner of Knighthead Capital Management, LLC, and Duncan Niederauer of NYSE Euronext, all fervent supporters of the YPC mission. The evening's corporate honoree is Robert E. Moritz, the chairman and senior partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

Concert tickets, at $60, $75, $100, $125, and $300, are available at the Jazz at Lincoln Center box office (Broadway and 60th Street, ground floor), by calling CenterCharge 212-721-6500, or online at www.jalc.org. Information for the entire Gala evening is available by calling the YPC Event Office at 212-213-1166 or e-mail ypcgala@ypc.org.

The National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award-winning Young People's Chorus of New York City is internationally renowned not only for its superb virtuosity and brilliant showmanship, but as a model for an inclusive society that is being replicated globally. This groundbreaking program harnesses the power of music to fulfill the potential of children of any religious, ethnic, or economic background, while at the same time heightening an awareness of the ability of young people to rise to unforeseen levels of artistry. http://www.ypc.org/aboutypc

Francisco J. Núñez, a MacArthur "genius" Fellow, is a conductor, composer, leading figure in music education, and the founder of the Young People's Chorus of New York City. A frequent speaker as a leading authority on the role of music in achieving equality and diversity among children in today's society, Mr. Núñez has been honored as ABC-TV's "Person of the Week" and named by Hispanic Business Magazine as one of 100 Most Influential Hispanics. http://ypc.org/aboutypc/fnunez.html

Ashley Brown originated the title role in "Mary Poppins" on Broadway, receiving Outer Critics, Drama League, and Drama Desk nominations for "Best Actress" and starred in the national tour of the production, garnering a Garland award for "Best Performance in a Musical." She also starred as Belle in "Beauty and the Beast" on Broadway. http://www.ashleybrownonline.com

Delfeayo Marsalis, one of today's top trombonists, composers and producers in jazz, is known for his "technical excellence, inventive mind and frequent touches of humor..." (Los Angeles Times). In 2011 Delfeayo and the great American musical Marsalis family (father Ellis and brothers Branford, Wynton and Jason) earned the nation's highest jazz honor - a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master Award. http://delfeayomarsalis.com/bio

The New York Pops is the largest independent pops orchestra in the U.S. and the only professional symphonic orchestra in New York City specializing in popular music. Under the direction of Music Director Steven Reineke, it was founded by former NBC Music Director Skitch Henderson with a mission to create greater public awareness and appreciation of America's rich musical heritage. http://www.newyorkpops.org/the-new-york-pops-bio