The New York Pops
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 its highest subscription renewal rates. The
New York Pops was founded by Skitch Henderson in 1983 with a mission to create greater
public awareness and appreciation of America's rich musical heritage. In addition to
performing at Carnegie Hall, The New York Pops tours throughout the world and gives free
concerts in New York City parks. 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.
Steven Reineke
Steven Reineke's boundless enthusiasm and exceptional artistry have made him one of the
nation's most sought-after pops conductors, composers, and arrangers. In recognition of his
successful leadership, The New York Pops has extended his contract through the 2015-2016
season. In addition to conducting the orchestra's annual Carnegie Hall concert series, Mr.
Reineke leads concert tours, recordings, and nationwide telecasts, including the Macy's
4th of July Fireworks Spectacular on NBC. New York's only permanent and professional
symphonic pops orchestra, The New York Pops is the largest independent pops orchestra in
the United States.
Mr. Reineke is the newly appointed principal pops conductor of the National Symphony
Orchestra and begins his first season in 2011-2012. In addition, he serves as principal
pops conductor of the Long Beach and Modesto symphony orchestras. Previously, he was
associate conductor of the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, where for 15 years he served as a
composer, arranger, and conducting protégé of the late celebrated pops conductor Erich
Kunzel.
Mr. Reineke's recent guest conducting appearances include the orchestras of Houston,
Toronto, Detroit, Indianapolis, Baltimore, and Edmonton. He returns to the Boston Pops and
The Philadelphia Orchestra in 2011 and debuts with The Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom Music
Center. He made his Hollywood Bowl debut in 2007 with the multifaceted entertainer Wayne
Brady, and returned to the Hollywood Bowl in 2008 to conduct the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
In addition, Mr. Reineke conducted, arranged, and orchestrated the music for Mr. Brady's
orchestral show, and played the same role in his collaboration with rock legend Peter
Frampton.
As the creator of more than 100 orchestral arrangements for the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra,
Mr. Reineke's work has been performed worldwide, and can be heard on numerous Cincinnati
Pops Orchestra recordings on the Telarc label. Mr. Reineke is also an established symphonic
composer. His works Celebration Fanfare, Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and
Casey at the Bat are performed frequently in North America, with recent
performances by the New York and Los Angeles philharmonics. In August 2008, his Sun
Valley Festival Fanfare debuted with the Sun Valley Summer Symphony to commemorate the
opening of the orchestra's new pavilion. In 2005, his Festival Te Deum and
Swan's Island Sojourn were performed by the Cincinnati Symphony and Cincinnati
Pops orchestras, respectively. His numerous wind ensemble compositions are published by the
C. L. Barnhouse Company and are performed by concert bands around the world.
A native of Ohio, Mr. Reineke is a graduate of Miami University of Ohio, where he earned
bachelor of music degrees with honors in both trumpet performance and music composition. He
currently resides in New York City.