CARNEGIE HALL PRESENTS
The New York Pops

Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage
Saturday, December 19th, 2009 at 8:00 PM

The New York Pops
John Morris Russell, Conductor
Sandi Patty, Guest Artist
Young People's Chorus of New York City
Francisco J. Núñez, Founder and Artistic Director

Program is approximately 2 hours, including one intermission

Program Notes:

The holiday season is all about tradition and memory. For me, the holidays conjure thoughts of Aunt Machie’s bourbon fruit cake, the mega-dumping of snow along Lake Erie’s southern shore, the smell of a hardwood fire in the hearth, and the gentle crackling of the Goodyear or Firestone Holiday LP on the hi-fi. An eclectic blend of familiar standards, these albums featured an exceptionally diverse collection of the era’s most esteemed performers framed in brilliant orchestral arrangements that echoed the angels’ proclamations a couple millennia ago: “Peace on earth, good will to ALL people!”

There was George Szell and The Cleveland Orchestra performing alongside Mahalia Jackson; the Korean Orphan Choir intoning music written a thousand years ago, followed by Dean Martin singing “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer”; and, lest we forget, the mighty Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Tennessee Ernie Ford, José Feliciano, and the Beach Boys. As a kid it seemed this was the ultimate representation of the rich panoply of the American musical experience, and everyone in the Russell family savored each soulful, playful, groovy, and crystalline note. Dad would pick up the annual installment when getting the snow tires mounted on our Plymouth Satellite; his arrival home, with record in hand, would herald the true beginning of the Christmas season. The newest album and its dozen or so counterparts from years past would play while we set up our tree, decorated cookies, entertained friends and neighbors, ripped open presents, and sipped eggnog on New Year’s Eve. The albums were the soundtrack to our holiday celebrations and are the essence of our concerts this weekend.

At the heart of our program is the incomparable Sandi Patty, whose angelic voice is exceeded only by the spirit with which she shares her remarkable gift. She is one of those rare performers who can sing in every style and connects as strongly with all of us on stage as she does with everyone in the audience. The Young People’s Chorus of New York City joins us with holiday classics for kids “from one to 92,” as well as selections from Broadway, Africa, and Hawaii. Finally, The New York Pops is featured in music celebrating Hanukkah; selections by composers from Poland, France, and Russia; and a little Liberace to boot!

When you think about it, our musical celebration of the holidays is essentially a celebration of ourselves—of our splendid diversity and our united belief in peace and brotherhood.

Best wishes for a glorious holiday season!

—John Morris Russell

More Information:

After five Grammy awards and 30 years before the public, Sandi Patty has become one of the best-known Christian artists, with a powerful appeal that speaks to many audiences. Here she brings her deep devotion and wide experience of life to music of two faiths, as she celebrates Christmas and Hanukkah.

The New York Pops
John Morris Russell, Conductor
JOHN MORRIS RUSSELL

Conductor 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, Mr. Russell has ushered in a new era of unprecedented artistic growth for the WSO 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, and Louisville; Miami’s New World Symphony; Oregon Symphony; Colorado Symphony; New York City Ballet; and the New York and Los Angeles philharmonics. This year marks Mr. Russell’s 12th season at Carnegie Hall, where he conducts the LinkUP! educational concert series.

Mr. Russell served for 11 years as associate conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, where he regularly led concerts at Music Hall and the Riverbend Music Center. Widely recognized for his innovative programming and commitment to attracting new and diverse audiences to orchestral music, Mr. Russell created the Classical Roots: Spiritual Heights series, which brought the music of African American composers and performers to thousands of listeners in area churches, and was also the co-creator of the Christmas spectacular Home for the Holidays. Mr. Russell has also served as associate conductor of the Savannah Symphony Orchestra, director of the orchestral program at Vanderbilt.

University, and music director with the College Light Opera Company in Falmouth, Massachusetts. He received a Master of Music degree in conducting from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from Williams College in Massachusetts. He has also studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, the Cleveland Institute of Music, the Aspen Music Festival in Colorado, and the Pierre Monteux School for Conductors in Hancock, Maine.

THE NEW YORK POPS

The New York Pops is the largest independent pops orchestra in the US 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 series at Carnegie Hall. 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. In addition to 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 annual appearances since 2004 in the Macy’s Fourth 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 the five boroughs of New York City.

Sandi Patty, Guest Artist
SANDI PATTY

As one of the most highly acclaimed performers of our time—with five Grammy Awards, four Billboard Music Awards, three Platinum records, five Gold records, and 11 million units sold—Sandi Patty is simply known as “the Voice.” Sandi is the most awarded female vocalist in contemporary music history, with 39 Dove Awards. She was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2004 and honored at The Grammy Salute to Gospel Music in 2008. While her 30-year career is heavily rooted in the gospel music industry, Sandi has had the opportunity in more recent years to extend her career outside the genre.

Sandi has performed with symphonies throughout the US, including the Boston Pops, Cincinnati Pops, Dallas Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Houston Symphony, Oklahoma City Philharmonic, and many more.

Sandi was introduced to the world when her rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner was used during the rededication of the Statue of Liberty in 1986 and broadcast across America on ABC’s special Liberty Weekend. Virtually overnight, she became one of the country’s best-loved performers. Her version of the National Anthem has become synonymous with patriotic celebration, including performances at A Capitol Fourth with the National Symphony; the dedication of the Francis Scott Key Memorial in Washington, DC; the dedication of the Camp David Chapel; and the ABC Fourth of July special.

Sandi currently resides in Oklahoma City, where she and her husband, Don Peslis, raise eight children.

Young People's Chorus of New York City
Francisco J. Núñez, Founder and Artistic Director
YOUNG PEOPLE’S CHORUS OF NEW YORK CITY

For more than two decades, the 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. In the process, the Young People’s Chorus has become one of the most celebrated and influential children’s choruses today, performing around the globe, releasing acclaimed recordings from across the musical spectrum, and collaborating with many of the world’s most highly regarded composers and performers. It has commissioned new works through its celebrated Transient Glory series, and is in residence at three of New York’s major cultural institutions: the 92nd Street Y; Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center; and WNYC New York Public Radio. The chorus is frequently seen on national television, including PBS’s From the Top at Carnegie Hall, and featured in major publications including the New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Chicago Tribune, BBCMusic Magazine, and La Stampa. Highlights this season include return engagements at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, collaborations with the Kronos Quartet, the ensemble’s Swiss debut with the Geneva Chamber Orchestra, and its third trip to Japan for a 15-city tour. The Young People’s Chorus is especially delighted to further strengthen its longtime and cherished relationship with The New York Pops through their many performances together at Carnegie Hall.

Francisco J. Núñez is a composer, conductor, leading figure in music education, and a visionary, whose strongly held ideas have resulted in the critical and popular success of the award-winning, multicultural Young People’s Chorus of New York City. He also conducts the University Glee Club of New York.Mr. Núñez is responsible for expanding the repertoire of choral compositions through the Transient Glory series of commissions, published by Boosey & Hawkes, where Mr. Núñez is an editor, in association with G. Schirmer and Chester Novello. For his exemplary work with children, Mr. Núñez has been presented with numerous awards, such as the Child Champion award from Child magazine, a Liberty Ambassador medal from the New York Post, a Luminary Award from Casita Maria, and, most recently, the New York Choral Society’s Choral Excellence award and ASCAP’s Victor Herbert Award. He has also been honored as one of the 100Most Influential Hispanics by Hispanic Business magazine and a “man of achievement” by Hispanic magazine.