FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW YORK, NY – The New York Pops has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The grant, awarded in the category "Access to Artistic Excellence," will support The Best of Lerner & Loewe, a concert celebrating the timeless music of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe with the stars of the Tony award-winning Broadway revival South Pacific, Kelli O’Hara and Paulo Szot. Tenor Michael Slattery, The Clurman Singers and the New York Theatre Ballet also join the performance, led by Music Director Steven Reineke. The concert celebrates the landmark collaborations between librettist/lyricist Alan Jay Lerner and composer Frederick Loewe, one of the most beloved writing teams in the history of American musical theater.
The concert on April 16, 2010 will feature selections from Lerner and Loewe’s Tony Award-winning canon, including My Fair Lady, Camelot, Brigadoon and more. The New York Pops will perform Lerner and Loewe’s repertoire in unique orchestrations by Academy Award-winning composer and arranger Johnny Green. This tribute concert will provide the opportunity to promote the works of Lerner and Loewe, as well as the creativity of Johnny Green.
“The New York Pops prides itself in exploring the works of great composers, particularly those who have made an important contribution to the canon of American popular music,” said James M. Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of The New York Pops. “We are pleased to have the support of the National Endowment for the Arts as we salute the legendary work of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe.”
The National Endowment of the Arts grants are awarded to encourage and support artistic excellence, preserve our cultural heritage, and provide access to the arts for all Americans. The New York Pops holds the unique distinction of being the only symphonic pops orchestra in the country to receive an award from the NEA in the category of “Access to Artistic Excellence.” This award marks the fourth consecutive year the orchestra has received recognition from the NEA.
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 summer 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.
