Amazing Grace

Our organization was founded to increase appreciation of America’s rich cultural heritage and celebrate the diversity of popular music.

At a time when we mourn the losses of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and the countless lives cut short due to systemic inequality, we are reminded of the importance of our mission. Music is a universal language. We will use that language to amplify the messages of our family members, friends, and neighbors who are understandably grieving. 

In solidarity, we dedicate this performance of "Amazing Grace" to the memory of black lives lost. Through music, we honor them. We also sound a call to action – to ourselves, The New York Pops organization, as well as the broader community.

Click on the Play button arrow below to watch.

We pledge to ensure more inclusive representation at every level of The New York Pops: from our organizational leaders to the songwriters that are represented in our programs to the talent that shares our stage. While we have always strived to share stories and elevate voices from all backgrounds, we need to up our game even more.  We have a responsibility to better reflect the city that we serve. This begins by examining our structural biases and then changing our narrative.  

We know that our duty extends beyond the concert hall. Through our PopsEd music education programs, we increase arts access for students and seniors of all backgrounds by collaborating with public schools, community organizations, and senior centers throughout New York City. Through our Kids in the Balcony/Kids in the Stadium initiatives, we provide opportunities to hundreds of students across all five boroughs to attend New York Pops concerts at Carnegie Hall and Forest Hills Stadium free of charge. Through our Kids on Stage program, we offer middle school students the opportunity to learn and perform alongside our professional musicians. And we annually provide thousands of students quality music education through our PopsEd Residencies in public schools from the South Bronx to Staten Island, from Flushing to Sheepshead Bay.

As this country’s largest independent pops orchestra: We see you. We hear you. We stand with you.

Amazing Grace
Arrangement: Patrick Glenn Harper

The New York Pops Brass
Steven Reineke, Music Director and Conductor

Horn
Larry DiBello – Principal

Trumpets
Neil Balm – Principal
Tony Kadleck

Trombones
Richard Clark – Principal
John Rojak

Tuba
Marcus Rojas – Principal

Video Editor: Michael Markowski

Music Production by Sonic Designs Inc: Dan Gerhard and Ellen Fitton