For Immediate Release

New York, NY — The Board of Directors of The New York Pops and CEO James M. Johnson announced today the renewal of Steven Reineke’s contract as the orchestra’s Music Director, effective October 1, 2011. Reineke, who has conducted The New York Pops for two seasons, has committed to remain with the orchestra an additional five years, through the 2015-2016 season.

Since his appointment as Music Director, Reineke has reinvigorated the orchestra, embracing fresh yet challenging programming and inviting diverse and innovative guest artists to the stage. He has received wide acclaim from audiences and critics alike, sparking a 15% increase in subscription sales.

In addition to his duties as conductor, Mr. Reineke’s responsibilities as Music Director include the development and supervision of The New York Pops and its programs, as well as the selection of visiting artists and ensembles. He also works in collaboration with CEO James M. Johnson and the Board of Directors on the creation and implementation of future directions and initiatives for The New York Pops.

Mr. Reineke will next conduct the orchestra’s Friday, March 11, 2011 concert at Carnegie Hall featuring iconic music made famous by Judy Garland. He will also lead The New York Pops’ 28th Birthday Gala on Monday, May 2, 2011.

Last month, Mr. Reineke announced The New York Pops’ 2011-2012 season, which includes favorites from the Irving Berlin Songbook, music from the Mad Men era performed by stage and television star Cheyenne Jackson, a swing-filled holiday concert, a recreation of Ella Fitzgerald’s classic album of Gershwin songs, and an evening of Oscar-winning film scores and songs.

“The orchestra could not be in better hands,” said James A. Read, Chairman of The New York Pops Board of Directors. “In his first two seasons, Steven has led The New York Pops to an even higher level of musical excellence at Carnegie Hall. He has been equally inspiring to the board and staff, enabling The New York Pops to be of even greater service to the New York community.”

"I'm thrilled beyond words to have found a home in New York City among the incredible New York Pops family,” said Steven Reineke. “The past two seasons have been filled with excitement and pure joy making music with these amazing musicians. With this extension, we are able to develop more long range plans and goals for the orchestra to continue to provide world class entertainment to the people of New York City and beyond.”

“The response to Steven Reineke has been overwhelming,” said James M. Johnson, CEO of The New York Pops. “Our musicians, our audience and our supporters have told us in definitive terms that Steven Reineke has transformed The New York Pops. His fresh approach to programming, engaging stage presence and eagerness to bring the orchestra into the New York City community and the world at large have re-energized this institution. Now we can make plans for the long-term, knowing that Steven will be here to carry out his vision for The New York Pops.”

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, Reineke leads concert tours, recordings and nationwide telecasts, including the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks on NBC Television. 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 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 fifteen years he served as a composer, arranger and conducting protégé of the late celebrated pops conductor Erich Kunzel.

Steven Reineke’s recent guest conducting appearances include the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C. as well as the orchestras of Houston, Toronto, Detroit, Indianapolis, Baltimore, and Edmonton. He returns to the Boston Pops and Philadelphia Orchestra in 2011 and debuts with The Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom Music Center. He made his Hollywood Bowl debut in 2007 with the multi-faceted 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 one hundred 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 Philharmonic and Los Angeles Philharmonic. 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 respectively. The Cincinnati Enquirer had this to say about Festival Te Deum: “Melodious and joyous, it had antiphonal brass in the balconies, organ, full orchestra and wonderful choral passages.” 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. Mr. Reineke is represented by Peter Throm Management, LLC.

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 their highest subscription renewal rates. 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 concerts in New York City parks. The orchestra’s media projects include performing for the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular on NBC since 2005, 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.

Additional information about the season is available by visiting www.newyorkpops.org. Tickets for the current season may be purchased through CarnegieCharge at 212-247-7800 or by visiting www.carnegiehall.org. Subscriptions for the 2011-2012 season will be available to the public in April 2011.

PRESS CONTACT: Whitney Holden, Cohn Dutcher Associates; 917-339-7188; wholden@cohndutcher.com

American Airlines is the official airline of The New York Pops.

The New York Pops is a not-for-profit corporation supported solely through the generosity of individual donations, institutional grants, and concert income.

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