Children
from three of The New York Pops music education programs will be at our
23rd Birthday Gala Concert at Carnegie Hall. Over 800 Kids in the Balcony
will attend the concert as part of our music appreciation program. For
many children this will be there first trip to Carnegie Hall. In addition
to all those excited young faces in the balcony, more than 20 junior high
school musicians from in school Salute to Music program will perform on
stage with The New York Pops. Five of those students will be awarded Martin
Ormandy Scholarships to attend a two-week summer music camp in Oneonta,
New York. The awards will be announced on stage the night of the gala.
 Students from The New York Pops Salute to Music program perform on stage with The New York Pops every year for the Birthday Gala Concert at Carnegie Hall. |
Since 1990, The New York Pops Education Programs have introduced thousands of children to the magic of music. Working with the New York City Public Schools and youth organizations, The New York Pops provides children with free music lessons, admission to all of our Carnegie Hall rehearsals and concerts, and free classroom programs designed to spark the creative potential within every child.
It is our great privilege to share the joy of music, the grandeur of Carnegie Hall and our passion for education with thousands of New York City school children, teachers and parents. Whether its a one day workshop, a 12-week residency or a free trip to Carnegie Hall, each of our unique programs are designed to ignite the musical spirit in everyone.
 The two weeks I spent at camp were very special to me. In a very short period of time, I learned more than I could ever imagine. I gained more experience both in music and friendship. In addition, I got to know myself better. Y-Ian Nguyen, 2005 Martin Ormandy Scholarship Recipient |
Kids in the Balcony, our free music appreciation program, brings more than 1,400 New York City school children each year to Carnegie Hall free of charge to attend a New York Pops concert. The program introduces children to the concert experience, to a storied New York landmark, and to some of Americas most enduring popular music. To help prepare students for the concert, a New York Pops professional teaching artist visits participating classrooms to acquaint students with Carnegie Hall, concert etiquette, the orchestra, conductor, guest artists, and the music they will hear. This preparation ensures that students are able to enjoy the concert without feeling intimidated by the unfamiliar surroundings.
The Martin Ormandy Scholarship provides full scholarships for summer study to five Salute to Music students who have shown exceptional musical growth and who exhibit the musicality and discipline necessary to excel. These scholarship recipients are offered free tuition, transportation and expense reimbursement to attend a two-week session at The New York Summer Music Festival at SUNY Oneonta. There, they concentrate on improving their skills on their instruments while rehearsing and performing in a community of like-minded musicians.
 New York Pops teaching artist Jami Dauber working with Salute to Music Students. |
Salute to Music enables 125 junior high school students each year to study with professional teaching artists from The New York Pops. For 16 weeks, students receive weekly lessons in conjunction with the Department of Educationfs borough-wide band and orchestra program, an after-school/weekend program for students who wish to study music but whose schools have limited resources. The program provides opportunities for individual instruction and ensemble playing. Approximately 20 New York Pops teaching artists participate, offering instruction in strings, woodwinds, percussion and brass. At the conclusion of the school year, 20 select Salute to Music students are invited to perform on the Carnegie Hall stage with The New York Pops at the orchestra's gala concert.
Most of us, at some time in our lives, want to be educators. And
I don’t know if I am, but I do know I always wanted to open children’s
ears to the pleasure of music and what it could mean to their lives.
Skitch Henderson, New York Pops
Founder, 1918-2005
