NY Pops to honor Stephen Schwartz at 43rd Birthday Gala at Carnegie Hall

The New York Pops will celebrate Grammy-, Academy- and Tony Award–winning composer Stephen Schwartz at the orchestra’s 43rd Birthday Gala on April 27, 2026, at Carnegie Hall, the organization announced.

The concert, set for 7 p.m. at Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage, will showcase some of Schwartz’s most beloved songs performed by The New York Pops under the direction of Music Director and Conductor Steven Reineke. A roster of guest vocalists will be announced at a later date.

Schwartz, whose work includes current Broadway productions Wicked and The Queen of Versailles, has written lyrics and music for many landmark stage works, including Godspell, Pippin, Children of Eden, Working and Rags. His film credits include The Prince of Egypt and collaborations with Alan Menken on Disney’s Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Enchanted.

“To receive an award from the New York Pops, an orchestra that is one of New York City’s cultural treasures, is an honor indeed,” Schwartz said in a statement. “And the fact that the event is at Carnegie Hall makes it even more special, even if I did have to ‘practice, practice, practice.’”

Reineke called Schwartz an artist whose music has resonated across generations. “His songs have captivated audiences in theaters across the globe for over 50 years, and we look forward to sharing a bit of their magic on the Carnegie Hall stage with the fabulous musicians of our New York Pops,” he said.

Proceeds from the gala will benefit The New York Pops and the organization’s PopsEd music education programs. Following the performance, gala attendees will have the option to attend a black-tie-optional dinner and dance at the Mandarin Oriental New York.

Tickets to the general public go on sale Nov. 24 at 11 a.m. through Carnegie Hall’s box office and website. Donors contributing $100 or more will receive presale access.

The gala is part of the New York Pops’ 2025–26 Carnegie Hall season, which also includes Everything I Know: Mandy Gonzalez Sings Lin-Manuel Miranda (Nov. 21, 2025), A Place Called Home with Megan Hilty (Dec. 19–20, 2025), If I Ain’t Got You: The Best of R&B with Maleah Joi Moon and Avery Wilson (Feb. 13, 2026) and The Music of Us: From Then to Now (March 13, 2026).

The New York Pops, now in its 43rd season, is the largest independent pops orchestra in the United States and the only professional symphonic orchestra in New York City dedicated to popular music. Its PopsEd programs offer arts access and music instruction to thousands of students citywide each year.

For more information, visit newyorkpops.org.

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