New York Pops

Fred Barton has created orchestrations for the New York Pops Orchestra at Carnegie Hall since 2011. 

He provided arrangements for the New York Pops’ annual Gala Benefits in 2011, 2013, 2014, and 2015, for performing artists including Megan Hilty, Jenifer Lewis, Alan Cumming, Rob McClure, Marin Mazzie, Judy Kuhn, Rebecca Luker, Christopher Jackson, and the original cast of HAIRSPRAY.

Fred provided arrangements for the New York Pops’ annual Christmas concerts in 2015 and 2016 for artists including Brian D’Arcy James, Stephanie J. Block, and the sister-team of Ann Hampton Callaway and Liz Callaway.

Fred has also contributed arrangements for prominent solo artists in their Carnegie Hall debuts, including Cheyenne Jackson, Betsy Wolfe, and Megan Hilty, who has continued to include Fred’s orchestrations in her numerous symphony orchestra engagements around North America.

Fred had the unique experience of orchestrating the Muppets’ symphony debut at Carnegie Hall in 2012. In 2017, Fred orchestrated nearly half of the New York Pops’ historic 90th Birthday Tribute to John Kander, with singers Tony Yazbeck and Caissie Levy.

In 2015, conductor Steven Reineke and the New York Pops played Fred’s massive “History of Television Overture,” consisting of famous television theme songs, with Fred center-stage at the piano. The piece was received with much recognition laughter and a standing ovation.

How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Fred’s current answer: “Take the 1 train to 59th, and walk two blocks south.”