Posted on Sunday, September 28 2003 - 02:44 PM - On Campus

On Monday, October 6, 2003 at 4 PM, Skitch Henderson will be one of the first particpants in the in the 2003-2004 Dean of the Faculty Lecture series. Mr. Henderson will be appearing with half a dozen other musicians, in a program entitled “A Man and His Music.” Mr. Henderson is the director of The New York Pops, which is “the largest independent symphonic pops orchestra in the United States, and the only symphonic orchestra in New York City specializing in popular American music.”

Monday, October 6, 2003 - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Spaulding Theater

Mr. Henderson began playing piano in the 1930's. In 1937 he filled in as pianist on a Judy Garland-Mickey Rooney tour for Andy Hardy. This led to a move to Hollywood, where he accompanied many stars including Bob Hope and Bing Crosby (who gave Skitch his nickname, for his ability to “sketch” new scores in varied keys). During this time he also undertook a formal study of the theory, harmony and philosophy of music, and of conducting,

After World War II, in which Mr. Henderson flew for both the Royal Air Force (having been born in England) and the United States Army Corps (after becoming a U.S. citizen), he became the musical director for Frank Sinatra's radio show, Bing Crosby's radio show, and for all of NBC television. He also conducted music for the Tonight Show under first Steve Allen and later Johnny Carson. At the same time he began conducting symphony orchestras in the United States, Canada and Europe, and composed and arranged film and television scores.

In 1983 he founded The New York Pops with the idea of making symphonic pops music available to a broad audience. Housed in Carnegie Hall, the orchestra mounts successful tours, presents free Summermusic concerts in city parks, and is involved with education programs for young people. It also performs an annual Holiday Concert, broadcast on National Public Radio. As a result of his activities, Mr. Henderson has been widely honored for his contributions to New York cultural life, recently with the Handel Medallion, which is the city's highest cultural honor.