The New York Pops

"I had no idea this could be so easy and stress-free…."

The New York Pops proudly proclaims itself to be a different kind of orchestra. Founded in 1983 by Ruth and Skitch Henderson to create greater public awareness and appreciation of American’s rich musical heritage through concerts and education programs, the New York Pops is the largest independent pops orchestra in the United States. It is the only professional symphonic orchestra in New York City specializing in popular music. Through an annual subscription series at Carnegie Hall and an annual summer series at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, the New York Pops reaches audiences of more than 7,500 each year celebrating the diversity of popular music’s evolving songbook from Broadway melodies to film scores, jazz, rock, pop, and everything in between. The New York Pops is dedicated to lifelong learning and collaborates with public schools, community organizations, children’s hospitals, and senior centers throughout the five boroughs to blend traditional education with pure fun. The nonprofit is supported solely through the generosity of individual donations, institutional grants, corporate sponsorships, and concert income.

“We were in a transition in 2018,” explains Executive Director Anne M. Swanson. “Our outgoing comptroller had grown her business to the point where she no longer had the availability to give us the attention we needed.” In conversations with colleagues at other orchestras and nonprofits, as well as their auditor, Swenson learned about Your Part-Time Controller.

“After my first phone call with them I was completely impressed with their professionalism and their ability to ask questions that aligned with our unique needs. They were one of the only firms out of a dozen that I spoke with that had researched our 990s before speaking with me. I was really impressed right out of the gate.”

Today, a YPTC associate is embedded in the New York Pops office once a week handling all the bookkeeping and payroll, advising Swanson and her team.

“I had no idea this could be so easy and stress-free,” she notes. “It’s a big relief that I can give direction and feedback once. The improvements are immediate. I don’t have to repeat myself. YPTC is always two steps ahead – streamlining processes, customizing reports and creating solutions.

“We are getting things done quickly and efficiently, which lets me spend more of my time doing programmatic work, raising money and growing our programs to serve our community.”