The 26th season of the famed orchestra founded by Skitch Henderson will kick off Oct. 17 with The Bernstein Songbook. The 8 PM concert will feature the best-loved songs of Leonard Bernstein interpreted by Tony Award winner Lillias White, Jekyll & Hyde's Christiane Noll, tenor Martín Solá, pianist Fred Hersch, jazz violinist Sara Caswell and Tony-winning singer-actress Phyllis Newman, who will perform "My New Friends" from The Madwoman of Central Park West. Constantine Kitsopoulos will conduct the Pops. New York Songs: A Love Letter to the City is the title of the Nov. 7 concert, which will feature classic songs about New York City as well as the world premiere of original Manhattan-themed songs penned by Kenneth Laub. Performers for the 8 PM concert will include Clint Holmes, Mary Poppins' Ashley Brown, Legally Blonde's Laura Bell Bundy and Hairspray's Linda Hart. Vinnie Falcone and Eric Stern will conduct; expect songs by Stephen Sondheim, Jule Styne and Cole Porter.

A King's Singers Holiday will be presented Dec. 19 and 20 at 8 PM. Rob Fisher will conduct the New York Pops for the two concerts featuring holiday favorites performed by The King's Singers.

The New Year will kick off with The Music of James Bond March 6, 2009, at 8 PM. Mary Carewe and Simon Bowman will perform a mix of Bond hits penned by John Barry, Marvin Hamlisch, Paul McCartney and more. Carl Davis will conduct the orchestra.

The season will conclude April 3, 2009, with Once Upon a Time and Tomorrow: The Best of Charles Strouse. The 8 PM concert will feature tunes from such Strouse musicals as Annie, Applause, Bye Bye Birdie and Nick & Nora. Martin Yates will conduct.

Subscriptions, which begin at $81, are now available by calling (212) 247-7800 or by visiting www.carnegiehall.org. Single tickets will go on sale Sept. 2.

For more information visit www.newyorkpops.org.