"Skitch Henderson was a dear friend to all of us at Carnegie Hall, and he was beloved by audiences of the New York Pops," said Clive Gillinson, executive and artistic Director of Carnegie Hall, said in a statement. "Music clearly meant a great deal to Skitch throughout his life, and we know he would have wanted the show to go on. In that spirit and in loving tribute to Skitch, the New York Pops has committed to perform every concert this season as originally scheduled."

Fisher, a specialist in American music and the Broadway musical, conducted the Encores! series at New York City Center from 1994 until earlier this year. He has also led the San Francisco Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra, New York City Opera, and other groups.

The November 11 program, which marks Veterans Day, includes a rare performance of Marc Blitzstein's Airborne Symphony, Bow Lowden's Armed Forces Salute, and songs including "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To," "I'll Walk Alone," and "I'll Be Seeing You." Actor William Hurt narrates the Airborne Symphony; former CBS newscaster Walter Cronkite introduces the evening.

Blitzstein wrote much of the Airborne Symphony, which is for male chorus and orchestra, while serving in the army during World War II. He completed it at Leonard Bernstein's request in 1946, and Bernstein led the New York City Symphony in the premiere. Orson Welles was the original narrator.