30 Years of Jeff Tyzik!

Maestro Tyzik’s first ever Pops concert was in 1980 at the Dome Arena with the RPO. He and Allen Vizzutti (Eastman School of Music classmate) were tasked by RPO Manager Tony Dechario to create a Pops concert which meant creating and arranging the music.

Tyzik approached RPO President Nan Harman in 1993 with a plan for a four-concert series featuring RPO members called “All in the Family.” The debut concerts were held October 22-23, 1993 and highlighted Kenneth Grant (clarinet), Joseph Werner (piano), and percussionists William Cahn and Dave Mancini.

One month after that first series concert (November 1993), Maestro was asked to be Principal Pops Conductor for the RPO.

What to know before you go

To celebrate 30 years with the RPO, Principal Pops conductor Jeff Tyzik keeps it a family affair! You’ll hear “stars” from your RPO including Juliana Athayde, Erik Behr and Ken Grant all playing pieces written specifically for them by Maestro Tyzik during his tenure. The party will also feature other Rochester connections including Herb Smith performing Chuck Mangione’s The Feel of a Vision and Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess Suite arranged by Robert Russell Bennett and featuring bass Kevin Deas, a frequent guest of the RPO. Plus, Rochester’s own soprano Kearstin Piper Brown joins the fun, as does Madrigalia, now in its 45th season!