Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Bank of America and Veterans Outreach Center Celebrate Public Release of New CD
Rochester, NY – On Wednesday, May 21, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra with Bank of America and Veterans Outreach Center will celebrate the release of the RPO’s new recording, HONOR: Portraits of America with a public CD release party from 5-7 p.m. at Veterans Outreach Center (459 South Avenue). Conducted by Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik, the CD celebrates America’s heritage and recognizes the service and sacrifice of generations of Armed Forces veterans. Although the CD release date is May 22, it will be available for pre-release sale at the party, with Tyzik on hand for signing. Free guided tours of VOC also will be offered.
Made possible by a $50,000 grant from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation as well as individual donations, HONOR: Portraits of America will feature works by Tyzik (all recording debuts) and traditional patriotic favorites. Two dollars from each CD (which retails for $20) will be donated to Veterans Outreach Center by the RPO and Jeff Tyzik. “There is no greater symbol of the strength of our community than our veterans, who gave so much to ensure freedom for the rest of us,” said Joseph R. Rulison, market president, Bank of America Rochester. “Bank of America is pleased to work with the RPO to make this recording possible, and we are proud to be a part of this important project.”
“We are extremely grateful to the RPO and Jeff Tyzik – a longtime friend and supporter of Veterans Outreach Center,” said VOC President and CEO Thomas J. Cray. “Their contribution of music to support the men and women who have served and are serving their country is beyond admirable.” Honor is self-produced by the RPO, as it has done successfully with three other recordings, most recently last season’s A Holiday Celebration. Tyzik’s works include Bravo! Colorado, dedicated to the memory of President Gerald Ford (a World War II Navy veteran) – a supporter of the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival where the RPO spends two weeks each summer; Fantasy on American Themes; and Pleasant Valley Suite, commissioned in 2003 by the Genesee Country Village & Museum to commemorate its 25th Anniversary. The Star-Spangled Banner, National Emblem March, Sousa’s uplifting Stars and Stripes Forever and Tyzik’s own arrangement of the Armed Forces Song Medley round out the CD.
“This recording will have a long-term and enduring impact on its listeners and within the recording industry,” said Tyzik. “With the increased visibility and recognition of our great orchestra through the success of our latest Gershwin CD, I feel strongly that the timing is perfect for such an important recording.”
Beginning May 22, the CD will be available at area Wegmans; at Rochester-area Bank of America branches; at STARS & STRIPES, The Flag Store, a project of Veterans Outreach Center, 455 South Avenue; at the RPO Box Office, at the RPO summer CMAC concerts; at the Genesee Country Village & Museum; at 108 East Avenue; by phone, (585) 454-2100 and at www.rpo.org.
For those interested in hearing the CD repertoire live, the RPO and Jeff Tyzik will be performing a free concert (with museum admission) at the Genesee Country Village and Museum on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26 at 2 p.m. Tyzik will be on-hand to sign CDs, which will be available for purchase on-site.
