direct the RWCCO Jeff Tyzik, who is the Principal Pops Conductor with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, has also chosen to direct the Roberts Wesleyan Community Orchestra this 2002-2003 season. Over the past decade, he has built a reputation as one of the country's foremost pops conductors. When he mounts the podium at the Roberts Cultural Life Center, he will bring with him some of his own arrangements as well as the artistry of several solo performers. On Saturday, November 16, at 7:30 p.m., the RWCCO will present its Autumn Concert. Tyzik will conduct the community and college musicians in Mozart's "Overture to the Marriage of Figaro," Haydn's Symphony No. 1, Bizet's Carmen Suite No. 1, and Water Music by Handel. Roberts Wesleyan professor Paul Shewan will be the featured soloist with Haydn's "Trumpet Concerto in E flat." Also performing will be the Roberts Wesleyan Chorale with "The Heavens are Telling" from the Creation by Haydn, Dr. Robert Shewan conducting. They will be accompanied by the Pearce Sanctuary Choir, directed by Dean Davis. The doors to Hale Auditorium will be open at 6:50 p.m. for those interested in the pre-concert chat with Tyzik. He will also entertain questions from the audience. How does one secure the professional services of a conductor with the credentials of a Jeff Tyzik? Dr. Nelson Hill, the new chairman of the Fine Arts Department at Roberts Wesleyan, was responsible for the contact. It only took a phone call to pique Jeff Tyzik's curiosity and interest. Said Hill, "We simply just picked up the phone and asked him. After a few positive conversations, Tyzik agreed to conduct this season's concerts." Tyzik responded, "It was an intriguing proposition and involved education, which is a major interest of ours. I believe it will be fun for the RWCCO and for me." Tyzik's guest conducting schedule has given him the opportunity to conduct many of America's orchestras, including the Boston Pops, the Detroit Symphony, the St. Louis Symphony, the Baltimore Symphony, and symphonies in Pittsburgh, Houston and Cincinnati. He has worked with Duke Ellington, Tony Bennett, Art Garfunkel and Marilyn Horne. Tickets for the concert are $6 and are available at the Roberts Box Office, 594-6008. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. There are still season tickets available for $15 at the box office. |
