Symphony Magazine Features Jeff Tyzik in Story on Pops Arranging

Jeff Tyzik with guitarist Sharon Isbin
(photo Gelfand-Piper)

Anyone who attends an RPO pops concert with Jeff Tyzik has experienced his creative brilliance and engaging rapport with the audience – but did you know that he is also an accomplished composer and arranger, writing more than 160 works for orchestra?

Jeff’s talent for arranging music for Pops concerts is featured in the November-December issue of Symphony Magazine. Click here to read the story online.

He talks about the challenges of arranging popular music for a symphony orchestra, which includes taking music that may have been created just in a recording studio, and turning it into a piece for live performance.

“You have to understand the acoustic balance between brass, strings, woodwinds, and percussion, and it’s even more crucial if you have a rhythm section,” Jeff says. “One snare drum can wipe out a whole string section.”

He also gives the orchestra music that is interesting to play, that challenges them to be as great as they are – which is not always the case in pops arrangements.

Your next chance to hear Jeff’s arranging genius is at the Gala Holiday Pops concerts on December 16-19 (use this link for concert info).

The concert includes Jeff’s version of The Little Drummer Boy, which is an inventive take-off on Ravel’s Bolero. You’ll also hear Jeff's variations on Deck the Halls, and his gospel version of the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s Messiah.

Little Drummer Boy and the Gospel Hallelujah are also on the RPO’s most recent holiday CD – which makes a wonderful holiday gift! Click here for details.