The Dallas Symphony Orchestra has named Jeff Tyzik its Principal Pops Conductor. Tyzik has worked on and off with the orchestra since 2005 and conducted two DSO Pops Series concerts last season. And since 2010, he’s had the enviable task of leading the orchestra during its annual summer residency at the Bravo! Vail music festival in Colorado.

He replaces Marvin Hamlisch, who died suddenly last August.

In addition to Tyzik’s position with the DSO, he holds a number of other posts. He’s conducted the pops program for the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra for the last 20 years. And he is also the pops conductor for the Seattle Symphony, Detroit Symphony, the Florida Orchestra, the Oregon Symphony and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

“I didn’t hesitate when Jaap and Jonathan asked me to be Principal Pops Conductor because I felt the orchestra and I know and respect each other and enjoy that all-important trust factor,” Tyzik said in a news release, which follows after the jump:

Dallas, TX (August 19, 2013) – The Dallas Symphony Orchestra (DSO) and Music Director Jaap van Zweden announce the appointment of Grammy® Award-winner Jeff Tyzik as Principal Pops Conductor. Tyzik will lead DSO Pops Series performances at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center from the Dot and Paul Mason Principal Pops Conductor’s Podium. He will also conduct Dallas Symphony pops performances during the Orchestra’s annual summer residency at the Bravo! Vail music festival in Colorado. This post was previously held by legendary musician and conductor Marvin Hamlisch.

“It’s a great honor to be named Principal Pops Conductor of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra,” Jeff Tyzik said. “I’ve worked with the orchestra over the past 10 years, and I really love the musicians and their incredible artistry. Jaap van Zweden has led the Orchestra to even higher levels of playing and energy, and it’s incredibly gratifying to be a part of that musically and help continue that tradition.”

Tyzik is one of America’s most innovative pops conductors, recognized for his brilliant musical arrangements, original programming and engaging rapport with audiences. His initial contract as the Dallas Symphony’s Principal Pops Conductor extends for three years. In the 2013/14 season he will conduct DSO Pops Series performances of An Evening of Gershwin (October 4-6, 2013), A Night at the Cotton Club (November 8-10, 2013), and Hollywood Hits (June 6-8, 2014). He is scheduled to lead four DSO Pops Series programs in both the 2014/15 and 2015/16 seasons and will appear with the orchestra at Bravo! Vail.

“I’ve been a fan of Jeff Tyzik for a long time, and we are very pleased to welcome him as our Principal Pops Conductor,” said Dallas Symphony Orchestra President and CEO Jonathan Martin. “His flair for music-making, deep experience in a wide range of performance styles, dynamic compositions and musical arrangements, and his instant and indelible rapport he establishes with audiences makes Jeff an incredible addition to the DSO. He will build on the excellence of our pops programming and introduce imaginative and exciting new concert experiences I know our audiences will enjoy.”

Tyzik first conducted the Dallas Symphony in 2005 and has returned in subsequent seasons, most recently conducting two DSO Pops Series concerts during the 2012/13 season. Beginning in 2010 and continuing every summer since, Tyzik has conducted Dallas Symphony pops concerts at Bravo! Vail.

“I didn’t hesitate when Jaap and Jonathan asked me to be Principal Pops Conductor because I felt the orchestra and I know and respect each other and enjoy that all-important trust factor,” Tyzik said. “We can build on that and bring great performances to Dallas and to Vail. And it’s going to be fun.”

In addition to his duties with the Dallas Symphony, Tyzik will celebrate his 20^th season as Principal Pops Conductor of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra this year. Also this season, he begins a new role as Principal Pops Conductor of the Seattle Symphony, the Detroit Symphony and The Florida Orchestra. Tyzik continues to serve as Principal Pops Conductor of the Oregon Symphony and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

In addition to his titled posts, Tyzik is highly sought after as a guest conductor across North America, with recent guest appearances including the Boston Pops, the Cincinnati Pops, the Milwaukee Symphony, the Toronto Symphony, the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center and the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl.

As an accomplished composer and arranger, Tyzik’s compositions have been recorded by ensembles including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and the Summit Brass, and his arrangements have been recorded by groups including Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and Doc Severinsen with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London. He has also produced and composed theme music for major television networks, including ABC, NBC, HBO and Cinemax, and released six of his own albums on Capitol, Polygram and Amherst Records.

Tyzik holds Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from the Eastman School of Music.