Eric Waugh Article (RPO Floats Canal Days Concert)

RPO floats Canal Days concert

Orchestra plays aboard barge in Fairport

KARIN VON VOIGTLANDER staff photographer The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

Eric Waugh paints the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra as it plays a pops concert aboard a New York state barge's 100-by-25 foot deck Sunday at Fairport Canal Days. The painting is the prize in a fundraising raffle.

Stuart Low Staff writer (June 5, 2006)

The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra enjoyed smooth sailing Sunday during its first floating concert aboard an Erie Canal barge. The Fairport Canal Days event was almost cancelled because of showers. But at their morning rehearsal, the 75 musicians voted to brave the elements and perform on the 100-by-25-foot deck. By midafternoon the skies had cleared and thousands of pedestrians inched shoulder-to-shoulder over the Main Street lift bridge. The New York state barge, nicknamed the USS RPO, was rigged with a rainproof canopy and carpets to dampen reverberations. Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik cruised to the concert in style on the Sam Patch packet boat. Clad in black slacks and a sport shirt, he led a rousing program of patriotic, movie and pop music that had audience members clapping. "We're doing our version of David Letterman's 'Will It Float?'" he told the crowd. "We'll use our symphony orchestra to find out."

The concert was probably unique in RPO history. On both sides of the canal, spectators crammed into every available patch of grass and watched from private boats lined stem to stern. Aboard the barge, clothespins protected the RPO's sheet music from gusts of wind. Nearby train whistles competed fiercely with Aaron Copland's Rodeo.

Montreal artist Eric Waugh, who specializes in painting live concerts, including the Doobie Brothers and Tony Bennett, was aboard. Waugh set out to capture the entire RPO on canvas during its 80-minute show.

It speaks volumes for conductors' clout that Waugh, 42, immortalized Tyzik in a white tuxedo rather than his own humble sportswear. He set up an 8-by-5-foot canvas and sketched while executing athletic leaps and crouches. "I feel good today," he said. "I've been training with a 10-pound dumbbell and doing aerobics."

Sunday's concert was a kickoff for the RPO's 2006 Symphony Showhouse, where Waugh's painting will be on display as a raffle prize.

The 1876 Deland House at 1 E. Church St., Fairport, has been decorated by 35 area designers and artists. Tours of the home end June 25 and could raise more than $109,000 for RPO programs.



News Main Articles Television and Radio appearances	RPO floats Canal Days concert Orchestra plays aboard barge in Fairport KARIN VON VOIGTLANDER staff photographer The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle Eric Waugh paints the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra as it plays a pops concert aboard a New York state barge's 100-by-25 foot deck Sunday at Fairport Canal Days. The painting is the prize in a fundraising raffle. Stuart Low Staff writer (June 5, 2006) The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra enjoyed smooth sailing Sunday during its first floating concert aboard an Erie Canal barge. The Fairport Canal Days event was almost cancelled because of showers. But at their morning rehearsal, the 75 musicians voted to brave the elements and perform on the 100-by-25-foot deck. By midafternoon the skies had cleared and thousands of pedestrians inched shoulder-to-shoulder over the Main Street lift bridge. The New York state barge, nicknamed the USS RPO, was rigged with a rainproof canopy and carpets to dampen reverberations. Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik cruised to the concert in style on the Sam Patch packet boat. Clad in black slacks and a sport shirt, he led a rousing program of patriotic, movie and pop music that had audience members clapping. "We're doing our version of David Letterman's 'Will It Float?'" he told the crowd. "We'll use our symphony orchestra to find out." The concert was probably unique in RPO history. On both sides of the canal, spectators crammed into every available patch of grass and watched from private boats lined stem to stern. Aboard the barge, clothespins protected the RPO's sheet music from gusts of wind. Nearby train whistles competed fiercely with Aaron Copland's Rodeo. Montreal artist Eric Waugh, who specializes in painting live concerts, including the Doobie Brothers and Tony Bennett, was aboard. Waugh set out to capture the entire RPO on canvas during its 80-minute show. It speaks volumes for conductors' clout that Waugh, 42, immortalized Tyzik in a white tuxedo rather than his own humble sportswear. He set up an 8-by-5-foot canvas and sketched while executing athletic leaps and crouches. "I feel good today," he said. "I've been training with a 10-pound dumbbell and doing aerobics." Sunday's concert was a kickoff for the RPO's 2006 Symphony Showhouse, where Waugh's painting will be on display as a raffle prize. The 1876 Deland House at 1 E. Church St., Fairport, has been decorated by 35 area designers and artists. Tours of the home end June 25 and could raise more than $109,000 for RPO programs.