Conducted by Jeff Tyzik, the NJSO will raise spirits with a medley of Irish tunes, and Irish­ American singer Cathie Ryan—hailed by The Los Angeles Times as “one of the leading voices in Irish music”—will take the stage with the NJSO and her own band for a selection of traditional favorites and original songs.

The Boston Globe recently called Ryan "a thrilling traditional vocalist whose honey­pure soprano is equally at home on probing original ballads about a woman's place in the modern world." The program takes place at Prudential Hall at New Jersey Symphony Orchestra in Newark on Saturday, March 8, at 8 p.m. Ticket prices begin at $20.

For the first half of the program, Tyzik will lead the NJSO in a selection of tunes that will make listeners of any heritage long for the beauties of the “Auld Sod,” including the touching “Wexford Carol,” Leroy Anderson’s joyful and jaunty Irish Suite and a medley of Irish marches. Ryan and her band will then join Tyzik and the NJSO for an engaging mix of traditional songs—sung in Irish and English—and Ryan’s original songs, which incorporate a distinctively Celtic sensibility into the modern singer­songwriter genre. Traditional selections include the sprightly “Peata Beag Do Mhathar,” and “Grace O’Malley,” which celebrates a courageous seafarer: “No other captain was a skilled or brave/As Grace O’Malley, who ruled the stormy waves.” Contemporary songs include “Carrick­a­rede,” a tender ballad co­written by Ryan herself, and “Somewhere Along the Road,” the uplifting title track from her popular 2001 album.

About the Artists

Cathie Ryan, with her crystalline vocals and insightful songwriting, is an original and distinctive voice in Celtic music. Since her acclaimed seven­year tenure as lead singer of Cherish the Ladies, the Detroit­born Ryan has established herself as one of Celtic music’s most popular and enduring singer­ songwriters. She is featured on more than 40 compilations of Celtic music and has released four critically acclaimed CDs on Shanachie Records: “Cathie Ryan,” “The Music of What Happens,” “Somewhere Along the Road” and her latest, “The Farthest Wave.” In 2003, Ryan was included in the famous Irish music collection “A Woman’s Heart–A Decade On,” placing her among Irish music’s finest female vocalists and songwriters, one of the first Americans to be so honored. Ryan has performed on national and public television in the United States and Europe, appeared on NPR’s Mountain Stage and Thistle and Shamrock, PRI’s The World, BBC2 in England, Radio Scotland and Ireland’s RTE, RnG and TG4. She was voted one of the Top 100 Irish Americans by Irish America Magazine, and Chicago’s Irish American News honored her as Irish Female Vocalist of the Decade.

Jeff Tyzik has earned a reputation as one of America's foremost pops conductors. A consummate musician, Tyzik is recognized for his brilliant arrangements, original programming and engaging rapport with audiences of all ages. Now in his 14th season as Principal Pops Conductor of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Tyzik also serves as Principal Pops Conductor of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. In addition to his titled posts, he is highly sought after as a guest conductor across North America, with recent appearances including the New York Pops, the Cincinnati Pops and the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl.

Committed to performing music of all genres, Tyzik has collaborated with such diverse artists as Tony Bennett, Art Garfunkel, Dawn Upshaw, Marilyn Horne, Arturo Sandoval, The Chieftains, Mark O'Connor, Doc Severinsen, John Pizzarelli, Billy Taylor and Lou Rawls, and he has created original programs that include the greatest music from jazz and classical to Motown and swing. He has released six of his own albums on Capitol, Polygram and Amherst Records. -- www.njsymphony.org