LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Stanley Drucker upon the occasion of his
retirement as the principal clarinetist with the New York Philharmonic

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those individuals whose commitment and creative talents have
contributed to the entertainment and cultural enrichment of the citizens
of our great State and Nation; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Stanley Drucker upon the occasion of his retirement as the principal
clarinetist with the New York Philharmonic; and
WHEREAS, A prodigy on the clarinet; Stanley Drucker began playing at
the age of 10 and won an audition for the Curtis Institute in Philadelp-
hia when he was 15; he dropped out the next year after winning a tryout
with the Indianapolis Symphony; and
WHEREAS, At 18, Stanley Drucker won another audition, with the Buffalo
Philharmonic under William Steinberg; a year later, he got his big break
and was hired by the New York Philharmonic under the legendary Bruno
Walter; and
WHEREAS, Over the past 60 years, Stanley Drucker has performed with
400 different conductors, in some 10,200 New York Philharmonic concerts,
about 70 percent of the performances presented by the oldest active
symphony orchestra in the country; and
WHEREAS, The longest-serving member of the New York Philharmonic,
Stanley Drucker has had two pieces specifically commissioned for him;
one was John Corigliano's Clarinet Concerto, a fiendishly difficult work
which was tailored specifically for his phenomenal musical skills; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to
express its highest admiration for Stanley Drucker and to wish him
continued success in all of his future endeavors; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Stanley Drucker upon the occasion of his retirement as the princi-
pal clarinetist with the New York Philharmonic; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Stanley Drucker.