LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Kirstin Hoops and the Vivace
String Orchestra upon the occasion of capturing the National Grand Prize

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize the dedi-
cation and commitment of our young people who distinguish themselves
through excellence in musical competition; and
WHEREAS, Music competition provides an opportunity for students to
exhibit their practical skills to an audience, thereby giving them a
sense of pride in their hard work and efforts; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late Kirstin Hoops and the Vivace String Orchestra upon the occasion of
capturing the National Grand Prize at the National Orchestra Festival;
and
WHEREAS, Kirstin Hoops is a member of the Vivace String Orchestra, a
group which is part of the Stringendo Orchestra School of the Hudson
Valley; and
WHEREAS, The Stringendo Orchestra School of the Hudson Valley began in
the fall of 2001 as a year round extension of Summer Strings music camp;
its six string orchestras currently enroll over 180 students between the
ages of 7 and 18 who rehearse on Saturday mornings; and
WHEREAS, Under co-directors Jonathan Handman and Emily Schaad, and
conductors Elizabeth Handman, Kimberly Handman, Rachel Handman and
Kristina Rizzo, Stringendo orchestras have performed at conferences for
MENC and NYSSMA, as well as in Cleveland, Rochester, Minneapolis and
Amherst, Massachusetts; and
WHEREAS, A part of Stringendo, the Vivace String Orchestra takes an
in-depth look at standard string orchestra repertoire; it encounters a
wide range of composers with detailed attention to ensemble, phrasing
and style; and
WHEREAS, On the strength of an audiotape sample, the Vivace String
Orchestra was invited to participate in the National Orchestra Festival
held in Atlanta, Georgia, March 19-21, 2009; and
WHEREAS, On the Vivace String Orchestra's first entry into competition
at the National Orchestra Festival, it was awarded the National Grand
Prize; and
WHEREAS, The members and staff of the Vivace String Orchestra and
Stringendo Orchestra School of the Hudson Valley and co-directors Jona-
than Handman and Emily Schaad, and conductors Elizabeth Handman, Kimber-
ly Handman, Rachel Handman and Kristina Rizzo have proven themselves to
be an unbeatable combination of talents, reflecting favorably on their
orchestra, school and community; and
WHEREAS, The outstanding performance of Kirstin Hoops and the Vivace
String Orchestra have clearly made a contribution to the spirit of
excellence which is a tradition of the Stringendo Orchestra School of
the Hudson Valley; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Kirstin Hoops and the Vivace String Orchestra upon the
occasion of capturing the National Grand Prize at the National Orchestra
Festival; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Kirstin Hoops and the members of the Vivace String Orchestra,
and to co-directors Jonathan Handman and Emily Schaad, and conductors
Elizabeth Handman, Kimberly Handman, Rachel Handman and Kristina Rizzo.