LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Guilderland High School Chamber
Choir and Wind Ensemble upon the occasion of receiving top honors at the
National Heritage Music Festival Competition

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that institutions that
give positive definition to the profile and disposition of the communi-
ties of the State of New York profoundly strengthen our society with
their commitment; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the Guilderland High School Chamber Choir and Wind Ensemble upon the
occasion of receiving top honors at this year's Annual National Heritage
Music Festival competition held in Boston, Massachusetts on March 25-26,
2011; and
WHEREAS, The Heritage Music Festivals, the country's most prestigious,
were established over 30 years ago to offer school bands, choirs, and
orchestras from across the country, performing opportunities; and
WHEREAS, 49 Guilderland students traveled to Boston to attend the
annual event in which high school and collegiate bands, as well as
orchestra and choir ensembles from across the country participated in
the competition; and
WHEREAS, Both the Chamber Choir, directed by Rae Jean Teeter, and the
Wind Ensemble, directed by Kathleen Richards Ehlinger, won Gold Awards
and Adjudicator Awards; in addition, the Chamber Choir achieved top
honors not only in their division, but in the entire Choral Division;
and
WHEREAS, Boston University clinicians Dr. Susan Wharton-Conkling and
Dr. Roger Mantie worked with the ensembles prior to the competition;
and
WHEREAS, Students were outstanding ambassadors as they had the oppor-
tunity to interact with other student performers from within the same
division as well as from around the country; and
WHEREAS, Both the Chamber Choir and the Wind Ensemble will perform
locally on May 5, 2011, and May 19, 2011, at Guilderland High School;
and
WHEREAS, It is most fitting that we take time to celebrate the arts of
our Nation, to honor our musicians, and to express our appreciation to
everyone who patronizes the arts; and as we celebrate the arts, we cele-
brate and give thanks to our American freedom, the only atmosphere in
which musicians can truly perform and in which music is truly the
expression of the soul; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Guilderland High School Chamber Choir and Wind Ensemble upon
the occasion of receiving top honors at the National Heritage Music
Festival Competition; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Guilderland High School Chamber Choir and Wind Ensemble.