LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Herbert Geller upon the occasion of
being inducted into the Rome Arts Hall of Fame on June 10, 2011

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to call attention to
individuals and organizations that devote their time and energies to the
cultural enrichment of the Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Herbert Geller upon the occasion of being inducted into the Rome Arts
Hall of Fame at its Annual Induction Ceremony at the Capitol Theatre, in
Rome, New York, on June 10, 2011; and
WHEREAS, The Rome Arts Hall of Fame was created in 2005, and is housed
in the mezzanine foyer of the Capitol; each year, nominations are
collected from community members and arts organizations, and a committee
made up of individuals from Rome's arts community chooses inductees; and
WHEREAS, Born in Rome, New York, Herbert Geller is a graduate of Rome
Free Academy; as a student he studied clarinet privately with John
Faver; upon graduation, he was accepted to The Juilliard School of Music
where he completed a degree program in clarinet performance under the
great French Clarinetist, Augustin Duques; and
WHEREAS, After graduation, Herbert Geller played with the United
States Military Academy Band at West Point for several years, before
going on to join The Berkshire Music Festival Orchestra at Tanglewood;
he also played in The National Orchestral Association Orchestra in New
York City under Leon Barazin; and
WHEREAS, Herbert Geller later relocated to Florida where he played
principal clarinet in The Florida Symphony Orchestra; he was selected to
participate in a State Department tour of Africa with the All American
Big Band; upon returning to the states he became a member of the Band of
America under Paul Lavalle; and
WHEREAS, After relocating to Rome with his wife and family, Herbert
Geller was the Band Director at Vernon, Verona, Sherrill High School,
and later the Band Director at Rome Free Academy; and
WHEREAS, Herbert Geller's teaching career also included clarinet
instructor at Hartwick College and the Crane School of Music at Potsdam;
he also formed and conducted the Rome Free Academy Wind Ensemble and
Alumni Band for many memorable summer concerts; and
WHEREAS, Currently an adjunct professor at Mohawk Valley Community
College and a member of the Clarion Clarinet Quartet, Herbert Geller
also continues to offer private teaching; and
WHEREAS, It is most fitting that we take time to celebrate the arts of
our Nation, to honor our artists, 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 artists can truly create and in which art is truly the expression
of the soul; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Herbert Geller upon the occasion of being inducted into the Rome
Arts Hall of Fame on June 10, 2011; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Herbert Geller.