LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Brooklyn Youth Chorus Academy upon
the occasion of celebrating its 20th Anniversary

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those musical organizations which have brought artistry, diver-
sity and opportunity to the citizens of the great State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the Brooklyn Youth Chorus Academy upon the occasion of celebrating its
20th Anniversary; and
WHEREAS, To celebrate this most auspicious occasion, the Brooklyn
Youth Chorus Academy and soprano Harolyn Blackwell will host a free
concert of seasonal repertoire at the World Financial Center Winter
Garden on Thursday, December 15, 2011, featuring a new commission by
composer Ricky Ian Gordon; and
WHEREAS, In addition, the Brooklyn Youth Chorus Academy and the Brook-
lyn Philharmonic will pay homage to Brooklyn featuring the premiere of
new works from David T. Little and Sarah Kirkland Snider at Roulette's
new Brooklyn theater, March 24-25, 2012; and
WHEREAS, Established in 1992, the Brooklyn Youth Chorus began as the
dream of a young music teacher, Dianne Berkun, who believed all children
should have the opportunity to sing and the training to do it well; and
WHEREAS, One of the finest choral programs in the country, the Brook-
lyn Youth Chorus Academy's founding principles are artistry, diversity
and community; and
WHEREAS, The Brooklyn Youth Chorus Academy's core mission has always
been to train its singers with the care and expertise that young voices
need; and
WHEREAS, The talented youth of the Brooklyn Youth Chorus Academy are
singers of great versatility, praised for a dazzling range of breathtak-
ing sounds; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, the Brooklyn Youth Chorus Academy's choir
grew and went from singing in neighborhood auditoriums to performing in
famous venues such as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center; and
WHEREAS, The Brooklyn Youth Chorus Academy has had a number of stand-
out moments which include singing world premieres with the New York
Philharmonic, backing up Sir Elton John at his birthday concert, record-
ing with Grizzly Bear and winning the 2005 Best Classical Album Grammy
for "On the Transmigration of Souls" by John Adams; and
WHEREAS, As the Brooklyn Youth Chorus Academy branches out musically
it proudly continues to honor the rich community it reflects and serves,
and is eager to carry on this effort for the next 20 years and beyond;
and
WHEREAS, The arts, in whatever form depicted, are central to human
expression; they are truly a universal language and their contribution
to the development of friendship and understanding among all peoples
cannot be underestimated; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Brooklyn Youth Chorus Academy upon the occasion of celebrat-
ing its 20th Anniversary; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Brooklyn Youth Chorus Academy.