LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Joseph "Joe" Riposo upon the occasion of
his induction into the Music Educator Hall of Fame at the 2011 Syracuse
Area Music Awards

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor and recognize
those talented individuals, who have had a significant impact on the
arts and culture of our communities, by providing the public with bril-
liant entertainment and students with outstanding instruction in the
field of music; one such individual is Joe Riposo; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Joe
Riposo upon the occasion of his induction into the Music Educator Hall
of Fame at the 2011 Syracuse Area Music Awards, also known as the
Sammys, and to commend him for a lifetime of achievements as a brilliant
musician and instructor; and
WHEREAS, Joe Riposo is being honored with this esteemed award for
being an effective leader and teacher in the field of music; and
WHEREAS, Joe Riposo grew up in Syracuse, New York; he was first a
clarinetist, but eventually started playing the saxophone and various
other woodwind instruments; and
WHEREAS, After graduating with a music degree from Syracuse University
in 1957, Joe Riposo moved to Fort Dix, a United States Army base, where
he became Chief Instructor in the School of Music; and
WHEREAS, Joe Riposo also toured the globe with the Woodland Quartet,
before returning to Syracuse in 1960, to start a successful career in
music education; and
WHEREAS, For 31 years, Joe Riposo taught music at the Liverpool
Central School District, mentoring and inspiring countless students in
the field of music, before assuming the leadership role of Director of
Music Education for the school district; and
WHEREAS, With Joe Riposo's guidance, the Liverpool Central School
District's music education program expanded and gained national recogni-
tion; and
WHEREAS, Joe Riposo also served as Jazz Coordinator for the New York
State School Music Association, receiving the presidential medallion for
his contributions to the NYSSMA organization; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Joe Riposo served as President of the Interna-
tional Association of Jazz Educators, New York Unit, as well as the
North Eastern Division Coordinator for the International Association of
Jazz Educators; and
WHEREAS, In 1991, Joe Riposo retired from the Liverpool School
District, but soon became the Director of Jazz Studies at Syracuse
University, where he continues to provide students with a proven envi-
ronment for successful learning; and
WHEREAS, Joe Riposo has performed with numerous bands at hundreds of
venues throughout Central New York, New York State and the United
States; he has performed with internationally-renowned artists, such as
Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Nat King Cole; and
WHEREAS, Joe Riposo has become internationally known as a performer,
composer and arranger in the jazz idiom; he is actively published and
commissioned in both the professional and scholastic fields, with more
than 50 books and compositions; and
WHEREAS, Joe Riposo's legendary career has been defined by, but not
limited to, numerous awards and achievements, some of which include: the
Outstanding Jazz Educators Award from the National Band Association for
effective leadership in instrumental music education by developing
successful bands in schools; the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra Musicians

Award for Outstanding Music Educator; the American Society of Composers,
Authors and Publishers Award (15 years in a row); the 2008 CNY Jazz
Educator of the Year Award; and his induction into the 2003 Fine Arts
Hall of Fame, the 1997 Sammys Hall of Fame, and the 2011 Sammys Music
Educator Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom 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
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Joe Riposo upon the occasion of his induction into the 2011 Sammys
Music Educator Hall of Fame, and for his lifetime of achievements as a
brilliant musician and instructor; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Joe Riposo.