LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Evan Eliason of Sidney High School upon
the occasion of performing with the New York State School Music Associ-
ation's All-State Jazz Ensemble on March 7, 2011

WHEREAS, Music in Our Schools Month provides an opportunity for the
young people of New York State to greatly broaden their musical experi-
ence, to welcome the challenges and embrace the joys of performing, and
to secure the lifelong inspiration of music; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to act, in accord
with its long-standing traditions, honoring the youth of today, and
leaders of tomorrow, whose character and achievements exemplify the
ideals and values cherished by this great State and Nation; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, this Legislative Body is justly
proud to honor Evan Eliason upon the occasion of being selected to
perform, during Music in Our Schools Month, in the New York State Music
Association's (NYSSMA) All-State Jazz Ensemble in Albany on Monday,
March 7, 2011, at the Empire State Plaza; and
WHEREAS, The New York State School Music Association sponsors this
event and has helped it to evolve from a New York State Day into a
month-long national observance, the theme of which is, this year, "Music
Lasts a Lifetime"; and
WHEREAS, Evan Eliason will play the vibraphone in the Instrumental
Jazz Ensemble as part of the NYSSMA's All-State Jazz Ensemble and there
will be a special reception for the students selected for this presti-
gious honor; and
WHEREAS, Evan Eliason is a junior at Sidney High School, Sidney, New
York, where he is a member of the Concert Band, Marching Band, and Jazz
Ensemble; and
WHEREAS, He has performed in various all-county organization competi-
tions and was selected from more than 200 students who auditioned state-
wide to perform in the NYSSMA All-State Jazz Ensemble; and
WHEREAS, Evan Eliason has also been selected to perform in the
National Association for Music Education (MENC) All-Eastern Jazz Ensem-
ble at the 52nd MENC Eastern Division Biennial In-Service Conference, to
be held in Baltimore, Maryland, March 31-April 2, 2011; and
WHEREAS, Also active in his church, Evan Eliason has been a performer
in a fine arts festival for three years, resulting in his competing at
the State level twice and last year placing 18th at the national level;
and
WHEREAS, Evan Eliason is, in addition, a talented athlete; he is a
member of Sidney High School's Soccer and Tennis teams and, in tennis,
he has played 20 singles matches over two years and is still undefeated;
and
WHEREAS, Evan Eliason and the other members of the Instrumental Jazz
Ensemble work hard at their music rehearsals, classroom assignments and
practice sessions, fully aware that the amount of time and energy they
are willing to expend directly affects the quality of their music; and
WHEREAS, Evan Eliason, along with his family, friends and teachers,
can be justifiably proud of his musical and other achievements and his
participation in Music in Our Schools Month; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Evan Eliason of Sidney High School upon the occasion of performing
with the New York State School Music Association's All-State Jazz Ensem-
ble; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Evan Eliason and to Gregg Norris, Director of the Sidney High
School Band.