LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Fine Arts Orchestral Society of
Yonkers, sponsors of the Yonkers Philharmonic Orchestra, upon the occa-
sion of celebrating their 50th Anniversary

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those musical institutions that have brought entertainment and
cultural enrichment 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 Fine Arts Orchestral Society of Yonkers, sponsors of the Yonkers
Philharmonic Orchestra, upon the occasion of celebrating their 50th
Anniversary on Sunday, June 2, 2013; and
WHEREAS, In 1962, the late Pasquale A. Pistone founded the Yonkers
Philharmonic Orchestra with the encouragement and enthusiasm of members
of the former Yonkers Symphony Orchestra, which Maestro Pistone had
conducted for the previous two years; after incorporation, the orchestra
received support from Local 38 of the American Federation of Musicians;
and
WHEREAS, In 1962, Dr. Kathleen A. Pistone founded FAOS; Maestro Jerome
Sala was named conductor and music director of the orchestra in 1972 and
he was honored in Yonkers City Hall; and
WHEREAS, Maestro Jerome Sala remained in this position until his death
in 2001; in 1987, under the sponsorship of Mr. Sala, members of the
orchestra initiated a special program in collaboration with the Yonkers
Public schools; and
WHEREAS, Musicians from the orchestra became mentors for students in
the Enrico Fermi School for Performing Arts and the Emerson Middle
School; they encouraged student participation in the study of music; and
WHEREAS, FAOS leads the way in providing free live symphonic concerts
to residents of Yonkers, and its surrounding communities; the Yonkers
Philharmonic Orchestra presents four free concerts each year at Saunders
High School, and for more than 15 years, audiences enjoyed a free
outdoor summer concert offered by the Orchestra at the Cross County
Shopping Center; and
WHEREAS, These concerts were co-sponsored by the FAOS, the Cross Coun-
ty Shopping Center, and the City of Yonkers; since 2006 the outdoor
concerts have continued at Untermeyer Park with sponsorship from the
Untermeyer Performing Arts Council and FAOS; and
WHEREAS, FAOS recognizes, and encourages young talented musicians;
when Pasquale A. Pistone died in 1971, FAOS gave scholarships in his
memory to promising high school musicians in the Yonkers School
District, which grew into the current Concerto Competition, now in its
35th year; and
WHEREAS, This competition in which talented high-school music students
who live or study music in Westchester County are offered the opportu-
nity to compete for scholarships; the five winners each year perform as
soloists with the orchestra in a special concert "Concerto Time at the
Philharmonic"; and
WHEREAS, The organization continues to fulfill its goals under the
aegis of its music director and conductor, Maestro James Sadewhite who
joined FAOS in 2002; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when insti-
tutions 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
commend the Fine Arts Orchestral Society of Yonkers, sponsors of the

Yonkers Philharmonic Orchestra, upon the occasion of celebrating their
50th Anniversary; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Fine Arts Orchestral Society of Yonkers, sponsors of the
Yonkers Philharmonic Orchestra.