Senate Resolution No. 717

BY: Senator MARCHIONE

COMMENDING the New York State School Music
Association for its 85th year of dedicated service
to the music students and teachers of New York State
on March 6, 2017

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those musical organizations 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 New York State School Music Association for its 85th year of
dedicated service to the music students and teachers of New York State,
to be celebrated at its Annual Concert and Reception on Monday, March 6,
2017, at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, New York; and

WHEREAS, For 85 years, the New York State School Music Association
(NYSSMA) has strived to advance music education across New York State
for its membership and students in member school programs; and

WHEREAS, Currently, approximately 5,000 members proudly belong to
NYSSMA, and 100,000 students participate annually in spring adjudication
festivals held around New York State; and

WHEREAS, The NYSSMA Winter Conference attracts almost 4,000
participants and offers about 190 workshops and showcases, and the
Summer Music Conference is devoted to reading music for potential school
use; and

WHEREAS, Each year, about 7,000 students audition for the eight
All-State performing groups, and just under 900 are selected to
participate annually; and

WHEREAS, NYSSMA also sponsors Music In Our Schools Month (MIOSM),
Music Education's Annual Celebration during March which engages music
educators, students, and communities from around the country in
promoting the benefits of high quality music education programs in
schools; and

WHEREAS, This national month of music will be celebrating its 45th
annual Music in Our Schools Month; this year, this auspicious event will
feature All State Vocal and Instrumental Jazz Ensembles, and will
highlight NYSSMA's commitment to New York's two million school music
students and their families; and

WHEREAS, Music in Our Schools Month began in 1973 as a single
state-wide Advocacy Day and celebration in New York, and has since grown
to become a month-long celebration of school music; and

WHEREAS, Each year during this month, students from across the
country perform various concerts in state legislatures, concert halls
and schools to showcase the musical talent of America's youth; and

WHEREAS, Music has been a part of human history since mankind
discovered its love for this beautiful and cherished art form; it is
events such as Music in Our Schools Month that allow music to continue
to progress and evolve; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, the support of music education in our nation's
schools is of utmost importance in continuing the development of musical
talent in New York and the United States; 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; and

WHEREAS, The history, the heritage, and the lives of the people of
all countries and all cultures are portrayed in their music and dance;
the art and act of sharing them enriches us altogether; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those
organizations which enhance the well-being and vitality of their
community and have shown a long and sustained commitment to excellence
certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the New York State School Music Association for its 85th year of
dedicated service to the music students and teachers of New York State;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Alan Orloff, Government Relations Chairman, NYSSMA.