Senate Resolution No. 2969

BY: Senator KENNEDY

HONORING JoAnn Falletta upon the occasion of her
20th Anniversary as the Musical Director of the
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor and
recognize those talented individuals within our midst, who have had a
significant impact on the arts and culture of our communities through
their outstanding musical entertainment; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
JoAnn Falletta upon the occasion of her 20th Anniversary as Musical
Director of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra; this milestone was
celebrated with a special daylong event held on Friday, October 18,
2019; and

WHEREAS, Beginning at 6:00 am, Classical 94.5 WNED played a
different Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO) recording at the top of
each hour until midnight and the Buffalo Museum of Science played BPO
recordings throughout Hamlin Hall and the Darwin Martin House Complex;
and

WHEREAS, This momentous occasion ended with a black-tie affair held
at Hotel Henry on the Richardson Olmsted Campus, chosen both as a venue
devoted to the arts, and a landmark property symbolic of the
transformation of the City of Buffalo over the past 20 years; and

WHEREAS, JoAnn Falletta has given not only of her time and energies
but also of her competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently
has been designated for special honor; and

WHEREAS, Appointed as Musical Director in 1999, JoAnn Falletta
became the first female conductor to lead a major American ensemble; she
accompanied the Orchestra in 2018 on an international tour performing at
Warsaw's Beethoven Easter Festival, becoming the first American woman
conductor to lead an orchestra at this festival; and

WHEREAS, Under JoAnn Falletta's leadership, the BPO has undergone a
renaissance; she has been hailed as a leading force for the music of our
time for her work as a conductor, communicator, recording artist,
audience builder, champion of American composers and distinguished
musical citizens; and

WHEREAS, JoAnn Falletta has been honored locally by her community,
having been named Buffalo's Most Influential Civic Leader and Buffalo
and Erie County's Artist of the Year, and was inducted into the Buffalo
Music Hall of Fame, as well as the Western New York Women's Hall of
Fame; and

WHEREAS, With the BPO, JoAnn Falletta has been nominated for six
Grammy awards, winning twice; in addition, she still references playing
at Carnegie Hall in 2004 and 2013 as two of the most memorable moments
of her career; and


WHEREAS, This remarkable woman holds an undergraduate degree from
the Mannes School of Music, and her master's and doctorate degrees from
The Julliard School; JoAnn Falletta has also received 12 honorary
doctorates, the Erie County Historical Society's Red Jacket, and the
Theodore Roosevelt Award; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
the lives of those extraordinary musicians who enriched the lives of
others through their artistic endeavors; such a talent is Buffalo
Philharmonic Orchestra maestro JoAnn Falletta, whose extraordinary and
innovative career will live in the hearts of many and continue to
inspire generations to come; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor JoAnn Falletta upon the occasion of her 20th Anniversary with the
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to JoAnn Falletta.