LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 65th Anniversary of the Amherst
Symphony Orchestra

WHEREAS, It is the sense 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 commem-
orate the 65th Anniversary of the Amherst Symphony Orchestra; and
WHEREAS, The Amherst Symphony Orchestra was founded in September of
1946, when Dr. Joseph Wincenc met with Homer Browning, Mrs. Sidney
Marks, Mrs. E.N. Scott, and Philip Schweickhard to discuss starting a
symphony orchestra in Amherst; and
WHEREAS, As a result, under the aegis of the Amherst Central High
School Adult Education program, 50 interested musicians were invited to
a meeting and rehearsal; Dr. Wincenc became the founding conductor/music
director, retiring after 50 years on the podium in 1996; and
WHEREAS, At the start of the Amherst Symphony Orchestra's second
season, the Eggertsville-Snyder Rotary Club undertook the financial and
business management of the orchestra as one of its community service
projects; in 1950, Loyal T. Murphy, then chairman of the Rotary Club
Orchestra Committee, called for community wide control of the orchestra;
and
WHEREAS, Since 1950, the community service of the Amherst Symphony
Orchestra has been sponsored and supported by the Amherst Symphony
Orchestra Association; and
WHEREAS, Today, the Amherst Symphony Orchestra is a volunteer orches-
tra made up of fine musicians who have had years of training and experi-
ence who provide Amherst and Western New York communities with a series
of four free concerts a year from October to April; performed at the
Amherst Middle School, each concert provides a variety of music designed
to appeal to and entertain those of all age groups and musical back-
grounds; and
WHEREAS, The Amherst Symphony Orchestra is actively involved with
school outreach programs to inspire young musicians and engage future
audiences; the orchestra is also involved in Amherst's community life,
by participating in such public activities as the annual Arts in Amherst
day, Taste of Williamsville day and a Summer POPS concert at the Amherst
Museum; and
WHEREAS, The purpose of the community orchestra experience is to
provide a friendly atmosphere for volunteer, professional and amateur
musicians of all ages and exciting guest artists who create the joyful
sounds that are symphonic music; 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; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 65th Anniversary of the Amherst Symphony Orchestra; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Amherst Symphony Orchestra.