LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Elissa Zahn upon the occasion of
celebrating her 50th Anniversary as a professional church musician

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor and recognize
those talented individuals, who have had a significant impact on the
arts and culture of our communities by providing the public with bril-
liant entertainment and students with outstanding instruction in the
field of music; one such individual is Elissa Zahn; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late Elissa Zahn, Minister of Music at Grace United Methodist Church in
Newburgh, New York, upon the occasion of celebrating her 50th Anniver-
sary as a professional church musician; and
WHEREAS, This auspicious milestone was celebrated with a special
concert entitled "50 Years--A Musical Memoir" on Sunday, November 3,
2013, at Grace United Methodist Church; and
WHEREAS, Along with playing a variety of pieces on the church's
magnificent Gress Miles pipe organ, Elissa Zahn conducted the Chancel
Choir and played organ/piano duets with her sister and a colleague; and
WHEREAS, The program included a special piece written for the occasion
as well as featured some of Elissa Zahn's own arrangements in cele-
bration of her five decades as a church musician; and
WHEREAS, A retired music and theater arts teacher from the Newburgh
School District, Elissa Zahn started playing professionally at the age
of 16 when she served as the organist for the Canterbury Presbyterian
Church in Cornwall, New York, from 1963 until 1965; and
WHEREAS, After majoring in organ and piano at Ithaca College and SUNY
New Paltz, Elissa Zahn served as choir director and organist at four
other churches in Cornwall and Newburgh; for the past 10 years, she has
been at Grace United Methodist Church; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that when talented
individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, 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
congratulate Elissa Zahn upon the occasion of celebrating her 50th Anni-
versary as a professional church musician; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Elissa Zahn.