LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring John Spillett upon the occasion of his
induction into the SAMMYS Hall of Fame as Music Educator of the Year

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 the culture of our communities, by providing
outstanding entertainment and instruction in the field of music; one
such individual is John Spillett; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to hereby
honor and recognize John Spillett upon his induction into the Syracuse
Area Music Awards (SAMMYS) Hall of Fame as Music Educator of the Year;
and
WHEREAS, The SAMMYS were established in 1993 to annually recognize and
honor Syracuse's most prominent musicians and music educators, aiming to
bring these individuals to the forefront of public attention; and
WHEREAS, Syracuse native John Spillett received his Master of Music
degree in saxophone performance from Northwestern University and his
Bachelor of Music Education degree with performance honors from the
Syracuse University School of Music; and
WHEREAS, On October 10, 1978, John Spillett began his accomplished
career in music education as a teacher and band director at Solvay High
School, where he would teach instrumental music for more than three
decades until retiring on June 30, 2011; and
WHEREAS, During his tenure at Solvay High School, John Spillett taught
all instrumental music classes, helped design the Solvay High School
instrumental music suite, and chaired the Bands and Music Department for
the Solvay School District; and
WHEREAS, At Solvay High School, one of John Spillett's most notable
accomplishments was his successful development of Jazz Combo, which
served as an advanced course equivalent to college level instruction and
is one of only a few credit-bearing courses of its kind in the nation;
Jazz Combo has received numerous state and regional awards for musical
excellence; and
WHEREAS, John Spillett, was also instrumental in organizing Solvay
High School's annual "Jazz Night," which has featured the performances
of various well-renowned jazz musicians and educators, such as saxophon-
ist and composer, Joe Riposo; and
WHEREAS, Under his leadership, Solvay High School's student ensembles
performed at numerous community events in the Village of Solvay, Town of
Geddes and Syracuse area, serving approximately 40 school and community
organizations; and
WHEREAS, In addition to high school, John Spillett served for nine
years as an adjunct professor at Le Moyne College, where he directed
Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo, Flute Ensemble, taught Jazz Improvisation and
private saxophone lessons, and took an important leadership role in the
early development of the college's instrumental music program; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, John Spillett has developed his own successful
saxophone studio, called John Spillett Saxophone/Woodwind Studio, at
which he has privately mentored more than 100 students, many of whom
have received gold ratings from the New York State School Music Associ-
ation Conference All State Ensembles and have gone on to achieve full-
time careers in music; and
WHEREAS, A veteran studio saxophone instructor for more than three
decades, John Spillett has extensive teaching experience in classical,
jazz and contemporary saxophone styles, always encouraging hard work and
student creativity; and

WHEREAS, Presently, John Spillett leads his own successful jazz band
with a long history of professional performing experience in Central New
York and beyond; he has performed at more than 2,000 professional
engagements; and
WHEREAS, John Spillett's legendary career has been defined by, but not
limited to, numerous achievements that include: 2009 New York State
Music Educator Honoree for School Band and Orchestra magazine's "50
Directors Who Make A Difference" and 2010 Syracuse Symphony Musician's
Outstanding Music Educator Award in the instrumental band category; and
WHEREAS, Adding to his long list of achievements, John Spillett will
be inducted into the Syracuse Area Music Awards (SAMMYS) Hall of Fame as
Music Educator of the Year during an induction ceremony on March 6,
2014; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
hereby honor and recognize John Spillett upon the occasion of his
induction into the SAMMYS Hall of Fame as Music Educator of the Year;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to John Spillett.