LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Warwick
Valley Chorale

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those musical organizations which 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 75th Anniversary of the Warwick Valley Chorale which was cele-
brated at two holiday concerts at the Goshen Methodist Church and St.
Stephen's Church in Warwick, New York, on December 11 and 13, 2015; and
WHEREAS, Orange County's longest continually-active singing group, the
Warwick Valley Chorale is an outstanding community chorus with members
ranging from high school students to senior citizens from across Orange
County and neighboring New Jersey; and
WHEREAS, Founded on June 18, 1940, the Warwick Valley Chorale began as
the Warwick Summer Chorale; organized and directed by Kate Fowler Chase,
it held its first concert, with 16 women participating, on November 28,
1941; and
WHEREAS, The Queen Village Glee Club was formed five years later with
Reverend John Lennon as Director; this group held its first Christmas
concert, with 20 men singing, in December of 1946, followed by a spring
concert in May of 1947; and
WHEREAS, In December of 1948, Reverend Irving Decker of the Warwick
Reformed Church invited the two groups to join for the first Community
Christmas Candlelight Service; the groups continued to present their
separate concerts until 1970, when they joined in a single presentation,
each group led by its own director and accompanist; and
WHEREAS, Finally, in 1979, the two groups united to become the Warwick
Valley Chorale; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, the Warwick Valley Chorale has performed at
numerous local events, including high school baccalaureates, the Organ
Dedication Service at the Warwick Reformed Church, and the blessing and
dedication of the new wing of St. Anthony Community Hospital, as well as
at the World Trade Center Warwick Citizens Memorial Benefit; and
WHEREAS, In addition, the Warwick Valley Chorale served as Chorus in
Residence at the Warwick Music Festival for five years; and
WHEREAS, Today, the Warwick Valley Chorale presents free-admission
concerts each May and December in Warwick, and neighboring communities
under the direction of its esteemed director, Stanley Curtis, and gifted
accompanist, Gail Johnson; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed musical chorus has also extended its activities
to other communities by singing back-up to Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin
Brothers at the Paramount Theater, and performing in concerts at the
United States Military Academy at West Point, Carnegie Hall, and at the
Voices of Hope concert in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, the Warwick Valley Chorale's members have
performed abroad with the Jonathan Griffith Singers in Czechoslovakia,
Spain, Australia and China and with MidAm International in Greece and
Austria; 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 overestimated; and
WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body that when musical
societies of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our

attention, they should be recognized by all the citizens of this great
Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Warwick Valley Chorale; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Director, Stanley Curtis, and Accompanist, Gail Johnson, the
Warwick Valley Chorale.