Senate Resolution No. 4719

BY: Senator LARKIN

COMMEMORATING the completion of the 31st year of
the Grand Montgomery Chamber Music Series, and
paying special tribute to founders Howard and Judy
Garrett

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, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the
completion of the 31st year of the Grand Montgomery Chamber Music
Series, and to pay special tribute to founders Howard and Judy Garrett;
and

WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion will be celebrated during the
intermission of the last concert in the 2017-18 series on Sunday, May 6,
2018; and

WHEREAS, Howard Garrett and officials from the Village of
Montgomery, New York, established the Grand Montgomery Chamber Music
Series 31 years ago to offer fine music with exceptional musicians to
Hudson Valley residents free of charge; and

WHEREAS, Howard Garrett worked diligently to gather sponsors, choose
the performing artists, and arrange for the performing venues to be
available; and

WHEREAS, Thanks to the efforts of Howard and Judy Garrett, for the
past 31 years, from September through May, music lovers have been able
to attend performances by a variety of talented performing artists and
musicians, including vocalists, pianists, violinists, cellists, and
flutists, to name a few; and

WHEREAS, An exceptional musician in his own right, Howard Garrett is
an accomplished Monkey Organ player, and vocalist, having performed as
the Lead Basso with the Long Island Gilbert and Sullivan Society; he
also served as the assistant to Seymour Dekoven, the classical music
radio host in the 1950s and early 1960s; during this time, Howard
developed a deep appreciation for Baroque music; and

WHEREAS, In 1985, Howard Garrett began hosting a Classical Music
Lovers Guild each month in Queens, which continued after he moved to
Montgomery; and

WHEREAS, From 1989-1992, Howard Garrett hosted a weekly Sunday
morning classical music program on radio station WTBQ, where he enjoyed
playing music from his favorite composers: Bach, Brahms, Schubert, and
Handel; from 1994 to 1997, he served on the Hudson Valley Philharmonic
Board of Directors; and

WHEREAS, Among his many awards and accolades, Howard Garrett was
honored as an Orange County Champion of the Arts by the Orange County

Arts Council in 2008 for his steadfast and unremitting commitment to the
arts; and

WHEREAS, Judy Garrett is also an incredibly talented vocalist and
pianist; she was a member of the Huntington Choral Society when she and
Howard first met; since then, she has performed at many venues
throughout Orange County; and

WHEREAS, Together, this music loving couple owns over 5,000 vinyl
records, cds, and tapes; the collection focuses on Baroque music, but
also includes music by Pete Seeger and other 1960s folk music groups;
and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes the importance of the
performing arts, which act to inspire, enlighten, and unify people from
all cultural backgrounds through the transcendent power of human
expression; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor and pay
tribute to those individuals whose commitment and creative talents have
contributed to the entertainment and cultural enrichment of the citizens
of the State of New York; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the completion of the 31st year of the Grand Montgomery
Chamber Music Series, and to pay special tribute to founders Howard and
Judy Garrett; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Howard and Judy Garrett.