Senate Resolution No. 3238

BY: Senator GRIFFO

COMMENDING Kimberly Nethaway upon the occasion of
her retirement after 25 years of distinguished
service as Director of the Oneida Area Civic Chorale

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
those individuals of creative and artistic significance whose inspired
talents and leadership have contributed to the cultural enrichment of
our communities and our Nation; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Kimberly Nethaway upon the occasion of her retirement after 25
years of distinguished service as Director of the Oneida Area Civic
Chorale; and

WHEREAS, The 100-voice community chorus was set to perform "The
Water is Wide" on May 17th, but the pandemic crisis washed that concert
out, which was to have been the last conducted by Director Kimberly
Nethaway of Rome, New York; and

WHEREAS, Before becoming the Director of the Oneida Area Civic
Chorale (OACC) in 1995, Kimberly Nethaway filled many Chorale roles; she
joined as a singer when she began her career as a music teacher, first
at Holland Patent Central School, and then at Vernon-Verona-Sherrill;
and

WHEREAS, Kimberly Nethaway quickly became more involved in OACC,
serving as a substitute accompanist, and then resident accompanist; soon
she became Associate Director to OACC's founding Director, Darryl
Wonderly; upon his retirement, 25 years ago, she was named Director; and

WHEREAS, Throughout her tenure, Kimberly Nethaway directed over 75
full concerts and countless ensemble performances which included a full
range of musical genres, special guests, and concert venues; concert
themes ran the gamut between serious classical works and light-hearted
musical comedy; and

WHEREAS, Always a proponent of American music, Kimberly Nethaway
truly enjoyed teaching and conducting the works of American composers,
and in 2003 began leading OACC ensembles on biennial European tours to
present concerts of American music; these nine tours encompassed 14
countries, finishing in 2019 with five concerts in the South of France;
and

WHEREAS, The OACC singers who took part in the tours joined Kimberly
Nethaway in cherishing the opportunity to travel, tour, and share the
universal language of music as they connected with thousands of people
abroad; and

WHEREAS, Kimberly Nethaway has always felt her primary role as
Director has been to do her best to bring a composer's work to life and
to lead OACC singers in performing it to the very best of their ability;
and


WHEREAS, Under her direction, OACC commissioned and premiered works
by composers Alfred V. Fedak, Amy F. Bemon, and local composer and OACC
friend Samuel Pellman; in 2017, she arranged a collaboration with guest
conductor and composer Mark Hayes, in celebration of the Chorale's 50th
season; and

WHEREAS, Kimberly Nethaway looks forward to traveling with her
husband, John, who is also retiring from the group as a singer, and
spending more time with their children and grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Kimberly Nethaway upon the occasion of her retirement, and to
wish her well in all her future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Kimberly Nethaway.