Senate Resolution No. 2018

BY: Senator REICHLIN-MELNICK

COMMEMORATING the 66th Anniversary of the Rockland
Music Conservatory of Pearl River, New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to honor and pay
tribute to those cultural institutions and organizations whose
commitment to promoting the richness and diversity of the arts and
entertainment world has contributed to the strength, vitality, and
cultural enrichment of their communities and 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
commemorate the 66th Anniversary of the Rockland Music Conservatory of
Pearl River, New York; and

WHEREAS, Founded in 1956 by musicians Janet and Ed Simons, the
Rockland Music Conservatory (RCM) is a community music school and center
for the performing arts, created to provide quality professional music
instruction to students of diverse ages, abilities and financial
backgrounds and to provide a community forum for performing arts,
culture and entertainment; and

WHEREAS, Today, under the luminous leadership of Executive Director
Marigene Kettler, RCM's ADA accessible, "green" building is comprised of
11 teaching studios and an 85-seat recital hall which serves not only
its student body of 450, but also thousands of community residents
through various performances, events and outreach programs; and

WHEREAS, Students participate in numerous programs including
individual lessons in most instruments; group classes in Suzuki string
and guitar methods, chamber quartet, string orchestra, JazzCats Band and
Youth Chorus; Creative Aging Initiative: Main Street Singers chorus and
songwriting workshop; music therapy, individual sessions and group for
physically and mentally challenged children, teenagers and adults;
therapeutic choirs for teenagers on the autism spectrum and with
traumatic brain injuries, and All Tuned In for those with dementia and
their caregivers; concerts by students and faculty for under-served
community residents in nursing homes and at non-profit events; and
Overtures Concert Series, which provides professional world-class music
performances on its own stage or virtually; and

WHEREAS, The success of RCM is in direct correlation to the efforts
of its volunteer Board of Directors, 25 professional faculty members,
and staff, whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by
an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising
standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the institution and
the community it serves; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those
organizations which 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
commemorate the 66th Anniversary of the Rockland Music Conservatory of
Pearl River, New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Marigene Kettler, Executive Director, Rockland Music
Conservatory.