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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The El Paso Symphony Orchestra celebrated its 80th |
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anniversary season in 2010-2011; and |
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WHEREAS, The oldest symphony orchestra operating |
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continuously in Texas, the El Paso Symphony was established on |
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January 26, 1931; it performed in the Scottish Rite Temple for its |
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first decade and later moved to Liberty Hall and the Abraham Chavez |
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Theatre before settling into its present-day home in the Plaza |
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Theatre in 2006, during the tenure of Sarah Ioannides, its first |
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female conductor and sixth music director; and |
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WHEREAS, The EPSO introduced itself to a national audience in |
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1936, when NBC broadcast a concert commemorating the Texas |
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Centennial; in March 1996, the symphony embarked on its first |
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European tour and performed to sold-out houses in Germany; its home |
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performances have featured a number of internationally prominent |
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artists, most recently Russian violinist Dmitri Berlinsky; and |
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WHEREAS, For more than 70 years, the EPSO has welcomed fifth |
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graders to free Young People's Concerts, where they can gain an |
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appreciation for symphonic music and hear outstanding young |
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musicians and composers from the community; brass and string |
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ensembles perform in schools regularly, and the EPSO Kids for |
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Classics outreach program donates to schools more than 400 tickets |
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to each of the classical subscription concerts; and |
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WHEREAS, The symphony fosters artistic talent through its |
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Youth Orchestras, which promote academic success as well; since the |
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program was established in 2005, 100 percent of participating |
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students have gone on to college; the symphony has also partnered |
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with prominent arts organizations to produce an annual day-long |
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family cultural event, Downtown KidsPalooza; moreover, the EPSO |
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donates tickets to seniors through the El Paso Housing Authority, |
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and groups of musicians perform at nursing homes, retirement |
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villages, and adult day-care centers; and |
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WHEREAS, Playing an important role in downtown |
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revitalization, the symphony employs more than 200 people at each |
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performance and draws thousands of patrons to restaurants, hotels, |
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and other establishments, generating an estimated $4.5 million in |
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economic benefits annually; this cultural amenity also helps |
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attract new residents and businesses to the city; and |
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WHEREAS, For 80 years, the El Paso Symphony Orchestra has |
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contributed to the cultural, educational, and economic vitality of |
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the community, and as it embarks on its ninth decade, it is indeed |
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fitting to recognize the many ways in which it has enriched the |
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lives of area residents; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate the 80th anniversary season of the |
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El Paso Symphony Orchestra and extend to all those associated with |
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this exceptional organization sincere best wishes for continued |
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success; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the orchestra as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |
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Margo |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 1639 was adopted by the House on May |
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12, 2011, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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