84R7033 JGH-D
 
  By: Morrison H.R. No. 346
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, The Victoria Bach Festival is presenting its 40th
  anniversary season in June 2015, and this milestone provides a
  welcome opportunity to pay tribute to this unique musical event;
  and
         WHEREAS, The first Victoria Bach Festival was presented in
  1976 under the direction of Dr. David Urness, and over the years,
  this regional classical musical festival has drawn thousands of
  music lovers from across the state; the first season was sponsored
  by the University of Houston-Victoria, which has since been joined
  in its support by the Texas Commission on the Arts, the City of
  Victoria, the National Endowment for the Arts, and a host of
  individuals and businesses from the community; and
         WHEREAS, Since 1992, the Victoria Bach Festival has been led
  by Grammy-nominated artistic director Craig Hella Johnson, and
  today his creative team also includes New Young Artist coordinator
  Faith DeBow and chamber music director Michelle Schumann; the
  festival features principal players from the nation's leading
  orchestras, and the festival's lineup has been expanded beyond the
  works of Johann Sebastian Bach to include composers from the entire
  history of classical music; performances in recent years have
  featured compositions by Ludwig van Beethoven, Charles Ives, George
  Gershwin, Arvo Pärt, and Roberto Sierra; and
         WHEREAS, During festival week, audiences are treated to
  large-scale performances of symphonies and oratorios as well as
  more intimate performances by vocal artists and chamber ensembles
  at various venues in Victoria; concerts are broadcast on South
  Texas Public Radio, reaching 100,000 listeners in 15 Texas
  counties; and
         WHEREAS, The festival's education and outreach programs
  include the New Young Artists Program, master classes with
  professional musicians, children's concerts, preconcert talks, and
  dress rehearsals that are open to the public; the work of the
  festival continues in the off-season with an annual holiday concert
  by the vocal ensemble Conspirare, performances of silent films with
  live musical accompaniment, and appearances by guest artists; and
         WHEREAS, For four decades, the Victoria Bach Festival has
  brought the gift of some of the most inspiring music in the world to
  the residents of Victoria and South Texas, and this remarkable
  cultural event is truly deserving of special recognition; now,
  therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
  Legislature hereby commemorate the 40th anniversary season of the
  Victoria Bach Festival and extend to the festival's staff and
  guests sincere best wishes for a glorious week of wonderful music;
  and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
  prepared for the Victoria Bach Festival as an expression of high
  regard by the Texas House of Representatives.