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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Violinist June Shipper retired from the Waco |
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Symphony Orchestra at the last concert of the 2014-2015 season, |
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concluding an extraordinary career with the ensemble that spanned |
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more than a half-century; and |
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WHEREAS, A native of Kosse, June Shipper has drawn great |
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inspiration from music nearly all her life; she took piano lessons |
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as a child and later sang in her high school choir, and she went on |
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to pursue a bachelor's degree in music education at Baylor |
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University, where she first picked up the violin; she quickly |
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demonstrated an affinity for the instrument, and in 1963, she was |
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offered a position in the Waco Symphony Orchestra; and |
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WHEREAS, Over the decades, Ms. Shipper was a vital member of |
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the string section, and she experienced many treasured moments |
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playing alongside such revered virtuosos as violinists Isaac Stern, |
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Itzhak Perlman, and James Ehnes, as well as trumpeter Doc |
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Severinsen and vocalists Richard Tucker and Robert Merrill; she |
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earned the distinction of becoming the orchestra's longest-tenured |
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active member, and her final concert culminated in a standing |
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ovation from the audience in appreciation of her myriad |
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contributions to the ensemble; and |
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WHEREAS, In addition to her career with the symphony, this |
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talented musician served as an orchestra instructor for the Waco |
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Independent School District until retiring in 2000, and she |
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continues to sing soprano in the St. Alban's Episcopal Church |
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Choir; and |
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WHEREAS, For 52 seasons, June Shipper gave masterful |
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performances with the Waco Symphony Orchestra, and she may indeed |
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reflect with pride on the immeasurable joy she brought to |
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generations of concertgoers; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate June Shipper on her retirement from |
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the Waco Symphony Orchestra and extend to her sincere best wishes |
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for the future; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Ms. Shipper as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |