HR1495 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1495 LRB096 23023 GRL 42360 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate the members of the Elmhurst Symphony on the occasion of the organization's 50th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, The Elmhurst community has a long and proud tradition of coming together to enjoy well-performed symphonic music by its volunteer community musicians; the origin of Elmhurst's organized musical activity may go back to the 1920s and evolved with the desire of its volunteer musicians to continually improve their skills; from 1959 to 1961, the community musicians evolved from the Elmhurst Community Orchestra into the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra, led by its first Music Director John Lazic; the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra held its first performance on November 19, 1961; and

WHEREAS, The Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra has been greatly aided by the help and encouragement of Elmhurst College; in its formative years, Dr. Robert Stanger, former President of Elmhurst College, served as Board President of the Elmhurst Symphony from 1968 to 1972; and

WHEREAS, The last 30 years has seen more growing diverse and complex musical challenges that the Elmhurst Symphony successfully accomplished; the symphony's growth has also invited more and more talented professional musicians to be a part of its rich symphonic traditions; and

WHEREAS, The growing reputation of superior quality performances of the Elmhurst Symphony has expanded enormously with the nationally renowned leadership of Dr. Stephen Alltop, who is now in his 15th season as the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra's Music Director; under Dr. Alltop's direction, the Elmhurst Symphony completed a performance cycle of Beethoven's Symphonies, presented Mahler's Symphonies 1, 2, and 3, and has given world premieres of works by Alan Terricciano, Jan Bach, James Clemens, Miguel del Aguila, Frank Ferko, and Maxwell Raimi; the Elmhurst Symphony has also received recognition from the Illinois Council of Orchestras for innovative programming, volunteer activities, and overall achievement; and

WHEREAS, The Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra serves as a model of hard work, integrity, and dedication for the people of the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the members of the Elmhurst Symphony on the occasion of the organization's 50th anniversary and wish them continued success and happiness in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Stephen Alltop as a symbol of our esteem and respect.