SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5024 Offered May 12, 2006 Commending The Virginians Barbershop Chorus. ----------
Patrons-- Martin, Bell, Blevins, Chichester, Colgan, Cuccinelli, Deeds, Devolites Davis, Edwards, Hanger, Hawkins, Herring, Houck, Howell, Lambert, Lucas, Marsh, McDougle, Miller, Newman, Norment, O'Brien, Obenshain, Puckett, Puller, Quayle, Rerras, Reynolds, Saslaw, Stolle, Stosch, Ticer, Wagner, Wampler, Watkins, Whipple and Williams
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WHEREAS, The Virginians Barbershop Chorus, the beloved a cappella harmony chorus comprised of 75 members, is recognized for serenading the citizens of the Commonwealth for well over 50 years; and

WHEREAS, The Virginians Barbershop Chorus is one of the largest performing groups in the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America, Inc., (SPEBSQSA) headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and is the organization's Richmond Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society; and

WHEREAS, the mission of the The Virginians Barbershop Chorus is to pursue musical excellence and good fellowship through learning, teaching, and singing the barbershop style of music; to entertain at a professional level; to develop and maintain a nationally competitive chorus; and to contribute to the community and country through charitable activities; and

WHEREAS, The Virginians Barbershop Chorus has won the Mid-Atlantic District’s Southern Division chorus championship for five of the past seven years and is continually preparing for major competitions and delightful and innovative performances; and

WHEREAS, an integral and committed partner of the Central Virginia community, The Virginians Barbershop Chorus, through the hard work of members, their families, and other enthusiastic volunteers, sponsors a tremendously popular annual Singing Valentines fundraiser, sending talented quartets dressed in formal attire and bearing roses to sing to Valentines across Central Virginia; and

WHEREAS, well on its way to international recognition, The Virginians Barbershop Chorus will represent the United States in August 2006 at the seventh annual Barbershop Music Festival in Saint Petersburg, Russia; and

WHEREAS, The Virginians Barbershop Chorus is proud to appear in the historic Barbershop Music Festival, which is sponsored by the International Fine Arts Institute and the Russian Ministry of Culture; and

WHEREAS, The Virginians Barbershop Chorus, under the leadership of musical director Mike Wallen, has won much acclaim among music lovers across the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend The Virginians Barbershop Chorus on its outstanding and longtime service to the citizens of the Commonwealth; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to The Virginians Barbershop Chorus as an expression of the General Assembly’s appreciation for the Chorus' dedication to singing and for its many exemplary performances.