SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 69 Offered January 11, 2006 Prefiled January 10, 2006 Commending the Virginia Choral Society on the occasion of its 75th anniversary. ---------- Patron-- Williams ----------

WHEREAS, the Virginia Choral Society celebrates its 75th anniversary with its much anticipated and festive 2006 season; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Choral Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion and presentation of fine choral music in Hampton Roads and the Tidewater area; and

WHEREAS, organized in 1931, the Virginia Choral Society is one of the oldest continuously performing choral organizations in Virginia; prior to 1983, the acclaimed group was known as the Peninsula Choral Society; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Choral Society is a community-based choral group of over 120 gifted and enthusiastic members that presents three major concert series annually to the delight of loyal and admiring fans; and

WHEREAS, each of the Virginia Choral Society's concert series focuses on a different choral style--the fall repertoire presents lighter music, including selections from Broadway shows, folk, Americana, and endearing tunes from the 1920s and '30s; the popular winter extravaganza offers Christmas carols and seasonal favorites; and the spring concert exhibits time-honored choral works by the master composers, such as Beethoven, Brahms, Haydn, and Mozart; and

WHEREAS, the mission of the Virginia Choral Society is to foster a broader awareness of vocal music in the community, cooperate with other groups in support of the arts, and continue a long tradition of presenting only the finest compositions from the group's rich choral heritage; and

WHEREAS, there have been many distinguished conductors of the Virginia Choral Society in the past: Cary McMurran, Harold Chapman, Deborah Carr, Gary Lewis, Sidney Swiggett, George Bayley, Donald Golden, Thom Robertson, and Michael Cooley; the talented current artistic director is James Powers, with Diane Snider as the group's most notable accompanist; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Choral Society enhances the quality of life for the residents of Hampton Roads and the Tidewater area by providing memorable choral performances, and is a shining example for musical societies and community arts programs throughout the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly commend and congratulate the Virginia Choral Society on the occasion of its 75th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Virginia Choral Society as an expression of the General Assembly’s appreciation for its commitment to choral music and the performing arts.