TITLE: Congratulating the El Paso Symphony Orchestra on its 80th anniversary season.

SUMMARY: Congratulating the El Paso Symphony Orchestra on its 80th anniversary season.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The El Paso Symphony Orchestra celebrated its 80th anniversary season in 2010-2011; and WHEREAS, The oldest symphony orchestra operating continuously in Texas, the El Paso Symphony was established on January 26, 1931; it performed in the Scottish Rite Temple for its first decade and later moved to Liberty Hall and the Abraham Chavez Theatre before settling into its present-day home in the Plaza Theatre in 2006, during the tenure of Sarah Ioannides, its first female conductor and sixth music director; and WHEREAS, The EPSO introduced itself to a national audience in 1936, when NBC broadcast a concert commemorating the Texas Centennial; in March 1996, the symphony embarked on its first European tour and performed to sold-out houses in Germany; its home performances have featured a number of internationally prominent artists, most recently Russian violinist Dmitri Berlinsky; and WHEREAS, For more than 70 years, the EPSO has welcomed fifth graders to free Young People's Concerts, where they can gain an appreciation for symphonic music and hear outstanding young musicians and composers from the community; brass and string ensembles perform in schools regularly, and the EPSO Kids for Classics outreach program donates to schools more than 400 tickets to each of the classical subscription concerts; and WHEREAS, The symphony fosters artistic talent through its Youth Orchestras, which promote academic success as well; since the program was established in 2005, 100 percent of participating students have gone on to college; the symphony has also partnered with prominent arts organizations to produce an annual day-long family cultural event, Downtown KidsPalooza; moreover, the EPSO donates tickets to seniors through the El Paso Housing Authority, and groups of musicians perform at nursing homes, retirement villages, and adult day-care centers; and WHEREAS, Playing an important role in downtown revitalization, the symphony employs more than 200 people at each performance and draws thousands of patrons to restaurants, hotels, and other establishments, generating an estimated $4.5 million in economic benefits annually; this cultural amenity also helps attract new residents and businesses to the city; and WHEREAS, For 80 years, the El Paso Symphony Orchestra has contributed to the cultural, educational, and economic vitality of the community, and as it embarks on its ninth decade, it is indeed fitting to recognize the many ways in which it has enriched the lives of area residents; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby commemorate the 80th anniversary season of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra and extend to all those associated with this exceptional organization sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the orchestra as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Margo Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1639 was adopted by the House on May 12, 2011, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House