84R7033 JGH-D
By: Morrison H.R. No. 346
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Victoria Bach Festival is presenting its 40th
anniversary season in June 2015, and this milestone provides a
welcome opportunity to pay tribute to this unique musical event;
and
WHEREAS, The first Victoria Bach Festival was presented in
1976 under the direction of Dr. David Urness, and over the years,
this regional classical musical festival has drawn thousands of
music lovers from across the state; the first season was sponsored
by the University of Houston-Victoria, which has since been joined
in its support by the Texas Commission on the Arts, the City of
Victoria, the National Endowment for the Arts, and a host of
individuals and businesses from the community; and
WHEREAS, Since 1992, the Victoria Bach Festival has been led
by Grammy-nominated artistic director Craig Hella Johnson, and
today his creative team also includes New Young Artist coordinator
Faith DeBow and chamber music director Michelle Schumann; the
festival features principal players from the nation's leading
orchestras, and the festival's lineup has been expanded beyond the
works of Johann Sebastian Bach to include composers from the entire
history of classical music; performances in recent years have
featured compositions by Ludwig van Beethoven, Charles Ives, George
Gershwin, Arvo Pärt, and Roberto Sierra; and
WHEREAS, During festival week, audiences are treated to
large-scale performances of symphonies and oratorios as well as
more intimate performances by vocal artists and chamber ensembles
at various venues in Victoria; concerts are broadcast on South
Texas Public Radio, reaching 100,000 listeners in 15 Texas
counties; and
WHEREAS, The festival's education and outreach programs
include the New Young Artists Program, master classes with
professional musicians, children's concerts, preconcert talks, and
dress rehearsals that are open to the public; the work of the
festival continues in the off-season with an annual holiday concert
by the vocal ensemble Conspirare, performances of silent films with
live musical accompaniment, and appearances by guest artists; and
WHEREAS, For four decades, the Victoria Bach Festival has
brought the gift of some of the most inspiring music in the world to
the residents of Victoria and South Texas, and this remarkable
cultural event is truly deserving of special recognition; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the 40th anniversary season of the
Victoria Bach Festival and extend to the festival's staff and
guests sincere best wishes for a glorious week of wonderful music;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the Victoria Bach Festival as an expression of high
regard by the Texas House of Representatives.