89R18272 KRT-D
By: Johnson H.R. No. 779
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University in
Houston is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025; and
WHEREAS, The music department at Rice University was
initially funded in 1950 by Sallie Shepherd Perkins, who
established an endowment for the school in honor of her
grandfather, Benjamin A. Shepherd; the Shepherd School of Music was
founded in 1974, and since opening its doors a year later, it has
become one of the nation's premier music programs; and
WHEREAS, With a limited student body of 275, the Shepherd
School provides individualized instruction from world-class
faculty, and it offers degrees in orchestral performance, chamber
music, voice and opera studies, piano, organ, composition, and
musicology; its alumni have won Pulitzer Prizes and Grammy Awards,
debuted at Carnegie Hall, and secured positions with prestigious
orchestras and opera companies across the globe; and
WHEREAS, Each year, the Shepherd School hosts more than 400
free concerts and recitals, drawing approximately 70,000
attendees, and it has welcomed numerous world-renowned classical
musicians for performances and master classes; it is ably guided by
Dean Matthew Loden, who brings to the role a wealth of experience in
performing and teaching; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of half a century, the Shepherd
School of Music has given its students a strong foundation on which
to build a successful career in music, and it is indeed a pleasure
to join in marking this significant milestone in its history; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate the Shepherd School of Music at
Rice University on its 50th anniversary and extend to all those
associated with the school sincere best wishes for continued
success; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the school as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.