[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 120 (Thursday, September 5, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1529-E1530]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO THE PONAGANSET WIND ENSEMBLE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JACK REED

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 5, 1996

  Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the superb 
performance of the Ponaganset Wind Ensemble at the 1996 International 
Youth and Music Festival in Vienna, Austria.
  The Ponaganset Wind Ensemble, instructed by Mr. Nedo Pandolfi of 
Ponaganset High School in Rhode Island's Foster/Glocester Regional 
School District, met all expectations by taking first place in the 
festival's band competition--a feat never before achieved by an 
ensemble from the Ocean State.
  Chosen as one of only three bands to represent the United States, 
Ponaganset, which placed third at the 1982 Vienna Festival, showed the 
world how countless hours of practice and dedication can produce 
brilliance. So impressive was Ponaganset's performance that the 
student's were awarded the Cup of Vienna, an accolade not given every 
year and awarded only when the festival panel recognizes exemplary 
musical performance.
  The Ensemble's 46 young musicians, ages 14 to 18, not only 
successfully competed on an international stage, but also found 
boundless opportunities to receive a priceless musical education. The 
Wind Ensemble performed for numerous crowds at local fairs and open air 
arenas throughout Vienna's historical downtown area, and also visited 
the memorials to some of the world's most legendary composers such as 
Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss.
  Mr. Pandolfi established the Ponaganset Wind Ensemble program in 
1960, the same year that Ponaganset High School was founded. Thirty-six 
years later, both the instructor and the pupils should be praised for 
their momentous achievement, which is an experience whose memories will 
last a lifetime.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the 
following members of the Ponaganset Wind Ensemble, who have clearly 
illustrated what we can achieve when we follow our dreams. Their 
accomplishments are indicative of the perseverance and effort necessary 
to achieve success:
  Monique Barrett, Foster; Jesse Poulin, Foster; Josh Bedard, Foster; 
Katie Bedard, Foster; Andrew Fast, Foster; Aletha Holmes, Foster; 
Hilary McElroy, Foster; Richard Muldoon, Foster; Jennifer Sherblum, 
Foster; Diane Shippee, Foster; Dyani Tait, Foster; Diana Walden, 
Foster; Colin Walsh, Foster.
  Melissa Alberg, Glocester; Tom Alberg, Glocester; Kim Angarella, 
Glocester; Roger Bissell, Glocester; Daniel Boucher, Glocester; Katie 
Broccoli, Glocester; Brooke Brown, Glocester; Courtney Brown, 
Glocester; Peter Carpenter, Glocester; Scott Carpenter, Glocester; 
Brendan Carroll, Glocester; Jesse Chace, Glocester; Nick Collins, 
Glocester; Sarah Colwell, Glocester; Stephanie Darigan, Glocester; 
Matthew Dube, Glocester; Christopher Fellow, Glocester; Tara Foley, 
Glocester; Beth Hammond, Glocester; Danielle Lavendier, Glocester; 
Bethany Lyford, Glocester; Megan Mason, Glocester; Nathan Mason, 
Glocester; Nicholas Pinder, Glocester; Jane Ragno, Glocester; Michael 
Roberto,

[[Page E1530]]

Glocester; Pamela Roberto, Glocester; Rebecca Ruge, Glocester; Sarah 
Stevenson, Glocester; James Teeter, Glocester; Adam Tillinghast, 
Glocester; Elizabeth Tucker, Glocester; Rachel Zanella, Glocester.

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