[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 89 (Tuesday, June 22, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1351]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO WESTHILL MUSIC DEPARTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES T. WALSH

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 22, 1999

  Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, on April 9, 1999, 220 student performers and 
chaperones of the Westhill High School Music Department from Syracuse, 
New York, came to the Washington D.C. area for the ``Festivals of 
Music.'' This event was sponsored by local corporations to bring 
schools from around the nation to the District of Columbia. Westhill 
was one of seven schools to give band and chorus performances in front 
of three judges. These college professor judges evaluated the groups in 
writing and listened closely and repeatedly to taped sessions. The 
Westhill group gave an outstanding performance that day, putting 
Westhill's Music Department among the best in the country. Thomas 
Lindemann, Department Leader, said the chorus and band received an 
``excellent'' and ``superior'' rating, respectively, in both concert 
performances and the music reading exam. Out of the seven schools, the 
band came in second. The Westhill chorus came in third. These high 
marks signify how well these group of students performed based on these 
national standards.
  The Westhill Music Department held their spring band concert on May 
25th and the final choral concert on June 2nd.
  I am very proud of these young people, who have exhibited discipline, 
sensitivity, and love of music while representing their school in the 
very finest Westhill tradition. I am equally proud of the Westhill 
Music Department, the parents, and administrators who are so supportive 
of this outstanding group.

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