[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 19, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E906]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN HONOR OF JOHN DROTLEFF, CONDUCTOR OF THE WEST SHORE CHORALE AND 
                               ORCHESTRA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 19, 2004

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of 
John Drotleff--admired conductor, musician and friend, as he celebrates 
his Twentieth Anniversary of performing, leading and conducting the 
West Shore Chorale and Orchestra.
  Beyond his exemplary work with the West Shore Chorale, Mr. Drotleff 
has taught music at several local colleges, middle schools and high 
schools throughout Ohio--consistently inspiring our youth to attain 
their personal best and allow their natural musical talents to shine 
through. Mr. Drotleff was Chairman of Fine Arts at Lakewood High 
School, and has been a faculty member with Hiram College for the past 6 
years, where he conducts the Hiram College Choir and Hiram College 
Madrigal Singers. At Hiram, Mr. Drotleff teaches choral conducting, 
music theory and secondary choral methods.
  Mr. Drotleff's college ensembles have performed in New York, Boston, 
Chicago, and Detroit, and most notably, they, have performed at the 
Kennedy Center and the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. Mr. 
Drotleff has also conducted the Youngstown Symphony Chorus and has 
served as a guest conductor for many musical groups throughout the 
northeastern United States.
  Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor, recognition and 
gratitude to Mr. John Drotleff as he celebrates 20 years of leadership, 
inspiration and guidance as conductor of the West Shore Chorale and 
Orchestra. His remarkable ability to connect, inspire and uplift every 
member of his orchestra has significantly raised the level of musical 
offerings and has significantly increased public interest in every 
performance of the Chorale. An outstanding conductor, teacher and 
musical scholar, Mr. John Drotleff's love of music and strong 
confidence in his charges serves to draw the highest level of 
excellence from within the heart and soul of each performer. The 
lyrical and joyous concerto that personifies Mr. John Drotleff's life 
is a brilliant and treasured gift within our community that connects us 
through the universal language of music--uplifting our entire community 
on the wings of a song.




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