[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 111 (Thursday, September 8, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1794]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE JACKSON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION FOR 55 YEARS OF 
    EXCELLENCE IN THE PERFORMING ARTS AND DEDICATION TO THE JACKSON 
                               COMMUNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. JOHN J.H. ``JOE'' SCHWARZ

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 8, 2005

  Mr. SCHWARZ of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
Jackson Symphony Orchestra Association for 55 years of beautiful music 
and a commitment to community service in Jackson County. I commend the 
Jackson Symphony Orchestra for both its high quality performing arts 
programs and its outreach to the community through concerts, music 
education, and partnerships with area educators and community service 
providers.
  For more than five decades, the Jackson Symphony Orchestra has 
brought outstanding artists and a wide variety of music venues to 
Jackson audiences. Over the years, there have been numerous world 
premieres; performances in ballet, opera, and jazz; and an emphasis on 
works by 20th century composers.
  The Jackson Symphony Orchestra Association champions the arts through 
music education. It operates a community music school that provides 
private instruction on all orchestral instruments, early childhood 
music classes, home school orchestras, a string academy, and after-
school string instruction for children at risk. The Jackson Symphony 
Orchestra educational programming directly reaches over 1,500 young 
people each year and reaches an additional 4,000 families each year 
through family concerts, in-school performances, and special events.
  Beyond the concert stage, the Jackson Symphony Orchestra, through its 
presence in the community, has created an environment that has 
contributed to the development of many local arts organizations. These 
include the Jackson Chorale, the Michigan Shakespeare Festival, and the 
Jackson Youth Symphony. The presence of the Jackson Symphony Orchestra 
is also regularly credited as a factor in attracting new business and 
key employees into the community.
  On behalf of the United States Congress, I am proud to honor the 
Jackson Symphony Orchestra for its 55 years of dedication in the 
performing arts, as well as to the community. I commend their use of 
innovative programs which has provided musical education for the 
Jackson community. I expect the Jackson Symphony Orchestra to continue 
their path of excellence for years into the future.

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