[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 140 (Friday, October 28, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2212]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         IN HONOR OF JAHJA LING

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 28, 2005

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of 
Jahja Ling, director and resident conductor of Cleveland Orchestra's 
Blossom Festival and long-time member of the Cleveland Orchestra's 
conducting staff, as he bids farewell to an adoring Cleveland audience 
and begins another musical journey as music director of the San Diego 
Symphony.
  Jahja Ling is an internationally known pianist and conductor, and has 
graced the stage of the celebrated Cleveland Orchestra at Severance 
Hall and at Blossom Music Center for a combined tenure of more than two 
decades. The artistic luminosity that frames the work of Jahja Ling 
inspired the personal best from every member of the Cleveland Orchestra 
and consistently resulted in triumphant performances for audiences of 
all ages--whether under the stars at Blossom, within the hallowed walls 
of Severance Hall, or in concert venues around the world.
  As founding music director of the Cleveland Orchestra Youth 
Orchestra, COYO, Jahja Ling's unwavering focus on promoting, supporting 
and creating opportunities for the musically gifted children of our 
community has uplifted the lives of an untold number of students of 
classical music, and inspired countless careers in the realm of the 
performing arts. The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra has evolved 
into a complete symphonic ensemble that includes 110 young musicians. 
Members are selected from more than 45 cities in 14 counties throughout 
northern Ohio. In 1998, the COYO held the prestigious honor of being 
one in only five youth orchestras selected to participate in the 2nd 
National Youth Orchestra Festival sponsored by the American Symphony 
Orchestra League. In 2001, the education director at Carnegie Hall 
invited the COYO to perform as part of their Family Concert Series.
  Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor, recognition and 
gratitude to Mr. Jahja Ling. Mr. Ling's musical radiance, grace, energy 
and passion for his art and for the Cleveland community consistently 
shone through in every performance as conductor with the Cleveland 
Orchestra. Jahja Ling's vital outreach efforts in founding the 
Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra will forever affect the lives of 
every young musician, igniting their future dreams, and connecting all 
of us with the universal power, hope and light of music.

                          ____________________