[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 125 (Friday, September 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1924]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       IN RECOGNITION OF NASHVILLE'S SCHERMERHORN SYMPHONY CENTER

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                            HON. JIM COOPER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 2006

  Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, Nashville has long been known as Music City. 
It is famous as the home of the Grand Ole Opry, the best place anywhere 
to hear the stars of country and bluegrass perform. Nashville is also 
the place to head if you want to kick back at a lively spot like 
Tootsie's Orchid Lounge for a night of sad songs and good times.
  Now, Nashville has another reason to claim the title of Music City. 
It is home to a new symphony hall that is being heralded as a world 
class triumph. According to the Wall Street Journal, ``the $123 
million, 1,860-seat concert hall is an architectural and acoustic gem 
and one of the most successful auditoriums built in a century.''
  Nashville's new Schermerhorn Symphony Center opened September 9th to 
great reviews from the media and the community. Praised for its elegant 
neoclassical design and its superb acoustics, the project also won fans 
because it was on budget and on time. But Nashville is truly proud of 
our new hall because it recognizes the extraordinary talent and 
dedication of a gentleman who led the Nashville Symphony for more than 
20 years, Maestro Kenneth Schermerhorn. Under his leadership, the 
Nashville Symphony was transformed from an orchestra that too often 
struggled for funding and stability into one now recognized as among 
the best in the nation. And, equally important, Nashville became a city 
that celebrates music in all its genres. In keeping with the tone set 
by Maestro Schermerhorn, the new symphony hall will present 
performances that showcase music from classical to pops, cabaret, 
choral, jazz, and blues and yes, even a country tune or two.
  On Saturday, October 7th, the spirit of Maestro Schermerhorn will 
fill downtown Nashville. On this day, the new symphony hall that bears 
his name will open its doors to one and all for a day-long celebration 
of music and culture in true Music City style. On this one day, more 
than 600 musicians from the region will bring their talents to the 
stages and courtyards and many performance spaces that are part of the 
Schermerhorn Symphony Center. The Nashville Symphony will share the 
spotlight with the Fisk Jubilee Singers, the Belmont Bluegrass 
Ensemble, the Gypsy Hombres, Annie Selleck and the Tennessee State 
University Band, among others. Come early and stay all day. Whatever 
style of music you prefer, you will find it celebrated here at the 
Schermerhorn Symphony Center, and that is just the way the Maestro 
envisioned it.
  Saturday, October 7th will be a special day in Nashville. But in our 
city, and at Schermerhorn Symphony Center, we are proud to say every 
day is special because every day we celebrate what it means to be Music 
City.

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