[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 61 (Tuesday, April 17, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E747-E748]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN HONOR OF THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF THE GARDEN STATE SYMPHONIC 
                                  BAND

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 17, 2007

  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the centennial 
anniversary of the Garden State Symphonic Band.
  The Garden State Symphonic Band was founded in 1907 as the Goodwill 
Fife & Drum Corps. In 1920, the name was changed to the Goodwill Band, 
and they performed under this name until 1958, when it became the Bay 
City Band. It was not until 1967 that the Garden State Symphonic Band 
took its current title.
  Modeled after the extraordinarily successful Sousa Band of the early 
20th century, the Garden State Symphonic Band's primary goal is to 
remain a traditional American professional concert band while reaching 
as much of the community as possible. This organization is the oldest 
band of its nature in New Jersey and one of the only remaining in the 
entire mid-Atlantic region.
  Currently, the band is under the direction of Christian Pedersen, 
Jr., of Fords, NJ, and is composed of an ensemble of musicians hailing 
from some of the most prestigious music conservatories in the Nation. 
Many band members have previously performed with well-known orchestras 
such as the New York Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, 
while others have performed on Broadway with major musicals.

[[Page E748]]

  The Garden State Symphonic Band has played at numerous venues 
including the Garden State Arts Center and the Clinton Museum, in 
addition to several county and municipal parks. Each summer, the band 
provides 8-10 free outdoor performances entitled ``Concerts by the 
Bay'' at Bayview Park in Perth Amboy.
  Madam Speaker, I sincerely hope that my colleagues will join me in 
celebrating the centennial anniversary of the Garden State Symphonic 
Band. Through its cultural and artistic contributions, the Garden State 
Symphonic Band has become an integral part of the New Jersey community.

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