[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 61 (Tuesday, April 17, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E755]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE METROPOLITAN YOUTH SYMPHONY OF 
                ARIZONA WAYNE ROEDERER, MUSICAL DIRECTOR

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                         HON. HARRY E. MITCHELL

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 17, 2007

  Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 25th 
anniversary of the Metropolitan Youth Symphony of Arizona. This is a 
remarkable milestone for any organization, but especially for a 
volunteer-run, nonprofit one. As a long-time supporter of the arts, I 
must take this occasion to commend them on a job well done, and commend 
them for undertaking this ambitious endeavor.
  Let me tell you a little bit about MYS. In the spring of 1982, a 
group of interested parents and music educators from the East Valley 
began exploring the potential for developing a youth orchestra. Their 
goal was to provide a challenging program of excellence in orchestral 
music for your school musicians through the ninth grade. The first 
Metropolitan Youth Symphony season was launched that same year as more 
than 150 youngsters participated in the September auditions. The gala 
premiere concert, on November 10, 1982, featured two string orchestras 
and one full symphony orchestra.
  The growth of Metropolitan Youth Symphony has been impressive. Now in 
its 25th season, the 267 members of MYS, under the direction of Wayne 
Roederer, musical director/principal conductor; Lew Felton, associate 
conductor; and Amy Bennett, Division III conductor, are divided into 
three string orchestras and one full symphonic orchestra. Members 
attend weekly rehearsals at Westwood High School and perform in at 
least four formal concerts each season. Over the years, MYS orchestras 
have been invited to perform in a variety of locations including 
Phoenix Symphony Hall, the Mesa Amphitheatre, Fiesta Mall, Disneyland 
and Washington, DC. On June 13, 1993, members of Division I, the full 
symphony orchestra, received the honor of performing at New York City's 
famed Carnegie Hall. The gala 25th anniversary concert will be 
performed at the Ikeda Auditorium of the Mesa Arts Center at 7 p.m. on 
April 28, 2007, with alumni performing with Division I.
  In addition to orchestra performance opportunities, MYS sponsors wind 
sectionals, a recital series, Division I weekend retreat in Prescott, a 
scholarship competition and the MYS Fiddlers.
  The mission of the Metropolitan Youth Symphony has always been to 
educate young instrumental musicians through the ninth grade in the art 
of orchestral performance through the use of the world's finest 
orchestral music to develop character, discipline, leadership, cultural 
awareness, and a strong commitment to excellence. This enables MYS to 
contribute to the East Valley's rich cultural heritage and create a 
higher level of appreciation for the performing arts.
  This occasion marks not only the 25th anniversary of a vibrant 
organization, but the retirement of Musical Director and Principal 
Conductor Wayne Roederer. Without him, this anniversary would not have 
been reached, and hundreds of young musicians would have missed out on 
the experience of performing with similarly motivated individuals. I 
say thank you and well done.

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