[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 149 (Tuesday, November 16, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1933]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE SEVENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CHORAL SOCIETY OF 
                               PENSACOLA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 16, 2010

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States 
Congress, it is an honor for me to rise today to recognize the 75th 
anniversary of the Choral Society of Pensacola.
  The Choral Society of Pensacola was founded in 1935 by a group of 
local citizens whose goal was to enrich the northwest Florida community 
through the presentation of choral music and the continuing development 
of the choral arts.
  In 1935, Mrs. Minnie Leah Boschen, a member of the Pensacola Music 
Study Club, desired to perform a portion of Handel's Messiah as part of 
the Pensacola Music Study Club's 1935 Christmas program. Mr. Edwin 
Northup, who was the choir director at Christ Episcopal Church, agreed 
to serve as director for the performance. Singers were recruited from 
church choirs and members of the Music Study Club; they included Mr. 
and Mrs. John Boschen, who went onto become soloists for the Messiah 
performance. Their first performance took place at the First Methodist 
Church in Pensacola, Florida on Monday, December 16, 1935. The well-
attended performance of Handel's Messiah garnered lavish praise in the 
local newspaper. This same untitled group of singers who performed 
would later become recognized as the Pensacola Choral Society, the 
Pensacola Oratorio Society, and ultimately, the Choral Society of 
Pensacola.
  During World War II, Pensacola experienced an influx of talent from 
all over the world. As Pensacola and the Choral Society adapted to this 
cultural expansion, the Choral Society continued to provide 
entertainment and joy to the local community. Their steadfast support 
and service during the challenging times of war was a true testament to 
the Choral Society's strength and dedication to northwest Florida.
  In recent years, the Choral Society of Pensacola has performed for 
large audiences both locally and internationally. The Choral Society, 
accompanied by the Pensacola Civic Band, presented a large-scale 
concert titled In Commemoration of September 11, 2001. This event drew 
an audience of approximately 850 people to Pensacola's Saenger Theatre. 
In December of 2004, the Choral Society began what has become an annual 
collaboration with the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra; their joint 2004 
performance of Handel's Messiah drew an audience of over 1,200 people 
to Pensacola's Hillcrest Baptist Church. In August of 2006, the 
Pensacola Choral Society was the only U.S. choral society to perform in 
the prestigious China International Chinese Choral Festival held in 
Beijing, China. The Choral Society's grand performance was evidenced by 
their invitation to return to China and perform at the next festival.
  Over the past 75 years, the Choral Society of Pensacola has enhanced 
the artistic community of northwest Florida by maintaining excellence, 
diversity, a commitment to education, and an emphasis on collaboration 
with other cultural organizations. On behalf of the northwest Florida 
community, I would like to give a standing ovation to the leadership 
and countless volunteers that compose the Choral Society of Pensacola 
and recognize their hard work and dedication.
  Madam Speaker, I am very proud to celebrate the 75th anniversary of 
the Choral Society of Pensacola. I know that this anniversary will only 
be the first of many more to come.

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