[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 1 (Wednesday, January 5, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE DICKSON STRING QUARTET AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-ST. 
                                 LOUIS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. WM. LACY CLAY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 5, 2011

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the members of the 
Dickson family who are committed to their education and love for the 
art of music. That is why parents Raymond and Theresa Dickson chose to 
simultaneously enroll four of their children at the University of 
Missouri-St. Louis. Music Majors Ashley, Benjamin, Brandon and Daniel 
Dickson receive lessons and recite together as a string quartet, under 
the tutelage of the ``Arianna String Quartet'', the University's 
quartet-in-residence. It is believed to be the only resident quartet in 
a public university in the United States. The Dickson family chose 
Florissant, Missouri to maintain a strong support structure for their 
University students.
  Prior to moving to Florissant, Raymond, Theresa and their ten 
children had been living in Battle Ground Washington a suburb of 
Portland, Oregon for several years. The children were home-schooled. 
Most of them elected to learn an instrument. Over time, four of the 
eldest Dickson's began performing together as the Dickson String 
Quartet.
  While honing their skills at the Britt Festival in Jacksonville, 
Oregon, they caught the collective ears of the Arianna String Quartet, 
who were guest instructors at the two-week string quartet academy. 
``When people hear them, I don't think they can help but be drawn in,'' 
Arianna violist Joanna Mendoza told University of Missouri-St. Louis 
Magazine.
  The feeling was mutual for the Dickson's, who desired a continuation 
of their studies with the Arianna. Working with the university, members 
of the Arianna were able to create an opportunity for the four Dicksons 
to enroll together and learn as an ensemble with University of 
Missouri-St. Louis' resident quartet.
  With the Dickson String Quartet ranging in age from 16 to 20 and 
never having attended a public school at the time of their enrollment 
at University of Missouri-St. Louis, Raymond and Theresa decided to 
move their family to maintain a support structure for the new 
university students.
  The Dickson students have thrived at University of Missouri-St. 
Louis. They've quickly established a reputation as leaders and role 
models in the Department of Music and Pierre Laclede Honors College. 
They participate in several performance ensembles, play together as 
``the quartet for worship'' at their local church and have several 
standing ovations through their performances as a sibling quartet.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to the Dickson family and I 
urge my colleagues to join me in honoring them.

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