[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 68 (Tuesday, April 20, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H1964]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   LOCAL GRAMMY WINNER JAMES BLACHLY

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
congratulate Johnstown, Pennsylvania, local, James Blachly, on his 2021 
Grammy win.
  In April 2018, Blachly and the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra performed 
the U.S. world premiere of Dame Ethel Smyth's ``The Prison.'' It was 
this performance that won the 2021 Grammy.
  Serving as the music director of the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra and 
as music director of the Experiential Orchestra, Mr. Blachly is known 
for his innovative programming which aims to increase audience 
engagement.
  James is an incredibly talented conductor and composer. In 2016, he 
was the only conductor from the United States invited to participate in 
the first annual Young Conductors Showcase as part of El Sistema's 40th 
anniversary celebration, and he was the only U.S. conductor to be 
invited as Conducting Fellow in Maestra Marin Alsop's final year at the 
Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music.
  Congratulations to James and the Johnstown Symphony. Their hard work 
and dedication have truly paid off.

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