[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 175 (Monday, November 14, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1142]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE VALLEJO SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 14, 2022

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
Vallejo Symphony in recognition of their 90th anniversary.
  The Vallejo Symphony was founded in 1931, in the midst of the Great 
Depression. Led by conductor Julius Weyand, the original group 
consisted of 60 musicians. Hoping to uplift their struggling community, 
local leaders were able to raise the funds necessary to bring world 
class music to their town.
  Over the years, the Vallejo Symphony has seen tremendous growth, both 
in funding and notoriety. The Vallejo Symphony Association was founded 
in 1951, and acclaimed conductor Dr. George Wargo began his two-decade 
tenure as the orchestra's leader. During this time, the Vallejo 
Symphony performed both Wargo's Symphony in G and Concerto for Strings.
  Upon Wargo's departure, David Ramadanoff, a former associate 
conductor of the San Francisco Symphony, became the symphony's new 
leader, guiding it through three decades of excellence. Today, the 
Vallejo Symphony is led by Marc Taddei, Music Director of Orchestra 
Wellington.
  In addition to traditional concerts, the Vallejo Symphony routinely 
welcomes distinguished guest artists from around the globe in an effort 
to bring diverse music to Solano County residents. In 1993, they 
performed with the Akashi Choral Society in Japan for a celebration of 
the relationship between Akashi and Vallejo. Additionally, the Vallejo 
Symphony has sent musicians to perform in public schools, engaging and 
inspiring countless young students via classical music.
  Madam Speaker, the Vallejo Symphony has filled our community with 
rich, varied, and world-class music for nearly a century. Therefore, it 
is fitting and proper that it is honored here today.

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