[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23055]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



CONGRATULATING THE SAN LUIS OBISPO SYMPHONY'S CUARTETO DE LAS MISIONES 
     ON THEIR PERFORMANCE AT THE KENNEDY CENTER IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LOIS CAPPS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 17, 2000

  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I honor the San Luis Obispo Symphony String 
Quartet, Cuarteto de las Misiones who have traveled from San Luis 
Obispo, California to perform tonight at the Kennedy Center's 
Millennium Stage State Days Series. The Cuarteto is Sharon Holland, 
Ginette Reitz, Mary Houston, and Ken Hustad.
  I had the privilege of nominating the Cuarteto to represent the great 
state of California for the Kennedy Center's program because they have 
demonstrated a wonderful commitment to their community, a unique sound, 
and inspiring talent.
  The San Luis Obispo String Quartet has been performing at Central 
Coast schools for over a decade. Last Spring, the quartet was 
reorganized and renamed the Cuarteto de las Misiones and began working 
with local Grammy-nominated composer, musicologist and California 
Polytechnic State University music professor Dr. Craig Russell to 
design an in-school program for 3rd and 4th graders.
  Dr. Russell has devoted the past several years to uncovering a wealth 
of music originally performed in California and Mexico during the 
colonial days. Through his discoveries, he has been able to demonstrate 
that there was a far richer musical life on the West Coast of the 
United States than was previously thought. Thanks to Dr. Russell, works 
by European immigrants to California and Mexico, once performed by the 
Chumash and Salinan people are being performed again after 200 years of 
silence.
  Cuarteto de las Misiones presents a narrated musical journey 
comparing the unique styles of mid-18th Century western culture. The 
quartet's performance this evening will include Dr. Russell's 
arrangements of the newly rediscovered music of the missions, mountain 
music and reels of the eastern United States and the chamber music 
enjoyed in Europe's finest salons.
  Mr. Speaker, this exciting new program has not only sparked my 
interest, but has received notice from the California Arts Council and 
has become part of their ``Rural and Inner City Presenting Program'' 
(RICP). They are a fine example for the community and I am proud to be 
their Representative.
  I would like to give thanks to the San Luis Obispo County Community 
Foundation and the Hock Family Foundation for their generous support of 
the Cuarteto de las Misiones, and to the ensemble itself for their 
invaluable contribution to the Central Coast.

                          ____________________