[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8521]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



            MOZART CLUB OF WILKES-BARRE CELEBRATES 95TH YEAR

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                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 17, 2001

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Mozart 
Club of Wilkes-Barre, which is celebrating its 95th year this month. 
The club, a group for those 50 and older led by President Elenora 
Butcofski Grant, is a member of both the Pennsylvania and National 
Federations of Music Clubs.
  The Mozart Club was founded on October 10, 1906, by a young Miss Euda 
Hance, who later became Mrs. A. Livingston Davenport, and 14 of her 
friends in her living room.
  The mission of the Mozart Club is stated in its constitution: ``The 
object of this club shall be to encourage and promote musical interest 
among its members; to encourage the development of musical talent in 
the youth of the community and to cooperate with the Pennsylvania 
Federation of Music Clubs and the National Federation of Music Clubs in 
their specific plans for the advancement of music.''
  Over the years, the members of the Mozart Club have certainly 
fulfilled that mission. They have played major roles in establishing 
musical institutions such as the Community Concert Association, the 
Opera Guild and the Wyoming Valley Philharmonic Orchestra. They have 
fostered young talents through scholarships, and in 1926 they founded 
the Junior Mozart Club for children with musical interests.
  Both the Pennsylvania and National Federations have awarded the 
Mozart Club honors through the years and in 1974, the National 
Federation granted it the Award of Highest Merit in the Parade of 
American Music from a panel of judges headed by composer Samuel Barber.
  Active members of the Mozart Club must audition to be accepted as 
performing members. Many of these musicians are degreed performers who 
teach in schools or colleges or have their own private studios. At each 
monthly meeting, the club presents a musical program, which is open to 
the public. While the performers are sometimes guests, more often the 
club draws on the considerable talent within its own ranks.
  Among the club's other activities are: providing a yearly scholarship 
to a local graduate musician, taking part in the Fine Arts Fiesta, 
celebrating National Music Week, providing help for the State 
Federation Festival, providing programs for nursing home residents and 
sponsoring a series of opera trips to New York City each spring and 
fall.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to call to the attention of the House of 
Representatives the many good works of the Mozart Club and its 95th 
anniversary, and I wish them its members all the best as they continue 
with their many endeavors.

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