[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 23549]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             MEL SHELTON, EDUCATOR AND INSPIRATION TO MANY

 Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize an Idahoan 
of exceptional talent. Many possess remarkable talents, but this 
individual stands out because he has used his gifts to enrich the lives 
of others, educate young people, inspire creativity and provide beauty 
and drama that resides in the music of the heart. Mel Shelton, former 
Boise High School Band Director, Bose State University, BSU, Director 
of Bands and Professor of Music Education, member of the Boise 
Philharmonic, conductor and soloist with the Boise Municipal Band, 
founder and conductor of the Treasure Valley Concert Band, retired 
Professor Emeritus, Director of Bands from BSU, and internationally 
recognized composer has proven to be an exemplary artist, passionate 
and driven educator and dedicated citizen.
  Mel has pushed countless students to reach out to the furthest 
boundaries of their talent and energy. He has exposed young musicians 
to new places and foreign countries, providing them with experiences 
that they will be able to draw artistic inspiration from for the rest 
of their lives. His incredible orchestral and band compositions are 
interpretations of profound life experiences. His exposure to and 
friendship with students from the Basque community in Boise, 
incidentally the largest such community in the nation, inspired him to 
compose the first Basque music specifically published for concert band 
media. Some of the most rugged peaks of Idaho, the Grand Tetons, were 
the inspiration for a piece by the same name. Mel also composed a work 
in honor of fallen wildland firefighters recently entitled ``Requiem 
for Wildfire Heroes.'' These and many other of Mel's works have been on 
``Required Lists'' for contests and festivals throughout the country, 
and he has been the well-deserved recipient of many distinguished 
local, State, and international awards.
  Mel says, ``Music is a picture painted on a background of silence. It 
is unique in that it allows our brain to see with our ears and hear 
with our hearts.'' Mel Shelton transforms the mystery and passion of 
Idaho and its citizens from the transcendent to the realm of the 
discernable, unlocking our ability to appreciate Idaho's heritage and 
beauty. I commend him on his lifelong dedication to music, to Idaho's 
children, and remarkable accomplishments as a master in his 
field.

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