[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8138]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    IN CELEBRATION OF THE MILWAUKEE YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA'S 50TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GWEN MOORE

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 11, 2006

  Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in Celebration of 
the 50th Anniversary of the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra, MYSO. 
MYSO was started in 1956, with assistance from the Junior League 
Children's Arts Program, the Milwaukee Art Center and later the Rotary 
Club. It has since grown into a valued community institution and the 
largest youth orchestra program in the Nation.
  MYSO provides valuable education and character development for all of 
its young participants. Through participation in MYSO programs, young 
musicians develop discipline and creative problem-solving skills, and 
learn to work as part of a team. MYSO provides young artists with 
exposure to professional musicians and master teachers. Since its 
inception, the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra has become one of the 
most respected youth orchestras in the United States, serving almost 
800 young musicians in a range of programs that include several large 
orchestras in additional to smaller and more specialized ensemble 
groups. MYSO alumni have gone on to distinguished careers as 
professional musicians, and have become accomplished and dedicated 
supporters of arts in the community.
  MYSO has also made a significant commitment to bringing arts into the 
community. As budget cuts trim funding for arts and music education in 
the Milwaukee Public Schools, MYSO has created new programs that ensure 
everyone has the opportunity to learn about and appreciate music. 
Programs like Progressions and MYSO Jazz Studies bring instrumental 
instruction and ensemble performance to students who might otherwise 
never have the opportunity to play an instrument or learn to read 
music. Together with several other youth arts organizations, MYSO 
collaborated to develop the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, creating a 
dedicated space for youth arts that fosters excellence and honors the 
creative talents of Milwaukee-area youth. This project has contributed 
to the revitalization of a key central city neighborhood.
  For all of these good works, I am honored to commend the Milwaukee 
Youth Symphony Orchestra. I thank them for 50 years of exemplary 
leadership and teaching, and look forward to their continued efforts to 
provide Milwaukee's youth with outstanding arts education.

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