[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 25310-25311]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             A TRIBUTE TO THE PASADENA SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 24, 2007

  Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Pasadena 
Symphony, which will be celebrating its 80th anniversary on October 13, 
2007--the beginning of the 2007-2008 season. Since 1928, the Pasadena 
Symphony has demonstrated musical talent, stable leadership, and 
remarkable service to the community.
  In 1922, Will Rounds, Director of Instrumental Music in the Pasadena 
public school

[[Page 25311]]

system and former member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, initiated a 
movement for a local civic orchestra. The Pasadena Civic Orchestra 
Association was officially developed in 1928 by a group of civic-minded 
citizens and Reginald Bland, the orchestra's first director. Originally 
formed to promote free music of all forms to the public and to provide 
young aspiring musicians an opportunity to train through practical 
experience, the orchestra has transformed from a group of volunteer and 
student musicians into a nationally-recognized orchestra that has won 
worldwide acclaim.
  Much of the symphony's success can be attributed to its stable 
leadership. Since its founding, the orchestra has had only four music 
directors. In 1936, Dr. Richard Lert began his 36 year tenure as 
director and established a scholarship fund for students who performed 
in the orchestra. With Dr. Lert at the helm, the orchestra's name was 
changed to the Pasadena Symphony Association in 1954; in 1955, the 
symphony became a founding member of the Los Angeles Symphony League 
and was recognized with Metropolitan Status by the American Symphony 
Orchestra League in 1968. The Women's Committee, which recently 
celebrated its 50th anniversary, was formed in 1957 to assist with 
fundraising. From 1972 to 1984 the orchestra's reputation continued to 
grow under the leadership of Daniel Lewis. The orchestra received 
several national awards, including 5 American Society of Composers and 
Publishers awards for adventuresome programming. Mr. Lewis also oversaw 
the founding of the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra which is 
considered one of the best youth orchestras in the world. Since 1984, 
Jorge Mester has brilliantly led the Pasadena Symphony Association, 
expanding the number of concerts per season and recording its first 
compact disc in 1994.
  Beyond its musical achievements, the association admirably serves the 
community through educational outreach. Committed to making music 
accessible to the public, the symphony runs an admission-free Musical 
Circus for families with young children and offers Concerts and Lessons 
to Enrich Families (C.L.E.F.). Believing that music belongs in the 
classroom as well as the concert hall, the symphony partnered with 
Pasadena's public elementary schools to found Tempo!, a curriculum 
based program that has been recognized by the National Endowment for 
the Arts. Through the Mentor Program, in which middle and high school 
musicians can meet with Pasadena Symphony Association professionals and 
the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra, the symphony fosters our next 
generation of musicians.
  It is my great pleasure to honor the Pasadena Symphony Association on 
its 80th anniversary. I ask all members to join me in commending their 
efforts.

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