[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 21]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 29676]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           CELEBRATING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF TOLEDOAN SAM SZOR

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, November 5, 2007

  Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, since 1953, Samuel Szor has been an 
integral part of Toledo's music scene, earning him the title of 
Toledo's ``Mr. Music.'' Mr. Szor ends his 55th season as the conductor/
music director of the immensely popular Music under the Stars summer 
concert series held at the Toledo Zoo Amphitheater. Each summer our 
community happily anticipates the inception of another summer of the 
concert series of Music under the Stars. Because of Mr. Szor, music-
lovers can rest in the Toledo Zoo's amphitheater taking in the 
beautiful sounds and sights of Toledo. Besides his dedication to 
bringing a collection of classical, patriotic and spirited pieces to 
Toledo residents, he holds an extensive list of additional credits.
  In his early years after graduating with degrees from University of 
Michigan, he played bassoon with the Toledo Symphony, Toledo Opera 
Orchestra and the University of Toledo Woodwind Quintet and Trio as 
well as playing jazz saxophone in area bands and clubs. His conducting 
credits include the Casual concert series and other concerts with 
Toledo Symphony, twenty years with the Perrysburg Symphony Orchestra, 
guest conductor with the famous Goldman Memorial Band in New York City, 
and conductor/music director for opera, musical comedy and ballet 
theatre in the Toledo area. In the choral realm, he has been conductor/
music director of The Toledo Choral Society for 49 years and was a 
director of church music for over 40 years. In addition to his 
conducting credits, he was a music educator serving for 32 years in the 
secondary and college levels in Toledo.
  Mr. Szor has received numerous awards for his distinguished work, 
most recently including a national award from the American Hungarian 
foundation and the Ovation Award from the Vocal Arts Resource Network 
of Ohio. Toledo garners much pride in his commitment to evoke a mosaic 
of melodies to our community for decades. Sam Szor is an inspiration to 
conductors and musicians everywhere by his grace, ease and spirit 
toward music.

                          ____________________