[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18023]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING AMERICAN PHILHARMONIC-SONOMA COUNTY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 18, 2010

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, I rise with pleasure today to celebrate 
the American Philharmonic-Sonoma County which has been honored with an 
invitation from the government of China and the Dalian Yuan Concert 
Production Company to tour northern China over this coming New Year's 
holiday.
  The tour will be sponsored and supported almost entirely by the 
Chinese government and will include eight concerts in 12 days in 
Shanghai, Beijing, Yantai, and Qindao.
  Known as the ``people's orchestra,'' the American Philharmonic 
performs free concerts at the Wells Fargo Center in Santa Rosa, 
California, in keeping with their mission: ``To make the beauty of 
music and the power of community alive and available for everyone.''
  Founded 12 years ago, the American Philharmonic-Sonoma County has 
been offering a variety of musical performances as an all-volunteer 
organization, with both amateur and professional musicians, 60 to 75 in 
all. According to volunteer cellist Brian Lloyd, ``We give our time and 
talent out of love for the music and belief that the gift of beautiful 
music is nurturing for the community.''
  The program on the Chinese tour will celebrate our cultural 
connections by including American, Chinese, and European music. Music 
Director Gabriel Sakakeeny will lead the orchestra, and featured 
soloists will be Sonoma State University piano professor Marilyn 
Thompson and French violinist Solenn Seguillon.
  ``This is an incredible opportunity for American Philharmonic.'' says 
Maestro Sakakeeny. ``It is such an honor to be invited to perform in 
the Carnegie halls of China, and we are looking forward to sharing our 
music and representing our country to the Chinese people. It's going to 
be an amazing tour.''
  Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor the American Philharmonic-Sonoma 
County on the eve of a major tour that will share our local treasure 
with the people of China.

                          ____________________