[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 5528]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO SALVATORE PRINCIOTTI

  Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, today I rise to recognize the Stamford 
Young Artists Philharmonic, SYAP, and most especially, Salvatore 
Princiotti, SYAP's beloved founder and conductor, who is retiring after 
52 years.
  Currently, SYAP runs eight different ensembles for a wide range of 
ages, including the advanced Young Artists Philharmonic, an 
intermediate level orchestra, a string ensemble, flute choirs, jazz 
groups, and a Summer Jazz Workshop that draws student musicians from 
around the country.
  SYAP has become closely connected to the Stamford area community. Its 
members are artistic ambassadors, sharing their love of music as a 
common language and source of connection with all of Connecticut. 
Through both classical and jazz programming, the SYAP shares different 
styles of music in venues around Stamford--outreach through plush 
melodies and moving rhythms--holding performances, for example, at 
Stamford Town Center, such as the popular outdoor concert series, Jazz 
on the Plaza.
  Committed to a strong tradition of giving back to the less fortunate, 
the SYAP has partnered with the Union Baptist Church in Stamford where, 
in exchange for rehearsal space, it held an annual holiday concert 
whose proceeds benefited the church's senior members. In addition, the 
Philharmonic partners with the Waterside School in their Outreach 
String Program, offering lessons to students who cannot afford 
instruments.
  SYAP's level of musicianship is first-rate as demonstrated by its 
relationship with the Stamford Symphony, which mentors the young 
musicians, sharing performances and giving workshops. However, the 
surest indicator of the high level of musicianship is the leadership 
and 52 dedicated years of the enormously talented violinist and 
conductor, Maestro Princiotti.
  Sal Princiotti, or ``the Prince,'' as he is called by the orchestra 
members, has dedicated a half a century to enhancing the lives of young 
musicians, inspiring a passion for melody with specific performances as 
temporary goals, but with overall experience as his motivating 
principle. Mr. Princiotti brings enormous talent to the SYAP as a 
graduate of the Juilliard School and past soloist at Tanglewood Music 
Festival under world-renown conductors Leonard Bernstein and Charles 
Munch. In addition to founding and leading the SYAP, and conducting the 
Ridgefield Symphony and Stamford Symphony, Mr. Princiotti maintains a 
busy, private teaching practice and has directed the string programs 
for the Greenwich and Darien school systems.
  Under Mr. Princiotti's baton, the SYAP has performed for many 
significant commemorations, including the New York World's Fair in 
1964, the rededication of the Statue of Liberty, and a program for 
President George H.W. Bush. In addition to enriching our Nation's 
history, Mr. Princiotti has ensured that his groups of musicians give 
back to their country through annual holiday concerts at Grand Central 
Station for AmeriCares. He has also expanded the horizons of the SYAP, 
bringing them to Italy in 2001 and 2006 on an international tour. He is 
the author of a book--The Heart of Music--which explores the art of 
music education.
  I am in the company of many others who have demonstrated their 
appreciation of Mr. Princiotti. He was the 2000 recipient of the Film 
and Arts Bravo Network Award, the 1987 Stamford Community Arts Council 
Arts Award, and has been inducted into the Stamford High School Wall of 
Fame. Mr. Princiotti holds the keys to the City of Stamford, and is a 
most treasured member of the Stamford area and the State of 
Connecticut.
  ``The Prince's'' final concert will be held on May 6, 2012, at the 
Palace Theater in Stamford, CT, where friends, family, alumni of the 
orchestra, and current young artists of this esteemed group will spend 
hours wrapped in melodic memory in celebration of more than 50 years of 
artistry, education, and true connection. At this event, a scholarship 
fund and chair will be dedicated in Mr. Princiotti's honor. I can say 
with certainty that there is no need for a chair for the Maestro to be 
remembered for decades to come.

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