H.R. No. 346

	R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The Victoria Bach Festival is presenting its 40th
	anniversary season in June 2015, and this milestone provides a
	welcome opportunity to pay tribute to this unique musical event;
	and
	WHEREAS, The first Victoria Bach Festival was presented in
	1976 under the direction of Dr. David Urness, and over the years,
	this regional classical musical festival has drawn thousands of
	music lovers from across the state; the first season was sponsored
	by the University of Houston-Victoria, which has since been joined
	in its support by the Texas Commission on the Arts, the City of
	Victoria, the National Endowment for the Arts, and a host of
	individuals and businesses from the community; and
	WHEREAS, Since 1992, the Victoria Bach Festival has been led
	by Grammy-nominated artistic director Craig Hella Johnson, and
	today his creative team also includes New Young Artist coordinator
	Faith DeBow and chamber music director Michelle Schumann; the
	festival features principal players from the nation's leading
	orchestras, and the festival's lineup has been expanded beyond the
	works of Johann Sebastian Bach to include composers from the entire
	history of classical music; performances in recent years have
	featured compositions by Ludwig van Beethoven, Charles Ives, George
	Gershwin, Arvo Pärt, and Roberto Sierra; and
	WHEREAS, During festival week, audiences are treated to
	large-scale performances of symphonies and oratorios as well as
	more intimate performances by vocal artists and chamber ensembles
	at various venues in Victoria; concerts are broadcast on South
	Texas Public Radio, reaching 100,000 listeners in 15 Texas
	counties; and
	WHEREAS, The festival's education and outreach programs
	include the New Young Artists Program, master classes with
	professional musicians, children's concerts, preconcert talks, and
	dress rehearsals that are open to the public; the work of the
	festival continues in the off-season with an annual holiday concert
	by the vocal ensemble Conspirare, performances of silent films with
	live musical accompaniment, and appearances by guest artists; and
	WHEREAS, For four decades, the Victoria Bach Festival has
	brought the gift of some of the most inspiring music in the world to
	the residents of Victoria and South Texas, and this remarkable
	cultural event is truly deserving of special recognition; now,
	therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
	Legislature hereby commemorate the 40th anniversary season of the
	Victoria Bach Festival and extend to the festival's staff and
	guests sincere best wishes for a glorious week of wonderful music;
	and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
	prepared for the Victoria Bach Festival as an expression of high
	regard by the Texas House of Representatives.
	Morrison
	______________________________
	Speaker of the House
	I certify that H.R. No. 346 was adopted by the House on
	February 19, 2015, by a non-record vote.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House