A house RESOLUTION

TO CONGRATULATE THE PALMETTO CONCERT BAND OF COLUMBIA UPON THE OCCASION OF ITS TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY, TO THANK THE BAND FOR A QUARTER­CENTURY OF EXCELLENCE IN PERFORMANCE TO AUDIENCES RANGING FROM LOCAL TO INTERNATIONAL, AND TO EXTEND BEST WISHES FOR MANY MORE YEARS OF BESTOWING MUSICAL DELIGHT.

Whereas, it is with great pleasure that the House honors those who give freely of their time and talents to benefit the citizens of South Carolina and so make it an even more enjoyable place to call home. The Palmetto Concert Band of Columbia, now celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary, has contributed to the Palmetto State a quarter-century of musical joy through its performances; and

Whereas, founded in 1999 by James K. Copenhaver, director of bands, and William J. Moody, professor emeritus, at the University of South Carolina (USC), the Palmetto Concert Band of Columbia has performed over the years under the batons of Directors Copenhaver and Moody, as well as under those of Scott Weiss and Cormac Cannon; and

Whereas, this community band primarily comprises USC School of Music alumni, with over half of its members being public school band directors in and around the State of South Carolina. These experienced musicians receive no compensation for participating in the band and choose to play with the ensemble because of their passion for making music and performing repertoire for wind band at a high level; and

Whereas, in addition to performing a season of free concerts for their community, which include a performance at the University of South Carolina Band Clinic, a Memorial Day concert honoring members and veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, and a concert the Sunday before Thanksgiving every year, the ensemble also has been featured on the international stage; and

Whereas, based upon a recording of its premiere performance at the Koger Center for the Arts in February 1999, the ensemble was invited to perform the finale concert at the 1999 Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic. Since that premiere performance in Chicago, Illinois, the band has been invited to perform at the very prestigious Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic two additional times (2008, 2016). Other notable performances have been for the South Carolina Music Educators Convention (2005), the North Carolina Music Educators Convention (2017), and the National Bandmasters Association Convention (2010). Further, the band was featured in the finale concert at the National Band Association Convention (2016); and

Whereas, grateful for the legacy of consistent excellence the Palmetto Concert Band has bestowed on this great State, the House is proud to add its collective voice to the many warm expressions of praise so well deserved by this dedicated group of musical artists. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate the Palmetto Concert Band of Columbia upon the occasion of its twenty-fifth anniversary, thank the band for a quarter-century of excellence in performance to audiences ranging from local to international, and extend best wishes for many more years of bestowing musical delight.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Palmetto Concert Band.

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