WHEREAS, in 2021, the Cooper Middle School band of McLean was presented the Sudler Cup by the John Philip Sousa Foundation, a prestigious international honor bestowed upon secondary school-level concert bands for outstanding musical achievement; and

WHEREAS, with this honor, the Cooper Middle School band joined the exclusive company of only 60 schools that have been recognized with the Sudler Cup since it was established in 1985; and

WHEREAS, in order to be eligible for the Sudler Cup, the Cooper Middle School band had to achieve and maintain concert excellence for seven consecutive years under the same conductor, among other criteria; and

WHEREAS, on its path to earning the Sudler Cup, the Cooper Middle School band was required to perform at several state and national level conferences and to receive letters of recognition and recommendations from noted educators and conductors; and

WHEREAS, the Sudler Cup embodies the culture of excellence that the Cooper Middle School band has cultivated over the past several years and that will ensure the program continues to impress audiences for many years to come; and

WHEREAS, the success of the Cooper Middle School band is the result of the hard work and dedication of the student-musicians, the leadership and guidance of their band director, Matt Baker, and their teachers, and the unwavering support of their parents and the entire Cooper Middle School community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That the Cooper Middle School band hereby be commended for receiving the John Philip Sousa Foundation's Sudler Cup in 2021; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Matt Baker, director of the Cooper Middle School band, as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's admiration for the band's accomplishments.