It’s not often that the University of Kentucky School of Music, its faculty, and programs make their way into the business of the Commonwealth’s General Assembly. Yet that happened on March 28, 2019, when the House of Representatives adopted House Resolution No. 214, which had been introduced to the assembly by Representatives Ruth Palumbo, David Osborne, George Brown Jr., Kelly Flood, Joe Graviss, Matthew Koch, Stan Lee, Russ Meyer, Phillip Pratt, Cherlynn Stevenson, and Susan Westrom.
As Director of the UK School of Music, I received a copy of the official resolution in the mail from the Office of the Chief Clerk of the House, Melissa Bybee-Fields several days later. The resolution begins by “honoring the celebration of 100 years of tradition and excellence of the University of Kentucky School of Music.” Multiple paragraphs follow, in which the history of the School and of musical instruction at the University of Kentucky are summarized, the current faculty leadership of the School are cited, the School’s vibrancy and success at “meeting the needs of the arts community” are referenced, and its excellent programs in music education, music performance, music theory and composition, music therapy, and musicology and ethnomusicology are each mentioned. A number of the special events of the 100th anniversary season are also listed, including the recent performances of Madame Butterfly by the UK Opera Theatre, and the upcoming presentation by the UK Symphony Orchestra and UK Chorale of “Amadeus Live!” and the May 29th concert by the UK Wind Symphony and UK Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
The resolution concludes with a hopeful message about the value of the arts in Kentucky. “Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: Section 1. The members of the House of Representatives applaud the University of Kentucky School of Music and urge all citizens to support the arts by attending recitals, workshops, masterclasses, lectures, operas, and concerts sponsored by the school. Section 2. When the House of Representatives adjourns this day, it does so in honor of the University of Kentucky School of Music and its 100-year tradition and excellence.”
It is not too late to join the faculty, staff, and students of the UK School of Music as we wind down our 100th anniversary season. Information about major concerts and events can be found on the calendar of the Singletary Center for the Arts.
Tickets for the May 29th concert at Carnegie Hall are available from the Carnegie Hall Box Office.
More information about Kentucky House Resolution No. 214 can be found at https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/19RS/hr214.html
