Bill Text: NY J03238 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Commending Kimberly Nethaway upon the occasion of her retirement after 25 years of distinguished service as Director of the Oneida Area Civic Chorale
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2020-07-22 - ADOPTED [J03238 Detail]
Download: New_York-2019-J03238-Introduced.html
Senate Resolution No. 3238 BY: Senator GRIFFO COMMENDING Kimberly Nethaway upon the occasion of her retirement after 25 years of distinguished service as Director of the Oneida Area Civic Chorale WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to those individuals of creative and artistic significance whose inspired talents and leadership have contributed to the cultural enrichment of our communities and our Nation; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Kimberly Nethaway upon the occasion of her retirement after 25 years of distinguished service as Director of the Oneida Area Civic Chorale; and WHEREAS, The 100-voice community chorus was set to perform "The Water is Wide" on May 17th, but the pandemic crisis washed that concert out, which was to have been the last conducted by Director Kimberly Nethaway of Rome, New York; and WHEREAS, Before becoming the Director of the Oneida Area Civic Chorale (OACC) in 1995, Kimberly Nethaway filled many Chorale roles; she joined as a singer when she began her career as a music teacher, first at Holland Patent Central School, and then at Vernon-Verona-Sherrill; and WHEREAS, Kimberly Nethaway quickly became more involved in OACC, serving as a substitute accompanist, and then resident accompanist; soon she became Associate Director to OACC's founding Director, Darryl Wonderly; upon his retirement, 25 years ago, she was named Director; and WHEREAS, Throughout her tenure, Kimberly Nethaway directed over 75 full concerts and countless ensemble performances which included a full range of musical genres, special guests, and concert venues; concert themes ran the gamut between serious classical works and light-hearted musical comedy; and WHEREAS, Always a proponent of American music, Kimberly Nethaway truly enjoyed teaching and conducting the works of American composers, and in 2003 began leading OACC ensembles on biennial European tours to present concerts of American music; these nine tours encompassed 14 countries, finishing in 2019 with five concerts in the South of France; and WHEREAS, The OACC singers who took part in the tours joined Kimberly Nethaway in cherishing the opportunity to travel, tour, and share the universal language of music as they connected with thousands of people abroad; and WHEREAS, Kimberly Nethaway has always felt her primary role as Director has been to do her best to bring a composer's work to life and to lead OACC singers in performing it to the very best of their ability; and WHEREAS, Under her direction, OACC commissioned and premiered works by composers Alfred V. Fedak, Amy F. Bemon, and local composer and OACC friend Samuel Pellman; in 2017, she arranged a collaboration with guest conductor and composer Mark Hayes, in celebration of the Chorale's 50th season; and WHEREAS, Kimberly Nethaway looks forward to traveling with her husband, John, who is also retiring from the group as a singer, and spending more time with their children and grandchildren; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Kimberly Nethaway upon the occasion of her retirement, and to wish her well in all her future endeavors; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Kimberly Nethaway.