TO RECOGNIZE AND CONGRATULATE MR. BILL DIEKHOFF, DIRECTOR OF THE FOOTHILLS CHORALE, FOR TWENTY YEARS OF SERVICE TO HIS COMMUNITY AND TO WISH HIM MUCH SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

Whereas, the members of the Senate are pleased to learn that Mr. Bill Diekhoff has been directing the Foothills Chorale for the past twenty years. He will conduct his last concert on April 24, 2016; and

Whereas, the Foothills Chorale is a community choir of vocal musicians from the Upstate of South Carolina who perform music in a variety of styles; and

Whereas, known for his innovative and eclectic programming, Mr. Diekhoff searches for music that will stretch the singer, audience, and himself; and

Whereas, Mr. Diekhoff has led groups at an international level, performing at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France, Westminster Abbey in London, England, St. Giles in Edinburgh, Scotland, and others; and

Whereas, on a more local level, Mr. Diekhoff taught for many years in public schools in Indiana and Wisconsin. He formerly conducted the Key Koraliers and currently teaches voice at Erskine College; and

Whereas, Mr. Diekhoff is a member of the American Choral Directors Association and is the past national chairman of the Community Choir Committee. In 2000, he received the Morris D. Hayes Award for outstanding contributions to choral music in Wisconsin; and

Whereas, the members of the Senate are grateful for Mr. Diekhoff's many years of dedicated service to his community through his excellence in choral conducting. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the Senate, by this resolution, recognize and congratulate Mr. Bill Diekhoff, director of the Foothills Chorale, for twenty years of service to his community and wish him much success and happiness in all his future endeavors.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Mr. Bill Diekhoff.