WHEREAS, the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, a grassroots effort under the leadership of volunteer conductor Gibson Morrissey, held its first performance on March 31, 1953, in the Jefferson High School auditorium; the orchestra celebrated its 60th anniversary season with its opening concert on October 7, 2013; and

WHEREAS, the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra has grown from its early beginnings, when rehearsals were held in St. John's Episcopal Church, to 83 musicians and a $1.7 million budget, and its masterworks series for the 60th anniversary season included three big concerts, the introduction of four Destination concerts, and outreach efforts to smaller corners of the Roanoke community; and

WHEREAS, for the 2013-2014 season, the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, with grant assistance, created an exhibition displayed on opening night that detailed its 60-year history as recorded in the Roanoke Times; and

WHEREAS, although the first reviews of the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra 60 years ago were met with uncertainty, its performance was a complete musical triumph under the leadership of conductor Gibson Morrissey; and

WHEREAS, longtime musicians with the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra hailed its transformation from a community orchestra to a professional ensemble when an endowment in 1986 from a generous Roanoke philanthropist allowed the orchestra to employ Victoria Bond, its first paid conductor and the first woman to receive a doctorate in conducting from The Julliard School in New York; and

WHEREAS, the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra has been an invaluable asset to the Roanoke region, and with the existence of the orchestra, residents do not have to travel to larger cities in and out of state to enjoy live orchestral music; and

WHEREAS, the Roanoke community has reaped enormous benefits due to the presence of the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, including an awareness of the diversity of music and the orchestra's unique ability to stimulate positive creativity, behavior, emotions, education, and civic events; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra on its diamond anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Music Director and Conductor David Stewart Wiley, and to Elizabeth Rae Pline, Executive Director, requesting that they further distribute copies of this resolution to the musicians of the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra in order that they may be apprised of the General Assembly's congratulations on its diamond anniversary and best wishes for continued success.