Honor Smyrna Band Centennial

Assembly Resolution No. 1354 BY: M. of A. Finch COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the Smyrna Citizens Band WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and commend those musical organizations that have brought entertainment and cultural enrichment to the citizens of the great State of New York; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Smyrna Citizens Band; and WHEREAS, Frank Coy, who directed the Coy Band of Smyrna around the turn of the century, traveled with the Smyrna Boys' Marching Band as a child to Peterboro to hear a speech by abolitionist Garret Smith of the underground slave railroad fame; and WHEREAS, This young boys' marching band would later be named the Coy Band, and in 1918, it was organized as the Citizens Band of Smyrna; and WHEREAS, Though the players changed through the years, Smyrna Citizens Band continues to play and march in parades before and after elections, at firemen's conventions, county fairs, Memorial Day ceremonies, field days and holidays; and WHEREAS, Today, the Smyrna Citizens Band features a loyal and diverse group of musicians of all ages, whose weekly concerts are a true example of small town Americana; and WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of Band Director Wilbur "Red" Raville, who has led the organization for nearly three decades and is a long time resident of the area, the Smyrna Citizens Band will once again host its remarkable 100-year tradition of summer concert series on Monday evenings in the balcony of the Smyrna Public Library; and WHEREAS, It is most fitting that we take time to celebrate the music of our Nation, to honor our artists and musicians, and to express our appreciation to everyone who patronizes the arts; as we celebrate the music, we celebrate and give thanks to our American freedom, the only atmosphere in which artists can truly create and in which music is truly the expression of the soul; and WHEREAS, The arts, in whatever form presented, are central to human expression; they are truly a universal language and their contribution to the development of friendship and understanding among all peoples cannot be underestimated; individuals who provide a means of preserving a part of our rich American past and which contribute to the community in such noble endeavors as aforementioned, are held in the highest regard by this Legislative Body; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Smyrna Citizens Band; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Wilbur Raville, band director, Smyrna Citizens Band.