Honor JoAnn Falletta Anniversary

Senate Resolution No. 2969 BY: Senator KENNEDY HONORING JoAnn Falletta upon the occasion of her 20th Anniversary as the Musical Director of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor and recognize those talented individuals within our midst, who have had a significant impact on the arts and culture of our communities through their outstanding musical entertainment; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor JoAnn Falletta upon the occasion of her 20th Anniversary as Musical Director of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra; this milestone was celebrated with a special daylong event held on Friday, October 18,

2019; and WHEREAS, Beginning at 6:00 am, Classical 94.5 WNED played a different Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO) recording at the top of each hour until midnight and the Buffalo Museum of Science played BPO recordings throughout Hamlin Hall and the Darwin Martin House Complex; and WHEREAS, This momentous occasion ended with a black-tie affair held at Hotel Henry on the Richardson Olmsted Campus, chosen both as a venue devoted to the arts, and a landmark property symbolic of the transformation of the City of Buffalo over the past 20 years; and WHEREAS, JoAnn Falletta has given not only of her time and energies but also of her competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently has been designated for special honor; and WHEREAS, Appointed as Musical Director in 1999, JoAnn Falletta became the first female conductor to lead a major American ensemble; she accompanied the Orchestra in 2018 on an international tour performing at Warsaw's Beethoven Easter Festival, becoming the first American woman conductor to lead an orchestra at this festival; and WHEREAS, Under JoAnn Falletta's leadership, the BPO has undergone a renaissance; she has been hailed as a leading force for the music of our time for her work as a conductor, communicator, recording artist, audience builder, champion of American composers and distinguished musical citizens; and WHEREAS, JoAnn Falletta has been honored locally by her community, having been named Buffalo's Most Influential Civic Leader and Buffalo and Erie County's Artist of the Year, and was inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame, as well as the Western New York Women's Hall of Fame; and WHEREAS, With the BPO, JoAnn Falletta has been nominated for six Grammy awards, winning twice; in addition, she still references playing at Carnegie Hall in 2004 and 2013 as two of the most memorable moments of her career; and WHEREAS, This remarkable woman holds an undergraduate degree from the Mannes School of Music, and her master's and doctorate degrees from The Julliard School; JoAnn Falletta has also received 12 honorary doctorates, the Erie County Historical Society's Red Jacket, and the Theodore Roosevelt Award; and WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to the lives of those extraordinary musicians who enriched the lives of others through their artistic endeavors; such a talent is Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra maestro JoAnn Falletta, whose extraordinary and innovative career will live in the hearts of many and continue to inspire generations to come; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor JoAnn Falletta upon the occasion of her 20th Anniversary with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to JoAnn Falletta.