LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Utica
Symphony Orchestra

WHEREAS, It is the custom 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 commem-
orate the 80th Anniversary of the Utica Symphony Orchestra; and
WHEREAS, On March 25, 1932, a group of interested citizens met at the
Utica Public Library and founded the Utica Civic Musical Society, now
known as the Utica Symphony Orchestra; and
WHEREAS, The Society had a large chorus and symphony orchestra, both
under the direction of Berrian R. Shute; George M. Weaver, Jr. served as
the first president of the Society; and
WHEREAS, In 1933, Nicholas Gualillo and 60 musicians reorganized into
the Utica Symphonic Orchestra; two years later, the Utica Civic and the
Utica Symphonic merged, and from 1935 to 1940, Shute and Gualillo acted
as joint conductors of the new Utica Orchestra; and
WHEREAS, This prominent orchestra remained under the auspices of the
Civic Musical Society which has dedicated itself to broadening the
circle of concert goers in Utica and the surrounding area; and
WHEREAS, In 1983, the name of the organization was changed to Utica
Symphony, Inc.; in 2011, the Utica Symphony Orchestra was silenced due
to financial constraints; and
WHEREAS, Today, the Symphony is back in action after its hiatus, and
is residing in a new home at The Uptown Theatre, which itself is cele-
brating its 85th Anniversary; and
WHEREAS, Broadway tunes will be orchestrated and the second half of
each show will include live entertainment; and
WHEREAS, The arts, in whatever form depicted, 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; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Utica Symphony Orchestra; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Utica Symphony Orchestra.