LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Evan Mack upon the occasion of his
induction into the Port Jervis High School Alumni Hall of Fame

WHEREAS, Individuals who distinguish themselves in their profession and
in service to their community merit the highest commendation; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and fully in accord with its long-
standing tradition, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Evan
Mack upon the occasion of his induction into the Port Jervis High School
Alumni Hall of Fame; his outstanding accomplishments were recognized on
Sunday, October 13, 2013, at the 2013 Port Jervis High School Alumni
Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Banquet, which was held at the Erie
Trackside Manor in Port Jervis, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Port Jervis High School Alumni Hall of Fame annually
recognizes individuals who have achieved personal success and have made
a significant contribution to society, serving as role models to inspire
current and future generations of Port Jervis students; and
WHEREAS, Evan Mack, Class of 1999, is an international pianist,
performing solo artist, librettist, and composer who has toured through-
out the United States, Barcelona, and South Africa; he has performed in
the Kentucky Symphony, the Cincinnati Symphony Chamber Players, the
Dayton Philharmonic, and the Cincinnati Symphony; and
WHEREAS, Currently on the faculty of Skidmore College in Saratoga
Springs, New York, Evan Mack's career was launched in Cincinnati, Ohio;
while he was completing his master's and doctorate of musical arts
degrees at the world-renowned College of Conservatory of Music, his
choral suite, LANGSTON HUGHES' DREAM OF FREEDOM, premiered at the
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, and was
later published worldwide by Hal Leonard; and
WHEREAS, During this productive time in Cincinnati, Evan Mack also
composed the opera, ANGEL OF THE AMAZON, which premiered in May 2011,
produced by Encompass New Opera Theatre at the Baryshnikov Arts Center
in New York City; this stunning work continued a run as the Main Stage
Award Winner with the Boston Metro Opera, and the original cast record-
ing was released worldwide by Albany Records; and
WHEREAS, Since ANGEL OF THE AMAZON, this versatile and prolific artist
has received numerous premieres and commissions; the Charleston Ballet
has given multiple performances of his ballet, PINOCCHIO, which has been
hailed as "the Springtime Nutcracker," and his two-piano work, AMERICAN
GROOVE, is being performed all over the world by the Westhuizen Duo and
was a Selection Winner for the SCI Regional Conference in 2010; in addi-
tion, a new choral work, OF FIRE AND FORM, is slated for publication,
and an opera, THE SECRET OF LUCA, is being performed across the United
States, to great acclaim; and
WHEREAS, Evan Mack has been well-received in the opera world; his work
has been lauded as rousing, and in the realm of such legendary composers
as Samuel Barber, Gian Carlo Menotti, and Carlisle Floyd; and
WHEREAS, Now a resident of Albany, New York, Evan Mack's newest opera
is an adaptation of the best-selling novel, ROSCOE, by Pulitzer Prize-
winning author William Kennedy; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Kristin, and their
two sons, Carter and Henry, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of
his life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those individ-
uals whose commitment and creative talents have contributed to the
cultural development and enrichment of the citizens of the State of New
York truly merit recognition and applause; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Evan Mack upon the occasion of his induction into the Port Jervis
High School Alumni Hall of Fame; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Evan Mack.