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TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE PELION HIGH SCHOOL ORCHESTRA FOR AN OUTSTANDING PERFORMING SEASON, AND TO CONGRATULATE THE ORCHESTRA MEMBERS, THE DIRECTOR, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR GARNERING FIRST PLACE IN THE 2012 SMOKEY MOUNTAIN MUSIC FESTIVAL.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are pleased to learn that the Pelion High School Orchestra took top honors in the two-day Smokey Mountain Music Festival in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, on April 27, 2012; and
Whereas, competing against orchestras from five other states, the twenty-one students in the Pelion High School Orchestra gave a stunning performance; and
Whereas, competition at the festival included concert orchestras, bands, jazz bands, street parades, winter guards, indoor drum lines and other indoor auxiliaries, concert choirs, show choirs, jazz choirs, madrigal choirs, chamber choirs, and men's and women's choirs from elementary, middle, junior, and senior high schools; and
Whereas, earning first place in Class AA division school orchestras, Pelion received an overall numeric score less than one point lower than the first-place orchestra in Class AAAA and received a superior rating from all three judges at the competition; and
Whereas, in addition to the exceptional performance of the orchestra, the orchestra's concertmaster, violinist Matthew Treaster, received a Certificate of Excellence for Outstanding Performance; and
Whereas, the cello section, composed of Shelton Yonce, Megan Williams, and Jordan Peruchet, and the bass section, which included Nathan Middleswarth, Ashley Bailey, Colt Bedenbaugh, and Tasha Beavers, also received the Certificate of Excellence for Outstanding Performance; and
Whereas, the Certificate of Excellence rewards and recognizes outstanding performers within the orchestra during the contest; and
Whereas, drawing the very last position in competition, the Pelion orchestra faced the judges that had listened to two full days of bands and orchestras before Pelion performed for them, yet the judges awarded the performance dazzling accolades; and
Whereas, the students in the orchestra performed the entire contest selection without the benefit of a conductor, but they watched and listened to one another to begin and end each piece, to maintain consistent dynamics, to regulate tempo changes, and to synchronize key changes and phrasing; and
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are grateful for the pride and recognition that the musicians in the Pelion High School Orchestra have brought to their school, to their community, and to the Palmetto State and look to hear of their continued accomplishments. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and honor the Pelion High School Orchestra for an outstanding performing season, and congratulate the orchestra members, the director, and school officials for garnering first place in the 2012 Smokey Mountain Music Festival.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Principal Clark Cooper and Director Timothy Bennett.
This web page was last updated on January 15, 2013 at 1:25 PM