HR0690 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0690 LRB097 16302 KXB 61456 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois has played a meaningful role in developing the American art form of barbershop singing; and

WHEREAS, The national organization known as the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS), born in 1938 as the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, Inc., enjoyed strong support from communities across Illinois as interest in the art form spread; and

WHEREAS, The Bloomington Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, also known as the Sound of Illinois, became one of the earliest to form in Illinois on April 27, 1942; and

WHEREAS, The Sound of Illinois mission is to bring Central Illinois men together in harmony and fellowship to enrich lives through singing; and

WHEREAS, The Sound of Illinois, one of the Central Illinois arts community's oldest organizations, has brought enjoyment of four-part acappella singing to thousands of Central Illinois audiences through its annual shows, singing valentines, and many performances; and

WHEREAS, Thousands of Illinois high school singers have participated in annual Youth In Harmony education workshops and performances offered free by the Sound of Illinois since 1999 to support vocal music in high schools; and

WHEREAS, The Sound of Illinois chorus will again represent the State of Illinois as a contestant in Portland, Oregon, in 2012, the fifth consecutive year and eighth time overall that the Sound of Illinois has been the Illinois entry in international competition; and

WHEREAS, The Barbershop Harmony Society recognizes the Bloomington Chapter as the third best chapter among 800 in the entire organization, based on a broad measure of activities; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we proclaim April 21-27, 2012 as Sound of Illinois Week in the State of Illinois, to recognize the 70th anniversary of the Bloomington Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society and its passion to serve its Society, its audiences, students, and citizens across the State; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Bloomington Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society as a symbol of our respect and esteem.