October 2, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1637 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS

HONORING MARK PEARSON Ms. Newton has recently been named Ele- trombones, each section has its own magical mentary School Teacher of the Year for Fay- sound but still blends modestly with the whole HON. SCOTT McINNIS ette County. Carrie Newton has worked hard of the Orchestra. OF COLORADO to ensure that elementary school students de- A discussion of the grandeur of the Cleve- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES velop a first-rate academic foundation that will land Orchestra is hardly complete without Monday, October 2, 2000 lead them to realize their full potential in their mention of its magnificent home, Severance future endeavors. Hall. The beautiful, ornate concert hall has just Mr. MCINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to I join our community in recognizing an out- undergone a two-year, $36 million renovation take this moment to honor the considerable standing teacher who has contributed years of and expansion. The goal of the project was to achievements of Mark Pearson. Mark recently dedicated teaching at Lansdown Elementary. preserve Severance Hall's grace and architec- received recognition at Wilderness 2000, a Ms. Newton is the kind of teacher that every tural integrity. Thus, the original detailing of conference on wilderness issues, honoring parent and child wishes forÐan educator who the Hall has been restored, and its legendary him for his dedicated work in the wilderness knows how to engage her students and moti- acoustics have been retained and enhanced. field. vate them to learn. It is a pleasure to recog- Mr. Speaker, I ask my fellow colleagues to Mark began the work that he is now well nize Ms. Newton on the House floor today for join me in recognizing the extraordinary known for when he attended the University of her superior work in education which has achievements of the Cleveland Orchestra. I Colorado at Boulder, where he was an active earned her the Teacher of the Year Award. hope that the Orchestra continues bringing joy member of the CU Wilderness Study Group. f to the city of Cleveland and the rest of the This group studied public lands issues in Colo- world for many years to come, and I submit rado, examining particularly important areas TRIBUTE TO THE CLEVELAND the aforementioned article into the RECORD. and then forming copious data into field re- ORCHESTRA ports. The reports that were done under IN CLEVELAND, MUSIC FOR CONNOISSEURS Mark's supervision were so thorough and so HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH WHILE ITS ARTISTIC PREEMINENCE IS UNQUES- well done that they soon became a guide of TIONED, THIS ORCHESTRA MAY FALL SHY OF OF OHIO FAME’S PEAK sorts for wilderness enthusiasts. Upon grad- uating from CU, Mark went on to attend Colo- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES By Greg Sandow rado State University where he graduated with Monday, October 2, 2000 When Ellen dePasquale joined the Cleve- a masters degree in Public Land Manage- land Orchestra two years ago, she’d had just Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I wish to rec- two years of professional violin experience. ment. His undergraduate and masters work ognize the remarkable Cleveland Orchestra And yet here she was, a member of the most enabled him to become the well-respected wil- that was recently featured in the Wall Street disciplined orchestra in America, and pos- derness expert that he is today. Journal article titled ``In Cleveland, Music for sibly the world. Scarier still, she was leading Before working with the Colorado Wilder- Connoisseurs.'' it. She’d been hired as associate concert- ness Network, Mark worked with a number of The Cleveland Orchestra was founded in master, which made her second in command different environmental groups. He has been 1918 under the outstanding direction of Rus- of the musicians. But the week she began, an active member of the Colorado Environ- the main concertmaster, William Preucil, sian-American conductor Nikolai Sokoloff. The was playing in front of the orchestra as a so- mental Coalition, the Sierra Club, as well as renowned Sokoloff initiated an extensive do- working for the Wilderness Land Trust. His ex- loist, leaving Ms. dePasquale in charge. I was mestic touring schedule, educational concerts, overwhelmed,’’ she told me. pertise in Forestry and public land manage- commercial recordings and radio broadcasts. ‘‘We tortured her!’’ Mr. Preucil laughed, ment soon landed him a job with Senator BEN This rich tradition continued under the distin- chatting with her and me and two other NIGHTHORSE CAMPBELL as a public lands staff- guished Artur Rodzinski, who served as music Cleveland Orchestra musicians. ‘‘We broke er. His knowledge of and leadership on wilder- director from 1933±43. His claim to fame was her fingers,’’ deadpanned Robert Vernon, the ness issues is now being utilized by San Juan the presentation of 15 fully-staged operas at principal violist. But these were jokes. The Citizens Alliance, where he is currently em- surprising reality, as Ralph Curry, a member Severance Hall. After a short reign by Erich of the cello section, explained it, was utterly ployed. Leinsdorf, the orchestra went through a period Mark has been a leading member of the wil- simple: ‘‘She sat down and people followed of revolutionary change and growth under the her.’’ Leading an orchestra, Ms. dePasquale derness community for over two decades. Mr. incredible leadership of George Szell begin- said, suddenly was ‘‘easier than it ever had Speaker, on behalf of the State of Colorado ning in 1946. Both the number of Orchestra been.’’ and the U.S. Congress, I would like to con- members and the length of the season in- This is one way to start a special story, gratulate Mark on his well-deserved award. creased, and the Orchestra started touring about the culture of the Cleveland Orchestra, f outside the United States. The famous Cleve- whose musical preeminence is taken for granted by professionals. That’s been true HONORING CARRIE NEWTON AS land Orchestra Chorus was also established ever since the ’50s, when George Szell was THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL during this time. When Szell passed away in music director and conducted—as we can TEACHER OF THE YEAR FOR 1970, he was temporarily replaced by Pierre hear on his recordings, still available from FAYETTE COUNTY Boulez and later by Lorin Maazel during the Sony Classical—with clarity, forceful intel- 1972±73 season. Maazel not only lived up to lect and decisive grace. HON. ERNIE FLETCHER the standards set by his predecessors, but he He set a standard that’s still in force. I’ve also left his own mark on the Orchestra by ex- heard three Cleveland recordings of Bee- OF KENTUCKY thoven’s Ninth, one with Szell conducting, panding their repertoire to include more 20th IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES another with Loren Maazel, music director century compositions. Christoph von Dohnanyi Monday, October 2, 2000 from 1972 to 1982, and the third with Cleve- succeeded Maazel as music director in 1982, land’s current music director, Christoph von Mr. FLETCHER. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor and he continues to hold the position today. Dohnanyi. Szell’s performance is both the to recognize an outstanding educator in the During von Dohnanyi's tenure, the Cleveland strongest and the subtlest, Mr. Maazel’s the Central Kentucky educational community. For Orchestra has soared to rank among the best most blatant and Mr. von Dohnanyi’s the twenty-nine years, Carrie Newton has been a of the world's symphonic ensembles. simplest, despite its force, and the most un- tireless advocate for learning, especially in the However, it is not simply the wonderful di- derstated. But in all three, no matter what approach the conductor takes (and Mr. area of literacy, who has inspired countless rection that makes the Cleveland Orchestra so Maazel’s case, maybe in spite of it), the mu- young students just beginning their academic amazing. The true power and inspiration of the sicians play every note with radiant care. careers. A fourth grade teacher at Lansdown Orchestra stems from its outstanding and mar- Robert Vernon and Ralph Curry both played Elementary School, Ms. Newton demonstrates velously talented collection of musicians. From under Szell; both say they were taught the all the qualities of an exceptional educator. the violins to the flutes to the horns to the tradition when they arrived and that they

∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. E1638 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 2, 2000 passed it on to those who came in after ice’’ and how loyal Cleveland workers are to CELEBRATING THE ASSOCIATION them. their jobs. But what struck me most was FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF They haven’t changed what they look for, that both men had their own connection MEXICAN AMERICANS’ 30TH they said, when new players audition. ‘‘A with the orchestra. beautiful sound,’’ Robert Vernon summa- YEAR OF SERVICE TO THE HIS- rizes, ‘‘not the flashiest playing.’’ ‘‘Someone For many years, nearly every school-child PANIC COMMUNITY who listens,’’ William Preucil offered. ‘‘Our in Cleveland was bused to Severance Hall; character,’’ Mr. Vernon said, ‘‘is to sacrifice Mr. Grabowski heard concerts that way, our own position to be with the other per- while Senator Voinovich’s mother took him HON. GENE GREEN son’’—something I noticed to performances. ‘‘I really miss that part of OF TEXAS These musicians, orchestra staff members my life,’’ the senator said, almost wistfully. said, play their best on matter where they ‘‘As the mayor of the city, one of the nice IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES are. And I heard that myself when some of things was to go to Severance Hall and be them gave a concert in the gym of a local el- Monday, October 2, 2000 ementary school. This was part of a new pro- known by some of the musicians.’’ gram called Learning Through Music, which The renovated hall is breathtaking—an art Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on Oc- (though Cleveland is hardly the first orches- deco palace, red and gold with silver and tober 20, 2000, the Association for the Ad- tra to do this) not only puts musicians in the faux-Egyptian highlights, more playful than vancement of Mexican Americans (AAMA) will schools, but makes them part of the schools’ you might expect, but also simpler and more be celebrating the 30th year of service to the curriculum. The gym was packed with kids serious. Inside it, the orchestra plays won- Hispanic community. This is a tremendous and their working-class parents. The pro- derfully serious concerts, with soloists cho- achievement, and I wish them continued suc- gram ranged from standard classical rep- sen for their connoisseur’s appeal (‘‘We don’t ertoire—a movement, for instance, from the cess. hire big names just because they’re names,’’ Berlioz ‘‘Symphonie Fantastique,’’ cannily Founded in 1970 in Houston, Texas, AAMA Edward Yim, the orchestra’s artistic admin- arranged for 10 or so players—to rock and is the largest Hispanic nonprofit service pro- istrator, very quietly declared), and pro- jazz and the sharp contemporary rhythm of vider in Texas. This community organization Steve Reich’s ‘‘Clapping Music’’ (played grams carefully constructed, with a constant presence of contemporary scores. was founded to advance the needs of His- after a minute of silence, during which the panic families that are coping and struggling to kids were encouraged to hear the sounds Are there problems? The only one I might beat back the grip of poverty, poor health and that rustled and stirred around them). And have found was an apparent disagreement ¨ family planning, and low educational attain- while it’s hardly a secret that orchestras over incoming music director Franz Walser- ¨ ment. Today, AAMA provides services in don’t always care about performance for Most, who’ll succeed Mr. von Dohnanyi two children, in this one the musicians spoke to years from now; the board, I think, adores Houston and across South Texas. the kids with all the flair of accomplished him, but the musicians only said (as musi- In my congressional district, AAMA operates entertainers and played with the same ar- resting certainty you’d hear on their records cians often will). the George I. Sanchez Charter High School, with Mr. von Dohnanyi. The audience was on ‘‘Let’s wait and see.’’ which provides at-risk Hispanic youth with an alternative educational environment. Today, its feet screaming; I’ve never seen an orches- I started asking everybody what difficul- tra make so many friends so quickly. the school is one of the largest and most suc- ties there might be; Thomas Morris answered But, then, the culture of the Cleveland Or- cessful charter schools in Texas. chestra goes deeper than music. ‘‘There’s a ‘‘complacency’’—not now, but maybe in the sense of community you don’t find many future. I’ll raise his bet and offer ‘‘smug- In addition to these education services, other places, and a can-do spirit,’’ said Rich- ness.’’ Mr. Morris isn’t smug (I was amazed AAMA also operates many social service pro- ard Kessler, director of the American Music to find that his institution seemed even grams, including three gang intervention pro- Center, who got to know many orchestras stronger than he says it is), but it’s tricky grams, two HIV and AIDS counseling pro- from the inside when he worked as a consult- being sure that you’re the best. The musi- grams and several drug and alcohol abuse ant on orchestral education programs (in- cians made comparisons with other orches- programs throughout Texas. With these pro- cluding Cleveland’s). ‘‘I’ve never been in an tras that can’t easily be quoted; they’re grams in place, it is easy to see why AAMA institution that had less internal tension,’’ surely true, but baldly written down they is the largest social service provider in Texas. said Patricia Wahlen, the orchestra’s veteran might not seem plausible. And there’s a curi- director of development, after I’d watched ous artistic challenge, which springs from a AAMA is also involved in community devel- her conduct a meeting. ‘‘Talent I know I can problem of perception. The Cleveland Or- opment. The AAMA Community Development find,’’ said Thomas W. Morris, the executive chestra, as I’ve said, is musically pre- Corporation is dedicated to the revitalization of director, talking about how he hires new eminent, but ever since George Szell, this Houston's inner-city through the development staff. ‘‘So I look for imagination.’’ of affordable and decent housing. The AAMA ‘‘The personality is the main thing, fi- largely has been preeminence for con- nally,’’ Mr. Dohnanyi told me, describing noisseurs. What’s missing, at least from the Community Development Corporation recently what he looks for in new musicians. I spoke orchestra’s image, is the expectation of sim- completed and leased a new 84-unit afford- to four people on the board of directors, and pler musical virtues, especially direct emo- able living center in Houston's East End. none of them mentioned what his day job tional expression. Mr. von Dohnanyi (‘‘not I am proud of everyone associated with was until I asked. All four were powers in an obvious choice,’’ said Mr. Ong, ‘‘but per- AAMA. They work tirelessly on behalf of our the Cleveland business world; they’d have to fect for us’’ understands musical integrity; communities. I ask every Member of the be, since the board raised $25 million toward he allows great sonic explosions, for exam- House of Representatives to join me in cele- the recent $116 million ple, only at climactic moments. ‘‘We have a passion for the music, for the brating AAMA's 30th year of service and in musicians,’’ said the board president, Rich- At Carnegie Hall, at the start of Charles wishing them continued success. ard J. Bogomolny (himself an accomplished Ives’s ‘‘The Unanswered Question,’’ he violinist who plays chamber music with evoked the softest orchestral sound I’ve ever f members of the orchestra, though, charac- heard, a kind of wordless aural poetry just a teristically, it wasn’t he who let me know breath away from silence. but even though HONORING GEORGE MANZANARES that), John D. Ong, one of two co-chairmen he might surprise you in romantic music— of the board, describing the orchestra’s posi- try his wrenching, limpid Tchaikovsky ´ tion in the city, told me, ‘‘George Szell lived ‘‘Pathetique’’ on Telarc—he’s most strik- HON. SCOTT McINNIS in Cleveland and was seen doing the normal ingly emotional in unpopular atonal works ¨ ¨ things that people do.’’ One of Mr. Von by Berg and Schoenberg. Mr. Walser-Most, of OF COLORADO Dohnanyi’s sons just graduated from Case course, will have his own story to tell. But IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Western Reserve University here, and many Mr. von Dohnanyi’s version of Cleveland’s people mentioned the city itself as one rea- impeccable tradition almost guarantees that Monday, October 2, 2000 son for the orchestra’s success. Philanthropi- the orchestra can’t be wildly popular. It may cally, Mr. Ong told me, Cleveland is ‘‘ex- not want to be; it’s surely aiming higher. Mr. MCINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to traordinarily generous.’’ But still it’s true that other orchestras re- take this time to honor a remarkable human To learn more, I called Ohio Sen. George being, George Manzanares. George was a re- Voinovich, who’d earlier been Cleveland’s main more famous—the Vienna Phil- mayor, and John Grabowski, assistant pro- harmonic, for example, whose very name cent recipient of the Daily Point of Light fessor of history at Case Western Reserve seems synonymous with classical music. Award. This award is given to individuals and and director of research at the Western Re- Cleveland might be a better orchestra, but groups that ``make a positive and lasting dif- serve Historical Society. Mr. Grabowski because it’s not flashy, the final peaks of ference in the lives of others''. The Daily Point talked about Cleveland’s ‘‘climate of serv- fame may so far have eluded it. of Light Foundation presents one award each