MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2002 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Johnson (19th), Browning, Blackmon, Chaney, Gordon, Michel, Minor, Gollott, Huggins, Harvey, Furniss, Simmons, Jackson, Kirby, Stogner, Dawkins, Williamson, Dearing, Jordan, Dickerson, Hamilton, Carlton, Horhn, Frazier, Nunnelee, Posey, Carmichael, Thames, Moffatt, Robertson, Bryan, Scoper, Lee, King, Chamberlin, White (29th), Hyde-Smith, Mettetal, White (5th), Burton, Johnson (38th), Smith, Farris, Ross, Tollison, Walls, Little, Cuevas, Turner, Harden, Canon, Hewes
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING BILL MURPHY, OUTSTANDING MUSIC EDUCATOR, ARRANGER AND PERFORMING MUSICIAN FROM MADISON, MISSISSIPPI, AND DESIGNATING HIS MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO THE SEPTEMBER 11TH DISASTER VICTIMS, "FREEDOM'S WIND," AS AN OFFICIAL GIFT OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
WHEREAS, Madison, Mississippi, music educator, arranger and outstanding musician Bill Murphy has assembled 93 musicians to record an uplifting CD entitled "Freedom's Wind," a Christian patriotic pop collection of pieces which is a musical tribute to those who lost their lives in the September 11th attack; and
WHEREAS, these 93 singers, performers and Mississippi students intended this project to be a gift from the State of Mississippi to the United States of America in the spirit of patriotism; and
WHEREAS, Bill Murphy moved to Mississippi in 1995 after retiring from a career in the United States Air Force. Since moving here Bill has been involved in educating middle school through college students throughout the state. Bill is a graduate of USM and teaches as an adjunct professor at USM; and
WHEREAS, for three years Bill ran an arts program for a local children's charity in which he traveled throughout the state teaching music on a mobile music lab. In addition, he conducted a summer music program called "Summer Jazz" designed to expose young music students to professional musicians and artists. The students performed alongside the professionals and even recorded with them in a recording studio; and
WHEREAS, in February 2001, Bill established the Fine Arts Institute of Mississippi, Inc., a nonprofit 501c(3) corporation, and started I.S. Productions, a for-profit video and music production company. The Fine Arts Institute of Mississippi exists to carry on Bill's desire to educate Mississippi's aspiring artists. I.S. Productions exists to produce musical and video products for resale to help finance the fine arts charity; and
WHEREAS, Bill's five-song musical tribute entitled "Freedom's Wind" includes work by the following professional musicians and students: Jeff Holmes, Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst; saxophonists David Pietero of New York; John Wojciechowski of Detroit, Michigan, and David Battaglia of Jackson, Mississippi; nationally-known Christian recording artist Kellye Huff of Forest, Mississippi, who sings the title song; Larry Panella, Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Southern Mississippi; musician/songwriter Johnny Barranco of Nashville, Tennessee, who wrote "Freedom's Wind"; Randy Drake, drummer, of La Crescentz, California; Steve Rigazzi, bassist, of Kansas City, Missouri; Mississippi flutists Albert Lamar, Sybil Cheesman and Julie Maisel; gospel singers from New Horizon Church in Jackson, Mississippi; Mississippi vocalists Lisa Palmer and Melanie Lucroy; the USM String Orchestra; the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra's trumpet section; students at the Academic and Performing Arts Complex in Jackson, Mississippi; and second graders from Madison-Ridgeland Academy; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the civic dedication of this music educator and professional musician who has brought honor to his students, his community and to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Bill Murphy, outstanding music educator, arranger and performing musician from Madison, Mississippi, for his dedication to music education for the young people of our state, and hereby designate his CD tribute to those who lost their lives in the September 11th disaster, entitled "Freedom's Wind," as an official patriotic gift of the talents of Mississippi to the United States of America, and wish Bill continued success in his future professional and academic endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to Bill Murphy and his family, be forwarded to the Mississippi Arts Commission and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.