House Concurrent Resolution 74

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ACKNOWLEDGING AND COMMENDING THE EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP AND DISTINGUISHINGLY IMPECCABLE MUSICALITY AND SYMPHONIC ARTISTRY OF MR. STEVEN BYESS UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS 10TH ANNIVERSARY AS MUSIC DIRECTOR OF THE NORTH MISSISSIPPI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.

WHEREAS, for the past ten years the citizens of northeast Mississippi and orchestral enthusiasts throughout the southeastern region of the United States have enjoyed the rivetingly invigorating and enthralling musicianship of the North Mississippi Symphony Orchestra under the conducting skills of Musical Director, Mr. Steven Byess; and

WHEREAS, founded as the Tupelo Symphony Orchestra in 1971 by attorney Wade Lagrone on the visionary premise that artsy small towns like Tupelo could support an all-professional symphony orchestra, the increasing regional presence of the Tupelo Symphony Orchestra as a premier entertainment organization was a paramount catalyst in the 2013 decision to rename the elite group the North Mississippi Symphony Orchestra; and

WHEREAS, throughout its storied career the North Mississippi Symphony Orchestra has been previously led, in its full-on harmonic sounds and intricate rifts on arpeggios and crescendos which transport you to a different time and place, by many well-versed and distinguished conductors who have gone on to receive Music Director Emeritus or Laureate designation prior to the naming of Mr. Byess as Music Director in 2006, who had previously served the orchestra as its Principle Guest Conductor for several years; and

WHEREAS, hailed as a masterfully brilliant and talented interpreter capable of capturing the epitome of instrumental elegance, Mr. Byess has long been recognized for his dynamic and passionate conducting skills that tell the narrative spirit of a composition perfectly through the vitality of the score, sharing his impassioned expertise as Music Director of the Portland Columbia Symphony Orchestra and Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra, and as the Associate Music Director of the Ohio Light Opera, where to much critical acclaim, he has more than 500 performances of 65 operas, operettas and musical theater works to his credit, as well as features on 19 CD recordings; and

WHEREAS, well-versed in musical overture and symphonic design, Mr. Byess has applied his knowledge and expertise acquired from Georgia State University, the Cleveland Institute of Music and the Pierre Monteux Memorial School for Conductors to ignite his passionate advocacy for the arts to inspire aspiring talents in the pursuit of their dreams in art, music and education; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to acknowledge the wealth of world-renown talent the State of Mississippi is privileged to showcase as invaluable treasures, such as that innately encompassed in the humble prestige of Mr. Steven Byess, whose gift to Mississippi through his leadership as Musical Director of the North Mississippi Symphony Orchestra is truly a preeminent crown jewel:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby acknowledge and commend the exceptional leadership and distinguishingly impeccable musicality and symphonic artistry of Mr. Steven Byess upon the occasion of his 10th anniversary as Music Director of the North Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, and extend best wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. Steven Byess, the North Mississippi Symphony Orchestra and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.