House Resolution 63

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE MUSICAL GENIUS OF MR. WILLIAM GARFIELD WALKER, AND CONGRATULATING HIM UPON HIS SUCCESS AS AN ACCOMPLISHED SYMPHONIC CONDUCTOR.

WHEREAS, praised for his "passionate and probing performances," as well as for having "a perceptive ear and eye for detail," William Garfield Walker is an emerging young conductor quickly establishing himself on the international stage of musical greatness; and

WHEREAS, a native Jacksonian, Walker studied cello with Beenett Randman and R. Jess Brown, Jr., while attending Murrah High School before transferring at the conclusion of his 11th grade year to Interlochen Center for the Arts, in Interlochen, Michigan, from which he graduated with his high school diploma with an emphasis on cello performance; and

WHEREAS, an altruistic thespian with a heart for humanitarianism, William organized an orchestral ensemble comprised of members of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra and additional musicians from across the state in the Fall of 2017 for a benefit concert to aid the countless individuals who fell victim to the terrible hurricanes that occurred earlier in the summer, and dedicated the proceeds to the American Red Cross, to further its disaster relief efforts; and

WHEREAS, currently serving as the artistic director and conductor of the "Master Camerata," the professional orchestra of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra's International Summer Music Festival, "Premier Orchestral Institute," Walker, the personification of a musical prodigy, previously served as principal conductor of the Moonlight Symphony Orchestra and the Royal College of Music Oratorio Society, founded the Virtuoso Philharmonic of Chicago at the age of 20; and

WHEREAS, having had his performances broadcast live on National Public Radio (USA), Walker has held conducting fellowships at the Aspen Music Festival and the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, where he was named a 2017 recipient of the Bruno Walter Memorial Conducting Scholarship; and

WHEREAS, with orchestral performances in both Europe and the United States in his repertoire, Walker's appearances include: the Berlin Sinfonietta; the Bratislava Symphony Orchestra; the Cabrillo Festival Orchestra; the Janacek Philharmonic Ostrava; the London Classical Soloists; the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra; the Moonlight Symphony Orchestra; the Orquesta Reino de Aragon; and the Bacau Philharmonic Orchestra; and

WHEREAS, Walker, who has had the opportunity to study with renowned leading maestros, such as Vladimir Fedoeseyev, Michail Jurowski, Jorma Panula, Michael Rosewell, Vassily Sinaisky, Leonard Slatkin, Robert Spano, Andreas Stoehr and Dwight Oltmanan, and is an alumni of several elite institutions including: the Interlochen Arts Academy; the Royal College of Music, London, where he studied cello and conducting; and the Music and Arts University of the City of Vienna, where he was the first conductor to graduate from the top diploma program; and

WHEREAS, originally a cellist who won his first professional engagements at the age of 16 with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, William studied with Richard Hirschl (Chicago Symphony Orchestra) and participated in masterclasses with, among others, Yo-Yo Ma, Astrid Schween (Juilliard Quartet) and Desmond Hoebig, and has absorbed the exposure to such a robust wealth of musical genius to expand his musical catalog and pedigree as a composer credited with original musical pieces for solo instruments, large symphony orchestra and dance; and

WHEREAS, his original scores have been performed in cultural centers such as Chicago, London, Vienna and the Palau de la Música Catalana (Barcelona), and his written collaborations for contemporary dance ensemble, Art Alive has debuted for many performances in Brussels, at the Guggenheim (Bilbao, Spain) and the Sarajevo Ballet Festival; and

WHEREAS, Mr. William Walker has worked as an opera conductor in both the United States and Europe, having: served as a cover conductor with the English Touring Opera for an Oliver Award-winning production of Don Giovanni, the Chicago Opera Theater with Frederica von Stade in Ricky Ian Gordon's "A Coffin in Egypt"; assisted high profile opera performances such as Die Fledermaus (J. Strauss) and Hänsel und Gretel (Humperdinck) at the Royal College of Music, London, where he also served as the solo cellist; and served as a rehearsal conductor at the Music and Arts University of the City of Vienna; and

WHEREAS, throughout his venerable career, Walker has been generously supported by: the John N. Palmer Foundation; Talent Unlimited UK; the National Alliance for Audition Support (NAAS), which is comprised of The Sphinx Organization, the lead program administrator and fiscal agent for the Alliance; the New World Symphony, America's Orchestral Academy; and the League of American Orchestras, representing 700 orchestras; and

WHEREAS, William recently made a highly successful debut in Russia with the Astrakhan State Opera and Ballet Theater Orchestra, where he conducted the regional premiere of Prokofiev's Third Symphony Op. 44 to a sold out audience; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend excellence when demonstrated through the remarkable talent of Mississippi's native sons and daughters, especially those of Mr. Walker's caliber, whose mastery of his craft has bestowed renowned national acclaim upon himself and the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the musical genius of Mr. William Garfield Walker, congratulate him upon his success as an accomplished symphonic conductor, and extend best wishes for continued success in all his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. William Garfield Walker and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.