RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, inspired by Music Director Riccardo Muti's passionate concern for the environment, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association is convening a multi-week, multi-genre festival entitled RIVERS: Nature. Power. Culture: and,
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this festival by Thomas M. Tunney; and,
WHEREAS, during the festival, the CSOA will lead a conversation among nearly 20 Chicago institutions examining the significance of rivers in music and culture, the impact they have had throughout history and their importance; and,
WHEREAS, CSO concerts, chamber music performances, jazz and other presentations comprise the musical basis for this festival, which aims to delve deeply into the conversation about the connections between our natural environment and our cultural heritage; and,
WHEREAS, residing in a city that was formed around the Chicago River, the CSO believes it is critical that it use its voice to convene discussions about the need to appreciate and support the preservation of the natural world; and.
WHEREAS, starting from its perspective that as citizen musicians, it considers it a civic responsibility to use music and other activities to engage and inspire our own audiences, as well as a broader public, in conversations that explore issues of importance to its hometown and the world at large; and,
WHEREAS, the CSO has gathered a wide range of partners and collaborators for RIVERS, all of which are invested in the continuing dialogue about rivers and their place in our city and society; and,
WHEREAS, on Saturday, May 11. the CSO is proud to support Friends of the Chicago River's annual Chicago River Day by presenting Civic Orchestra musicians and showcasing RIVERS curriculum developed by Chicago Public Schools students at select sites around the city; and,
WHEREAS, on Saturday, May 18, the CSO hosts RIVERS Symposium Day, which brings together some of today's most fascinating scholars on water issues of the Amazon, Mississippi and the world, with music from those regions: and,
WHEREAS, on Saturday. June 9, Maestro Riccardo Muti leads a celebration of the Chicago River with members of the CSO, the Chicago Children's Choir and other community music ensembles at scenic Ping Tom Memorial Park in Chinatown; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this 10th day of April 2013, do hereby proclaim May 9-June 9, 2013 as CSO RIVERS FESTIVAL IN CHICAGO and encourage all citizens to join me in participating; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association. /