Press Release - Friday, December 30, 2005
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VIOLIN INITIATIVE LAUNCHED TO HONOR THE MEMORY OF MAJ. PAUL SYVERSON III, AN ACCOMPLISHED VIOLIST AND DECORATED ILLINOIS SOLDIER
Chicago—Lt. Governor Pat Quinn launched the 2006 Illinois Violin Initiative to help young Illinois students learn to play the violin.
The 2006 Illinois Violin Initiative honors the memory of Army Maj. Paul Syverson III, an Illinois native who was an accomplished violinist and a decorated Special Forces officer. Gold Star parents of Maj. Syverson - Joy and Paul Syverson of Lake Zurich -joined Quinn and will serve as honorary chairpersons of the statewide learning initiative.
Maj. Syverson, a three-time Bronze Star and two-time Purple Heart recipient, lost his life in a mortar attack on his base north of Baghdad, Iraq on June 16, 2004. A 1989 graduate of Hersey High School, Maj. Syverson played as a sophomore on the school's state championship football team and was also an accomplished violinist. Maj. Syverson learned to play the violin at an early age - even performing at Grant Park and in a youth concert on the Danube River - and continued to pursue his love of the instrument during his military career.
The 2006 Illinois Violin Initiative in memory of Maj. Paul Syverson seeks to encourage the development of young violinists across Illinois. A website maintained by the Lt. Governor's Office will provide information on the basics of violin playing, links to youth symphony orchestras in communities across Illinois, and access to various organizations which provide funding for violin programs.
Others in attendance at the event were Paula Allison, Director of the Egyptian Suzuki School of Music at Southern Illinois University of Carbondale (SIUC) and Linda Flowers, Principal of Thomas School to discuss their innovative partnership that provides all second graders in Carbondale with violin instruction. The local school district crafted the program and SIUC's Music School provides feedback and instruction. The school district is currently finding ways to incorporate the violin program into regular curriculum.
Quinn urged school districts across Illinois to learn about the Thomas School violin school program in Carbondale, Illinois. The Lt. Governor's Office website, www.LtGovernor.il.gov, operates as a resource center of information for prospective teachers, parents, and students interested in developing violin programs in their area.
Special appearances at the press conference included native Chicagoan and internationally acclaimed violinist Rachel Barton Pine who discussed her efforts to support young artists and increase access for low-income students to musical instruments and instruction. Ms. Barton Pine performed with young local violinists including seven-year-old violin prodigy Max Lulich and eight-year-old Adé Williams, the Chicago Sinfonietta's youngest ever soloist.
Friday's event also included a number of stirring performances from local violin institutes. The Beverley Arts Center, a multi-disciplinary program from the Southwest side opened the event. Attendees were also treated to a performance from Oak Park's Windy City String Ensemble who, under the direction of executive director and founder Michael Hining, delivered Movement 3 in G major from Brandenburg's Concerto No. 3.
"We need to encourage young Illinois students to learn how to play the violin," said Quinn. "Thomas Jefferson and Albert Einstein credit playing the violin with helping them express their thoughts and channel their creativity. Stimulating musical interest in young people of all levels and backgrounds is the right thing to do."
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