[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1554]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    IN HONOR OF 16 YEARS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE BY THE NOVA-ANNANDALE 
   SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND IN RECOGNITION OF THE 2010 AWARD RECIPIENTS

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                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 10, 2010

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise to thank the NOVA-
Annandale Symphony Orchestra for providing our community with 
outstanding performances for the past 16 years and to recognize its 
2010 Award Recipients.
  In 1994, Dr. Claiborne Richardson of the Reunion Music Society (RMS) 
and Dr. Gladys Watkins of the Northern Virginia Community College 
(NOVA), Annandale Campus, formed a partnership between to create the 
NOVA-Annandale Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra combines the talents 
of local professional and amateur musicians and college students to 
develop their skills by performing the music of different cultures and 
heritages.
  On April 16, 2010, during the NOVA-Annandale Symphony Orchestra's 
``Colors of Spring'' concert the RMS announced award recipients in two 
special categories: The Richardson-Watkins Founders Awards, which 
recognize persons or businesses from the community that have made 
significant contributions to the success of the RMS' programs, and The 
Orchestra/Players Awards, for which musicians are recognized by their 
peers for making significant contributions to the success and 
development of the symphony orchestra over several years.
  The 2010 recipients of The Richardson-Watkins Founders Awards are:
  Campbell & Ferrara Nurseries in Annandale, Va., and its Garden 
Manager, Karen Stay, for many years of providing complimentary flower 
arrangements displayed in the lobby of the NOVA Theater during the 
orchestra's concerts and for helping to promote concerts at its store. 
Ms. Stay always makes sure the floral arrangements are delivered on 
time.
  Mr. Steven Metzger, owner of ``Expert Software Design,'' who has 
hosted the RMS' website for many years, making timely changes, and 
absorbing all expenses. His diligence in maintaining the website is 
particularly noteworthy since he commutes between his home in Fairfax, 
Va., and his full-time job in Frederick, Md. Mr. Metzger has been 
instrumental in converting the website (www.reunionmusic.org) to a new, 
exciting design.
  Dr. Barbara Saperstone, Provost of NOVA's Annandale Campus, who has 
supported RMS programs over a decade, including needed resources for 
the orchestra such as acoustical enhancements in the college theater. 
Through her leadership the college has provided at no cost to the 
orchestra or the RMS use of rehearsal rooms and the theater, purchase 
of music scores and printing of ``playbills'' for concerts.
  The recipients of The Orchestra/Players Awards are:
  Mrs. Nancy McKinless, who has served for many years as the 
orchestra's librarian and plays the violin at concerts. Mrs. McKinless 
ensures that the musicians have appropriate music scores for rehearsals 
and concerts. This involves dealing with music libraries for renting or 
purchasing music.
  Mr. Rolland (``Bucky'') Roup, who plays the violin. Mr. Roup devotes 
many hours to carefully coordinate logistical matters with the 
orchestra's music director and with the NOVA theater technical staff, 
and he has trained a cadre of other orchestra members to assist in 
stage management.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the 
NOVA-Annandale Symphony Orchestra for continuing to offer outstanding 
concerts in collaboration with the RMS and NOVA, and I also ask that we 
commend the 2010 recipients of The Richardson-Watkins Founders Awards 
and of The Orchestra/Players Choice Awards.

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