Cleary Brothers Perform in Statehouse at Reading of VT Music Month Resolution

Photos & Video by James Lockridge.

Today was a special day, and the beginning of a special year for Vermont's music community: The state legislature designated November of 2014 to be "Vermont Music Month," and Joe and John Cleary helped celebrate with a performance on fiddle and guitar during the morning devotion in the House chamber of the statehouse.

Very special thanks to Rep. Ann Pugh, Rep. Suzi Wizowati, all the legislators who supported the resolution, and Chris Ditmeyer for making this dream real for us! Join Big Heavy World as we work to bring special attention to Vermont's music this Fall - it deserves it and we're dedicated to growing its audience. Learn more about luthier Joseph Cleary at http://www.campanellastrings.com

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State of Vermont House of Representatives Montpelier, Vermont Concurrent House Resolution H.C.R. 265

House concurrent resolution celebrating the music of Vermont and designating November 2014 as Vermont Music Month

Offered by: Representatives Pugh of South Burlington, Bouchard of Colchester, Canfield of Fair Haven, Christie of Hartford, Clarkson of Woodstock, Connor of Fairfield, Conquest of Newbury, Cupoli of Rutland City, Dakin of Chester, Dickinson of St. Albans Town, Evans of Essex, Fay of St. Johnsbury, Frank of Underhill, Gage of Rutland City, Goodwin of Weston, Hebert of Vernon, Higley of Lowell, Hoyt of Norwich, Juskiewicz of Cambridge, Komline of Dorset, Lawrence of Lyndon, Lenes of Shelburne, Lippert of Hinesburg, Macaig of Williston, Martin of Springfield, Martin of Wolcott, Masland of Thetford, McCullough of Williston, Michelsen of Hardwick, Miller of Shaftsbury, Mitchell of Fairfax, Mrowicki of Putney, Partridge of Windham, Quimby of Concord, Ram of Burlington, Savage of Swanton, Sharpe of Bristol, Smith of New Haven, Stevens of Shoreham, Till of Jericho, Toleno of Brattleboro, Toll of Danville, Van Wyck of Ferrisburgh, Waite-Simpson of Essex, Wizowaty of Burlington, and Zagar of Barnard

Whereas, when music is made in Vermont, our citizens share their most heartfelt human experiences with one another, building relationships and community, and

Whereas, music in our State is as diverse, dynamic, and vital as our residents, and reflects Vermont’s unique population, and

Whereas, every music genre is represented in the State’s repertoire, including African, classical, folk, hardcore punk rock, and jazz, and

Whereas, from acoustic to electronic, hip hop to opera, and all other sounds imaginable, the richness of Vermont music reflects diverse experiences, and

Whereas, Vermont composers may come from a State ancestry of many generations or be new to our nation’s shores, and

Whereas, the glorious melodies and harmonies of Vermont’s musicians can be heard in person at performance halls, schools, libraries, restaurants, instrument shops, and on the streets and greens of our cities and towns, and

Whereas, Vermont musicians continue to create exciting new releases in the State’s recording studios, and

Whereas, the work of Vermont composers and performers can be found on radio, television, film, online, and mobile digital devices, and

Whereas, the General Assembly hopes that Vermont’s music will be heard within and beyond the State’s borders, and that Vermont’s music industry thrives, and

Whereas, Vermont’s musical composers and performers deserve gratitude and recognition for their creative efforts, and for the contribution their music makes to our State’s economy and cultural diversity, now therefore be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives:

That the General Assembly celebrates the music of Vermont and designates November 2014 as Vermont Music Month, and be it further

Resolved: That the Secretary of State be directed to send a copy of this resolution to the Vermont Arts Council and Big Heavy World in Burlington.