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2014 SESSION

14105033D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 368
Offered February 25, 2014
Commending Charles Sexton.
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Patrons-- Marshall, D.W. and Adams; Senators: Ruff and Stanley
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WHEREAS, Charles Sexton of Danville, who is the orchestra director and founder of the George Washington High School Symphony Orchestra, will retire in 2014 after 33 years of dedicated service to young musicians; and

WHEREAS, after attending high school in Burlington, North Carolina, and earning a bachelor’s degree from Appalachian State University, Charles “Chuck” Sexton became a teacher in the Danville public school system; and

WHEREAS, Chuck Sexton has spent his career working for Danville Public Schools; he was hired in 1981 as interim band director at Langston Junior High School, now known as Langston Focus School, and throughout his career, he has taught thousands of students at nine schools in Danville; and

WHEREAS, after his first year, Chuck Sexton was asked to develop an orchestra program for Danville Public Schools, and in 1982, he formed the George Washington High School Symphony Orchestra, bringing live classical music to students and the greater Danville community; and

WHEREAS, in the 33 years that Chuck Sexton has taught music, his student-musicians became part of a talented and multifaceted orchestra each year; the George Washington High School (GWHS) orchestra consistently has been a top-ranked performer in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Chuck Sexton has contributed to the betterment of the Danville Public Schools music program in many ways; his students have met with professional musicians, including cellist Yo-Yo Ma, conductors Robert Shaw and Zubin Mehta, and violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg; and

WHEREAS, Chuck Sexton created the Friends of the George Washington High School Orchestra in 1985, and he has arranged for members of the Richmond Symphony to teach master classes to his students; and

WHEREAS, recognizing that schools benefit from the extra efforts made by teachers and staff, Chuck Sexton also has been the supervisor for the GWHS auditorium for 15 years, in charge of lighting and sound for all events; he also was the photographer for the football team from 2005 to 2010; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Charles Sexton of Danville, orchestra director and founder of the George Washington High School Symphony Orchestra, on the occasion of his retirement after 33 years of dedicated service to young musicians; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Charles Sexton as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect and admiration for his many years of service to students in the Danville Public Schools, the community, and the Commonwealth.