HR0340LRB097 11781 GRL 54962 r


  
1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives are pleased to recognize the members of the 
4Dorolyn Academy of Music for their work in the Oak Park 
5community; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, The Dorolyn Academy of Music was created by Dr. 
7Dorothy L. Story-Bounds, who had a vision to insure the 
8development of music as a basic means of expression for all 
9people, especially children and youth, by providing a base of 
10excellence through professional training at low cost and to 
11provide a positive environment geared toward promoting 
12self-expression, positive self-esteem, and self-discipline; on 
13September 24, 1982, she opened the Dorolyn Academy's original 
14facility, a 1,500 square-foot facility with 5 instruction 
15studios, and began teaching her first 13 students under the 
16watchful eye of 5 instructors; to ensure that the Academy would 
17be an all-inclusive organization for the underserved of the 
18community, she set the tuition to be only $5.00 per week; and
  
 
19    WHEREAS, As the Academy was not receiving federal or 
20corporate funding, Dorolyn Academy has had to resort to 
21creative fundraising methods, such as the "Pennies-from-Heaven 
22Fund", which was spearheaded by Dr. Bounds, with the support of 
23faculty, students, parents, and friends who contributed their 
 
 
HR0340- 2 -LRB097 11781 GRL 54962 r

1savings of pennies to offset the Academy's overhead; and
  
 
2    WHEREAS, The Dorolyn Academy is most proud of the 
3importance it places on giving back to the community; since 
41990, the Academy has awarded numerous scholarships to 
5outstanding students in instrumental and vocal performance, 
6enabling them to pursue their music aspirations beyond Dorolyn; 
7some of Dorolyn's outstanding students have performed in 
8numerous musicals, including The Lion King, Showboat, Joseph 
9and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and The Color Purple, as 
10well as the television show 7th Heaven and the movie The Little 
11Rascals; and
  
 
12    WHEREAS, For many years, the Dorolyn Academy has given back 
13to the community through the Broadway for Christ Youth Choir 
14and Broadway for Christ Productions, which provided training in 
15vocal and instrumental performance, technique, and decorum, as 
16well as an avenue for positive
self-expression, all at no cost; 
17and
 
18    WHEREAS, Dorolyn Academy is the recipient of the State of 
19Illinois Treasurer's Award in recognition of Outstanding 
20Dedication and Commitment to the African-American Communities 
21of Illinois, the Village of Oak Park's Nicholas Award for 
22Community Commitment, and The Oak Park Area Arts Council's 
23"Best of the Class" Award for Community Outreach; and
  
 
 
 
HR0340- 3 -LRB097 11781 GRL 54962 r

1    WHEREAS, The Dorolyn Academy continues to share its gifts 
2with thousands from the communities of Oak Park, River Forest, 
3Forest Park, Austin, Garfield Park, Humboldt Park, and the 
4entire Chicago metropolitan area; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Dorolyn Academy of Music has always recognized the 
6importance of having a multi-cultural Board of Directors, 
7faculty, and staff, in order to properly serve the 
8multi-cultural communities it represents; and
 
9    WHEREAS, The members of the Dorolyn Academy of Music serve 
10as models of hard work, integrity, and dedication for the 
11people of the State of Illinois; therefore, be it
  
 
12    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
13NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
14we recognize the members of the Dorolyn Academy of Music for 
15their work in the Oak Park community and their commitment to 
16giving back to their community; and be it further
  
 
17    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
18presented to the Dorolyn Academy of Music as a symbol of our 
19esteem and respect.